Die Trying characters

Appears from the start

A former Army serviceman facing an armed man beside an unknown woman on a Chicago street. A Beirut wound and extensive weapons knowledge reveal his military experience and help him recognize the immediate danger.

Appears from the start

A man attacked by three strangers after confronting them at his car. His death establishes the lethal methods of the attackers before the main abduction begins, although no further connection is yet known.

First appears in chapter 2

The calm leader among the three abductors. He directs a nervous subordinate and a driver as the team seizes an injured woman and Jack Reacher.

First appears in chapter 2

The driver in the three-person abduction team, waiting with the sedan as the calm leader and nervous subordinate seize an injured woman and Jack Reacher.

First appears in chapter 2

A well-dressed woman using a hospital-style crutch because of an injured leg. Two armed men seize her after Jack Reacher stops to help her, and he concludes that she was their intended target.

First appears in chapter 4

An unusually large, quiet employer who directs workers preparing a stripped room in an old building.

Also known as Holly

First appears in chapter 6

The injured, composed woman deliberately abducted with Reacher, now identified as Holly Johnson. The kidnappers selected her as their target and took Reacher only because he happened to be present.

First appears in chapter 9

Holly’s FBI section head, who arrives as concern grows over her absence from a scheduled conference.

First appears in chapter 9

An FBI agent recently transferred to Chicago who has helped Holly during her recovery from a knee injury. His knowledge of her habits confirms that her lateness is abnormal.

Also known as Mac

First appears in chapter 10

The respected agent in charge of the Chicago FBI office. He immediately recognizes Holly’s unexplained absence as serious.

First appears in chapter 14

A covert observer at a remote operation who secretly radios a warning after watching work on a concealed, reinforced room.

Also known as Webster

First appears in chapter 15

The FBI director, who responds urgently and personally when Holly disappears.

First appears in chapter 16

The senior military officer leading the Joint Chiefs, whom Harland Webster meets at the Pentagon after escalating Holly's disappearance beyond the Chicago FBI office.

First appears in chapter 18

The remaining carpenter forced by the employer to test whether a specially built room can be escaped, under threat of mutilation if he fails.

Also known as Little Stevie

First appears in chapter 26

The nervous armed member of the team transporting Holly and Reacher. He carries a handgun, follows the leader's orders, and helps guard the captives during the staged journey away from Chicago.

Also known as Holly's father

First appears in chapter 36

Holly's father, a former commander in chief in Europe and the nation's most senior military figure. His position explains why Reacher believes Holly was chosen as leverage rather than taken merely because she works for the FBI.

First appears in chapter 47

The national leader whom General Johnson consults about Holly’s abduction before accepting continued FBI control of the case.

Also known as the original truck driver

First appears in chapter 53

The driver whose fingerprint is found on the brush used to disguise the stolen transport truck. His criminal record and the fingerprint identify him as the unnamed member of the abduction crew who drove the vehicle.

First appears in chapter 57

The kidnapping-team leader who delivers Holly and Reacher to an armed mountain enclave.

Also known as Borken

First appears in chapter 58

The son of the former owner of the kidnappers’ pickup. Forensic vehicle evidence connects him to the truck and gives the FBI a strong lead in Montana.

First appears in chapter 63

The Montana Militia’s chief of staff, who takes custody of Reacher at the enclave and says Loder’s operation has caused serious problems for the group.

First appears in chapter 69

A talkative militia guard assigned to Reacher. He identifies the nearby abandoned town as York and explains that the armed community intends to establish a separatist stronghold under Borken's leadership.

First appears in chapter 88

A woman working in the mess hall who privately asks Jack Reacher to meet her after lights out, saying that the community needs his help.

First appears in chapter 94

A woman who enters Holly's courthouse room carrying food while Holly works to free part of the bed frame.

Also known as Rosen

First appears in chapter 95

The Attorney General and Webster’s superior during the militia crisis.

First appears in chapter 96

The President's senior aide who takes charge of the crisis for the White House.

Also known as Garber

First appears in chapter 115

Reacher’s former commanding officer, who joins the federal response while officials are assessing Reacher’s apparent role.

First appears in chapter 137

A militia member who launches a Stinger at an approaching Chinook. Jack Reacher kills him, but not before the missile locks onto the aircraft.

First appears in chapter 67

A scarred militia guard who secretly tells Holly he is an undercover FBI counter-terrorism agent. He masks their conversation with running water and proposes an escape by jeep.