Lee and Andrew Child in Conversation

Lee Child and Andrew Child appear together at Carlisle's Old Fire Station on Tuesday 20 October 2026 for a special publication-day event celebrating their new Jack Reacher thriller, Chain Reaction.

The event forms the opening night of Borderlines Carlisle Book Festival 2026 and gives readers the chance to hear the brothers discuss their latest collaboration before meeting them at a book signing after the conversation.

When is the Lee Child event in Carlisle?

• Date: Tuesday 20 October 2026
• Venue opens: 6.45pm
• Doors: 7pm
• Conversation: 7.30pm to 8.30pm
• Afterwards: book signing with Lee and Andrew Child
• Venue: Old Fire Station, Peter Street, Carlisle CA3 8QP
• Format: seated
• Age: 14+

What is Chain Reaction?

Chain Reaction is the 31st Jack Reacher novel and the seventh collaboration between Lee Child and his younger brother Andrew Child. The book is released in the UK on the same day as the Carlisle event, making this a genuine launch-night appearance rather than a later promotional date.

The new story sends Jack Reacher to Colorado after General Susan Turner asks for his help following the murder of a member of her team. The investigation takes him to an isolated town dominated by huge data centres and solar farms.

Tickets and book bundles

This is being sold as a book-and-ticket event rather than a standard admission ticket.

• Book + one ticket: £22
• Book + two tickets: £30
• Under 25 book + one ticket: £20
• Under 25 book + two tickets: £26

Ticket availability can change quickly. Book through the official Borderlines and Tullie DigiTickets checkout rather than relying on tickets being available on the night.

Book signing

Lee and Andrew Child are scheduled to sign books after the interview. Allow extra time after the advertised 8.30pm end of the conversation if you want to join the signing queue.

Age restrictions

The event is for ages 14 and over. Visitors aged 14 or 15 must be accompanied by an adult, with each adult able to accompany a maximum of two children. Visitors aged 16 or 17 can attend without an accompanying adult but must leave the venue after the event has finished.

Accessibility

The Old Fire Station's bar and main event space are on the ground floor with street-level access, and an accessible toilet is available. For seated shows, wheelchair users and visitors who need assistance are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before the advertised door time and speak to venue staff.

The venue also offers a limited essential companion ticket arrangement for customers who meet its published Access Card requirements. Check current access arrangements directly with the venue before booking if a particular seating position or companion ticket is essential.

Parking for an evening event

Do not automatically use Castle Car Park for this event. Cumberland Council currently lists normal vehicle access there only until 8pm, while the author conversation does not finish until 8.30pm and the signing follows afterwards.

West Walls Car Park currently allows vehicle access until 11pm, while Viaduct Car Park is currently accessible 24 hours a day. Always check the signs and current council information when you arrive because access arrangements can change.

Why this Carlisle date matters

Lee Child has a particularly strong connection with Cumbria, with his official author biography identifying the Lake District as his home in England. Combining that local connection with the publication day of a new Jack Reacher novel makes this one of Carlisle's standout literary events of autumn 2026.