With much regret, the Nov. 29 Sacramento Bee Book Club event presenting novelist Janet Evanovich has been canceled due to an illness in her family.

Evanovich's son was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and her place is with him as he receives treatment, she said. The prognosis is excellent, she said.

She has promised to reschedule her appearance in Sacramento for The Bee Book Club.

The best-selling author has a huge fan base – her electronic newsletter reaches more than 1 million people – and she is expected to be flooded with wishes for her son's speedy recovery.

In her place, award-winning mystery-thriller novelist Lee Child will be featured at the Nov. 29 edition of The Bee Book Club, in one of his few West Coast appearances this year.

This is a free event, but tickets are required. Go to www.beebuzzpoints.com and click on "Fall Events."

Tickets are limited to two per person. Printed, hard-copy tickets will be required for entry to the event.

Those holding tickets to the Evanovich event cannot use them for the Lee Child event. You must re-register.

Child's new novel, the New York Times No. 1 best-selling "A Wanted Man," is the 17th entry in the phenomenally popular Jack Reacher series (Delacorte, $28, 416 pages). Child's books have sold 60 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 40 languages.

The Reacher character – all 6 feet 5 inches and 250 pounds of him – is likable but deadly, a loner who operates under the radar and by his own code of honor, which invariably results in justice being served.

Reacher is a graduate of West Point, served in the Army for 13 years (part of that time as an MP), travels a great deal (he has no permanent home) and is a survivor who makes his living as a "problem-solver," largely helping those who can't help themselves.

"I would be like Reacher if I was 100 pounds heavier and lived in a fictional universe," Child joked.

Tom Cruise will play Reacher in the upcoming movie "Jack Reacher," adapted from Child's 2005 book "One Shot." It's scheduled for release Dec. 21.

In "A Wanted Man," Reacher is hitchhiking through Nebraska en route to Virginia when a car stops for him. He looks inside and sees two men and a woman. Hmmm. Something's not right, but he climbs in anyway. Big mistake. What follows is a tense and twisty adventure involving kidnapping, murder, the FBI, the CIA and betrayals at the highest levels. All of Reacher's skills are required for him to emerge triumphant.

Another book by Child, due Nov. 6, is "Jack Reacher's Rules" (Delacorte, $16, 160 pages). It's a compilation of quotes and advice from Reacher during his 17-book odyssey, reflecting his personal code and "don't mess with me" attitude.

"Either you walk out of here by yourself, or you'll be carried out in a bucket," is one line. Another: "Know how to find your way around a city."

Child will appear for The Sacramento Bee Book Club at 6 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H St., Sacramento. Doors will open at 5 p.m.

He will give a presentation and autograph books. Meanwhile, visit him at www.leechild.com.

Barnes & Noble will be on site to sell pre-autographed copies of the title for 30 percent off the list price (Bantam, $28, 320 pages).

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