JACK Reacher novelist Lee Child, who lived in the city as a youngster, returned to his place of birth last week to receive an honourary doctorate from Coventry University.
The 68-year-old was a guest at Coventry Cathedral last Thursday where he became a doctor of letters.
Lee, whose real name is James Dover Grant CBE, lived in Styvechale growing up, and after being made redundant following a career in the TV industry turned to writing novels.
His first book, Killing Floor, won both the Anthony Award and the Barry Award for Best First Novel, but he is best known for writing the Jack Reacher series.
The series has gone on to sell millions of copies worldwide and has inspired two films starring Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.
Lee said: “I was absolutely delighted to get the Honorary Doctorate.
“What it really means is someone has read the books and has enjoyed them.
“The city has changed tremendously since I was here, but you can still recognise a lot of it, especially the feel and spirit that Coventry has.
“When I was little it was not long after the war and the new Cathedral didn’t exist.
“We used to come to do our shopping on a Saturday and would always walk by here to see the progress of the new cathedral so it’s amazing to have stood in it.”
