u/AdagioVast

After about 100 pages I'm really starting to think the book was heavily ghost written. The introduction of Jack Ryan Jr was really sloppy compared to the opening chapter of Patriot Games when we are introduced to Jack Sr. Patriot Games open us to Jack Ryan through a series of events which work beautifully to illustrate Jack's background, personality, friends, and idiosyncrasies. Tom doesn't give everything away. He introduces us to this character each chapter highlighting a few characteristics here and there through family and friends. It's a slow burn but its an excellent slow burn.

The Teeth of Tiger introduces Jack Jr in about 10 pages of boring dialogue between him and a senator where all of his traits and wisdom are just "explained", never explored. There is a MAJOR spoiler alert in this chapter, and those who read the book know when I say, that was a cold off camera kill for absolutely zero reason for a character that should have never been done dirty like that (unless it pays off later).

In light of this juxtaposition of books and the example given, I am thinking Teeth was ghost written. But I am sure there are Tom Clancy super fans who know the full history of this book. 😃

SPOILERS!

In reading Red Rabbit I got to page 200 and starting thinking, "neat. A defection plot with an assassination plot. Kind of a Day of the Jackal plot. Sounds fun!"

Page 300 - Okay.... time for the fun to begin.

Page 400 - Um.... anything actually going to happen? Seems like everything is cut and dry here.

Page 500 - Ah..... so really? This is it

Page 600 - WTH?

My experience with this book is that it was boring. Nothing really happens other than a KGB officer defects. They get him out, everything goes to plan. He tells them about the plot to kill the pope. They send guys. They kinda change the outcome. Kinda get their guy.

But nothing actually happens. There is no real intrigue, nothing really goes wrong, everything just happens to work 100% without any hang ups. It's like Clancy didn't feel like complicating the plot or anything. How do we get him out? Lots of variables? Don't worry about it. What about the family? Lots of variables? Oh works out! The smugglers? Oh hey they are on the level. This book is so weird because I feel as if I read 600 pages of a report with zero substance to it.

So did i miss something? Cause I really feel as if I missed something.