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This latest book by Tom Clancy explores the post-9/11 world of terrorism where the CIA is prevented by law from participating in assassinations and the government now relies on a privately funded group called Hendley Associates to knock out the bad guys. Hendley, also known as 'the Campus', is run by an ex-Senator pal of former President John Patrick Ryan. Before leaving office, Ryan signed a general pardon for any 'crimes' committed by Hendley operatives in the service of their country. Now, Ryan has no idea that his pardon may be extended to his own son. Jack Jr.'s education and life experience earn him a position at Hendley Associates as an analyst assigned to follow the money trail left by terrorist agents. Unbeknownst to Jack, his cousins Dominic and Brian Caruso have also been recruited by 'the Campus'. FBI agent Dominic has proven his worth by killing a child molester and murderer, while Marine officer Brian's deeds in Afghanistan have shown him to be a man above his peers. Brian originally has some misgivings about the morality of assassination. His misgivings are allayed after a coordinated attack by terrorists on several mid-sized American cities. Brian and Dominic find themselves in a shopping mall during one of the attacks. The twin brothers manage to kill the four terrorists involved in that attack and return to their 'Campus' training with renewed dedication. While Dominic and Brian prepare for their first assignment, Jack Jr. continues to intercept emails that point to the men behind the attacks. The brothers eventually leave for Europe where they test a recently refined weapon on suspected links in the terrorist chain. Jack is sent to help them and becomes an assassin himself when the identity of one of the brothers is compromised. The story ends with the deaths of several ringleaders and middlemen in the terrorist organization. At a time when American intelligence efforts have failed to inspire awe in the public -- witness their inability to track down either Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein -- readers may experience a bit of vicarious satisfaction through the deeds of Clancy's fictional heroes. The good-guy-gets-bad-guy theme is an attractive one, albeit somewhat imaginative given modern realities. Still, at a time when Secretary of Defense Rumsfield talks of the need for an agency dedicated to the assassination of perceived enemies, Clancy's story may be more prophetic than fanciful. While not up to the standards of Clear and Present Danger or Debt of Honor, this book is undoubtedly a step above Clancy's Op-Center or Net Force series. It should please a good many of his die-hard fans.
Reviewed by Mary V. Welk, November 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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