On August 20th, 2024, Jack Ryan Jr. returns to action in Tom Clancy Shadow State, the highly-anticipated new thriller from author M.P. Woodward.
’24 is shaping up to be a big year for the Jack Ryan franchise. After undergoing author changes for both the Jack Sr. and Jack Jr. books, it’s been widely reported that Andrews & Wilson have replaced Marc Cameron, who previously replaced Mark Greaney. Their first book, Tom Clancy Act of Defiance, a direct sequel to The Hunt For Red October forty years after Clancy’s iconic debut (you can read my full, spoiler-free review here), comes out on May 21st. Less publicized, though, has been the addition of Woodward, who now steps in for Don Bentley (who years back replaced Mike Madden), who exited the Ryanverse officially in 2023 to take over Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series.
Woodward first turned heads with his 2022 debut novel, The Handler, and also wrote Dead Drop (2023), a book that received high praise from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Kyle Mills and Mark Greaney. Now, the former naval intelligence officer (with the US Indo-Pacific Command) who later transitioned to the private sector as an executive in the media streaming industry, where he ran international partner distribution for Amazon Prime/Prime Video, has been given the keys to Clancy’s Jack Jr. series. Shadow State is his first contribution to Clancy’s beloved franchise and the 12th book overall to feature the son of President Jack Ryan, who was last seen in Bentley’s Tom Clancy Weapons Grade.
While not much is known about the plot of Woodward’s first Clancy book just yet, it’s worth pointing out that long before he was writing books, he scripted scenario moves and countermoves for US war game exercises in the Middle East. He also, during multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf and Far East, worked alongside US Special Forces, the CIA, and even the NSA. So, he brings real credentials to the table, and readers have every reason to be excited about whatever he’s cooked up for Jack Ryan Jr. and the rest of the Campus later this year.
Jack Ryan, Jr. is the one man who can stop an international conspiracy in the latest entry in this #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Jack Ryan, Jr. finds himself cut off from his comrades at The Campus just when he needs them most. He’s smack dab in the middle of an international conspiracy, and this may be too much for even he to handle.
We’ll have more coverage of this book leading up to its release, including a full review and probably an interview or two with Woodward, so make sure to check back for more details soon. In the meantime, Tom Clancy Shadow State is now available for pre-order everywhere books are sold.
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor and is building a growing community on Twitch. His debut thriller, FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” is now available. His second novel, LETHAL RANGE, is also in bookstores, and his third book, OUT FOR BLOOD, comes out on June 4th. For more information, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.