I've been a long-time fan of Jack Ryan. I discovered the books (I'd seen a few movies) after I graduated college and didn't know what to read for fun as an adult. And though the series is no longer written by Tom Clancy, I enjoy Marc Cameron's take on the series. I can often forget that it isn't Clancy.

Jack is back fighting for his life. You would think now that he is president that he wouldn't be in such life-and-death situations, but then it wouldn't be the Jack we know and love.

I read this book in great chunks which is the best way to read a Jack Ryan novel - once the action starts you just want to keep turning the pages with no interruptions.

There is a scene when a relatively new CIA analyst gets her moment in a Presidential briefing. It was reminiscent of Ryan's first time briefing the president. I thought it was a nice touch.

If you are a Jack Ryan fan then you won't be disappointed and if you are new to the series there's no problem with popping into the series with any book. (Clancy didn't write the series in chronological order so it has always been easy to enter the series at any point).

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/05/3-crime-fiction-books-you-wont-want-to.html

Cameron delivers exactly what we expect from a Jack Ryan novel: fast paced sociopolitical intrigue and military action/adventure. Of course, Jack Ryan is caught up in the fray and his life is in peril per the usual.

If you’re a Jack Ryan fan, you won’t be disappointed!

I just finished Command and Control, a thrilling addition to the Jack Ryan series that kept me turning pages well into the night. The legacy of Tom Clancy lives on, and this book is proof that the spirit of Jack Ryan continues to captivate readers with its intense political and military scenarios.

This time, the drama unfolds around the Panama Canal, an essential artery of global trade. The plot kicks off when President Jack Ryan is caught in the middle of a coup while visiting Panama to support his friend, President Rafael Botero, against socialist threats. What was supposed to be a routine display of democratic solidarity spirals into chaos, with Ryan and his team isolated and the Vice President scrambling to mount a response from Washington. The threat intensifies when the Camarilla, a vicious criminal group, seizes the opportunity to assassinate the leader of the free world.

The subplot involving the CIA’s Ground Branch and the Venezuelan Russian assassin adds layers of intrigue and personal vendetta, enriching the story with complex character motivations and fierce confrontations. Sabine, the assassin’s unhinged sister, is a formidable antagonist whose ruthless pursuit of the Director of National Intelligence adds a personal stake to the global crisis.

What really impressed me was the meticulous detail in describing the operations around the Panama Canal and the intricacies of police procedures and international espionage. It’s clear the author did his homework, but it never felt like a history lesson—instead, it added authenticity and tension to the narrative.

Although the novel spans a hefty 462 pages, my only gripe is that with so many characters and backstories, it sometimes felt overwhelming to keep track of everyone’s role. The depth of character development is impressive, providing insights into both heroes and villains that are as intricate as they are fascinating.

The standout line, “The place smelled like piss and dead dreams,” perfectly captures the gritty reality of the settings and the despair of conflict. It’s lines like these that elevate the narrative, providing not just a plot to follow but an atmosphere in which to be immersed.

Overall, Command and Control ticked all my boxes. It was a thrilling ride that reaffirmed why I love thrillers. It had all the elements—suspense, action, and intellect—that make the Jack Ryan series so enduring. Rating this book was easy: a solid 5 stars for keeping me engaged and eagerly turning pages. If you’re a fan of Clancy or high-stakes political thrillers, this is a must-read. And now, maybe it’s time for me to start from the beginning of the series to see how it all began for Jack Ryan!

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a comp of this title. The opinions are my own.

- [ ] The 23rd novel of the Jack Ryan, Sr. series originated by Tom Clancy doesn’t disappoint his fans. Marc Cameron has done a great job of filling in for our late great author. As a novelist of his own series (Jericho Quinn), he made Jack Ryan come to life in the latest thriller. Jack is still President and the world still hates him in many corners. Yet Jack continues to fight the good fight against dictators and those who hate America. This latest novel finds the President traveling to Central America on what is supposed to be a peaceful support mission to an ally. But as usual, the bad guys see this as an opportunity to bring America to their knees by killing the one man who is loved in America, but hated by so many outside America.

The plot is familiar and the end is guaranteed, but it will keep you turning the pages. Probably the biggest negative to those partial to the original Clancy novels is the lack of so many backstories that Clancy was able to incorporate into one final crescendo at the end of his books. Cameron does a great job and I will continue to support his efforts in continuing the saga of President Jack Ryan.

The final Marc Cameron installment to the Clancy series cements his place in the Jack Ryan series. He had done an amazing job over the last seven books and Command and Control is a wonderful end to his run.

Marc Cameron ends his tenure of helming the Jack Ryan Sr boat by floating the president into a surprise coup in Panama. How in the world? You see, what had happened was...they were trying to be sneaky-sneaky getting Ryan into Panama to show solidarity with the Panamanian president who is facing internal opposition with an assist from Russia. Good plan; bad timing.

Marc Cameron was a great choice to continue Tom Clancy's legacy and Command and Control feels like old school Clancy. Cameron is well known for character development and he used his skill to introduce readers to new characters that feel like they've been around since the beginning. It was also nice to read about something other than Ukraine, China or Islamic terrorism. It's a nice change of pace and I think Clancy would be proud.

My sincere gratitude to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Command and Control.

Every single time I start one of these books, I say the same thing to myself: Self, you'll never be able to keep all the characters and storylines straight. And you know what? A few chapters into it, and I'm really INTO it - you know what I mean? The same thing happened here, with an added thought that I'm in awe of any writer who is able to even conceive of such complex concepts, much less weave them together so well. I'm sorry to learn that this is the last in the series he'll be penning.

Central to the plot this time out is Panama, where President Rafael Botero has asked his old friend, U.S. President Jack Ryan, to make an unscheduled visit to boost his image during a time of growing unrest. On the other sides of the equation are Botero's enemies (who at best want him deposed and at worst dead) and the Russians, who would love to swoop in and save the day.

In the midst of that, though, is another angle; a mission by members of the Campus, a secretive elite group that includes President Ryan's son, Jack Jr., took out a formidable murderer who, it turns out, has a sister who is even more lethal. Not happy with losing her brother, she sets out to get rid of the person who ordered his killing - none other than Ryan's Director of National Intelligence, Mary Pat Foley (and just for good measure, her elderly husband).

Both situations heat up fast with a coup d'etat in Panama that quickly threatens President Ryan and his small protective entourage. It extends to Mary Pat, who entered the country with her President but took off in another direction, and to Jack Jr.'s group, which seems to have garnered attention from some very nasty people all on their own. Of course, I can't offer more details except to say that they're all juicy. All told, another one well done, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review it.

As always the author has taken Tom Clancy's story line about Jack ryan and has really done it justice. I love the details on how things in the government works and how it all flows with the plot. I am giving this book five stars

Non-stop action following your favorite Clancy heroes. This is a great companion to the Jack Ryan Jr novels. Even thought it references previous books, it is not necessary to have read them (but you should).

This was a fantastic action thriller and a real page turner. Highly recommended.

President Jack Ryan helping to stop a takeover of the Panama Canal, hence the government of Panama, by the Russians via an organization known as the Camarilla. Entertaining, action packed suspense, and danger everywhere he goes is just part of the excitement this book exudes. Getting to know new participants and catching up with old friends makes me want to read just one more chapter. This series makes me proud to be an American.

Book Review – Tom Clancy Command and Control – Marc Cameron
“Tom Clancy Command and Control” by Marc Cameron – his last Clancy book – was once again geopolitically relevant, storyline compelling, plotline intriguing, and action-laden suspenseful. Cameron delivers another heart pounding ‘military thriller’ in Book 37 of the Jack Ryan Universe series. This time the Russians plot to seize the Panama Canal and President Ryan agrees to go and support the Panamanian President, who is an old friend of Ryan’s, against growing socialist opposition. Ryan’s visit to Panama quickly turns into a nightmare when a full-blown coup d’état erupts, and the entire country is thrown into chaos. Meanwhile, Jack Junior and the Hendley and Associates team – with help from the CIA – continue to fight the ruthless criminal organization behind the coup. This story contains familiar characters from previous novels with Mary Pat Foley, John Clark, Ding Chavez, and a couple of new covert ops operators from The Campus. While the storyline is fresh and absorbing, the addition of some new characters to the long-standing series still felt comfortable and familiar. Cameron is an expert at writing insightful and significant relationships with all the characters in his stories and he did it again in this narrative. It was very profound. He also penned a unique and distinguishing take on US vs. Russia relations in this geopolitical thriller. Very distinctive storytelling. Command and Control has all the qualities of a classic Tom Clancy novel with thoughtful political plotting, fiery action and amble military details that were all well told by Cameron’s prose. I will be sad to see Marc Cameron move on from the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series, but happy to know that he’s passing the baton to Andrews and Wilson who are more than adept at continuing the long-running Jack Ryan Sr. series. Huge fan of Marc Cameron (and his other novels) and appreciated his time with the Ryan Universe. Looking forward to Andrews and Wilson continuing the series. Special thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publishing and Marc Cameron for the Advance Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Cameron writes the Jack Ryan books so wonderfully. This book reads better if you have read past books as it explains some of the back stories. I enjoyed having the story involving President Jack Ryan and Jack Ryan Junior and his group in the same storyline.

I'm a huge fan of Marc Cameron's Arliss Cutter series. Adding Tom Clancy's fabulous Jack Ryan series and Cameron's US Marshall background together was bound to produce a killer political thriller.....and it did.

When President Ryan and his protection team are cut off and stranded, a race to save them will become a thriller so good you'll not be able to set the book down. The characters are well developed. We've followed Jack Ryan through so many adventures and the elections. This bad guys do not know what they've taken on.

I greatly appreciate the advanced copy of this book! This is not my typical read but I liked stepping out and trying a new genre. Some of the technical terms were a little confusing to me and this is a book in a set of other books, apparently, so I might have understood it more had I read the other books. However, I thought the story and pacing were great! And I appreciated the list of characters at the beginning of the book to help keep everyone straight. I like the setting in Panama and the dealings with Russia. It seems appropriate for current events. Jack Ryan is a great character. I’ll be interested to read another book about events that happen during his presidency. He seems like a proud American protector. All in all, an interesting read!

Another heart pounding thriller is delivered by Marc Cameron in the Jack Ryan series. This time the Russians are planning to take the Panama Canal. Jack Ryan agrees to head to Panama to support the current Panamanian President against growing socialist sediment in the country. While he is there a coup d’etat happens and the whole country is thrown into chaos. Meanwhile, Jack Junior and the Hendley and Associates team is, with the help of the CIA, continuing the fight against Camarilla, the criminal organization behind the kidnapping of the first lady in the last novel.

Marc Cameron has become an expert at weaving a complex and enthralling story. The characters are numerous as are the locales. It is a big story, yet I found it very easy to follow. This book seemed to have a bit more Jack Ryan Senior in it, and with the visit to Panama and the coup d’etat, he is more directly involved in the action. I like that Adam Yao of the CIA is involved in this book as he is a strong character that seems to be rising within the ranks of the CIA.

Overall this is a great thriller. It is complex, yet easy to read. The las5 quarter of the book has a ton of fast paced action that brings the book to a climactic close. Thank you to NetGalley, Marc Cameron, and Penguin Group Putnam for a free advance copy for an honesty review.

I really enjoyed this book. I though Marc Cameron’s writing was well done and did great service to the story. I look forward to more books by Cameron

Jack Ryan #37 This is Marc Cameron's latest and last addition to this series. Set during Jack Ryan's Presidency, this is not a standalone. You really need to have read the books before his Presidency to understand the hand that he has been dealt and his background/backstory - it will just give the entire story so much more depth. Of course you have classic Jack Ryan and his moral compass and his need to protect the United States - and his need to go above and beyond what he is called to do. With Russian warships in the Panama Canal, you will get a new twist on the US/Russia relationship. This is a must read for Jack Ryan fans.

Intense and enjoyable, Command and Control will have you on the edge of your seat as a violent coup puts Jack Ryan and his most trusted advisor in dire straits. Marc Cameron is once again up to the task of keeping the Jack Ryan universe relevant and entertaining, delivering a compelling tale of danger and international intrigue filled with pulse-pounding suspense.

Panamanian President Botero is battling socialist opposition and requests President Jack Ryan to visit Panama in a show of support. A risky proposition for the American president given the tension-filled protests occurring in country, but Jack Ryan doesn’t care because he wants to do what’s right and help his old friend. However, every fear the Secret Service has about keeping President Ryan secure comes to pass when a coup d’état erupts, comms go down and the President goes missing. Concurrently, Director of National Intelligence Mary Pat Foley is in the crosshairs of Camarilla, a brutal criminal organization with a leader hellbent on getting revenge for the targeted killing of her brother. With Russian warships in the Panama Canal, the president’s whereabouts unknown and gun battles raging in the streets, it’ll take a herculean effort to keep President Ryan and DNI Foley alive and out of the hands of some seriously dangerous and bloodthirsty individuals.

Command and Control has all the hallmarks of a classic Jack Ryan novel. It contains thoughtful political maneuvering, explosive action and Jack Ryan following his own code of ethics even when it puts him in dangerous situations. It also contains the familiar cast of characters with Mary Pat Foley front and center with John Clark, Ding Chavez and a couple of new operators on The Campus Team called in to do what they do best. So, while the storyline is fresh with some new blood added to the team and provides a unique spin on US vs. Russia relations, the novel feels comfortable and familiar with so many regular personalities gracing the pages with their presence. Resulting in a story that will thrill long-time Clancy fans while appealing to thriller fans in general.

This book was a struggle to finish. The overuse of technical jargon and overdetailing of weapon descriptions slowed the pace and pulled me out of the story. The pace was too slow for the genre.

Marc Cameron is a damned good writer in his own right but going into the Ryanverse you have to be a cut above and Cameron certainly is just that, This is a real barnburner of a book and is very difficult to put down. The president is planning on going to a meeting in Venezuela when he gets a call from his friend, the Panamanian President Botero asking for him to come to Panama to stave off undue Russian interference there. Ryan wants to help so over the objections of his staff, goes to Panama. The Campus operatives are on the scene as a group known as Camarilla plan to overthrow the government and since he is there, kill Jack Ryan. This is a fast moving plot and the action never stops, so grab your snacks and unplug the phone.