This was quite a divergence from the typical Jack Ryan, Jr. book. After finding oil off the coast of Guyana the US had a Coast Guard cutter which disappeared while on patrol. Although they were only there to open a sea lane between the oil field and the Louisiana refineries, someone felt it important to attempt to interrupt the mission.

Jack Ryan, of course was in Guayana for Hendley Assoc. when he hears of the terrorist attack. Led by Wagner Group (Russian) and Venezuelans.
Not to spoil the plot, but this is a fast moving novel and a pleasant movement from the last few Clancy books which follow more of a formula.

Fast read, great book.

Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons Publishing and Netgalley for a pre-release galley in order to read and write an honest review.

Very very good. Interesting plot with typical twists and turns. Great new character development and of course filled with action. Fans of the series will love this one.

We all know and love Jack Ryan. I’ve never actually read one of these books before, but I’ve always loved the films. This book dives right into action and is jam packed with everything you could ask for in a spy novel. I enjoyed every minute of it. It’s so hard to say anything else without ruining anything.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the early copy.

MP Woodward continues the Jack Ryan Jr./Campus line created by Tom Clancy. He's done a great job of continuing Jr's story progression as he slowly becomes more mature and much less of the hot-blooded, immature man he has been with a previous author. Not to say that he doesn't continue to find himself in wild situations against diabolical foes.

This time Jack is down on Guyana working a legit business deal, while Ding is in Venezuela undercover with a narco. Their paths cross in a Russian - proxy hatched coup that goes from the farms and jungle to the coastal sea.

I like where the series is headed as Jr continues to get written more mature, and I continue to marvel at how much John Clark has left. He seems bionic at this point.

Excellent addition to the Jack Ryan, Jr./Campus series. Great characters are back and the new ones add excitement to the story. Very interesting and well-written.

A Realistic Portrayal of Paramilitary Conflict Over Oil
Tom Clancy, by M. P. Woodward, Line of Demarcation: A Jack Ryan Jr. Novel (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, May 20, 2025). Hardcover: $32. 400pp, 6X9”. ISBN: 979-0-593718-00-1.
***
“The discovery of an oil field off the coast of Guyana plunges Jack Ryan, Jr into a cauldron of lies in the latest entry in this… series. It starts with the destruction of a US Coast Guard cutter and the loss of her entire crew. But the USCG Claiborne was on an innocuous mission to open a sea lane between an oil field off the coast of South America and the refineries of southern Louisiana. The destruction of the ship, tragic as it is, won’t stop that mission from continuing. So, who would sacrifice twenty-two men and women just to slow down the plan? That’s the question plaguing Jack Ryan Jr. He’s in Guyana to work a deal to get his company, Hendley Associates, in on the ground floor of this new discovery, but Russia’s Wagner Group and a pack of Venezuelan narco-terrorists have other ideas—and will risk war with the United States to see them through. It’s up to Jack to identify the killers before they draw a bead on him, but how can he do that when the line of demarcation between friend and foe is constantly shifting?”
I do not understand what this blurb is saying. I will try to break it down. There is a new oil field discovered in Guyana. The Clairborne is blown up while it was trying to open a sea-lane that stretches between Guyana, South America and its neighboring Venezuela where there was previously military conflict. The Guyana-Venezuela conflict is indeed a long-standing territorial dispute about the Essequibo region. When Venezuela started holding elections in this disputed region, it sparked new tensions. But the two countries have not had a military engagement about this dispute (it dates to 1899, and has mostly been handled by the courts). Venezuela merely started building up military operations on the border with Guyana recently, and Guyana responded in kind. So, this novel imagines that the existing territorial tensions, and over the real oil-discoveries in the disputed region led to a military conflict in a fictional future.
Hendley was first to invest in this oil field, but a Russian paramilitary business wants to make a rival bid? Why do the Russians need help from Venezuelans, or rather the reverse since Venezuelans are pretty much on their own (perhaps disputed) territory? Is Hendley also a paramilitary group? Are both trying to be paid by the South Americans for “protection” from themselves and rival paramilitary groups? This seems to be echoing the historic conflict over Colombia, where paramilitary groups have been defending oil-interests with funding and military training from US oil companies (Occidental, British Petroleum, Texas Petroleum) and the U.S. military. Who are Hendley’s friends in this scenario? A lot more clarity is needed, and it is not really provided in this blurb, or in the first pages. And later in the novel, the ships are swimming all over the Atlantic, instead of fighting some clear conflict over these oil-fields.
When these types of ideas are presented in action films, I tend to be too distracted by the action scenes to stop the tape to figure out what is happening. But this is a novel with this summary plastered on the back of it. Another book in this list of reviews explained that cops (and the military) purchase good press, and positive representations in films and other types of media. This seems to be a standard propaganda that is placing America as the Hero, and is labeling the same type of paramilitary groups from Russia and Venezuela as the Villains. I doubt there will be an explanation for these questions inside these pages.
The cover is curiously designed. There is a web of black-white-red-yellow lines over the image to make it more abstract, or to dim its photographic elements. A bright cover, with a dramatic exposition, and helicopter-flying scene.
I was confused by the double-byline. On looking this up, it turns out that Tom Clancy died in 2013. The series has continued to be published under “Tom Clancy’s” famous name, but with second bylines in small letters of the authors who are in fact writing new books in this series, or in this case M.P. Woodward. Woodward served as a naval intelligence officer, and then he worked in distribution-marketing for Amazon. This partly explains the naval espionage angle in this book. Though it is not really about agents of the navy spying on rival states, but rather businesses spying or sabotaging their competition.
The “Principal Characters” list includes many “former” intelligence (FBI, SEAL, SWAT, CIA) officers, as well as current politicians. And apparently there is a Russian oil company CEO, and a Captain of a navy ship.
The “Prologue” opens with a reasonably detailed exposition about the Claiborne’s shabby appearance and past achievements. The Claiborne is renamed Dirty Harry in the second paragraph, and then this name is used. But why does the blurb call it the Claiborne?
The mentions of the Atlantic Ocean throughout describe travel back and forth through this ocean, and some military exercises, such as a missile launch at their own mid-ocean “Russian trawler”. There was apparently a “terrorist cell” in the “freezing North Atlantic” that was taken down by the protagonist previously. Terrorist swimming mid-ocean? There is a note that during this novel’s plotline the “Tiburonistas attacked one of” the “Coast Guard vessels at sea”… Why would a vessel ever be outside of the sea? And this seems to be a fictional name. The Colectivo are a far-left Venezuelan paramilitary group. This Colectivo has been blamed for blocking military aid from getting into the country in 2019 by firing at the vehicles carrying aid. But aid did seem to get through despite this interruption. It would make sense if such paramilitary groups were blocking a narrow passage, or roadway. The novel claims that these Tiburonistas are attacking the Coast Guard with help from “senior elements in our government”. They seem to be stating that Venezuela’s government is involved, as opposed to the US. So, their military is attaching their Coast Guard? And these guys are also working with the Russians to “unload weapons”… And apparently it was a “U.S. Coast Guard cutter” that was sunk in “Georgetown Bay”, Guyana. Apparently, the US. Coast Guard does patrol in South America, but mostly in the high seas off the coast of Peru. It seems unlikely they would have any business being in the middle of a military conflict in South America. There’s an explanation that this ship was “installing the buoys… near the oil platforms”. Meanwhile, the commander of the Guyanese paramilitary is thinking about who he should “trust, bribe, or avoid”.
I cannot decide if this is pure nonsense, or if this is historically-based and explains just what kind of illegal stuff the US government, and its oil and paramilitary corporations are involved with. Anybody who wants to read more about this, would enjoy browsing through the rest of this book. It is a good fit for public libraries, and private collections of those who enjoy casually reading action stories.
Pennsylvania Literary Journal: Spring 2025 issue: https://anaphoraliterary.com/journals/plj/plj-excerpts/book-reviews-spring-2025

The late play-by-play announcer at a local high school's football games was known for his occasional on-air promotion: " Buy a program - you can't tell the players without a program." Well, as is customary with the Clancy books, this one begins with a list of players. And I'm here to tell you that it really didn't matter much. Even with that list, it was almost impossible to tell the good guys and gals from the bad.

Another hallmark of the series, of course, is nonstop action. Here, you can't catch a break for a second - starting with an opening salvo fired - with dire consequences - at a U.S. Coast Guard cutter on patrol near oil rigs off the coast of Guyana. It is an act that, depending on politics, diplomacy, negotiations and who's willing to start a war, has the potential to rock world order.

A perfect setting, then, for Jack Ryan Jr., son of U.S. President Jack Ryan, and his band of brothers and sisters who work both the "white" and "black" sides of their company, Hendley Associates. As the story unfolds, Jack is plying his "white" side activities (meaning legitimate business) in nearby Georgetown, looking to land an export license from the Guyana government - totally unaware of the Coast Guard cutter disaster - when he runs into a situation involving some really nasty characters that requires him to hang around and ply his considerable "black" side skills.

Chapters shift from one scenario to the other - the oil rig involving U.S. security forces at the highest level - and before too long (as most readers will suspect) it becomes clear that the two situations are connected. Still, the danger is real; Jack's life is in danger, as is that of one of The Campus's most accomplished undercover agents and Jack's fiance, Lisanne (also a top agent). Needless to say, it's pretty much nonstop action as usual, but that's a large part of what makes this series so good. As for me, I'll heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done once again!

Though I have read a few Jack Ryan stories from the Tom Clancy Collection way back when and enjoyed the show this was my first Jack Jr. Book that I read. I will say right off the bat that I enjoyed being able to jump into this without feeling that I was lost about the characters. Though part of a larger series this can act well as a Standalone read which is great to see.

The story has multiple plot points , Jack Jr is in Guyana trying to get his export license for his oil company and while doing that A US Coast Guard Cutter sinks sadly killing the entire crew and a Drug loard is trying to expand his empire. Though these all may seem separate things may not always be how they seem to all those involved. Though in Guyana on his “white side” Business jack quickly must change gears in order to protect American interests aswell as the people of Guyana he has gotten close with . This story was not short of any action and though there were quite a lot of characters in my eyes it was pretty easy to tell who was who American , Russian , Guyanese and Venazuelan so I didn’t feel lost like I have with other stories that had a ton of characters. I also liked that at the beginning of the book there was kind of a who’s who with a 1-to-2-line description of a bunch of the characters this totally helped. This was a great action packed Military, CIA / black ops story that makes me want to go back and read some of the Older Ryan jr and maybe even original Jack Ryan Works from Tom Clancy and his other authors.

I received this Advanced Copy through Netgalley from PENGUIN GROUP Ptutman/G.P. Putnam's Sons, Thank you to them and M.P. Woodward for allowing me to read this early and leave my honest review on this work.

This review has been posted to goodreads and will be posted to retail upon publication.

Another enjoyable addition to the Jack Ryan Jr. series by M.P. Woodward. The plot moves along quickly and keeps you focused on what the outcome will be. Only issue I had was keeping straight all the different characters that are introduced, but still was a good read. I always enjoy books that make you look at the geography and learn a little more about the world even when those books are fiction, they still include real world locations.

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC!

Line of Demarcation was such a fun ride! It had the action and excitement that we expect from a Jack Ryan (and adjacent) book and it kept me enthralled from beginning to end. The plot was interesting, the characters were captivating, and I love it when a book wraps up nicely at the end so you’re not left screaming at a years long wait for the next. I love this universe because you can jump right in wherever you want and not be lost as you go; these are very newbie-friendly!

M.P. Woodward returns to the Ryanverse with Line of Demarcation, delivering another solid, enjoyable addition to the series. It’s undeniably a good book. Woodward does what he does best—finds underexplored geopolitical terrain and builds a tight, compelling story around it.

The premise is fresh. A U.S. Coast Guard cutter is sunk in international waters. All hands lost. What follows is a smartly drawn South American geopolitical flashpoint involving the Wagner Group, Venezuelan-backed Tiburónistas, and a fight over offshore oil fields near Guyana. It’s localized, believable, and timely. Guyana is an excellent choice—strategically relevant, rarely explored—and GOPLAT Marlin, the floating oil platform at the heart of the conflict, makes for a standout setting. I only wish the showdown there had unfolded on a slightly grander scale.

I was particularly pleased to see Woodward anchor this story in series history, drawing a line back to Clear and Present Danger. From the very first scene on the USCG cutter, there was a clear echo of the earlier novel. That kind of callback walks a fine line—it can tip into nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake—but here, it felt earned. Ding Chavez’s connection to that past raised the stakes, and it was rewarding to see a newer author weave deeper into the legacy. Honestly? Woodward could’ve gone even further. There was space here for a full-blown sequel to Clear and Present Danger, and longtime readers would’ve welcomed it.

Jack Ryan Jr. continues to evolve. He spends much of the book operating under his Hendley Associates cover as an investment analyst, which helps keep his his role other things plausible. There’s less maverick energy now, more methodical execution. He’s maturing, clearly. His involvement in Guyanese business and politics, and in helping two local women in need, gave him purpose beyond the mission. If there’s a next step for Jack, it might be choosing a lane—defining a specialty rather than trying to be everywhere at once. Maybe we saw the start of that here, with his deeper connection to the specific investment he’d made. Time will tell.

But the real heart of Line of Demarcation? One line—quiet, devastating, and absolutely on point:

“What we have now is a new way of war. It’s neither cold nor hot, neither black nor white. Let’s call it a grey war, continuously operating in the shadows. There is no line of demarcation.”

That single quote encapsulates everything. Woodward isn’t just writing thrillers—he’s updating the geopolitical thesis of the series. Hybrid warfare, continuous conflict, blurred morality. This is where the Ryanverse must go to stay relevant. And Woodward delivers.

If I had one wish, it’d be for more Kendrick Moore. I was genuinely excited by his introduction in Shadow State. He’s got the DNA—haunted past, elite skillset, quiet conviction. He could be the next John Clark. But here, he fades too far into the background. If the baton is going to be passed, it has to move. We need a book centered on Moore, maybe with Clark pulling him in tighter—one last op, one last lesson. Let Moore shine. Let Clark pass the torch on his own terms.

Still, there’s no question: Line of Demarcation is smart, current, and thoroughly enjoyable. Woodward continues to be one of the most reliable voices in the modern Ryanverse, and I’ll be there on day one for his next entry, Terminal Velocity, arriving September 2025—alongside his separate novel, Red Tide.

The future of this series is right there in front of us. It just needs to keep pushing forward.

Jack Ryan Junior is working on the white side business for Henley and Associates. Have purchased a shipping company, Jack is working to get the Guyanese government to give them exclusive rights to export newly found oil. As Jack tries to navigate the white side of the business, he’s drawn into a much bigger plot that will require him to use his skills honed on the black side of the business. Meanwhile, Ding Chavez is working undercover, to infiltrate a Venezuelan drug gang. While these two events seem separate, Jack soon realizes that they are intertwined.

As with any good book in the Jack, Ryan series, there’s a lot going on. This keeps the reader on their toes and interested in the book. While this is a standalone Jack Ryan Junior book, there seems to be more of the campus involved than normal. I thought the Venezuela druglord and his Russian Wagner partner were excellent adversaries to the campus group. There’s plenty of action to keep you engaged, and Jack has to use not only his fighting skills but also his brain.

This book is a must read for all fans of the Jack Ryan series. Even if you haven’t read any of the series, you can pick this book up right away and enjoy it without knowing all the backstories of the characters. Thank you to NetGalley, MP Woodward, and Penguin Group Putnam for a free advanced‘s copy for an honest review.

Jack Ryan, Jr.'s latest escapades takes us to the coast of Guyana.

USCG Cutter Claiborne was tasked with identifying a shipping lane amongst the coral reefs and shoals making navigating the trip treacherous. Initially chalked up as a navigation error, US forces realize there has to be more to the ship's demise along with the 22 souls aboard.

Already in Guyana, Jack finds himself working to procure an export license for his civilian company. That area of the world is already plagued with corruption and deceit which proves to increase the burden on those conducting above board business. But as things escalate between the above board members of the government and the Venezuelan terror gang (plus Russian involvement), Jack is forced to launch into operator mode.

New to Clancy novels, I appreciated that I could jump in on this book without feeling I had missed a backstory. Also, this one was a bit of a departure for me but I do love the movies. Also helpful was the way in which things - military activities in particular - were written. They were informative but not condescending, nor were they over an average reader's head.

Thanks to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Ptutman/G.P. Putnam's Sons and M.P. Woodward for the eARC.
Pub Date May 20 2025 #TomClancyLineofDemarcation #NetGalley

The latest Tom Clancy novel will be out for consumption in May and M.P. Woodward does a better job on his sophomore effort. Jack Ryan is in Guyana doing white side business for Hendley Associates and it soon turns to the black side. Jack gets thrust into the action, along with a few friends from the Campus, and the action ramps up. The plot was good, had a great cast of characters(good and bad), and the ending didn't leave you hanging. Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC. I would recommend this novel and for an ARC, there weren't many (if any) typos/errors.

Classic Clancy. Jack Jr on a simple white side mission that turns anything but simple. The whole crew jumps into action.

"You're not here to stop them?"
Exchange looks
"I guess we are now"

While it is a series I think you can understand most things without being a Clancy expert.

Jack Ryan Jr is back in a new adventure. This time he is in Venezuela representing the white side of Hendley Associates to secure an export license for the newly found offshore oil fields. A Coast Guard work boat is attacked and sunk with all hands aboard, narcos and Russians have other plans and are threatening eco terrorism and the characters from the Campus are soon all involved in this thriller. It is a race to the finish and that could be the finish of us all.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was supposed to be a quick and simple trip to pick up the license Jack needed for his latest corporate investment to be able to operate in Guyanese waters. But is anything ever really quick or simple when you’re last name is Ryan? While Jack Ryan, Jr., has established a great cover for himself in the business world, he easily slips into the covert world after his government contact and several others are assassinated in an attempted coup that threatens not only the stability of the Guyana government, but also his own black ops team when one of their covers is blown. Will Jack be able to exfiltrate himself from behind enemy lines and help rescue a teammate in the process, or is this the end for the Hendley Associates black ops team?

M.P. Woodward brings readers the 13th installment in the Jack Ryan, Jr. series with Tom Clancy Line of Demarcation – his second in the Ryanverse.. A former Naval Intelligence Officer, Woodward utilizes that knowledge to make the plot from each of his books, Ryanverse and others, come alive for readers without coming in with too much military or political jargon or too little explanation. While many other great writers have picked up the quill to pen books in the Ryanverse since Clancy, on a few have delivered works in the same tenor and intention as the originator of these characters – Woodward is one. This is a novel of unlikely heroics and exemplary military skills, and learning that, in politics, there’s really no one you can trust.

I give Tom Clancy Line of Demarcation 5 out of 5 stars. To say I was blown away by this novel might be an understatement. This is one of the best Ryanverse novels I have read in a while from the newer writers. One aspect I truly appreciate here is that Woodward took time to not only develop Jack Jr.’s character and his abilities as an operator, but also those of his supporting operators. I can almost see who will take Ding or John Clark’s place if they decide to step away based on the way Woodward developed some of these characters. This was one of two novels to receive perfect 5.0 ratings in February – I could find no faults here!

If you’re like me and late to the Jack Ryan Jr novels, don’t worry! Much like the original series, you can jump into these at any point and follow along pretty well. I did find that knowing some storylines from other earlier novels did help, but this could be a standalone read. I would caution you if you’re sensitive to assaults against women and children during war and prisoner torture – while not explicit, it is lightly referenced here. Given the subject matter, I would direct this to more mature readers over 16.

I jumped at the chance to request this book on Netgalley last month when I saw it. If you have been following the blog long, you will know how much I love the Ryanverse – I’m on a mission to read all the books and have my work cut out for me! How many books have you read in the Ryanverse?

Fast-paced and action-packed, Line of Demarcation is a dynamic geopolitical and covert action thriller that blends business and bullets, integrity and deceit, and good versus evil. M.P. Woodward constructs another engaging and entertaining Tom Clancy novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seat.

Jack Ryan Jr. travels to Guyana to secure a strategic partnership for the “white side” of Hendley Associates following the discovery of a significant offshore oil field. At the same time, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter is mysteriously destroyed while establishing a vital sea route between the new oil reserves and Gulf Coast refineries. As Jack Jr. delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web involving Russian mercenaries and Venezuelan narco-terrorists, all intent on destabilizing the region. Amid shifting alliances and hidden threats, Jack must navigate this treacherous landscape to prevent a potential conflict that could escalate into war.

Line of Demarcation starts as an intriguing real-world business trip before transforming into a kinetic action thriller, with both parts being equally fascinating. Witnessing Jack Jr. conducting legitimate business and trying to navigate the complexities of another country’s political system – feeling the highs that accompany the expectation of completing a lucrative deal and the lows of disappointment when the deal is on the brink of collapse – is a relatable feeling that reminds us that he’s no superhero. And then he gets thrust into the action, along with a few friends from the Campus, to save innocent people, expose a conspiracy, extract a friend and colleague from a dangerous situation, and stop a cartel kingpin and foreign operatives from starting a war with the United States. Which is when the fun really begins with tensions flaring, bullets flying and a day in need of saving. Throw in a connection to events that occurred in Clear and Present Danger, and this book delivers everything long-term Clancy fans could want in a current-day continuation of this beloved universe.

M.P. Woodward's 2nd installment in the Ryanverse was a good one, and to me, a slight step up from Shadow State. I thought the story here was good and do enjoy seeing all the members of the Campus have some level of involvement; however I thought for a Jack Jr. book there wasn't enough of Jack Jr. I also miss the days where the Campus operatives go on a mission all together from the start. Here, they kind of come together in a loose fashion, but something still feels like it's missing. Something else I'm struggling with is the crossing over of timelines between the two separate authors. It seems odd for each series to not mention the events that happen in near-ish time with the events of the other series.

Despite the things I feel this book is lacking, I really enjoyed the story, flew through it, and will 100% pick up the next one M.P. Woodward writes. This is probably a 3.5 for me, but since I thought it was better than the last one that I gave 3 stars, I rounded this one up.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Net Galley for this ARC. #TomClancyLineofDemarcation #NetGalley

Received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review. I had to dnf this book as the story line is pretty bleak. The characters get introduced to you at a rapid pace, and none of which are like able. I can tell from reading this book that I am not the author’s targeted audience, you can tell that this book is written for a man. The characters in the book are misogynistic, one even makes the comment, “I’ll spare you from my wife’s cooking”.