by Tom Clancy
Part of Jack Ryan, book 3.5
First published 2022
Jack Ryan crosses into Soviet territory on a mission that will test everything he knows about espionage. A potential defector has emerged from within the Communist Party apparatus, but questions surround the man's true intentions. Ryan must navigate the surveillance state of the USSR to determine whether this Soviet official represents a genuine intelligence opportunity or an elaborate trap. The Iron Curtain conceals dangers that go beyond anything the young analyst has faced before. As Ryan digs deeper into the defector's background, he discovers that the stakes extend far beyond a single operation. His investigation threatens to expose him to the full machinery of Soviet counterintelligence. The mission forces Ryan to confront the brutal realities of Cold War espionage, where a single mistake could mean death or capture. This early chapter in Ryan's career reveals the making of the intelligence operative he will become.
Genres: historical-fiction, military-fiction, suspense, action, espionage, political-thriller
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, mission
Setting: Soviet Union, USSR
Period: Cold War
430 pages · Kindle Edition · J.P. Putnam's Sons