This Tiger Has No Teeth

I just finished reading Tom Clancy's latest "real" (not "Op Center," etc,
collaborations) novel, "The Teeth of the Tiger."  I have to admit I'm a
Clancy fan.  I read "The Hunt for Red October" on a red-eye from DC to Las
Vegas right after the book came out in paperback.  I wanted to sleep on that
flight, but the book wouldn't let me.  Over the years, I've looked forward
to his books and, for the most part, haven't been disappointed, until now.

"The Teeth of the Tiger" is a slow, ponderous story that takes forever to
get to any real action, which is over as quickly as it arrives and brushed
under the rug.  Without it being too much of a spoiler, I'll say that after
the inevitable terrorist attack, the story goes into a revenge mode of
illegal killings (murders) by the good guys.   They justify their actions
pretty much by saying "some people need killing."

The main characters are related to former president Jack Ryan, who is
referred to in the book as "Dad" and "Uncle Jack."  These characters spend
more time on three-mile runs in Virginia, and then driving a Ferrari around
Europe talking about the good food they're missing than actually
"operating."

I'll say again, the story is slow and ponderous, perhaps in an attempt to
build suspense, but, instead, it builds boredom.  The plot is contrived and
the conclusion, while screaming loudly and clearly "sequel", is empty and
unsatisfying.

This is Clancy's least enjoyable novel.  IMO, of course





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