I loved (and in fact still do love) the Jack Ryan series, which I used to read avidly as soon as they came out. Stories well told, with enough technical description to please me and good characterisation and observation. Who else would point out that in Britain a particular military rank is pronounced leftenant rather than the American lootenant?
The early Op-Centre books were also very enjoyable. Although it was when reading some of those that I realised Clancy had started co-authoring some with (often) uncredited writers and the later books in this series were simply ghost written. Needless to say I was saddened by this turn of events, that his previous high standards had slipped in my view. You could tell in the writing and Tom Clancy had to a degree become just a franchise.
One from later entries in the Jack Ryan series.
There are still a couple of the Ryan books I am yet to buy, which the critics claim is a return to form. Although now I buy in ebook format not pulped trees. I even understand there is a new film scheduled in cinemas for this coming Christmas.
I can only hope his estate and publishers will realise this man's worth, he had an ability to tell a gripping tale, and they should leave it at that. I'm afraid that the current trend for posthumous novels written by other authors would only further tarnish what is on the whole an exceedingly good reputation.
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