Tom Clancy’s “Teeth of the Tiger”

26 April 2005 10:00:02

I just finished one of Tom Clancy’s more recent novels, “Teeth of the Tiger” and was mildly entertained. The book begins by introducing us to a young FBI agent who on the search for a man who has just kidnapped a little girl. The methods by which he handles the unfolding situation get him noticed by a private organization that has been set up to deal with terrorists who either have the potential to or have inflicted harm on the U.S. or her citizens. This agent along with a marine who handled himself and his unit admirably in Afghanistan are recruited by “the company” as the striking point of a very invisible force not in anyway affiliated with our government.

Overall the book read well, but lacked a solid climatic point. What could be considered the climax occurs with more than a quarter of the book left and is more or less an event of circumstance than part of the main story. With this high point past the remainder of the book, while intended to be the heart of the story seems very melodramatic in comparison.

That isn’t to say the book is without excitement. Clancy without question keeps his readers on edge as he craft-fully develops the story. And there are definitely a few very good insights related our post-9/11 world. Take for example the question of dealing with terrorism on a whole. Normal rules of engagement for war and systems of diplomacy have a very hard time preventing terrorism because terrorists work outside of such channels. “Teeth of the Tiger” portrays a simple and beautiful system for dealing with such threats, albeit through means of questionable ethic.

Conclusion: “Teeth of the Tiger” is entertaining but certainly not one of Clancy’s best works.