Locked On [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

I was an old fan of Tom Clancy back in the day of "Red Storm Rising" and "Cardinal Of The Kremlin". I even enjoyed "Without Remorse" and "Rainbow Six", even though it started to become cowboy-ish. However I stopped reading his books when the Ops-Center and Net Force series came out. I found them to be schlocky and simply not worth my time.

Recently I received "Locked On" as a gift and upon reading the first couple of pages I thought perhaps Clancy had gone back to his old style of writing. What a mistake...

1 - This book is ghost written. It's clear by the style of writing. Not to say this is a bad thing, but it's quite noticeable. The level of detail is poor. There are glaring character development mistakes and it feels simply unreal and/or unbelievable.

2 - I've admittedly missed some of Clancy's books just prior to "Locked On", so I haven't seen the evolution of his writing or his personality. However I was absolutely shocked at the level of political partisanship. I'm neither right or left but I found his obtuse and generalized view of both political parties to be a disservice to him, his readers and dare I say his fellow countrymen.

3 - Clancy has always had an American slant. America always has the edge in his books. I never begrudged him that. It's his country, his book. Why not. But I couldn't believe that the entire book had essentially 4 characters hopping around the globe solving everyone's problems. Not only that, but there was a conscious effort to make every government institution (American or otherwise) appear useless if not corrupt and damaging to it's citizens.

4 - And on that last point, it seems to me that the author thinks that a private, off-the-books, company, dealing in wet-work and breaking local and international law is somehow a good thing. All I have to say is... "Nuts". Don't get me wrong. A good story can incorporate these elements. However it's very clear that Clancy and his ghost-writer are pushing an agenda and ideology rather than simply delivering a riveting tale.

Plainly put, I will likely never read another Clancy novel. I recommend potential readers look elsewhere for their espionage, military fiction reading.

Locked On has all of the standard Clancy traits: interwoven story lines, lots of military detail, and some good twists and turns to keep you interested. Certainly not his best, but a good ready for any Clancy fan.

I loved that book from cover to cover......... It is smart, imaginative and filled with enigma and thrill. I can't wait for the sequal of sort. Yes there will be a sequal and I suspect as I write this down it is being either written or at proof reading . If anyone does not beleive me, read the last page.

With James Patterson, David Baldaci and Clive Cussler Ton Clancy is KING

Amazon better send me a notice when that is published

J.P.Lalonde