Ward Larsen to Write the Next Jack Ryan Novel in Tom Clancy's Iconic Universe (with Exclusive Comments)

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Is anyone having a bigger month than Ward Larsen?

Hot on the heels of the blockbuster announcement that he’s teaming up with Brad Thor to launch a brand-new series—kicking off with Cold Zero—Ward Larsen has delivered another stunner: he’s been tapped to carry the torch for Tom Clancy’s iconic universe, penning the next Jack Ryan Sr. novel following the departure of Andrews & Wilson.

It’s quite the one-two punch from Larsen, who, after more than two decades of writing, has quickly become one of the genre’s more sought-after talents.

Cold Zero, which I liken to Red Storm Rising colliding with The Day After Tomorrow (you can read my full review here), is going to be a massive hit when it rockets into bookstores on February 10, 2026. I’ve got zero doubts about that. The question is, what will Larsen do to introduce himself to Clancy’s fans?

To find that out, I went to the author himself, and as it turns out, he’s got something big planned.

“When a diplomatic flight crashes with the United States Secretary of Commerce on board, the specter of sabotage looms large,” said Larsen, speaking exclusively to The Real Book Spy, teasing his first Jack Ryan novel, Tom Clancy Rules of Engagement, available in bookstores May 19, 2026. “Expect to see a lot of John Clark in this book, along with Task Force 99. President Jack Ryan remains a steady hand in a world where asymmetrical warfare is ascendant.”

See what else Larsen had to say below.