Into the Fire

The Tom Clancy legacy continues with multiple authors. Mike Maden headlines Point of Contact featuring Jack Ryan Jr. and his escapade in Singapore. 

When a former senator working for a defense contractor requests the specific "borrowing" of Hendley Associates' Jack Ryan Jr. and forensic accountant Paul Brown for a vetting of a Singapore high-tech company (Dalfan Technologies), Gerry Hendley sends the reluctant employees together on the mission. Jack is upset because he prefers the "black" missions over the "white" missions within Hendley Associates, but there's no turning this down for either Jack or Paul Brown.

The particular company playing host to the two men provides a home close to their facility, a car, and heavy-duty security. This puts Paul Brown in a deep bind because the former senator has given him a secret thumb drive he needs Paul to implement into the company's hardware to insure there are no hidden problems within the business. At least that's the story he gives Paul requiring him to keep it a secret just between them. The tight security which includes putting a tail on Jack agitates him and makes him wonder why it's necessary.

When Jack and Paul are introduced to the family who owns and operates Dalfan, Jack sees the tension between the father and son but none between the father and the beautiful daughter who now both operate the company. As the examination and investigation get started, Jack is given a tour of the amazing facility where innovation and technology have merged into impressive displays. Paul Brown feels the pressure when he realizes it will be near impossible to insert the thumb drive into Dalfan's computer, so he secretly seeks private instruction and assistance from another professional stateside.

The intrigue increases through an odd encounter with three Aussies after Jack and the daughter share some time out together. Instances keep occurring which make Jack suspicious of the son, and he starts doing some private investigation of his own. However, a rare typhoon is headed their way complicating Jack's concerns and the timeline for their stay.

Suffice it to say there are multiple searches, dangers, suspicions, and covert activities going on before the real criminals are discovered. And although the beauty of Singapore is described and accentuated throughout the story, there is a truly "big-brother" type of surveillance taking place all over the island. 

An entertaining read with Jack Ryan Jr. displaying his Spec Ops instincts and his youthful stubbornness. 

Father, you supply the talent. It's up to us to use it. Thank you for your many writers. I pray they would ultimately honor you with their work. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.