Now that the times have changed, so have Tom Clancy's stories. One of the best writers of espionage novels introduces a new set of characters to confront today's international evils. Gone is the Cold War between democracy and communism. In its place is concerns relating to terrorism and narco-warfare, which brings Pakistan and Mexico to the center stage.

Along with new themes comes a new hero: Max Moore. He used to be a Navy SEAL. After his whole CIA is killed in a terrorist bombing he finds himself being drawn deeper and deeper into the tribal borderlands. His hope is to find the terrorist cell that caused his team so much harm. All of this occurs as he realizes that his mysterious profession is really making it difficult to develop personal relationships at home.

As all of this is going on, Moore ends up following the trail as it brings him to the drug war that is tearing up the Mexican countryside and spilling over the American border. The Juarez and Sinaloa drug cartels are targeting each other for supremacy, taking down anyone that is nearby.

To Moore, it starts to become clear that both issues are dangerously intertwined, spreading the danger on a global scale. Like Hansel and Gretel, Moore follows the clues and it starts to seem like a the root of the problem may lead to a single source.

I do have to admit that I am starting to wonder if Clancy is loosing his oompf. He released two books this year, both with co-authors. Neither one of them are filled with the great, rich sense of adventure that made his books best-sellers. It is not for a lack of interesting characters or plots that should really pull in the reader with ease. They are timely and seem almost drawn from today's headlines.

The problem is the books just seem to drag. Clancy, like Harry Turtledove and Elizabeth George, has never just peopled his books with his well-developed heroes and a flat supporting cast. Instead, characters of all types, including background characters, are usually fully developed allowing all sorts of perspectives on what is going on. Unfortuately, that has fallen by the wayside, resulting in less-than-stellar storytelling.

It took almost 10 years to produce these two most current titles. I can't help but wonder if it was due to editor concerns about the results. I can't help but say it, but maybe Clancy needs to consider retiring and retain his reputation as the king of espionage and international thrillers.

I am seriously considering skipping anything else he puts out.