With the news that authors Andrews & Wilson are stepping away from the Ryanverse, the future of the Jack Ryan Sr. series now rests in the hands of Ward Larsen. Naturally then, I was eager to see what Larsen is bringing to the table, and I decided to dive into his standalone thriller, Deep Fake, as my introduction to his work. After turning the final page, I can say with confidence that the universe Tom Clancy created is in exceptionally capable hands. Deep Fake is a high-concept, relentlessly-paced thriller that showcases a sharp, modern, and intelligent style that should make any fan of the genre very excited.

Beware, spoilers ahead.

Unforgettable Characters Under Unimaginable Pressure

​At the heart of Deep Fake are two incredibly compelling protagonists, a husband and wife thrown into separate, equally harrowing crucibles.

​Sarah Ridgeway is the story’s emotional core. What begins as the story of her husband, Congressman Bryce Ridgeway, thwarting a terrorist attack, quickly becomes her story. Larsen brilliantly chronicles her dawning horror as she notices small but undeniable inconsistencies in the man who returns home a national hero. Her evolution from a supportive spouse into a fierce investigator who risks everything to protect her family is the anchor of the novel.

​Meanwhile, the real Bryce Ridgeway is living a nightmare. Abducted and held in a brutal Russian black site, he endures unimaginable torture meant to break his body and spirit. Yet, Larsen portrays him not as a simple victim, but as the ultimate survivor. His military training and unyielding will to get back to his family fuel a desperate and brilliant escape plan. Bryce’s harrowing journey is a testament to his resilience and provides some of the most gripping sequences in the entire book.

A Chilling Conspiracy Meets Modern Tech

Larsen’s true genius in Deep Fake lies in its structure and pacing. The narrative operates on parallel tracks that are expertly woven together. In Washington, we follow Sarah as she peels back the layers of the conspiracy, her growing dread mirrored by the reader’s.

​Adding a chillingly modern layer to her investigation is EPIC, a top-secret government research project headed by Sarah’s best friend, Dr. Claire Hall. EPIC is a data-fusion program with terrifying capabilities, able to track anyone by funneling information from thousands of digital sources—from CCTV and GPS data to financial transactions. The use of this technology feels both futuristic and frighteningly plausible, grounding the story as Sarah uses it to uncover a secret Georgetown condo that serves as the conspiracy’s nerve center.

​The suspense builds relentlessly until the reveal of Operation Zerkalo, a jaw-droppingly audacious plot with its roots in Cold War espionage, designed to place a deep-cover agent in the highest office in the land.

​A Resounding Conclusion with series Potential

Deep Fake builds to an explosive, action-packed climax where both storylines converge with breathtaking force. The resolution is hard-earned and deeply satisfying, offering a sense of justice that feels both realistic and deserved.

Although I know Larsen has this as a ​standalone thriller, the ending perfectly sets the stage for a series. The surviving characters—a battle-hardened operator, a sharp analyst, and a tech genius with a presidential-backed surveillance system—are an ideal team to tackle future high-level threats.

​This is a top-tier political thriller that I cannot recommend highly enough. It is an intelligent, emotionally resonant, and utterly engrossing story that will stay with you long after the final page. Ward Larsen has proven he has the skill and modern sensibility to create exciting new worlds, and I, for one, can’t wait to see him bring that talent to the Ryanverse.

Larsen’s first Ryanverse book is Rules of Engagement, out in May 2026. Before that, he has another very interesting book out in February 2026, co-written with Brad Thor, Cold Zero.