Synopsis
"Red Rabbit" is a spy thriller novel by Tom Clancy published in 2002. It is the eleventh book in the Jack Ryan series, but it is a prequel to the previous novels, taking place in 1981.
The story begins with the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in 1981. The CIA's Jack Ryan, who is working as a financial analyst in London, becomes involved in the investigation when he uncovers a suspicious financial transaction that may be connected to the assassination attempt. Ryan's investigation leads him to a KGB officer named Oleg Zaitzev, who has defected to the United States.
Meanwhile, the KGB's chairman, Yuri Andropov, has initiated a plan to destabilize the Soviet Union by convincing the Politburo to increase military spending and invade Western Europe. However, Andropov's plan is complicated when he learns that Zaitzev has defected with sensitive information about the KGB's operations.
As Ryan becomes more involved in the investigation, he uncovers a plot by the KGB to assassinate Zaitzev and his family. Ryan and his CIA colleagues must work quickly to protect Zaitzev and prevent the KGB's plans from coming to fruition.
The novel features many of the familiar characters from the Jack Ryan series, including John Clark, Ding Chavez, and Mary Pat Foley. It also includes historical figures such as Pope John Paul II and Yuri Andropov. The book is a fast-paced thriller, with plenty of action, suspense, and political intrigue.