M. P. Woodward
M. P. Woodward | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Writer |
| Writing career | |
| Genres | Thriller, war fiction |
| Notable works | |
| Website | mpwoodward |
Michael Patrick Woodward, also known as M. P. Woodward, is an American novelist. He is known for his espionage thriller series The Handler and for continuing the Jack Ryan Jr. series in Tom Clancy's Ryanverse.
Early life and career
Woodward was a naval intelligence officer with the United States Indo-Pacific Command, where he wrote scenarios for military wargame exercises and worked alongside multiple branches of the U.S. military, intelligence agencies, and allied commands.[1] After leaving the military, he held executive roles at Amazon Prime Video.[2]
Writing career
The Handler series
Woodward made his fiction debut with The Handler (2022),[3] an espionage thriller inspired by his military and intelligence experience. The novel introduced a former CIA operative forced to return to the field under the guidance of his ex-wife.[4] It was followed by Dead Drop (2023).[5]
Tom Clancy's Ryanverse
Woodward took over the Jack Ryan Jr. series, which is part of Tom Clancy's Ryanverse, from Don Bentley. His first novel in the series, Tom Clancy: Shadow State was released in 2024,[6] followed by Tom Clancy: Line of Demarcation and Tom Clancy: Terminal Velocity, both released in 2025.[7] They have all debuted on the New York Times bestseller list.[8][9]
Woodward is also slated to take over the Jack Ryan series from Ward Larsen in 2026.[10]
Other works
In 2025, Woodward released Red Tide, a techno-thriller depicting a near-future conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan, drawing comparisons to Clancy's 1986 novel Red Storm Rising.[11] He also co-wrote the political thriller novel The Fourth Option with Jack Carr, which was released in 2026.[12]
Bibliography
The Handler series
- The Handler (2022)
- Dead Drop (2023)
Ryanverse
Featuring characters created by Tom Clancy
Jack Ryan Jr. series
- Tom Clancy: Shadow State (2024)
- Tom Clancy: Line of Demarcation (2025)
- Tom Clancy: Terminal Velocity (2025)
Jack Ryan series
- Tom Clancy: The Coldest War (2026)
Standalone
- Red Tide (2025)
- The Fourth Option (with Jack Carr) (2026)
References
- ↑ Hast, Millie Naylor. "Spies, Lies, and Sabotage". The Big Thrill. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ Woodward, M. P. "M. P. Woodward: Why It Took Me Twenty Years To Write My First Spy Thriller". Crime Reads. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ Cooper, Elise. "Interview with M. P. Woodward". Mystery and Suspense Magazine. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ Brewer, Robert Lee. "M.P. Woodward: On Authenticity in Spy Thrillers". Writer's Digest. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ Steck, Ryan. "EXCLUSIVE: See the Cover for M.P. Woodward's 'Dead Drop' (with Details)". The Real Book Spy. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ Steck, Ryan. "TOM CLANCY SHADOW STATE: M.P. Woodward's First Jack Ryan Thriller Due Out this August". The Real Book Spy. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ Cooper, Elise. "INTERVIEW WITH M. P. WOODWARD". Crime Spree Magazine. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ "Hardcover Fiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - Sept. 21, 2025 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ "Mass Market Books - Best Sellers - Books - Aug. 24, 2025 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ Steck, Ryan. "Tom Clancy Shakeup: Jack Stewart to Takeover Jack Ryan Jr. Series". The Real Book Spy. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ Harlow, Bill. "Of Ships And Chips – A Tale of Future War in The Pacific". The Cipher Brief. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ Steck, Ryan. "Jack Carr Steps Outside of the James Reece Universe with his Latest Novel, 'THE FOURTH OPTION'". The Real Book Spy. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
