Book Club Night Kit

Tom Clancy: Pressure Depth

Jack Stewart

Cozy night

A routine mission turns into the discovery of a weapon nobody has seen before, and it makes for a great fireside read that has everyone talking over mugs of cocoa. It's the 15th Jack Ryan Jr. adventure, so it's familiar company for longtime Clancy fans, and it works just as well as a first taste for newcomers who want a thriller with heart.

Come In From the Cold: A Deep-Water Book Night

Bring your coziest sweater and your copy of Pressure Depth. We'll have warm soup, hot cocoa, and good company, and we'll talk about the book that kept us up past bedtime.

Reading level: Moderate

Best for: Friendly clubs that like a gripping story but would rather talk about how it felt than argue over tactics

Discussion

Warm-up

1.Where were you, and what were you sipping or snacking on, when this book first grabbed you and wouldn't let go?
2.Jack Ryan Jr. has been around for 15 books now. Is there a long-running character, from books, TV, or film, who feels like an old friend you keep checking in on?

Digging in

1.Thrillers can leave us tense, but they can also comfort us. Was there a moment in the book when you felt yourself relax, or a scene that felt like a warm spot in the cold?
2.The people in this story depend on each other when things get hard. Who in your own life is the person you'd want next to you when everything goes wrong?
3.A 'routine' mission turns out to be anything but. Can you share a time when an ordinary day in your life surprised you, for better or worse?
4.The title evokes deep water and heavy pressure. What helps you stay steady when life feels like it's pressing in, and did any character's way of coping speak to you?

Going deep

1.Without giving away how things unfold, was there a choice a character made that moved you or stayed with you after you closed the book? What about it touched you?
2.By the final pages, how did you feel about the world these characters work so hard to protect? Did you come away more worried, more hopeful, or somewhere in between?

On the table & to sip

To eat

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Navy beans are right there in the name, and a big pot of this slow-simmered soup is as warm and filling as you can get. Make it ahead and keep it warm on the stove so guests can serve themselves.

Galley-Style Cinnamon Rolls

Warm cinnamon rolls are a classic treat from ship galleys. Store-bought dough is fine, just add extra cinnamon and a thick layer of icing so they feel homemade.

Skillet Cornbread with Honey Butter

Simple, hearty food that could feed a crew, baked in one pan. It goes with the soup and fills the room with a lovely smell.

To sip

Midwatch Cocoa (no alcohol)

Inspired by the thick hot chocolate sailors drink to stay warm on night watches. Make it rich, with whipped cream and a pinch of sea salt on top.

Hot Buttered Rum

A nod to the old naval tradition of rum rations, turned into a warm, spiced mug to wrap your hands around.

Deep Water Irish Coffee

Strong coffee for long shifts with a little whiskey and cream. It's dark on the bottom and soft on top, a lot like the title.