Red Devils’ novel stunt for UK launch of latest Tom Clancy thriller

Time and date: 12 noon on Monday, 6th December, 2010

Place: The Tower of London

A crack team of Red Devils paratroopers will skydive into the Tower of London for the first time ever next week (Monday, December 6) to launch the long-awaited new thriller by best-selling author Tom Clancy. Four members of the world-famous Parachute Regiment display team will perform the dangerous stunt to deliver the first copies of the book, Dead or Alive, to Yeoman Warders at the Tower, where it will be guarded in the Yeoman Gaoler's office overnight prior to its official release on Tuesday, 7th December.

Lance Corporal Jimmy Graham, of the Red Devils, said: "We are thrilled to have the rare opportunity to jump into one of our greatest historical landmarks, something which has not been attempted for many years. As fans of Tom Clancy, the Red Devils Freefall Team are honoured to be involved in the launch of Dead or Alive."

The paratroops will carry the first four copies of the novel which have been signed by Tom Clancy and will become part of four special military editions with items chosen by the Red Devils. Each Red Devil member, armed and in full military uniform, will carry a canister of green smoke and carry a 200ft flag as they descend from the sky into the Tower's dry moat.

Enclosed in an aluminium case will be a copy of Dead or Alive signed by Tom Clancy, a Victorinox Swiss Army knife, an engraved silver bullet and customised Army dog tags. Each will be auctioned online in order to raise money for the Parachute Regiment charity.

The Press release is below -

No 1 international bestselling author

Bestselling videogame presenter

One of the pre-eminent and most prescient storytellers of our time

Tom Clancy’s modern-day techno-thriller is like nothing he has ever done before…

For the first time ever, Clancy brings together 26 years of unforgettable characters, including Jack Ryan, Jack Ryan, Jr., John Clark, Ding Chavez, and Mary Pat Foley to jointly face their most difficult challenge yet: modern-day terrorism.

Tom Clancy’s latest novel, Dead or Alive, sees a team of his greatest characters waging an unofficial and highly effective campaign against the terrorists who threaten Western civilization. Working at the Campus, a secret U.S. counter-terrorism organization, Jack Ryan, Jr., John Clark, Ding Chavez and latest recruits, twin brothers Dominick and Brian Caruso, are on the trail of The Emir, a sadistic terrorist who has masterminded many of the world’s most vicious attacks. So far The Emir has eluded capture by the world’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies. With those at the Campus determined to catch The Emir, there is every hope that he will be brought in…dead or alive.

Clancy has created some of the best known characters in contemporary fiction and mesmerized tens of millions of readers worldwide with his frighteningly real scenarios. Dead or Alive is sure to enthral fans and new readers alike with its thrill and pace.

Tom Clancy has written thirteen Number 1 New York Times bestselling novels including Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and Rainbow Six. Clancy’s New York Times bestselling non-fiction books include Into the Storm: A Study in Command and Battle Ready.

Co-writer Grant Blackwood is a U.S. Navy veteran, who spent three years aboard a guided missile frigate as operations specialist and pilot rescue swimmer. He is the author of the Briggs Tanner series and co-author of Spartan Gold and Lost Empire with Clive Cussler.

For more information please contact

Jo Wickham - jo.wickham@uk.penguingroup.com / 020 7010 3259