Patriot Games – Begins in 1981 and continues through summer 1982 based on a reference to Ryan's age, which is 31 at the beginning of the novel. Roughly fits with a reference to the Princess of Wales's first child being a boy and a few months old, since Prince William was born in 1982.
Patriot Games starts in 1981 and ends during summer 1982, according to Ryan’s age at the novel's beginning. This timeframe roughly aligns with a reference to the Princess of Wales's first child being a boy and about one month old, as Prince William was born in 1982.