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Mitch Rapp #6
Executive Power
The New York Times bestselling Mitch Rapp series returns with this “fast-paced spy thriller” ( People ) following the country’s best assassin as he finds himself in the crossfire of America’s deadliest enemies.
Returning from a covert mission, Mitch Rapp was publicly hailed by the president for his role in the fight against terrorism. After years of working in the shadows, Rapp was caught in the media spotlight—and marked for death by virtually every terrorist in the world. Now a CIA advisor, Rapp is ready to battle terror far from the front lines.
When a Navy SEAL team in the Philippines is ambushed, all evidence points to a leak within the US State Department. And a greater threat lurks—a ruthless assassin working for the most powerful men in the Middle East, who are bent on igniting a world war. With the world watching, Rapp must hold back the flames of Armageddon.
Returning from a covert mission, Mitch Rapp was publicly hailed by the president for his role in the fight against terrorism. After years of working in the shadows, Rapp was caught in the media spotlight—and marked for death by virtually every terrorist in the world. Now a CIA advisor, Rapp is ready to battle terror far from the front lines.
When a Navy SEAL team in the Philippines is ambushed, all evidence points to a leak within the US State Department. And a greater threat lurks—a ruthless assassin working for the most powerful men in the Middle East, who are bent on igniting a world war. With the world watching, Rapp must hold back the flames of Armageddon.
448 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2003
4440 people are currently reading
7801 people want to read
About the author
Vince Flynn
43 books7,029 followersThe fifth of seven children, Vince Flynn was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1966. He graduated from the St. Thomas Academy in 1984, and the University of St. Thomas with a degree in economics in 1988.
After college he went to work for Kraft General Foods where he was an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990 he left Kraft to accept an aviation candidate slot with the United States Marine Corps. One week before leaving for Officers Candidate School, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program, due to several concussions and convulsive seizures he suffered growing up. While trying to obtain a medical waiver for his condition, he started thinking about writing a book. This was a very unusual choice for Flynn since he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.
Having been stymied by the Marine Corps, Flynn returned to the nine-to-five grind and took a job with United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his spare time he worked on an idea he had for a book. After two years with United Properties he decided to take a big gamble. He quit his job, moved to Colorado, and began working full time on what would eventually become Term Limits.
Like many struggling artists before him, he bartended at night and wrote during the day. Five years and more than sixty rejection letters later he took the unusual step of self-publishing his first novel. The book went to number one in the Twin Cities, and within a week had a new agent and two-book deal with Pocket Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.
After college he went to work for Kraft General Foods where he was an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990 he left Kraft to accept an aviation candidate slot with the United States Marine Corps. One week before leaving for Officers Candidate School, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program, due to several concussions and convulsive seizures he suffered growing up. While trying to obtain a medical waiver for his condition, he started thinking about writing a book. This was a very unusual choice for Flynn since he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.
Having been stymied by the Marine Corps, Flynn returned to the nine-to-five grind and took a job with United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his spare time he worked on an idea he had for a book. After two years with United Properties he decided to take a big gamble. He quit his job, moved to Colorado, and began working full time on what would eventually become Term Limits.
Like many struggling artists before him, he bartended at night and wrote during the day. Five years and more than sixty rejection letters later he took the unusual step of self-publishing his first novel. The book went to number one in the Twin Cities, and within a week had a new agent and two-book deal with Pocket Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,160 reviews
May 15, 2012
Sometimes, I'm not sure why I keep reading these books. It's basically a guy's version of a romance novel. Spies! Bad guys! Action! Cheesy dialog! It's a literary version of the television show 24.
That said, any story involving Mitch Rapp is a page turner, no matter how poorly written or how much the author's disdain for things like the UN, diplomacy, and liberal universities seep through the story.
Break down:
+ 4 stars for mostly gripping story
- 1 star for a totally lame way to off the antagonist
- 1 star for awkward discussions and moments involving Mitch's wife and his boss.
That leaves us with 2 stars. Sounds about right.
That said, any story involving Mitch Rapp is a page turner, no matter how poorly written or how much the author's disdain for things like the UN, diplomacy, and liberal universities seep through the story.
Break down:
+ 4 stars for mostly gripping story
- 1 star for a totally lame way to off the antagonist
- 1 star for awkward discussions and moments involving Mitch's wife and his boss.
That leaves us with 2 stars. Sounds about right.
November 8, 2016
Excellent, best one so far!!
If you enjoyed the tv show, 24, then you'll love this. One of my favourite series, Flynn never fails to disappoint.
If you enjoyed the tv show, 24, then you'll love this. One of my favourite series, Flynn never fails to disappoint.
February 7, 2020
Book 6 in the Mitch Rapp series published 2002.
Super agent Mitch Rapp has just one job, make the world a safer place. This is achieved, under the auspices of the CIA, by killing off anybody deemed a threat to World peace.
An oxymoron I know, killing makes for a safer environment. Just as well his only a novel!!!!
The back drop for this tale is the confrontation between Israel and Palestine as at 2011.
David is a young Palestinian man with one driving ambition, to see the State of Palestine ratified by the UN. He has no faith in any of the Palestinian terrorist groups as he sees them as nothing but self-serving hypocrites. But David has a plan which includes killing some very high profile Palestinians and certain members of the Saudi Royal Family.
When the CIA is informed about a horrendous explosion in the middle of a densely populated area of Palestine the CIA's collective fingers are pointed squarely at Israel. The Israel’s say “not us, it was an illegal bomb factory that went up” but no one believes this.
The US president needs the facts and Mitch Rapp is the man to get them.
On this occasion Mitch Rapp doesn’t have to save the world that’s done by three of the usual suspects, greed, ambition and hedonism.
Whilst I enjoyed this book I felt it was a bit of step down on the previous book in the series.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Super agent Mitch Rapp has just one job, make the world a safer place. This is achieved, under the auspices of the CIA, by killing off anybody deemed a threat to World peace.
An oxymoron I know, killing makes for a safer environment. Just as well his only a novel!!!!
The back drop for this tale is the confrontation between Israel and Palestine as at 2011.
David is a young Palestinian man with one driving ambition, to see the State of Palestine ratified by the UN. He has no faith in any of the Palestinian terrorist groups as he sees them as nothing but self-serving hypocrites. But David has a plan which includes killing some very high profile Palestinians and certain members of the Saudi Royal Family.
When the CIA is informed about a horrendous explosion in the middle of a densely populated area of Palestine the CIA's collective fingers are pointed squarely at Israel. The Israel’s say “not us, it was an illegal bomb factory that went up” but no one believes this.
The US president needs the facts and Mitch Rapp is the man to get them.
On this occasion Mitch Rapp doesn’t have to save the world that’s done by three of the usual suspects, greed, ambition and hedonism.
Whilst I enjoyed this book I felt it was a bit of step down on the previous book in the series.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
February 2, 2014
6.5/10
This was a disappointing entry into the stellar series in my opinion. There were three main plot elements and as it transpired there wasn't a great deal to link them in the end.
You can't fault Vince Flynn's ability to add a good bit of action/adrenaline sequence in which is what we got with a hostage rescue mission in the Philippines but there was no real need for this in the greater scheme of things. It's almost like the main plot wasn't long enough or filled with enough testosterone for the publishers so they copied and pasted this into the story.
The main plot itself was the usual terrorist scenario but trying to aid Palestine which was a new angle for me. There were a few info dumps I found interesting as I have no knowledge of the strife in this part of the world but the plot itself was a little drawn out and then ended all too quickly.
I have a small concern for the series going forward as Mitch Rapp (the main guy/badass) has hung up his pistols to have a more sober office job and the family life. As previously stated, it is the action scenes that draw me in here and I just don't see where they are going to come from now.
I will continue this series though even with slight concerns on the direction it will take as Vince Flynn was a great author able to weave a complex, action fuelled tale.
If you like this try "Killing Floor" by Lee Child or "24" by Keifer Sutherland
This was a disappointing entry into the stellar series in my opinion. There were three main plot elements and as it transpired there wasn't a great deal to link them in the end.
You can't fault Vince Flynn's ability to add a good bit of action/adrenaline sequence in which is what we got with a hostage rescue mission in the Philippines but there was no real need for this in the greater scheme of things. It's almost like the main plot wasn't long enough or filled with enough testosterone for the publishers so they copied and pasted this into the story.
The main plot itself was the usual terrorist scenario but trying to aid Palestine which was a new angle for me. There were a few info dumps I found interesting as I have no knowledge of the strife in this part of the world but the plot itself was a little drawn out and then ended all too quickly.
I have a small concern for the series going forward as Mitch Rapp (the main guy/badass) has hung up his pistols to have a more sober office job and the family life. As previously stated, it is the action scenes that draw me in here and I just don't see where they are going to come from now.
I will continue this series though even with slight concerns on the direction it will take as Vince Flynn was a great author able to weave a complex, action fuelled tale.
If you like this try "Killing Floor" by Lee Child or "24" by Keifer Sutherland
July 14, 2015
THE UNIONS
“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”- Napoleon.
Welcome to the second story arc of the Mitch Rapp saga. I like to call this one the "matrimony arc", due to it spanning Mr Rapp's marriage. Don't worry though. White picket fences aren't for the war on terror's blunt instrument, and the three acts that make up this part of the series features some of the more severe threats Rapp encounters.
Back in the day, before Al Quaeda and Daesh made the Middle East a constantly burning geopolitical hot spot, the main political problem in the region was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A lesson on how chronic backstabbing, cynicism and unhealthy levels of sometimes justifiable paranoia can screw up the best laid plans, and break the most wide-eyed idealists, even with more pressing issues taking the center stage, it continue on with no end in sight. Mr Flynn said Executive Power was a parable of sorts. Of how whatever moralizing and idealism had been sucked out of the war. And how the Palestinians had been reduced to nothing but a mere foreign policy implement by Middle Eastern nations who wished to use and abuse them as a cudgel to bash Israel. Now, the thing about this book is that it's actually two stories which are disconnected throughout much of the book. Normally such a disjointed feel would have brought down a lesser writer. But Mr Flynn saves it with some great plotting, and the introduction of a character who manages to steal the show from Mitch Rapp. Now to the review. Government assassins never die. But do they fade away?
The novel begins in the Philippines. DEVGRU are attempting to make an insertion on an island. Unfortunately, they're rumbled, met with a welcome committee and forced to withdraw with casualties. Across the Pacific, the newly wed Mitch Rapp and his wife Ann relax on their honeymoon. While mostly happy, Rapp is still annoyed about having been burned in the last book. In Monte Carlo, a Palestinian agent provocateur meets with a patron he loathes to begin the implementation of a very complex business proposal. And back in Langley Virginia, DCI Irene Kennedy is working overtime on a special project, intending to make an example of those who forget "loose lips sink ships". These threads come together to create one of the more audacious schemes Mitch Rapp has faced.
Okay, in terms of plot, Executive Power is a mixed bag. Primarily due to the anti-climax of the ending but mostly due to the previously mentioned disconnect between the two plotlines. For some, it can seem Flynn was trying to write two different stories. Nevertheless, one of them, featuring the Palestinian agent provocateur, is some of Flynn's best writing, while the other, Mitch Rapp's Philippine business trip, has a few good action scenes, despite being a bit more bland at times. The settings are also a bit more varied compared to later Mitch Rapp novels. Sure, Washington features, but a third of the book takes place in the Philippine jungle at night and the Gaza strip. Flynn successfully captures the claustrophobia of the former and the gritty wretchedness of the latter. As for the main research, it's once again classic Flynn. Some pretty exotic kit such as the excellent AS-VAL rifle and the classic, All-American Barett M82 feature prominently, along with jungle warfare/surveillance tactics.
Now to the characters. Only two standouts this time around. First Mitch as always. This is the book where his "badass" credentials started to become more apparent, especially since this was his coming out the DC's legion of bureaucratic busy-bodies who would come to hate and fear him. From laying down the law on a hapless paper-pusher who catastrophically forgot about the things he wasn't supposed to have said, to taking on half the Abu Sayaf organization with nothing but a few friends and his suppressed Beretta 92FS, this is the book which signaled Mitch's evolution from just another government assassin, to the man who quite possibly inspired Jack Bauer.
But unfortunately, Mitch was faced by someone who completely stole the show from him. And it's the antagonist of all people, a character who is by far the most sympathetic and complex villain in the Mitch Rapp series. Meet David, real name Jabril. He's an agent provocateur. While loathing Israel's law enforcement and intelligence community, he also despises the collection of terrorist organizations who have set up shop in his neck of the woods. So, following that timeless Middle Eastern proverb, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend", he forms a short-lived partnership with Mossad to decapitate the terrorist leadership. He does his job but due to the jackass director general of Mossad cocking things up with an Apache helicopter, decides to go after Israel as well. Unlike your usual Middle Eastern villain, David isn't a homicidal mass murderer. He's got brains, and thinks up a far more brilliant and insidious scheme at getting even. By the end, near the climax, he manages to have his target teetering on the edge of diplomatic oblivion as their only ally considers throwing them under the bus for the Mossad director's mistake. It's tragic that Jabril and Rapp never got to have a confrontation, but it's also unfortunate that Flynn never again tried to make his antagonists as captivating or complex as David.
So, Executive Power? Overall, it's a mixed bag. While the some of the story arcs drag the book down, it's saved by Mitch's evolution into the counter-terrorist operative we all know and love, along with Flynn's best antagonist executing the false flag operation to end all false flag operations.
Moderately Recommended.
“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”- Napoleon.
Welcome to the second story arc of the Mitch Rapp saga. I like to call this one the "matrimony arc", due to it spanning Mr Rapp's marriage. Don't worry though. White picket fences aren't for the war on terror's blunt instrument, and the three acts that make up this part of the series features some of the more severe threats Rapp encounters.
Back in the day, before Al Quaeda and Daesh made the Middle East a constantly burning geopolitical hot spot, the main political problem in the region was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A lesson on how chronic backstabbing, cynicism and unhealthy levels of sometimes justifiable paranoia can screw up the best laid plans, and break the most wide-eyed idealists, even with more pressing issues taking the center stage, it continue on with no end in sight. Mr Flynn said Executive Power was a parable of sorts. Of how whatever moralizing and idealism had been sucked out of the war. And how the Palestinians had been reduced to nothing but a mere foreign policy implement by Middle Eastern nations who wished to use and abuse them as a cudgel to bash Israel. Now, the thing about this book is that it's actually two stories which are disconnected throughout much of the book. Normally such a disjointed feel would have brought down a lesser writer. But Mr Flynn saves it with some great plotting, and the introduction of a character who manages to steal the show from Mitch Rapp. Now to the review. Government assassins never die. But do they fade away?
The novel begins in the Philippines. DEVGRU are attempting to make an insertion on an island. Unfortunately, they're rumbled, met with a welcome committee and forced to withdraw with casualties. Across the Pacific, the newly wed Mitch Rapp and his wife Ann relax on their honeymoon. While mostly happy, Rapp is still annoyed about having been burned in the last book. In Monte Carlo, a Palestinian agent provocateur meets with a patron he loathes to begin the implementation of a very complex business proposal. And back in Langley Virginia, DCI Irene Kennedy is working overtime on a special project, intending to make an example of those who forget "loose lips sink ships". These threads come together to create one of the more audacious schemes Mitch Rapp has faced.
Okay, in terms of plot, Executive Power is a mixed bag. Primarily due to the anti-climax of the ending but mostly due to the previously mentioned disconnect between the two plotlines. For some, it can seem Flynn was trying to write two different stories. Nevertheless, one of them, featuring the Palestinian agent provocateur, is some of Flynn's best writing, while the other, Mitch Rapp's Philippine business trip, has a few good action scenes, despite being a bit more bland at times. The settings are also a bit more varied compared to later Mitch Rapp novels. Sure, Washington features, but a third of the book takes place in the Philippine jungle at night and the Gaza strip. Flynn successfully captures the claustrophobia of the former and the gritty wretchedness of the latter. As for the main research, it's once again classic Flynn. Some pretty exotic kit such as the excellent AS-VAL rifle and the classic, All-American Barett M82 feature prominently, along with jungle warfare/surveillance tactics.
Now to the characters. Only two standouts this time around. First Mitch as always. This is the book where his "badass" credentials started to become more apparent, especially since this was his coming out the DC's legion of bureaucratic busy-bodies who would come to hate and fear him. From laying down the law on a hapless paper-pusher who catastrophically forgot about the things he wasn't supposed to have said, to taking on half the Abu Sayaf organization with nothing but a few friends and his suppressed Beretta 92FS, this is the book which signaled Mitch's evolution from just another government assassin, to the man who quite possibly inspired Jack Bauer.
But unfortunately, Mitch was faced by someone who completely stole the show from him. And it's the antagonist of all people, a character who is by far the most sympathetic and complex villain in the Mitch Rapp series. Meet David, real name Jabril. He's an agent provocateur. While loathing Israel's law enforcement and intelligence community, he also despises the collection of terrorist organizations who have set up shop in his neck of the woods. So, following that timeless Middle Eastern proverb, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend", he forms a short-lived partnership with Mossad to decapitate the terrorist leadership. He does his job but due to the jackass director general of Mossad cocking things up with an Apache helicopter, decides to go after Israel as well. Unlike your usual Middle Eastern villain, David isn't a homicidal mass murderer. He's got brains, and thinks up a far more brilliant and insidious scheme at getting even. By the end, near the climax, he manages to have his target teetering on the edge of diplomatic oblivion as their only ally considers throwing them under the bus for the Mossad director's mistake. It's tragic that Jabril and Rapp never got to have a confrontation, but it's also unfortunate that Flynn never again tried to make his antagonists as captivating or complex as David.
So, Executive Power? Overall, it's a mixed bag. While the some of the story arcs drag the book down, it's saved by Mitch's evolution into the counter-terrorist operative we all know and love, along with Flynn's best antagonist executing the false flag operation to end all false flag operations.
Moderately Recommended.
November 15, 2020
Now that I've read the sixth of this series I certainly see the formula here. I really enjoy the intricate plot, the covert operations, and the political maneuvering. However, I'm finding Rapp's relationship with his newlywed wife a bit tiresome. She marries a govt. agent/assassin, and expects him to sit in an office. If you married a bartender, would you not expect him to work in a bar? Hopefully, this gets better in the remainder of the series. Favorite line from the book: "It was not possible to reason with unreasonable people." Whether you're talking about terrorism, or entrenched political viewpoints on either side, this sums up today's condition of the world.
November 11, 2020
Well, I guess you could say that my review of the book is best summed up in the form of a limerick:
A hostage rescue attempt gets bungled,
Deep in the Filipino jungle.
A corrupt general,
and leaks there are several
Coleman, Rapp, Wick. Ready to rumble.
David & Omar do whatever they could,
For the goal of Palestinian statehood.
Ben Freidman lies,
Kennedy not duped by the guise.
What to do? Anything Rapp would.
Full review available in podcast audio format on Ep. 31 and 32 of "No Limits: A Mitch Rapp Podcast".
A hostage rescue attempt gets bungled,
Deep in the Filipino jungle.
A corrupt general,
and leaks there are several
Coleman, Rapp, Wick. Ready to rumble.
David & Omar do whatever they could,
For the goal of Palestinian statehood.
Ben Freidman lies,
Kennedy not duped by the guise.
What to do? Anything Rapp would.
Full review available in podcast audio format on Ep. 31 and 32 of "No Limits: A Mitch Rapp Podcast".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2013
Number 6 in the chronological order of the Mitch Rapp series, Executive Power, was another good read from author Vince Flynn. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the previous 5 Mitch Rapp books, however, this story was somewhat slower than the others. Since Mitch's cover was blown in the previous book, Separation of Powers, Flynn sends Mitch's character in another direction. It appears that Mitch's life is now more administrative and husbandly that ever before. He is desperately trying to leave his life of killing behind for a more normal life. He struggles with his wife's persistence that he completely detaches himself from his past. This becomes a serious problem. (He really needs to put her in her place. She can be a real bitch sometimes.) There was a lot more political twists and turns in this novel instead of the typical dark, quiet, incredibley descriptive assassinations that Mitch is so great at. That being said, Mitch still comes through as a great American hero, in the fact that he can only take so much of the office life before he just has to get involved.
I still liked this book very much, however, I can only hope that Mitch plays more of the assassin role in the rest of the series.
I still liked this book very much, however, I can only hope that Mitch plays more of the assassin role in the rest of the series.
April 25, 2023
Another awesome Mitch Rapp novel. As I read through this series, I noticed that they seem to be starting slower and slower. Much like how Tom Clancy novels seemed to bloat up with a huge backstory before the shooting really starts. I guess the author's like to build up the drama and suspense- but I prefer to get the action started early and often!
Rapp and Kennedy- two of the coolest cucumbers in the CIA
Rapp and Kennedy- two of the coolest cucumbers in the CIA
March 20, 2017
Imagine: going to the movies and not being able to eat popcorn; or ordering a burger and french fries and not having ketchup available or even going to the beach and not being able to swim in the ocean!
This is how frustrating this book felt to me! This is the sixth installation of Mitch Rapp's adventure, you know the super agent from the CIA who is a leader in covert operations, a martial arts expert, who takes pleasure in killing terrorists and enemies of the state.
The previous reiterations, especially the first three books of the series, were quite good! They had a mix of fast action, believable world stage espionage and a fairly linear yet enjoyable plot line. However the series have definitely been plagued by storyline fatigue.
One would expect to see Mitch Rapp involved in death defying high action sequences against terrorists in this latest book. What we got instead was a stale novel with absolutely no action and the most ridiculous plot and dialogue! Character development? Don't even think about it...
I really don't want to quit on Mr Flynn's series, but there are so many other good books out there waiting for me that I just have to prioritize from now on. Bummer!
2 stars
:(
This is how frustrating this book felt to me! This is the sixth installation of Mitch Rapp's adventure, you know the super agent from the CIA who is a leader in covert operations, a martial arts expert, who takes pleasure in killing terrorists and enemies of the state.
The previous reiterations, especially the first three books of the series, were quite good! They had a mix of fast action, believable world stage espionage and a fairly linear yet enjoyable plot line. However the series have definitely been plagued by storyline fatigue.
One would expect to see Mitch Rapp involved in death defying high action sequences against terrorists in this latest book. What we got instead was a stale novel with absolutely no action and the most ridiculous plot and dialogue! Character development? Don't even think about it...
I really don't want to quit on Mr Flynn's series, but there are so many other good books out there waiting for me that I just have to prioritize from now on. Bummer!
2 stars
:(
June 26, 2008
This is about the 3rd or 4th CIA, special ops, our stud hero is "Rapp", reads like believeable current events, fiction novel by Vince Flynn that I have read. I love his stuff, but maybe my Sunday Times friends would not stoop this low. It's exciting, there are two stories being developed at the same time, and those two stories meet near the end in a dramatic way. Flynn is from the Twin Cities. You can tell he probably is a fan of Dick Cheney, and not a fan of p.c. Prius-driving folks. Flynn throws out a lot of technical things about planes, ships, guns, armament ... but doesn't slather it on like Tom Clancy!
February 26, 2018
This one didn't seem quite up to Vince Flynn's standards although I am having trouble putting my finger on exactly why. It might be because it deals a lot with the Israel/Palenstine political situation which isn't my favorite. Or it might be because there are really two separate stories here, two novellas really, that only minimally tie-in together.
And Mitch Rapp's wife is really starting to annoy me.
And Mitch Rapp's wife is really starting to annoy me.
May 19, 2015
Action Packed, Edge Of Your Seat Read!!! I Loved It!!!
May 25, 2018
Global terrorism is on the rise and CIA agent Mitch Rapp is on the case. The author does a great job on a fiction novel that has the feel of reality.
June 12, 2025
4 Stars. Flynn and Rapp were very good in this one. A story that will probably be told forever as a Peace Process doesn’t look to be happening more now than it did 50 years ago. This was smart, with smart people being portrayed as our government leaders, something I found refreshing these days. The bad guys were all too familiar. But I guess that’s the way the world is.
July 6, 2019
This is a complete pullshit
September 19, 2017
REVIEW OF 2ND LISTEN; SEPT 19, 2017
This time EP was a 5-star listen from the start until the final lap. I felt Flynn dropped the ball at the end and I had to take away a star. Two stars the first time I listened to this, four stars this time round.
The first time I listened to this I didn't know where Flynn was going with the dual arcs - one featuring David aka Jabril Khatabi and the other, Mitch Rapp, of course. These two arcs do not come together until towards the end of the book and it took a second attempt before I could follow. My second attempt was successful because I now knew that for 80% of the way EP is like reading two separate books. I no longer tried to tie the two threads as one normally would do, and, thus, ending up frustrated. This second time around, I allowed Flynn to tell David's story and let him tie up the two threads when he was ready to do so. I would recommend anyone about to read this installment approach the book this way.
Despite my enjoying the book very much, there are weak spots and the weakest was the way Flynn offed the villains - not just the scene where David and Omar are killed off (both so anti-climactic) but I felt rather mislead by Flynn where these two characters are concerned. I liked how David was portrayed - not at all the stereotypical Palestinian (or Arab, heck, the usual Middle-Eastern!) terrorist and I liked, very much, that there was that other angle, that other side, to him - a highly-educated, Renaissance man, even, who had a love for his land that is as legitimate as any Zionist's, and who hurts when the innocent are hurt in the endless battle for their slice of this planet. Omar was the stereotypical Saudi prince whose days and nights revolve around his sybaritic indulgences. He's portrayed as fat and lazy and lacking in the smarts department.
With those impressions etched, unmistakably, in my mind, I was thrown for a loop when David abandons his more noble self and acts like your typical terrorist whose only goal is to see a Palestinian state regardless of the collateral damage. Where the hell did the David the Renaissance Man go and when/how did Jabril the garden-variety terrorist take his place? Then the lazy, self-indulgent, stupid Omar becomes an evil, scheming Arab prince? Not just a sudden development but a really sudden change that occurs in a single scene! I was thinking 'hey! That's not how you painted these two guys!' and either Flynn forgot how he characterized these two men or he deliberately set out to mislead me.
Ah well. That said, I still enjoyed this installment, especially the DC shenanigans. Anna needs to die. Soon.
----------------------------------------------
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; NOVEMBER 16, 2015
Narrator: George Guidall
I must have been very tired as I couldn't follow the story. There were two storylines going on throughout the book and seemed unconnected but you know it is so it adds to the frustration. With audio, it's even more frustrating as I couldn't go back and check for something I missed. But in the end, it didn't seem to matter because all I needed was to listen to Rapp's rant in the final quarter and got the gist of the entire book in five minutes. Samuel's review sums everything up that I want to say but can't be bothered.
All through the audiobook, I kept wondering who the heck was David. The book was mostly about him, not Mitch Rapp, and I even wondered if I had picked the wrong book. But no, it was Rapp but maybe Flynn forgot. In any case, I felt somewhat derailed - it wasn't really the kind of Rapp book I've come to enjoy not just because this stranger called David hijacked it, but because Mitch is still battling that cow he's married to. There are 14 books - 7 more to go - and I'm hoping I won't have to put up with Anna for 7 more books. Not unless she gets her head straight and stop being such a pain the ass.
Not an installment I enjoyed but I love Rapp in action so I'm going to check out Book 7 and see if it sounds more like the Rapp I like or I should take a break and do a serial killer instead.
This time EP was a 5-star listen from the start until the final lap. I felt Flynn dropped the ball at the end and I had to take away a star. Two stars the first time I listened to this, four stars this time round.
The first time I listened to this I didn't know where Flynn was going with the dual arcs - one featuring David aka Jabril Khatabi and the other, Mitch Rapp, of course. These two arcs do not come together until towards the end of the book and it took a second attempt before I could follow. My second attempt was successful because I now knew that for 80% of the way EP is like reading two separate books. I no longer tried to tie the two threads as one normally would do, and, thus, ending up frustrated. This second time around, I allowed Flynn to tell David's story and let him tie up the two threads when he was ready to do so. I would recommend anyone about to read this installment approach the book this way.
Despite my enjoying the book very much, there are weak spots and the weakest was the way Flynn offed the villains - not just the scene where David and Omar are killed off (both so anti-climactic) but I felt rather mislead by Flynn where these two characters are concerned. I liked how David was portrayed - not at all the stereotypical Palestinian (or Arab, heck, the usual Middle-Eastern!) terrorist and I liked, very much, that there was that other angle, that other side, to him - a highly-educated, Renaissance man, even, who had a love for his land that is as legitimate as any Zionist's, and who hurts when the innocent are hurt in the endless battle for their slice of this planet. Omar was the stereotypical Saudi prince whose days and nights revolve around his sybaritic indulgences. He's portrayed as fat and lazy and lacking in the smarts department.
With those impressions etched, unmistakably, in my mind, I was thrown for a loop when David abandons his more noble self and acts like your typical terrorist whose only goal is to see a Palestinian state regardless of the collateral damage. Where the hell did the David the Renaissance Man go and when/how did Jabril the garden-variety terrorist take his place? Then the lazy, self-indulgent, stupid Omar becomes an evil, scheming Arab prince? Not just a sudden development but a really sudden change that occurs in a single scene! I was thinking 'hey! That's not how you painted these two guys!' and either Flynn forgot how he characterized these two men or he deliberately set out to mislead me.
Ah well. That said, I still enjoyed this installment, especially the DC shenanigans. Anna needs to die. Soon.
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REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; NOVEMBER 16, 2015
Narrator: George Guidall
I must have been very tired as I couldn't follow the story. There were two storylines going on throughout the book and seemed unconnected but you know it is so it adds to the frustration. With audio, it's even more frustrating as I couldn't go back and check for something I missed. But in the end, it didn't seem to matter because all I needed was to listen to Rapp's rant in the final quarter and got the gist of the entire book in five minutes. Samuel's review sums everything up that I want to say but can't be bothered.
All through the audiobook, I kept wondering who the heck was David. The book was mostly about him, not Mitch Rapp, and I even wondered if I had picked the wrong book. But no, it was Rapp but maybe Flynn forgot. In any case, I felt somewhat derailed - it wasn't really the kind of Rapp book I've come to enjoy not just because this stranger called David hijacked it, but because Mitch is still battling that cow he's married to. There are 14 books - 7 more to go - and I'm hoping I won't have to put up with Anna for 7 more books. Not unless she gets her head straight and stop being such a pain the ass.
Not an installment I enjoyed but I love Rapp in action so I'm going to check out Book 7 and see if it sounds more like the Rapp I like or I should take a break and do a serial killer instead.
October 17, 2012
Every time I ordered this book from the library it would arrive with several other 7-day books and I was never able to complete the book before it had to be back. This time, as soon as I got the book, I sat and read it.
The Mitch Rapp series are full of adventure, terror and page turners from the start; no wonder there is always a waiting list for these Vince Flynn books!
While all books in the series make the reader believe they are actually reading a case from a current newspaper account; this book finds Mitch on the other end of the picture, behind a desk at CIA headquarters.
In a previous episode Rapp is outed by a Congressman and now terrorists world-wide are out to kill Rapp, which means Rapp’s job as an American assassin is over, or is it?
This book proves that the general American public cannot always believe or trust those who are elected and/or appointed to represent our best interest; therefore Rapp must decide the best course to avenge an ambushed Seal team and rescue an American family who has been held captive by a terrorist group hiding on the Philippine islands.
The Mitch Rapp series are full of adventure, terror and page turners from the start; no wonder there is always a waiting list for these Vince Flynn books!
While all books in the series make the reader believe they are actually reading a case from a current newspaper account; this book finds Mitch on the other end of the picture, behind a desk at CIA headquarters.
In a previous episode Rapp is outed by a Congressman and now terrorists world-wide are out to kill Rapp, which means Rapp’s job as an American assassin is over, or is it?
This book proves that the general American public cannot always believe or trust those who are elected and/or appointed to represent our best interest; therefore Rapp must decide the best course to avenge an ambushed Seal team and rescue an American family who has been held captive by a terrorist group hiding on the Philippine islands.
December 9, 2013
6th in the Mitch Rapp series, if you include the two prequel books. This one has Mitch travelling to the Philippines to rescue an American family kidnapped by terrorists, while a Palestinian assassin is plotting to make the UN vote for statehood. This is the first book of the series set after 9/11 but it is only referred to in passing, which seems odd when read now, but it is over a decade old. There's the usual mix of action, intrigue and politics, and we get to see a more human side of Rapp - he even cooks dinner! I don't know enough about Middle East politics to be sure which characters are real and which made up, but it was all pretty interesting and I look forward to the next one.
July 7, 2017
Seemed to be shorter than other Mitch Rapp books but had all of the elements you come to expect for this series. No real complaints but I didn't really feel "wowed" at the end of it. I wouldn't say I was disappointed though. All in all it was a good read.
April 1, 2025
3 Stars Just ok. Two alternating stories that had absolutely no connection to each other. Neither story is properly fleshed out and both end abruptly, as if Flynn's deadline was tomorrow and he had nothing left to say. Not even any good gun porn. Meh.
July 25, 2019
Another enjoyable read and continuation to the series. This series is fun to read in between my fantasy books. I will continue to read the series to see what happens to Mitch Rapp
February 21, 2018
We learn linguistically by 'pushing the envelope' absorbing a better word, but not by dumbing down a word's meaning to the level of colloquial misuse. :>decimate means to reduce by 10% not annihilation as used in the book
I don't like Anna Reilly. The character of Mitchell Rapp, as I know him, would not place himself in that position. She is very strong willed reporter. I wouldn't see a nature biologist picking up a coral snake barehanded because they admire it's beauty.
I like to listen to audio when I can. So thru my pubic library I accessed the audio from www.hoopladidgital.com. The adventure in the Philippines was almost non-existent. So be careful.
I hope that the awkwardness of this sixth Rapp book is caused by transition of character.
I don't like Anna Reilly. The character of Mitchell Rapp, as I know him, would not place himself in that position. She is very strong willed reporter. I wouldn't see a nature biologist picking up a coral snake barehanded because they admire it's beauty.
I like to listen to audio when I can. So thru my pubic library I accessed the audio from www.hoopladidgital.com. The adventure in the Philippines was almost non-existent. So be careful.
I hope that the awkwardness of this sixth Rapp book is caused by transition of character.
October 16, 2024
In 2013, I was a smoker. Hated smoke inside the house, so I would smoke on my porch and read. I was mostly reading David Baldacci then, and I was looking for a new writer because I was almost done with his books. My neighbor recommended Vince Flynn, and I read all of his books in a summer. Mitch Rapp was one of my favorite characters.
I was so saddened to learn when he died. I have no idea who has been keeping up his series after he passed away. Not sure I'd want to continue them. Kind of like Steig Larsson's series, I suspect it will fall short of the author's original vision.
Because I read all these books in 2013, I'll be copying/pasting this review into all of the 13 Mitch Rapp books I read.
I was so saddened to learn when he died. I have no idea who has been keeping up his series after he passed away. Not sure I'd want to continue them. Kind of like Steig Larsson's series, I suspect it will fall short of the author's original vision.
Because I read all these books in 2013, I'll be copying/pasting this review into all of the 13 Mitch Rapp books I read.
September 19, 2019
Note:
It's really lazy to copy & paste your own work into a book without changing it up a bit. Word for word. Exactly the same. Not just once but in multiple books of the series.
Otherwise, still movie quality fun. There are sparks of really great description/action but they get overshadowed by the general tone of the plot/characters.
Also 2 thumbs up for George Guidall being back as the narrator. I kinda missed him. =)
It's really lazy to copy & paste your own work into a book without changing it up a bit. Word for word. Exactly the same. Not just once but in multiple books of the series.
Otherwise, still movie quality fun. There are sparks of really great description/action but they get overshadowed by the general tone of the plot/characters.
Also 2 thumbs up for George Guidall being back as the narrator. I kinda missed him. =)
September 25, 2021
Поредицата за Мич Рап ми е много приятна, защото е някак балансирана - добро хрумване, динамично действие, стари моцуни, точна доза фактология, неочаквана развръзка.
Ако леко затворя едно око ;) дори получава усещането за достооверност.
Четенето, което те забавлява без да те ангажира твърде много - удоволствие ценено след тежък работен ден е на лице и тук, но на фона на първите няколко книги тази история я усетих малко семпла. Добра хрумка, но все пак отстъпва на първите пет.
Ако леко затворя едно око ;) дори получава усещането за достооверност.
Четенето, което те забавлява без да те ангажира твърде много - удоволствие ценено след тежък работен ден е на лице и тук, но на фона на първите няколко книги тази история я усетих малко семпла. Добра хрумка, но все пак отстъпва на първите пет.
July 22, 2016
Overall, an exciting thriller. I liked what Flynn did with the two simultaneous story lines early on, but ultimately I wish they were better integrated. The plot and ending is a bit far-fetched, not impossible just not all that plausible. But that's what one would expect from this genre.
December 13, 2018
CIA super-agent Mitch Rapp is the man. He makes everyone else look like an amateur. This was a great read packed with lots of action and some great plot twists.
January 13, 2020
STORY
Unlike the previous Rapp novels, this one took a bit of time before I was fully invested in the story line. Once I was hooked, though, I was hooked good and couldn't stop reading. The story follows Mitch as he maneuvers his new role as a CIA adviser.
A part of what didn't snag me is this very fact: Mitch has a new role. He's married, has a wife who doesn't want him in danger, and can't just go "fix" things. It got a bit tedious but plots must move forward and characters must grow, so I can't complain much.
The story line involving the Israelis and Palestinians was super intriguing. I want more.
THEMES
As usual, the biggest themes that I took away from this book (like the others) is honor, loyalty, and courage.
These books do not shy away from hell. They do not shy away from wicked men, whether they be on the "good" side or the "bad" side. They shy away from nothing. But despite the wickedness of humanity, goodness is shown, too. We see brothers and soldiers fighting side by side, never leaving another behind. We see men doing the dirty work to protect and defend their nation they love. In the end, every bit of "good" counts.
We cannot forget to do what we can: for our family, our nation, and for our faith. These books inspire me to do what I can, even if I don't think it amounts to much.
CHARACTERS
So, Mitch and Anna are nice and all, but 1) I haven't been in a huge mood for romance and their romance isn't absolutely moving so it just ain't cuttin' it for me right now and 2) it's often grating? I mean, I get Anna is a feminist, a reporter, and an overall strong woman who won't sit like a nice, simple minded housewife while her husband goes off and gets shot in the rear end... but she's kinda annoying, too? I liked her at first but now it's just... meh. And I guess that's all my reaction to their marriage is now: meh. Which isn't a great way to feel but I've got nothing else to feel, thus far, haha.
As usual, Kennedy is a super amazing woman and I love her. I'd pay money to see a novel about her baby boy one day.
DAVID/JABRIL IS A TOTAL LOVE AND I NEEDED MORE OF HIM. I literally cheering when he gave General Hamza what he deserved.
CONTENT
Swearing. Sensual content that's probably PG 13 rated, with some rape scenes that were without consent, mentions of prostitutes, etc. A brief but graphic scene where a man is castrated after he rapes a young girl. Drinking, drunkards, etc. Violence, descriptions of blood and wounds, etc.
OVERALL
It took a bit to care but I enjoyed the premise and Jabril very much.
Unlike the previous Rapp novels, this one took a bit of time before I was fully invested in the story line. Once I was hooked, though, I was hooked good and couldn't stop reading. The story follows Mitch as he maneuvers his new role as a CIA adviser.
A part of what didn't snag me is this very fact: Mitch has a new role. He's married, has a wife who doesn't want him in danger, and can't just go "fix" things. It got a bit tedious but plots must move forward and characters must grow, so I can't complain much.
The story line involving the Israelis and Palestinians was super intriguing. I want more.
THEMES
As usual, the biggest themes that I took away from this book (like the others) is honor, loyalty, and courage.
These books do not shy away from hell. They do not shy away from wicked men, whether they be on the "good" side or the "bad" side. They shy away from nothing. But despite the wickedness of humanity, goodness is shown, too. We see brothers and soldiers fighting side by side, never leaving another behind. We see men doing the dirty work to protect and defend their nation they love. In the end, every bit of "good" counts.
We cannot forget to do what we can: for our family, our nation, and for our faith. These books inspire me to do what I can, even if I don't think it amounts to much.
CHARACTERS
So, Mitch and Anna are nice and all, but 1) I haven't been in a huge mood for romance and their romance isn't absolutely moving so it just ain't cuttin' it for me right now and 2) it's often grating? I mean, I get Anna is a feminist, a reporter, and an overall strong woman who won't sit like a nice, simple minded housewife while her husband goes off and gets shot in the rear end... but she's kinda annoying, too? I liked her at first but now it's just... meh. And I guess that's all my reaction to their marriage is now: meh. Which isn't a great way to feel but I've got nothing else to feel, thus far, haha.
As usual, Kennedy is a super amazing woman and I love her. I'd pay money to see a novel about her baby boy one day.
DAVID/JABRIL IS A TOTAL LOVE AND I NEEDED MORE OF HIM. I literally cheering when he gave General Hamza what he deserved.
CONTENT
Swearing. Sensual content that's probably PG 13 rated, with some rape scenes that were without consent, mentions of prostitutes, etc. A brief but graphic scene where a man is castrated after he rapes a young girl. Drinking, drunkards, etc. Violence, descriptions of blood and wounds, etc.
OVERALL
It took a bit to care but I enjoyed the premise and Jabril very much.
September 13, 2019
Love the Mitch Rapp series and enjoyed this one too. Although, I agree with the others who posted less than positive reviews, it was missing some of the great elements of previous books. Mitch's wife Anna had a bit part and annoying role to play in this one compared to the previous two books - hopefully book 7 puts her in a better light. The antagonist David was excellent and I am disappointed with how that turned out - would of thought of much better conclusion to that element of the story.
Mitch is torn between his role as a behind the scenes CIA operative and on the front line in the action in this one. And must face the consequences of his actions in a mission in the Philippines. Meanwhile the tension between Israel and Palestine is rising - this proved quite enjoyable and offered a good running narrative while everything else was taking place.
I'll still continue on the series as the character is still worthwhile but this one lacked a certain edge to it. Here's to the next one in 'Memorial Day'
Mitch is torn between his role as a behind the scenes CIA operative and on the front line in the action in this one. And must face the consequences of his actions in a mission in the Philippines. Meanwhile the tension between Israel and Palestine is rising - this proved quite enjoyable and offered a good running narrative while everything else was taking place.
I'll still continue on the series as the character is still worthwhile but this one lacked a certain edge to it. Here's to the next one in 'Memorial Day'
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