Vince Flynn was a bestselling author known for his political thrillers featuring CIA agent Mitch Rapp. His novels often dealt with counterterrorism, espionage, and political corruption themes. Some of his most popular books include “American Assassin,” “Transfer of Power,” and “The Third Option.”
Flynn passed away in 2013, but his novels continue to be beloved by readers and have been adapted into films, video games, and a planned TV series. He was a New York Times bestselling author many times, and his books have been published in over 25 languages. He was considered one of the leading voices in the political thriller genre and was often compared to Tom Clancy and Brad Thor.
If you’re looking for a pulse-pounding, action-packed thrill ride, look no further than the Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn. This series is a perfect read for you, and here’s why you should read it!
These books will take you on a journey into the dangerous world of counterterrorism, espionage, and political corruption through the eyes of CIA agent Mitch Rapp. With Flynn’s expert storytelling and attention to detail, you’ll feel like you’re right there alongside Rapp as he takes on some of the most ruthless terrorists and corrupt politicians in the world.
Furthermore, there are multiple ways to read the Mitch Rapp book series because the books were written out of chronological order, and some have multiple perspectives and characters. Reading the books in chronological order will provide a more seamless narrative, but reading them in the order they were published will also give an understanding of the evolution of the author’s writing style and the series over time.
#MITCH RAPP SERIES
1. American Assassin [2010]
Imagine a world where terrorist attacks are becoming a regular occurrence, and the threat of nuclear war looms on the horizon. This is the reality for Mitch Rapp, a college student whose life is forever changed when his fiancée is killed in one of these attacks.
Fueled by a desire for revenge, he joins the CIA and becomes one of the agency’s top operatives. His training is intense, brutal, and relentless, and he emerges as a skilled killer with a single-minded focus: to take out as many terrorists as possible.
2. Kill Shot [2012]
When a mission goes awry and a target he was sent to eliminate escapes, Rapp finds himself on the run and in the crosshairs of a deadly assassin known only as the Ghost. As the Ghost begins to eliminate all those connected to the failed mission, Rapp must race against time to track down the elusive assassin and stop him before it’s too late. But the Ghost is not your ordinary killer; he is a master of disguise, and his methods are almost impossible to predict.
3. Transfer of Power [1999]
A group of heavily armed terrorists takes over the White House, and the President and his staff are taken hostage; Rapp gets involved in the crosshairs of a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.
As the terrorists make their demands and the clock ticks down, Rapp must race against time to infiltrate the White House and neutralize the threat. But the terrorists are not your ordinary kidnappers; they are well-trained, heavily armed, and have the plan to escape.
4. The Third Option [2000]
A high-level government official is assassinated, and the prime suspect is a rogue CIA agent Rapp is called on to investigate. As the investigation begins, he discovers that the operation, known as “The Third Option,” was a covert action to eliminate a terrorist threat, but something went wrong, and now the government officials are covering it up to save their political careers, and Rapp is headed to bring those responsible to justice. “The Third Option” is a story of betrayal, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
5. Separation of Power [2001]
The story takes place in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and the United States is at war with terrorism. The President is under intense pressure to take decisive action against the terrorist groups, and the CIA is tasked with finding and eliminating the leaders of these organizations.
Mitch Rapp, a CIA agent, is sent on a mission to infiltrate a terrorist group in the Middle East and eliminate its leader. However, the mission goes awry, and Rapp is left stranded in hostile territory without support. Meanwhile, Irene Kennedy, the head of the CIA, is fighting her own battle.
6. Executive Power [2003]
The story follows Mitch Rapp, a CIA agent who is on a mission to track down and eliminate a group of terrorists that is planning to launch a major attack on the United States. The terrorist group, led by a charismatic and ruthless leader, is planning to use a weapon of mass destruction to cause massive destruction and loss of life.
As Rapp closes in on the terrorist group, he discovers that they have infiltrated the highest levels of the U.S. government and that they have the support of powerful individuals within the administration.
7. Memorial Day [2004]
When a group of terrorists hijacks a commercial plane and crashes it into the U.S. Capitol building, the President orders Rapp to lead a covert mission to take down the terrorist group responsible. However, as Rapp and his team close in on the target, they discover that the terrorist group has ties to a powerful and influential organization that is determined to bring down the U.S. government.
As Rapp and his team continue their mission, they are pursued by a team of assassins who are determined to stop them at all costs.
8. Consent to Kill [2005]
The story follows Mitch Rapp, a CIA agent on a mission to track down and eliminate an arms dealer supplying weapons to terrorists. As Rapp closes in on his target, he discovers that the arms dealer has close ties to a powerful and influential organization that is determined to bring down the U.S. government. When Rapp’s mission is compromised, he is forced to go rogue and operate outside the boundaries of the law in order to take down his ta
9. Act of Treason [2006]
The story takes place in the aftermath of the events of “Executive Power” and follows Mitch Rapp, a CIA agent who is on a mission to stop a group of terrorists who are planning to launch a major attack on the United States. Rapp discovers that they have a mole within the CIA that is providing them with sensitive information. He must navigate a complex web of politics and power as he works to uncover the mole and stop the terrorist attack.
10. Protect and Defend [2007]
Rapp discovers that there are powerful individuals within the U.S. government who are determined to stop him at all costs. When a group of terrorists hijacks a commercial plane and crashes it into the U.S. Capitol building, the President orders Rapp to lead a covert mission to take down the terrorist group responsible. As Rapp continues his mission, he finds himself pursued by a team of assassins who are determined to stop him at all costs.
11. Extreme Measures [2008]
The plot centers on CIA agent Mitch Rapp, who is trying to prevent a group of terrorists from using a devastating virus they have gotten against the United States. Rapp learns that there is a CIA mole giving the terrorists access to critical information as he closes in on the attackers. While trying to find the mole and put an end to the terrorist danger, Rapp must maneuver through a complicated web of politics and power.
12. Pursuit of Honor [2009]
The plot is based on CIA agent Mitch Rapp, who is trying to prevent a group of terrorists from using a devastating virus they have gotten against the United States. As Rapp and Kennedy collaborate to thwart the terrorists and defend the nation, the plot is full of action, suspense, and explosive moments.
Rapp learns that the stakes are more than he ever anticipated and that the adversary includes not just a bunch of terrorists but also influential members of his administration as he draws nearer to the truth.
13. The Last Man [2012]
Mitch Rapp is on a mission to stop a group of terrorists who have acquired a dangerous virus and are threatening to release it in the United States. As Rapp closes in on the terrorists, he discovers that there is a mole within the CIA that is providing the terrorists with sensitive information. Rapp must navigate a complex web of politics and power as he works to uncover the mole and stop the terrorist threat.
14. The Survivor [2015]
Rapp finds himself in the crosshairs of a dangerous and unpredictable enemy. He is sent to Afghanistan on a mission to track down a group of terrorists; he discovers that he has become the target of a well-coordinated assassination attempt. As he fights for his life in the harsh and unforgiving terrain of Afghanistan, Rapp begins to unravel a larger conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the U.S. government.
15. Order to Kill [2016]
Rapp’s mission is to take out a Russian billionaire backing a dangerous and powerful group of terrorists. But things turn for the worse when Rapp discovers a mole within the CIA who is feeding information to the Russians. As Rapp tries to stay one step ahead of the enemy, he must navigate the treacherous waters of international espionage and confront the realities of a world where loyalty is often just a cover for betrayal.
16. Enemy of the State [2017]
The story begins with a shocking attack on the U.S.. government that leaves the nation’s leaders scrambling for answers. As the government tries to piece together what happened, Mitch Rapp, a seasoned CIA agent, is called in to lead the investigation. Rapp’s mission is to track down the person responsible for the attack and prevent further damage.
But as he begins to dig deeper, he realizes that the attack is just the tip of the iceberg in a larger and more sinister plot that reaches the highest levels of the U.S. government.
17. Red War [2018]
The plot occurs following a devastating assault on the United States by an extremist organization with support from Russia. A seasoned CIA operative named Mitch Rapp is requested to spearhead the attack against the adversary. Rapp immediately understands as he embarks on his assignment that the attack is simply the start of a bigger, more evil conspiracy that extends to the top echelons of the Russian government.
18. Lethal Agent [2019]
The story opens with a shocking attack on the U.S. that threatens to destabilize the country and bring the world to the brink of war. The culprit behind the attack is a mysterious and deadly virus that has been released into the population. Enter Mitch Rapp, a seasoned CIA agent called in to lead the charge against the enemy. With the stakes higher than ever, Rapp sets out on a mission to track down the source of the virus and prevent it from spreading any further.
As Rapp delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers that the virus was created by a rogue state with ties to a powerful and influential organization secretly manipulating events for its gain.
19. Total Power [2020]
The tale opens with a startling discovery: a scheme to launch a devastating cyber-attack on the United States, bringing it to its knees. Mitch Rapp is tasked with leading the attack against the enemy. Rapp embarks on a quest to halt the attack and save the country from descending into anarchy, with the stakes higher than ever.
As Rapp investigates more, he finds that the conspiracy is coordinated by a secretive cabal with links to some of the world’s most powerful and important institutions.
20. Enemy at the Gates [2021]
The story opens with a nightmare scenario – a group of terrorists has infiltrated the highest levels of the U.S. government and plotted to bring the country down from the inside.
Mitch Rapp is called in to lead the charge against the enemy. With the stakes higher than ever, Rapp sets out on a mission to stop the terrorists and prevent a catastrophic attack on American soil.
21. Oath of Loyalty [2022]
The tale begins with a shocking revelation: a renegade CIA operative has gone rogue and is trying to bring down the US from the inside. As Rapp dives into the story, he realizes that the antagonist is far more crafty and dangerous than he could have anticipated.
They’ve been operating in the open, taking advantage of their positions of authority to carry out their nefarious schemes. With the country in danger, Rapp must navigate the perilous seas of political espionage and face the reality of a world where trust is scarce, and loyalty is frequently used as a mask for treachery.
Apart from the Mitch Rapp series, Vince Flynn has also published a book which is a must read!
#NON-SERIES
1. Term Limits [1997]
The story revolves around the idea that politicians have become corrupt and out of touch with the American people. A group of former military officers and intelligence agents decide to take matters into their own hands and set out to eliminate these corrupt politicians through assassination. As the body count rises, the country is thrown into a state of chaos, and the FBI is tasked with finding the perpetrators.