Mitch Rapp and the book ‘Pursuit of Honor’ by Vince Flynn

The character Mitch Rapp has enjoyed a long and adventurous lifespan thanks to the series of books begun by Vince Flynn. The twelfth book in the Mitch Rapp series when taken in order is Pursuit of Honor, which was the tenth book in the series when published in October of 2009. The sequence of the Mitch Rapp books can be found here.

(Vince Flynn wrote the Mitch Rapp thriller Pursuit of Honor, which was released in October 2009).

Pursuit of Honor feels like a second part of the book Extreme Measures, which was published in October 2008. The book offers a logical transition for more conversation around the notion of government oversite of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with a transitioning of the responsibilities for CIA agent and ex-Marine Mike Nash.

(The Mitch Rapp thriller Pursuit of Honor is the twelfth book in the line of books started by Vince Flynn. Flynn wrote Pursuit of Honor).

The emphasis for Pursuit of Honor moves into the notion of the aftermath of an attack members of Congress and their staffs, along with the pursuit of those responsible for the attacks. With the aid of CIA head Irene Kennedy, the notion of who and how to help a man with a family cope with the professional and moral costs of the life of protecting a nation through covert and decidedly not public action is explored. Stan Hurley, who we ostensibly first met in American Assassin and Kill Shot, reappears with Pursuit of Honor.

(Mitch Rapp creator Vince Flynn continued the Mitch Rapp series with the October, 2009 release of Pursuit of Honor).

The book Pursuit of Honor refers to the men and women of the CIA, who sacrifice much. Flynn rails against congressional oversight that seems to miss much of the framework for how work takes place. The perspective of those in power along with those in secret power frequently are at cross purposes, with the arguments being that those overseeing often are looking to score political points for an uncomplicated, simplistic perspective.

(Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn features fictional characters Mitch Rapp, Irene Kennedy, Mike Nash and Stan Hurley).

I found Pursuit of Honor to be an entertaining book written by Vince Flynn. The underlying stays true to this series of books. The book Pursuit of Honor works, which leads me to a rating of 3.75-stars on a scale of one-to-five.

Matt – Saturday, April 24, 2021

Mitch Rapp and the book ‘Extreme Measures’ by Vince Flynn

The character Mitch Rapp has enjoyed a long and adventurous lifespan thanks to the series of books begun by Vince Flynn. The eleventh book in the Mitch Rapp series when taken in order is Extreme Measures, which was the ninth book in the series when published in October of 2008. The sequence of the Mitch Rapp books can be found here.

(Vince Flynn wrote the book Extreme Measures).

A tension in Extreme Measures continues to be the nature of government oversite of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) combined with foreign terrorism threats seeking to inflict casualties in the United States. The central story includes hero Mitch Rapp pressed into action with ex-Marine and CIA agent Mike Nash at his right hand.

(An alternative cover for Extreme Measures with accompanying theming by Vince Flynn).

The threat on the ground faced by Nash and Rapp are a jihadist cell bent on causing as much death and injury within the United States as possible. The story of Extreme Measures includes two cells already brought to justice with a third cell known to exist without explicit intelligence on who or where an attack will be coming. The political winds among members of Congress want more oversite of CIA Director Irene Kennedy, Rapp, Nash, and much of the methodology of the clandestine services.

(Another three covers for the book Extreme Measures as written by Vince Flynn).

The approach that Kennedy and Rapp setout to take involves a more enlightened Mitch Rapp aiming to lead the interpersonal lives of his men with a bit more of a hands on approach than in the past. In aiming to provide cover for a questionable set of interrogation events on a military base with minimal awareness of the base commander, congressional oversite looks to put the screws to Kennedy, Rapp, Nash, and the torture methods employed in the name of stopping terrorist attacks. Extreme Measures takes a look into the subject sympathetically for the practice, with the case for it occurring up close and personal with a potential attack in Washington, DC.

(Extreme Measures is one of 14 books written by Vince Flynn, pictured here, to be published).

I found Extreme Measures to be one of the more coherent and mature books written by Vince Flynn. The determination and substance of the underlying story remain consistent with other books in the Flynn canon. The viewpoint of Mitch Rapp has grown a bit in this installment of the series, which is something that hits home as long desired. The book Extreme Measures works, which leads me to a rating of 4-stars on a scale of one-to-five.

Matt – Wednesday, December 16, 2020