This book review is a special for BlackFive from Elise Cooper: Kill Shot is the second prequel in the Mitch Rapp series. Just knowing that it is a Vince Flynn book centered on the main characters Mitch Rapp and Irene Kennedy will put it on the New York Times Best Seller list, currently number two. Although fans of Flynn will have no doubt about the resolution of issues, they will get from the book an understanding of the character’s personalities: intrigue, jealously, rivalry, and loyalty. Kill Shot begins a year after Mitch Rapp graduates from “The Farm.” He sees his job as making sure terrorists are eliminated, not caring about the rules of engagement. Rapp wants the terrorists to constantly look over their shoulder, to fear him. A great quote from the book, that Mitch wanted the terrorists to “lie awake at night and wonder who was after them…Thousands of people the world over lay awake at night in agonizing pain, lamenting the loss of loved ones at the hands of these cowards.” The book has Mitch killing a Libyan diplomat in Paris. The kill goes wrong and he must fight his way out, leaving behind many dead and unanswered questions. The theme of the book becomes evident when his superiors question his motives. Flynn intertwines the trust issue through many different areas. Mitch is not sure whom he can trust. He is unsure about his fellow CIA operatives, his longtime nemesis Stan Hurley, or his handler Irene Kennedy. Not knowing his friends from his enemies, he decides to go silent. There is also the conflict between other CIA operatives, the French police who do not trust the French Secret Service, and the CIA Director who must decide whose instincts to trust, Irene Kennedy or Stan Hurley. The book is slightly low on action but heavy on understanding the personalities Flynn fans have come to know and respect. Readers will understand where they are coming from and how their thought process works. For example, Mitch is self -confident, a loner, and someone with tunnel vision. Irene Kennedy is analytical, loyal, calm, and unemotional. What is absolutely amazing and incredible is that Vince Flynn wrote this book while undergoing treatment for Stage III metastatic prostate cancer. Readers of Flynn have never been disappointed with any of the previous Mitch Rapp novels and will not be disappointed now. As usual Flynn is able to write about events before they happen. This book is no different since a sub-plot involves fellow CIA officials outing Rapp, which has recently happened in real-life as well. This book should be read for its insightfulness, realism, and character development.
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Posted
Feb 27 2012, 07:32 PM
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BLACKFIVE