Author: Vince Flynn

Title: American Assassin

Publisher: Atria

The CIA operative, Mitch Rapp, has appeared in ten Vince Flynn novels, saving his country and leaders from terrorists, tyrants, and political enemies. He is intelligent, complex, and dangerously ruthless making him a valuable asset for American interests and an extremely exciting character to digest for adventure-seeking readers.

With American Assassin Flynn throws his franchise into reverse backing up to the day when Rapp was dropped off at the CIA's super-secret training facility, "The Farm," shortly after graduating from Syracuse University. While his handler, Irene Kennedy, sees great potential in his background and skills, the director of training, Stan Hurley, is reluctant to bring him into the fold. Rapp's lack of military experience and discipline is viewed by Hurley to be a detriment, while others of the Powers That Be sense that the his unique and unspoiled perspective could play a key role in getting America successfully back in control of the espionage game. The section of the novel that deals with training and empowering the young recruit is significant to the book series as it reveals the history of Rapp's co-workers and his developing relationships with them.

Flynn briefly describes how Rapp cultivated his physical endurance and toughness as an All-American lacrosse player at Syracuse and how he learned how to fight in a local martial arts studio. He also hints that his major in international business and foreign languages are assets in his status as a super spy. But the real story behind Rapp's zeal to live as a weapon against terrorism is the loss of his longtime girlfriend, Maureen Eliot, who was killed in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 that exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. American Assassin looks inside young Mitch's motivation bringing up interesting differences between revenge and retribution: Will his personal pain cloud his judgment? Will Rapp's desire to see justice met out to those who killed Maureen override his marching orders from Washington? Will his deep pain become his own undoing and get him and others killed?

At the end of Rapp's training the CIA Operations Director, Thomas Stansfield, agrees to send Rapp into the field with Hurley and another recent graduate. When Rapp breaks the agreed upon rules of engagement his future as a spy is at stake. Again Flynn creates an important discussion between his characters about the need for guidelines and yet the freedom from too many restrictions and rules: When does the end justify the means especially when you are dealing with national security? Where does torture fit in the equation when it comes to getting important answers? Who determines what is morally right and wrong? Who deserves to die for their sins? Can you measure out judgment with the same cup you were made to drink from?

Set against a backdrop of the kidnapping of an American businessman in Lebanon by militant factions, Flynn writes a fast-paced novel that launches Mitch Rapp's career while winning new fans and pleasing his existing ones. If you are looking for a good thriller series, start reading here.

**This Review First Published October 26, 2010