A New Book and the Spy / Thriller Genre

Me out for my walk

It's a much milder day today than it was yesterday. I know I shouldn't complain but I don't like it too hot. Fact. This morning I went for my hour long walk, dozed and read until 10ish, then I bathed the dogs. They appreciated it very much, trust me. This afternoon Jo and I watched Deadline: White House and then listened to The New Abnormal. I agree. It was a most productive day. Now I'm sitting in the den, with a nice little breeze blowing in, looking at the roses that are creeping up the outside of the house and listening to Jo cook dinner while I write this. Smells good.

Now how about books. I got one in the mail yesterday, one of the last on order. I think the final two are from England, one was supposed to get her in April (yup, it's a bit late) and the other in July. I'll update the new one and also continue with my look at the Spy / Thriller novel.

New Book

1. Some Buried Caesar by Rex Stout (Nero Wolfe #6).

"An automobile breakdown strands Nero Wolfe and Archie in the middle of a private pasture--and a family feud over a prize bull. A restauranteur's plan to buy the stud and barbecue it as a publicity stunt may be in poor taste, but it isn't a crime . . . until Hickory Caesar Grindon, the soon-to-be-beefsteak bull, is found pawing the remains of a family scion. Wolfe is sure the idea that Caesar is the murderer is, well, pure bull. Now the great detective is on the horns of a dilemma as a veritable stampede of suspects--including a young lady Archie has his eye on--conceals a special breed of killer who wins a blue ribbon for sheer audacity."

The Spy / Thriller Novel - Vince Flynn

Vincent Joseph Flynn

Vince Flynn was born in 1966 in St. Paul Minnesota and died there in 2013 at the very young age of 47. I guess I consider him a new author to me. He is known for his spy / thriller series featuring fictional assassin Mitch Rapp. He wrote 13 books in the series from 1999 - 2012. The series has been continued by Kyle Mills. I have read one of the books so far and have two more on my bookshelf. I've not read in any order but I will try to find the first books. (Note. As I look at this, I've bought the books by date written, not by order of storyline)

1. Transfer of Power (#3 / 1999). Note. This book was written first but is 3rd in the Mitch Rapp storyline.

"This is exactly what it was billed to be, an action-packed political / terrorist thriller. This is my first Vince Flynn thriller and it was very enjoyable. Mitch Rapp is a CIA hit man who finds himself inserted into the White House when it is taken over by Arab terrorists. I initially thought the story would be too long at 549 pages but it moved along at an excellent pace and was an excellent page-turner. The cast of characters were interesting, starting with Rapp and his assistant, retired White House employee, Milt Adams and new White House reporter, Anna Rielly. The terrorists were suitably evil that they made me quite angry at times. All in all it was a most entertaining, action-filled story to end 2015 on. I will probably read more of the Mitch Rapp series. (3 stars)"

2. The Third Option (#4 / 2000). Written 2nd but 4th in storyline.

"When diplomacy fails and military intervention is inappropriate, our leaders sometimes take the third option.…Mitch Rapp has been assigned just such an “unofficial” task, targeting a German industrialist who is supplying a notorious terror sponsor. But when the mission is dangerously compromised, Rapp realizes he’s been deemed an expendable asset in a power battle on home turf: the choice of Dr. Irene Kennedy as successor to dying CIA director Thomas Stansfield has many detractors, some who will resort to extreme measures to prevent her from taking the reins. But no one counted on Mitch Rapp’s return…or how far he’ll go to find out who set him up."

3. Memorial Day (#7 / 2004). Written 5th but 7th in storyline.

"CIA intelligence has pointed to a major terrorist attack on the United States, just as the nation's capital prepares for a grand Memorial Day tribute to the veterans of World War II. Racing to Afghanistan, Mitch Rapp leads a commando raid on an Al Qaeda stronghold in a remote border village—and defuses plans for a nuclear strike on Washington. The crisis averted, the special ops work is done. But Rapp knows, in the face of a new kind of enemy, nothing is as it seems—and it's up to him alone to avert a disaster of unimaginable proportions."

The complete list of Flynn's stories can be found at this link.

Happy Juneteenth! Have a safe weekend.