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Flynn could have written another fifty solid pages fleshing those two ideas out. This book, like most of them in this series, was an enjoyable read. But also like many of the books in the series, after 475 pages of build-up and stage-setting when the climatic battle takes place Flynn rushes through it in about five pages - basically saying 'The bad guys bust into the building, rush up six flights of stairs, blow open the doors with C-4 explosives, and entering a room full of FBI, CIA, DEA, and Secret Service agents Mitch Rapp shoots 80% of the bad guys dead himself in about ten seconds.' What happened to the sniper the bad guys posted outside the building, or the information that the lead bad guy knows where Rapp's top aide and his family live. Instead, they just disappeared.
He's arrested by the base commander. Flynn hero CIA operative mitch Rapp bags two high-value terrorists in Afghanistan. With precious hours ticking down, he and his colleagues must fight red tape in the form of idealistic members of congress--too idealistic, the book would have us conclude. At the same time, an Islamic fundamentalist cell is about to launch an attack on US soil. Rapp resorts to very enhanced interrogation to get information, too enhanced. 'Extreme Measures' is at once a thriller (of the near-upper level fans have come to expect from Flynn) and a surprisingly thought-provoking exploration of whether US covert actions and ideals need be separate. For fans of the genre, regardless of your political and ethical stance, a good read.
But if you can see this for how closely it monitors the current political landscape of the US, then this is a great read. This Mitch Rapp book is a little less action packed than usual, but the polt involves a timely look at war, interrogation, and politics and the changing political landscape of a prolonged war. If you read then Mitch Rapp solely for the action, then this one might disappoint. There is still plenty of twists and covert actions going on to hold a reader's attention. The plot is well developed and realistic.
The problem with this novel is that we have too much Nash and it's not the Mike Nash from his previous novels. This was no different, except after I finished it I was a little disappointed. I always pre-order Flynn's novels and I usually finish them in one sitting, two tops. The book deals on Nash's problems and his family a little too much.Rapp knows that good guys have to use the tactics as the bad guys if we are going to succeed in stopping those who want to destroy our country. While reading the book I could imagine news commentators delivering the same message as this novel; American citizens are not worried enough about global terrorism. While I agree with this, I read action adventure thrillers because it is an action adventure thriller; I don't want a lecture or sermon.Compared to some other authors who are writing thrillers with reoccurring characters Flynn keeps Rapp interesting. He's trying to keep us save despite crooked politicians, shortsighted liberals and government agencies who don't know the meaning of cooperation and sharing information. (Sound familiar).
I have not had a chance to start reading this book. I have one criticism of Vince Flynn as an Author: He does not write as fast as I read.Robert Maune
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