Protect and Defend (Mitch Rapp) (Paperback)

by Vince Flynn (Author)
Key Phrases: protect and defend, Supreme Leader, Director Kennedy, President Amatullah (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
After taking care of a loose end from Act of Treason (2006), Mitch Rapp looks into the destruction of Iran's secret nuclear weapons facility in bestseller's Flynn's predictable eighth thriller to feature the counterterrorism agent. Given the absence of any indication of either a U.S. or an Israeli air strike, Rapp takes the opportunity to persuade the U.S. administration to plot an operation to destabilize the fanatical Iranian regime by having an Iranian dissident group claim responsibility for what he suspects was an inside job by an Israeli spy. When the Iranian government sinks one of its own ships and blames the U.S., Rapp and CIA chief Irene Kennedy travel to Iraq to try to defuse the crisis, only to fall victim to an ambush (reminiscent of one in Tom Clancy's A Clear and Present Danger) that results in Kennedy's abduction. Rapp races the clock to rescue his boss before she's tortured into revealing what she knows. Despite a backstory replete with personal loss, Rapp comes across as a one-dimensional killing machine, willing to do whatever needs doing to complete the mission. (Oct. 30)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
"Flynn didn't invent the post-9/11 thriller, but he might as well have....[He] is the best pure adrenalin-charged action writer out there today."

--Providence Journal

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; Reprint edition (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416505032
• ISBN-13: 978-1416505037
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (146 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,216 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid thriller entertainment!, October 31, 2007

By	Jack Watson (Boston) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Protect and Defend: A Thriller (Mitch Rapp) (Hardcover)

Mitch Rapp is back in action and fans of this series no what to expect and should be pleased with the results. The story begins with a left over plot from Act of Treason, but then moves on to a new story involving the destruction of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons facility. The plot revolves around the twists and turns of might of done this, and who might take the blame: the Israelis? The U.S.? Maybe the Iranians themselfs? Things really heat up when Rapp along with the CIA chief fall victim to an ambush while on a mission to defuse the situation and the CIA chief is kidnaped. Rapp is in a race against time to save his boss...and lets nothing stand in his way! Not great literature but hard to beat for pulse pounding, action entertainment! And PS: when are we going to see Mitch Rapp in the Movies?

78 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vince Flynn is back on his game., October 30, 2007

By	JanSobieski (United States of America) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Protect and Defend: A Thriller (Mitch Rapp) (Hardcover)

After "Act of Treason," which I found disappointing, I was concerned that Vince Flynn's newest offering might also fall short of his earlier Mitch Rapp novels. Fortunately, Vince Flynn is back in the saddle and has delivered yet another good book - not up to his best efforts, but good nonetheless.

I just love Mitch Rapp. He's a terrific character unburdened by PC constraints. The remarkable thing about Mitch Rapp is that this outrageously un-PC protagonist was conceived BEFORE 9-11!! Mitch Rapp was killing Islamic terrorists in at least three books before 9-11. While most of us were contentedly sitting back and enjoying our lives oblivious to the extremes to which Islam and its adherents would eventually take us Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp was fighting the good fight. To say that Vince Flynn was prescient would be an understatement.

In Flynn's previous novel, "Act of Treason" there were a few loose ends that needed to be wrapped up. "Protect and Defend" begins with the simultaneous resolution of those loose ends as well the present day conundrum of what to do with the Iranian nuclear capability. Flynn's writing style is engaging as always and draws the reader rapidly into the story line. If you like Jack Bauer from "24" you will love Mitch Rapp.

In "Protect and Defend" the indomitable Mitch Rapp is enlisted by CIA director Irene Kennedy to investigate the destruction of Iran's nuclear production facility. The usual intrigue ensues and Kennedy and Rapp end up traveling to Iran to defuse a geopolitical crisis. Kennedy is abducted, and in Rapp's indomitable manner she is rescued. Rapp, as is usual, is willing to do anything to protect his country and those with whom his loyalties lie.

Again, absolutely no sop to PC aficionados in this book or from this character who Flynn has developed over several books. I guess you could argue that Flynn's books and Rapp are somewhat predictable, but I don't care one iota.

The book is a relatively short read and the story moves at a rapid pace from beginning to end. Due to its brevity, you kind of get the idea that Flynn is once again mining the Rapp franchise for all it is worth, but in this case the book manages to deliver. While not quite as good as his earliest efforts it is a good read.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Top Of The Line, September 30, 2008

By	Gary W. Allison (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Vince Flynn delivers a powerful thrill ride once again. Great insight on Middle East politics, espionage, and terrorism. Mitch Rapp is at it again and he's badder than ever. I usually rip through a book in record time; however, Protect And Defend was worthy of a well paced read. I had to soak in every word.

One beef with the book: the ending was abrupt. It was as if Flynn was tired of writing and just wanted to wrap things up so he could move on to other things. This story called for a little more attention to the final chapters. Still, Protect And Defend is a must read.