It was a long time coming, but I finally forayed into the renowned (at least in my family) Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn. I figured I might like it because second to books that take place in NYC, I really enjoy reading books that take place in Washington, D.C. There's just something so significant and powerful about stories that take place in our nation's capital, even if they're fiction. But the renowned issue... Mitch Rapp (well, okay, the series in general and of course, author Vince Flynn) are an absolute favorite in my family. Both my parents have read the entire series to date and my husband just finished the seventh (of eleven). And they all RAVE about them. In fact, the four of us just recently returned from a vacation to Washington, D.C. and can I tell you how many times Mitch Rapp came up into conversation? LOL! Flynn's books are an absolute must read for them so I knew I eventually needed to try it out.The first book in the series is Transfer of Power (not to be confused with Term Limits, Flynn's first book that is a stand alone). In it we are introduced to Mitch Rapp (as well as some ancillary characters who I assume may reappear in later books??) who is essentially a CIA counterterrorism bad ass. A well known terrorist, whom Rapp has been pursuing, physically takes over the White House, while taking over a hundred hostages. His men lace the White House with bombs and began making demands of the United States. President Hayes is evacuated to his bunker in time, leaving the Vice President to take over as Commander in Chief. But bureaucracies are everlasting, even during a time of crisis when on-the-spot decision making is most needed, and the vital decision makers cannot agree on whether they should take the White House by force or negotiate with the terrorists. Either way, they put the hostages and/or the President at risk. Mitch Rapp manages to enter the White House to spy on the terrorists and gain intelligence that can help the Vice President decide what to do next. But with the Vice President worried more about how to appeal to the American public so he can win the next election, Rapp and his cohorts take some matters into their own hands.Transfer of Power was an absolutely addicting and thrilling read. It was, however, scary considering the experiences our country has had in the last decade which made the fictional scenario seem more real. Besides that, though, the political drama, the tension, all of it was so thrilling. I imagine that to enjoy this book, you'd have to have some interest in the government (or at least the drama of it) because of course it's flooded with governmental terms and titles. In the beginning it seemed to switch from one scene to another fairly quickly in an effort to set the scene regarding all the players. But I caught on quickly and it was fascinating from there. Definitely one of those books that constantly calls to you until you're done reading it. Only problem is the series itself has the same effect. I have so many other books to read but I'm dying to read the next one already! (Good thing I have all 11 books in the series so far waiting on my TBR). If you enjoy the show 24 (at least one season of which the author actually co-wrote) then you are sure to enjoy Transfer of Power.
4.5 StarsTransfer of Power is an example of why Vince Flynn is my all time favorite Thriller author. The late writer's style is easy almost conversational. I can hear the author's voice in my head - breathlessly whispering, frantic at times. Flynn knew how to pace his story, and utilizing suspense at all times. I started the Mitch Rapp Series in the middle, so I am going back and read the entire series. I'm finding that I love the earlier Mitch Rapp books much better and the 2 prequels he wrote seem fitting as the first two books of the series. Flynn knew how to take headline news and turn a what if scenario in the War on Terror into an electrical ride for his readers. I read this in just two sittings. Food and sleep were forgotten.Dr. Irene Kennedy and her Counter-terrorism Division snatch one of Hezbollah's spiritual leaders. The information that Mitch and a psychologist gets from him is stark and stunning. Saddam Husein has funded a terrorist attack right in the heart of America - Washington, D.C., the White House to be exact. When? Today!!!!!Kennedy barely hangs up with a senior Secret Service agent before all hell breaks out at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He and 9 other agents just save President Hayes from a notorious terrorist named Aziz and whisk him to his new bunker. The bunker can withstand bombs and other nefarious things but it wasn't designed to withstand a drill. And that is what Aziz has planned - he needs Hayes by his side when he delivers his final demand. The White House is rigged with explosives and communications have been jammed by the terrorists. The Joint Chiefs, the Cabinet members, and all of the Alphabet soup people have lost all contact with President Hayes. Transfer of Power to Vice President Baxter is made and plans are made to end the hostage situation. But someone does not want the President rescued and uses the situation to his or her advantage. Under the guise of reconnaissance granted by VP Baxter, it is up to Mitch Rapp, AKA Iron Man and an elderly civilian to save the President and the rest of the hostages. The two men will become the hunter and the hunted as the Power struggle in the nation's capital rages.
What do You think about Transfer Of Power (2005)?
This felt more like a story that happened to involve Mitch Rapp than a story about Mitch Rapp. Character names could been changed and it might have functioned better as an independent novel instead of another chapter in the Mitch Rapp series.There was a lot more political play than I would have cared for and a lot less Mitch Rapp action than I would have expected, but it was still a good book.There were a few inconsistencies that I didn't care for like radio etiquette and how they said "oh" inst
—Tony Yeafoli
Having listened to all the Mitch Rapp stories after "Consent to Kill", I wanted to catch up with the earlier novels in the series. I listened to the abridged version of this story, and I didn't feel like I missed much because the story is on a smaller scale. You can definitely tell that this is one of Flynn's earlier books as the writing quality and story complexity just aren't as high as later novels. Also I noticed that the personality of the main character doesn't have nearly as much depth as later in this series. Right now he just seems like the generic hero, but he grows into much more as the stories get more complex. There are also what, I feel, are inconsistencies in his character between this early novel and the more recent origin stories. This story is a much more generalized action story, like a lot of Hollywood movies out there, but the stories do get a lot richer as the series goes on.I wouldn't start the series with this novel, instead I would start with "American Assassin", Mitch Rapp's origin story.
—Josh
I decided to read the Mitch Rapp books in series order not the chronological publishing order. I was immediately gripped with the main character from reading the first book, American Assassin. This introduces Rapp and explains how he became the secret CIA assassin. The second book in the series adds more to his character and demonstrates his lethal killing ability. This third book, Transfer of Power is the best so far. It is fast paced, brilliantly researched and written. It goes into great detail about the USA political hierarchy and the description of the White House, true or not. The plot is superb, the characters are believable and it is a real page turner, unlike many books described so but end up being rubbish.This is fictional political thriller at its very best. The sad death of Vincent Flynn, earlier this year, is a massive loss to us all and has robbed us of many more terrific books to come.
—Richard
