Extreme Measures

In a world full of dime-a-dozen thriller writers who specialize in cardboard characters, cheesy dialogue, over-the-top action and plot choices that are beyond ridiculous, Vince Flynn reminds me once again that it's entirely possible to write (or read) a thriller without turning off one's brain first. There are no shoot-outs here where the hero kills 50 people with five bullets while dodging 100 rounds aimed at him. There are no stupid villains who eschew the easy kill so that they can leave the hero in some convoluted predicament from which he will inevitably escape because no one sticks around and bothers to ensure that he actually, you know, dies. There is no insane person bent on taking over the world with the help of a ridiculously show more over-engineered master plan. And on and on. Rather, there is Mitch Rapp, perhaps too good to be true, but not overly so, and committed to keeping America safe--even if it means annoying some high-powered types who are too naïve and/or self-absorbed for their own good. This time around, Rapp has to deal with a terrorist cell that is intent on hitting the U.S. He knows that there were three cells out there and that only two have been put out of commission, but he's called off before he can get the critical information needed to ruin the third cell's day. Instead, that cell manages to make its way to Washington, D.C. where ... well, to say more would be a major spoiler. Let's just say that it's a good thing that Mitch Rapp is around. This is a very enjoyable book, and Flynn is a writer I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about dipping a toe in the thriller pool. show less

Literary fiction this ain’t. This is a book by a man for men. And not just any men. This is squarely aimed at those who are (or want to be) the rootin’st, tootin’st, shootin’st man around. Women and children are just ciphers. Children appear solely to show the soft side of all these tough guys. Women are present for three reasons: more softiness; to be wrong; and, to act like the men, thus validating the tough guy attitude.

The story whizzes along and draws on enough American fears to keep the pages turning. I found the characterisation a little weak. The cover blurb implies Mitch Rapp is the central hero, but I found his supposed sidekick Mike Nash to be the more finely drawn character and to be more central to the action. He show more has a real life, outside interests and a less black-and-white approach to his job.

The book touches on important themes. In defending America, or attacking America’s enemies, how far is too far? This book argues that the ‘line’ is way beyond the boundaries set by the Geneva Conventions for the treatment of prisoners and portrays America’s clandestine operators as heroes for being prepared to go so far. In a particularly weak section the book unconvincingly tries to argue that torture is OK if you don’t actually plan to extensively harm or kill the victim. So, simulated drowning is reasonable because the drowner knows that he is not actually going to allow the victim to drown. Maybe drownees are just too soft. This is compared to the Saudi terrorist who actually causes direct physical harm to the CIA agent he tortures.

As a piece of light adventure reading for the airport this is well written, pacey and, overall, worth the effort. My concern is it will be read as reportage rather than fiction and reinforce those stereotypical views that might is always right, especially when it is American might. It is clear from the current political situation that Americans hate and want to destroy each other, so how can we stop them doing the same or worse to everyone else? show less

I'm very torn with this book. I really enjoyed it, the plot felt a little flat once all was said and done.

It was a great book in personal context because I had gone through several stinkers (didn't finish) and this book was easy to get through. Still, I enjoyed past VF books much more.

Another great book in the Mitch Rapp series. This time, Mitch and his CIA colleague, Mike Nash, must try to balance protecting the country from terrorists while avoiding violating their human rights during interrogations. Rapp and Nash are convinced that another Islamic terrorist attack will soon take place on US soil, but they can't get to the bottom of the story because they are accused of torturing suspects in Afghanistan to get more information.
When the duo are called back to Washington, DC, to submit to Congressional probes into their tactics, the terrorist cell planning the attack is free to continue with their goal of crippling the US.
Author Vince Flynn does his usual masterful job of maneuvering his readers through a variety of show more plot lines to a satisfactory finish. show less

I thoroughly enjoy Vince Flynn's writing style and story lines. The main characters of this series are people that are sooooo good that they squeak when pinched...even the liberal antagonist congresswoman. Another quick read with recurring character Mitch Rapp. This time, there are two enemies: liberal politicians and a terrorist cell. The book touches on important themes. In defending America, or attacking America’s enemies, how far is too far? As a piece of light adventure reading for the airport this is well written, pacey and, overall, worth the effort. I found it difficult to believe that a CIA hit man would testify before Congress, be so erudite that he changes policy, they goes out and kills somebody. That's too many life show more skills all in one person. show less

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Title: Extreme Measures
Series: Mitch Rapp #9
Author: Vince Flynn
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 412
Words: 132K

Synopsis:

From Vinceflynn.com

Now, Rapp and his protege, Mike Nash, may have met their match. The CIA has detected and intercepted two terrorist cells, but a third is feared to be on the loose. Led by a dangerous mastermind obsessed with becoming the leader of al-Qaeda, this determined and terrifying group is about to descend on show more America.

Rapp needs the best on this assignment, and Nash, who has served his government honorably for sixteen years first as an officer in the Marine Corps and then as an operative in an elite counterterrorism team run by Rapp is his choice.

Together, they have made careers out of meeting violence with extreme violence and have never wavered in the fight against the jihadists and their culture of death.

Both have fought the war on terrorism in secret without accolades or acknowledgment of their personal sacrifices.

Both have been forced to lie to virtually every single person they care about, and both have soldiered on with the knowledge that their hard work and lethal tactics have saved thousands of lives.

But the political winds have changed in America, and certain leaders on Capitol Hill are pushing to have men like Rapp and Nash put back on a short leash. And then one spring afternoon in Washington, DC, everything changes.

My Thoughts:

This was a good thriller. My only real gripe is the ending. The politician who had been doing her hardest to get Rapp destroyed has a complete change of heart when the bombs go off and suddenly she's all Super Patriot. It was bogus. People like her WANT this country destroyed, which is what makes them so insidious. It also makes them impervious to logic and all rational thought. Sadly, there is only one way to deal with people like that and it almost never turns out well. So that was my gripe.

Rapp takes front and center in this book. There have been times when Irene Kennedy, the director of the CIA plays as big a part but this time she is barely mentioned and pretty much lets Rapp loose. For the record, I am completely FOR enhanced interrogation methods. They work, despite what the media may trumpet. They are liars, pure and simple.

(Man, I keep going off about real world politics here, sorry about that)

Rapp isn't just a meat head with a steady gun hand. He's a smart and capable operator and the badguys and people who oppose him would do well to remember that. Rapp shows his brains through the whole book and it was great to see him outmaneuver almost everyone. There is one other guy, Mike Nash, who is similar to Rapp, but Nash has a wife and several kids. Part of the story centers around him and the stresses this creates. I was afraid the terrorists were going to kill his family much like Rapp's family were killed earlier. Thankfully, that doesn't happen. But up until the leader of the islamic jihadists was killed, I just couldn't tell if the author was going to go there or not.

I had taken a break from Rapp last year and started up again in January. I am finding that 3 books is about the right amount for me. So after this book I'll be taking another break, reading something else and then coming back to Rapp for another 3 books. Balancing my reading is getting more and more complicated but considering that I haven't had a reading slump in over 6 or 7 years now, well, that means it is working. * pounds fist * Yeah, I am THAT good.

★★★✬☆ show less

I hate to say it, but I'm worried that Vince Flynn has lost his mojo. Extreme Measures is the second Mitch Rapp book in a row that didn't really make a great impression on me. The first 10% or more of the book was an interrogation of two terrorist suspects that simply ran on too long and was too repetitive. From there, I felt as if Flynn just wasn't sure what story he wanted to write. Was this another Mitch Rapp adventure? Was it about the family and work travails of Mike Nash? Was it a thriller about machinations in Congress? The book wanted to be all of these, but never quite lived up to any of them. Even the action sequences toward the end were a bit of a letdown, almost as if Flynn was bored writing action sequences. Oh, well. He show more did end it in a way that promises a sequel. Hopefully, it will be more entertaining.

One more note: For some time, Flynn has felt a need to preach to readers his views on torture and aggressive actions to combat terrorism and his disdain for those in government who disagree with his views. That's fine. I agree with some of his views and disagree with others (although, I'd like to think that I can see the world with a bit more nuance and more shades of gray). So, to the extent that Rapp wants to talk or think about his own worldview, I understand that as part of the character. Unfortunately, in recent books, the expression of worldview has become a bit too preachy for me and there is simply too much of it. I read Flynn because he has a great character and tells great stories, not to learn his worldview. I'll take a little preaching to get to the story that I enjoy, but when the story becomes an afterthought for the preaching, then I'm not sure how interested I'll remain in the story. show less