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thriller
Series · thriller
Mitch Rapp
The Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn has 24 known books (24 published). It is best read in publication order, starting with Transfer of Power (1999). Denied Access is the latest book with a fully recorded publication date. Vince Flynn wrote the series; it was continued by Kyle Mills, then Don Bentley.
- Books
- 24 known books (24 novels)
- Published
- 24
- First published
- 1999
- Status
- ongoing
- Shelved under
- Thriller
Start here: Transfer of Power (1999)
— then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Transfer of Power
Transfer of Power is the book that started it all: the first entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in June 1999, running 395 pages. It precedes The Third Option in the reading order. The series has run continuously since 1999. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Transfer of Power - Book 2:
The Third Option
The Third Option is the 2nd book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2000 at 358 pages. In the reading order it comes after Transfer of Power and before Separation of Power. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Third Option - Book 3:
Separation of Power
Separation of Power is the 3rd book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2001 at 436 pages. It follows The Third Option and precedes Executive Power in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Separation of Power - Book 4:
Executive Power
Executive Power is the 4th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in February 2003 at 372 pages. It follows Separation of Power and precedes Memorial Day in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Executive Power - Book 5:
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is the 5th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in May 2004 at 612 pages. It sits between Executive Power and Consent to Kill in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Memorial Day - Book 6:
Consent to Kill
Consent to Kill is the 6th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2005 at 473 pages. In the reading order it comes after Memorial Day and before Act of Treason. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Consent to Kill - Book 7:
Act of Treason
Act of Treason is the 7th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2006 at 415 pages. In the reading order it comes after Consent to Kill and before Protect and Defend. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Act of Treason - Book 8:
Protect and Defend
Protect and Defend is the 8th entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in October 2007 at 416 pages. It sits between Act of Treason and Extreme Measures in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Protect and Defend - Book 9:
Extreme Measures
Extreme Measures is the 9th entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in October 2008 at 430 pages. It sits between Protect and Defend and Pursuit of Honor in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Extreme Measures - Book 10:
Pursuit of Honor
Pursuit of Honor is the 10th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2009 at 448 pages. It follows Extreme Measures and precedes American Assassin in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Pursuit of Honor - Book 11:
American Assassin
American Assassin is the 11th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2010 at 435 pages. In the reading order it comes after Pursuit of Honor and before Kill Shot. Alternative text for cover: Cover of American Assassin - Book 12:
Kill Shot
Kill Shot is the 12th entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in February 2012 at 385 pages. It sits between American Assassin and The Last Man in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Kill Shot - Book 13:
The Last Man
The Last Man is the 13th entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in November 2012 at 448 pages. It follows Kill Shot and precedes The Survivor in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Last Man - Book 14:
The Survivor
The Survivor is the 14th book in the Mitch Rapp series, credited to Vince Flynn with Kyle Mills completing the work. It was published in October 2015 at 400 pages. It sits between The Last Man and Order to Kill in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Survivor - Book 15:
Order to Kill
Order to Kill is the 15th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in October 2016 at 384 pages. In the reading order it comes after The Survivor and before Enemy of the State. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Order to Kill - Book 16:
Enemy of the State
Enemy of the State is the 16th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2017 at 400 pages. In the reading order it comes after Order to Kill and before Red War. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Enemy of the State - Book 17:
Red War
Red War is the 17th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2018 at 384 pages. In the reading order it comes after Enemy of the State and before Lethal Agent. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Red War - Book 18:
Lethal Agent
Lethal Agent is the 18th book in the Mitch Rapp series and continues under Kyle Mills, who wrote it alone. Published in September 2019 at 384 pages. It sits between Red War and Total Power in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Lethal Agent - Book 19:
Total Power
Total Power is the 19th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2020 at 400 pages. It sits between Lethal Agent and Enemy at the Gates in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Total Power - Book 20:
Enemy at the Gates
Enemy at the Gates is the 20th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2021 at 368 pages. It sits between Total Power and Oath of Loyalty in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Enemy at the Gates - Book 21:
Oath of Loyalty
Oath of Loyalty is the 21st book in the Mitch Rapp series and continues under Kyle Mills, who wrote it alone. Published in September 2022 at 376 pages. In the reading order it comes after Enemy at the Gates and before Code Red. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Oath of Loyalty - Book 22:
Code Red
Code Red is the 22nd book in the Mitch Rapp series and continues under Kyle Mills, who wrote it alone. Published in September 2023 at 384 pages. In the reading order it comes after Oath of Loyalty and before Capture or Kill. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Code Red - Book 23:
Capture or Kill
Capture or Kill is the 23rd book in the Mitch Rapp series and continues under Don Bentley, who wrote it alone. Published in September 2024 at 482 pages. In the reading order it comes after Code Red and before Denied Access. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Capture or Kill - Book 24:
Denied Access
Denied Access is the 24th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Don Bentley as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2025 at 391 pages. It follows Capture or Kill and is the latest instalment published to date. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Denied Access
The order the story's events happen in, novellas slotted where they belong.
- Book 1:
American Assassin
American Assassin is the 11th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2010 at 435 pages. In the reading order it comes after Pursuit of Honor and before Kill Shot. Alternative text for cover: Cover of American Assassin - Book 2:
Kill Shot
Kill Shot is the 12th entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in February 2012 at 385 pages. It sits between American Assassin and The Last Man in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Kill Shot - Book 3:
Denied Access
Denied Access is the 24th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Don Bentley as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2025 at 391 pages. It follows Capture or Kill and is the latest instalment published to date. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Denied Access - Book 4:
Transfer of Power
Transfer of Power is the book that started it all: the first entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in June 1999, running 395 pages. It precedes The Third Option in the reading order. The series has run continuously since 1999. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Transfer of Power - Book 5:
The Third Option
The Third Option is the 2nd book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2000 at 358 pages. In the reading order it comes after Transfer of Power and before Separation of Power. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Third Option - Book 6:
Separation of Power
Separation of Power is the 3rd book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2001 at 436 pages. It follows The Third Option and precedes Executive Power in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Separation of Power - Book 7:
Executive Power
Executive Power is the 4th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in February 2003 at 372 pages. It follows Separation of Power and precedes Memorial Day in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Executive Power - Book 8:
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is the 5th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in May 2004 at 612 pages. It sits between Executive Power and Consent to Kill in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Memorial Day - Book 9:
Consent to Kill
Consent to Kill is the 6th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2005 at 473 pages. In the reading order it comes after Memorial Day and before Act of Treason. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Consent to Kill - Book 10:
Act of Treason
Act of Treason is the 7th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2006 at 415 pages. In the reading order it comes after Consent to Kill and before Protect and Defend. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Act of Treason - Book 11:
Protect and Defend
Protect and Defend is the 8th entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in October 2007 at 416 pages. It sits between Act of Treason and Extreme Measures in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Protect and Defend - Book 12:
Extreme Measures
Extreme Measures is the 9th entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in October 2008 at 430 pages. It sits between Protect and Defend and Pursuit of Honor in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Extreme Measures - Book 13:
Pursuit of Honor
Pursuit of Honor is the 10th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Vince Flynn, published in October 2009 at 448 pages. It follows Extreme Measures and precedes American Assassin in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Pursuit of Honor - Book 14:
The Last Man
The Last Man is the 13th entry in Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, published in November 2012 at 448 pages. It follows Kill Shot and precedes The Survivor in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Last Man - Book 15:
The Survivor
The Survivor is the 14th book in the Mitch Rapp series, credited to Vince Flynn with Kyle Mills completing the work. It was published in October 2015 at 400 pages. It sits between The Last Man and Order to Kill in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Survivor - Book 16:
Order to Kill
Order to Kill is the 15th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in October 2016 at 384 pages. In the reading order it comes after The Survivor and before Enemy of the State. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Order to Kill - Book 17:
Enemy of the State
Enemy of the State is the 16th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2017 at 400 pages. In the reading order it comes after Order to Kill and before Red War. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Enemy of the State - Book 18:
Red War
Red War is the 17th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2018 at 384 pages. In the reading order it comes after Enemy of the State and before Lethal Agent. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Red War - Book 19:
Lethal Agent
Lethal Agent is the 18th book in the Mitch Rapp series and continues under Kyle Mills, who wrote it alone. Published in September 2019 at 384 pages. It sits between Red War and Total Power in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Lethal Agent - Book 20:
Total Power
Total Power is the 19th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2020 at 400 pages. It sits between Lethal Agent and Enemy at the Gates in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Total Power - Book 21:
Enemy at the Gates
Enemy at the Gates is the 20th book in the Mitch Rapp series, written by Kyle Mills as the series' continuation author. Published in September 2021 at 368 pages. It sits between Total Power and Oath of Loyalty in the reading order. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Enemy at the Gates - Book 22:
Oath of Loyalty
Oath of Loyalty is the 21st book in the Mitch Rapp series and continues under Kyle Mills, who wrote it alone. Published in September 2022 at 376 pages. In the reading order it comes after Enemy at the Gates and before Code Red. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Oath of Loyalty - Book 23:
Code Red
Code Red is the 22nd book in the Mitch Rapp series and continues under Kyle Mills, who wrote it alone. Published in September 2023 at 384 pages. In the reading order it comes after Oath of Loyalty and before Capture or Kill. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Code Red - Book 24:
Capture or Kill
Capture or Kill is the 23rd book in the Mitch Rapp series and continues under Don Bentley, who wrote it alone. Published in September 2024 at 482 pages. In the reading order it comes after Code Red and before Denied Access. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Capture or Kill
Key facts about the Mitch Rapp series
Our list has 24 books in the Mitch Rapp series. Since all 24 are out now, you can read the whole list today.
Start with Transfer of Power, since it opens the publication order in 1999. The Third Option is book 2, from 2000. Separation of Power is book 3, from 2001.
Executive Power is book 4, from 2003. Memorial Day is book 5, from 2004. Consent to Kill is book 6, from 2005.
Act of Treason is book 7, from 2006, while Protect and Defend is book 8, from 2007. Extreme Measures is book 9, from 2008.
Pursuit of Honor is book 10, from 2009, while American Assassin is book 11, from 2010. Kill Shot is book 12, from 2012. Since the list above shows all 24, you can find the rest there.
However, the story's own timeline begins with American Assassin. Use the order switch above to see that timeline.
Denied Access is the latest book with a full release date, out on 30 September 2025. The catalogue marks it as ongoing, yet no next book has a date so far.
The books came out between 1999 and 2025, while their length runs from 358 to 612 pages. That is a run of 26 years.
Vince Flynn has 15 books on our list. This is the only series by them we track, while the author page lists the rest. We shelve the books under thriller.
About the Mitch Rapp series
Mitch Rapp is the CIA's off-the-books answer to terrorism: a counterterrorism operative recruited out of Syracuse after the Pan Am Lockerbie bombing kills his college sweetheart, then forged into America's most lethal covert weapon. Under the protection of legendary spymaster Thomas Stansfield, his hard-charging protege Irene Kennedy and trainer Stan Hurley, Rapp does the things presidents need done but can never acknowledge — and spends nearly as much energy fighting Washington's politicians, leakers and careerists as he does terrorists.
Vince Flynn launched the series with Transfer of Power (1999), in which terrorists seize the White House, and wrote thirteen Rapp novels of escalating stakes — nuclear smuggling, Saudi intrigue, moles inside Langley — before his death in 2013. The franchise's most famous entry, American Assassin (2010), rewound the clock to tell Rapp's brutal recruitment and training; it became the 2017 film starring Dylan O'Brien and Michael Keaton. Kyle Mills then carried the series for nine acclaimed installments (2015-2023), pushing Rapp into an older, wearier era of pandemics, power grids and presidential vendettas, before thriller writer Don Bentley took the reins with Capture or Kill (2024) and completed Flynn's long-promised prequel trilogy with Denied Access (2025). Three authors in, the mission statement hasn't changed: fast, hawkish, procedural spycraft with a protagonist who never negotiates.
Frequently asked questions
Who writes the Mitch Rapp series?
Vince Flynn wrote the series; it was continued by Kyle Mills, then Don Bentley.
How many Mitch Rapp books are there?
There are 24 Mitch Rapp novels as of Denied Access (2025): 13 by Vince Flynn, 9 by Kyle Mills and 2 by Don Bentley. Double Tap, book 25, arrives 15 September 2026.
What order should I read the Mitch Rapp books in?
Two good options: publication order beginning with Transfer of Power (1999), or chronological order beginning with the prequel American Assassin (2010), then Kill Shot and Denied Access before Transfer of Power. Chronological is the usual recommendation for new readers.
Do I need to read American Assassin first?
No — it was published eleven years into the series as a prequel. Read it first for Rapp's origin story, or save it for a flashback break; both work.
Who writes the Mitch Rapp series now?
Don Bentley, who took over with Capture or Kill (2024) after Kyle Mills's nine-book run. Both continuation writers are published under the Vince Flynn brand, but the books from Order to Kill (2016) onward are their own work; only The Survivor (2015) was actually completed from a Flynn draft.
Is Term Limits part of the Mitch Rapp series?
Not quite — Term Limits (1997) is Vince Flynn's standalone debut set in the same universe with shared side characters, but Rapp does not appear.
If you like the Mitch Rapp series
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