American Assassin, the 2017 film starring Dylan O’Brien, kicked off with an intense (and emotional) beach scene before launching an in-your-face revenge story reminiscent of Liam Neeson’s Taken.
So if you’re interested in reading the books by Vince Flynn, I don’t blame you.
What’s important to know here is that American Assassin is just one book in the “Mitch Rapp series” – a series made up of 21 books.
But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed.
The books are just as action-packed as the blockbuster movie, so you’ll fly through them if, like me, you love fast-paced espionage thrillers with mystery and action in equal measure.
About The Mitch Rapp Series
The Mitch Rapp series follows Mitch Rapp as he becomes a CIA operative fuelled by revenge.
Vince Flynn wrote the first 13 books before Kyle Mills took over.
As for the chronological order of the story, it does not correspond with the books’ publication dates.
In other words: don’t read the books in the order they were released!
American Assassin was the eleventh book in the Mitch Rapp series. Despite that, it’s the one that kicks off Mitch Rapp’s story.
Yep, it follows near enough the same events that happen in the film adaptation – but definitely don’t skip it, as the book fills out Mitch’s character better than the movie does.
When the CIA catches wind of a German industrialist funding a notorious terrorist, their best bet is Mitch Rapp.
But that’s not all that goes down in The Third Option, as Mitch also finds himself in a high-stakes power struggle on home turf, taking place within the CIA itself.
Pros
Serves up a change of conflict that takes place within the CIA
Sees Mitch Rapp take on a new terrorist who’s different from the previous books
Memorial Day takes Mitch Rapp to Afghanistan in light of a potential terrorist attack, yet, as Mitch knows, nothing is ever as it seems and the threat is bigger than the CIA anticipated.
Another page-flipper in the Mitch Rapp series that shows Vince Flynn’s talent for writing political thrillers.
The country’s leading democratic candidates congregating at a national security conference held out in the open? It can only go wrong.
Act of Treason sees Mitch Rapp tackle an all-out ambush followed by something deeper: shady intelligence pointing to several higher-ups within Washington itself.
Pros
Weaves an engaging mystery centered around corruption
Has one of the best opening chapters in the series
Three al-Qaeda terrorists at large, new counterterrorism operatives getting in the way, and Mike Nash reaching his ultimate limits – it all goes down in Pursuit of Honor, with Mitch Rapp once again having to push the boundaries of morality to find a way out.
Pros
Continues the working relationship between Mitch and Mike that started in Extreme Measures
Features multiple different antagonists
Cons
Touches on similar themes covered in Extreme Measures
Nothing’s more lethal than bioterrorism – which is exactly what Mitch Rapp is up against in Lethal Agent.
Diversions and false leads, risky infiltrations, and the whole world hanging in the balance, Mitch has his work cut out for him in Kyle Mills’ fifth book for the series.
Pros
Sees Mitch Rapp take on bioterrorism in the first time in the series
Oath of Loyalty is the most recent book in the Mitch Rapp series, which sees Mitch Rapp ostracized from the U.S. with a new threat to overcome: Legion – a mysterious assassin who’s out to get Mitch Rapp’s partner, Claudia Gould.
Pros
The most recent book in the Mitch Rapp series
Introduces two new compelling characters
Cons
Features plotlines reminiscent of Executive Power
Bottom Line
And there you have it: every book in the American Assassin series in the order you should read them – the order that tells Mitch Rapp’s story chronologically.
Nothing’s stopping you from reading the books by their publication date, but expect time jumps as some of the newer Mitch Rapp books (American Assassin and Kill Shot) take place before the older books.
Either way, the Mitch Rapp series is a high-octane ride packed with action, conflict, and high stakes.
And if you love crime books, spy books, thrillers, or pretty much anything by Ian Fleming and Tom Clancy, then the Mitch Rapp series will be right up your alley.
Just remember: even if you’ve watched the blockbuster movie adaptation, American Assassin is still worth reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Read The American Assassin Books In Order?
It’s best to read the Mitch Rapp books in order as the published order doesn’t tell the story chronologically. The first book that kicks off the story is American Assassin.
What’s The Best Book In The Mitch Rapp Series?
American Assassin, the first novel in the Mitch Rapp series (also adapted for film), is the most popular book because it starts Mitch Rapp’s story as a CIA counter-terrorist operator.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
