An excellent entry in the Mitch Rapp series. The book starts out a little slow as the tension between Iran and the US builds due to the destruction of a nuclear facility in Iran that's blamed on the US and Israel. Iranian hardliners concoct a plan to try and embarrass the US and Israel on the world stage through a demand for reparations, while in the background, preparing a devious plan that could change the world's fate completely. ( )

Revenge novel and thriller rolled into one.
Great series. ( )

This review is written with a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at WordPress, Blogspot, & Librarything by Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission
Title: Protect and Defend
Series: Mitch Rapp #8
Author: Vince Flynn
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 336
Words: 105.5K

Synopsis:

From Vinceflynn.com

In Protect and Defend, the action begins in the heart of Iran, where billions of dollars are being spent on the development of a nuclear program. No longer willing to wait for the international community to stop its neighboring enemy, Israel launches one of the most creative and daring espionage operations ever conceived. The attack leaves a radioactive tomb and environmental disaster in the middle of Iran s second largest city. An outraged Iranian government publicly blames both Israel and the United States for the attack and demands retribution. Privately, Iran s bombastic president wants much more. He wants America and Israel to pay for their aggression with blood.

Enter Mitch Rapp, America s top counterterrorism operative. Used to employing deception, Rapp sees an opportunity where others see only Iranian reprisals that could leave thousands of Americans dead. Rapp convinces President Josh Alexander to sign off on a risky operation that will further embarrass the Iranian government and push their country to the brink of revolution. As part of the plan, CIA director Irene Kennedy is dispatched to the region for a clandestine meeting with Azad Ashani, her Iranian counterpart.

But Rapp isn't the only one hatching plans. Iranian President Amatullah, has recruited Hezbollah master terrorist Imad Mukhtar to do his dirty work. For decades Mukhtar has acted as a surrogate for Iran, blazing a trail of death and destruction across the Middle East and beyond. When Kennedy s meeting with Ashani goes disastrously wrong, Rapp and Mukhtar are set on a collision course that threatens to engulf the entire region in war. With the clock ticking, Rapp is given twenty-four hours, no questions asked, to do whatever it takes to stop Mukhtar, and avert an unthinkable catastrophe.

My Thoughts:

Now this was a return to form and expectations. Mitch is set loose on terrorists who have kidnapped Irene Saddler, the head of the CIA. The background is that the Israeli's have destroyed Iran's “secret” nuclear facility using an infiltrator and in retaliation the leaders of Iran not only kidnap Irene but also shoot one of their ships and blame it on America.

It's been 2 years since Mitch's wife was killed and while he's holding on, he's not doing well. He's at the point of being a mad dog but not one that's crazy, if that makes sense. He simply doesn't care anymore. But Irene's kidnapping makes it personal as she's probably the person closest to him that he hasn't completely pushed away.

The action side of things is great. When Irene is kidnapped by jihadi thugs, I was concerned that Flynn might over describe things. Thankfully, he keeps it within bounds of decency while still showing what happens to her. There was no rape, which I have to admit I gave a sigh of relief for. That kind of thing in fiction can be a deal breaker for me. When Mitch gets going he was like a whirlwind. It was exhausting just following along but oh so exciting too!

On the political side, it was ok. A new president had been elected in the previous book and he was a democrat, just like in the previous books. I didn't know how Flynn was going to handle him. Well, he's a bloody hawk and pretty much tells Mitch to do whatever is necessary. He showed more backbone than most of the republicans today in real life. So I don't expect to have any problems, just like I didn't with previous books and the politics.

We'll have to see if Mitch falls apart in future books or if Flynn writes him into getting some help. Personally, I'd like to see him get some help. On the other hand, if he goes nutso, I wouldn't mind him nuking Iran, Afghanistan or even Belgium. You know, for variety's sake ;-) What I am concerned about is either Mitch turning into a “one book, one girl” kind of man like Mack Bolan the Executioner or even worse, getting involved long term with another woman and getting her killed. I almost quit when Anna died in book 6 and I'll quit for sure if happens in future books.

★★★✬☆ ( )

I always envision the CIA operative, Mitch Rapp, as the ideal agent of the Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld administration. John McCain and many other experts state that torture doesn't work in real life, but in the world of Vince Flynn novels, Mitch Rapp is able to make torture work to get the needed info out of the worst of the bad guys, and he manages to ensure that torture is never misapplied on an innocent victim. Mitch Rapp and the CIA win this battle over the MidEast terrorists in this CIA terrorist-hunter thriller. Plenty of action to keep this book engaging.

( )

Nuevamente Mitch salva el mundo. Flojo, previsible, sin ninguna sorpresa. Un sector del gobierno Iraní secuestra a Kennedy. Y Rapp soluciona todo ( )