TRANSFER OF POWER-A REVIEW(THE 1ST MITCH RAPP BOOK BY VINCE FLYNN)
Though plotwise this is the 3rd Rapp novel due to the two prequels which came in 2010&2011(American Assassin and Kill Shot) which established his origins, Transfer of Power was the first book which introduced Mitch Rapp to the world. Being Flynn’s second intense political thriller following Term Limits(which established the universe that Rapp enters here), both are very relevant politically, philosophically, ethically-today and till the end of democracy. Being released in 1999, it was way ahead of its time and is very interesting even in today’s fast-paced, action packed environment in thriller lit. This is not just due to it’s extreme realism setting with a keen eye for detail, but it’s due to its blazing political&intelligence standoff which is done with intense emotional tension in the narrative. The action is very less and realistic when compared to the extreme scenes in the works of Matthew Reilly and James Rollins, but Flynn has created his masterpiece here with a unique tension in the narrative that makes you feel like you are on the scene with an extremely detailed setting. It’s reasonable that some of the details in the White House’s inner secrets have been changed for national security. There have been two cheap knockoffs of this book in the form of movies like White House Down and Olympus Has Fallen, both which can’t even be compared to awesomeness of Flynn’s plot and narrative.
The book starts with an operation in Iraq to abduct a terror mastermind. Rapp is shown being undercover as a beggar outside the target’s house for weeks and is met by SEAL Team Six. The operation which has Presidential authorization is supervised at Langley. It goes off smoothly and the target, when interrogated with the use of chemicals, reveals a plot to capture the White House by his allies. Fortunately Rapp and the CIA are just in time to alert the Secret Service who safely secure POTUS in a bunker. But Rafique Aziz and twenty of his men have over a hundred hostages and the White House rigged and ready to blow.
Now the cowardly politicians who are left in charge reject the military and the intelligence’s demands to raid the building due to chances of failure which will give them bad PR. They try to negotiate which at 1st gets people killed, then secures some hostages. The CIA who through interrogating their newly abducted prize know Aziz’z demands, which will affect Israel in a bad way and profit Iraq. The cowardly Vice Prez-Baxter, who is poisoned in his ear by his Chief of Staff-Dallas King, plans to let the Prez die as that way he can get the throne. The pentagon is fighting for authorization of a raid as they know that Aziz has brought an Iraqi bank robber to drill the bunker and get the Prez.
Now Mitch Rapp is sent to infiltrate the White House through secret tunnels and plant recon cams. He rescues a reporter- Anna Reilly, who, on her first day as the White House Correspondent, from getting raped. He menacingly kills the terrorist who is trying to rape her and slowly builds a budding romance which is paced well and is entertaining. The problem with her being a reporter and Rapp being a government assassin creates many problems in their romance, but she helps Rapp in his mission.
The intense political, military and intelligence standoff ups the tension till the brilliantly executed climax which has a highly engaging and explosive scene in Brazil. The suspense about the fate of the villain is kept till the end.
Though all loose ends are wrapped, the Rapp legacy has just started with this book. Rapp is a true patriot who has the courage to scold politicians when they are full of their crap and gets the job done but still knows his limits. Flynn has created a very emotional ride where the narrative gets you hating the politicians and the bad guys, while making you feel like you are one among the good guys. The moral, social and political conflicts are well portrayed. This is a must read for any human as it gives a broader sense of perspective of the problems both external and internal. I give it 5/5 stars.