Denied Access by Don Bentley (a Mitch Rapp novel)

Before you get too confused, Denied Access adds to Mitch Rapp's backstory. Bentley takes us back to when Rapp was a kinda newly minted spy/assassin shortly after his experiences at the CIA's notorious 'Farm'. The book completes the American Assassin trilogy: American Assassin, Kill Shot, and now Denied Access. And he's got a new girlfriend while still clinging to the memory of his fiance who was killed in the terrorist attack that brought done an airliner that crashed in Lockerbie, Scotland.  The timeline takes place shortly after the breakup of the Soviet Union. 

Denied Access is a gripping thriller that blends action with complex  questions about loyalty, duty, and the cost of secrecy. Bentley uses his experience as a former Army Apache helicopter pilot and FBI special agent to bring realism to his continuation of books featuring Mitch Rapp and Jack Ryan as well as his standalone novels. You really feel a part of the story. 

The story jumps around from Barcelona to Langley to Zurich, Latvia, Moscow, and various ports of call in the Mediterranean that all figure into a convoluted plot to start an insurrection in Latvia that will require Moscow to intervene and ultimately restart a reunification of former Soviet republics back into the fold. The main players are Rapp, Greta (the girlfriend), her grandfather, Thomas Stansfield (currently acting director of the CIA), Irene Kennedy (Stansfield's associate/confidant/moral compass/sometime handler of Rapp), Stan Hurley (Farm instructor who still tries to keep Rapp on a leash) then a couple old former cold war spooks from East Germany (he's a good guy) and the former KGB (not a good guy). In fact, as the cast of characters develop, Rapp isn't the main character. In fact, there really isn't a 'main character' as most all in my list figure about equally in the story

Bentley's personal history gives this story a high degree of authenticity.  Bentley’s firsthand knowledge of military and covert operations adds precision and credibility that elevates the story beyond typical action fare. The tight pacing and vivid descriptions will keep you hooked from the first chapter to the last. The dialogue feels natural and sharp for the most part (but I know of no 20-something guy who refers to his girlfriend as 'darling') revealing character depth propels the plot forward.

The book does present military jargon throughout that some might find complex, but readers of thrillers shouldn't find the lingo beyond their grasp. Regardless, fans of Tom Clancy or Jack Carr or Vince Flynn, or Brad Thor should agree that Denied Access touches all the right buttons giving us a mix of intricate espionage, moral conflict, and relentless suspense.Denied Access is a sophisticated and expertly crafted thriller that favorable continues the Mitch Rapp storyline. 

Trust me on this: you wont' be disappointed.  

ECD