Code Red is a recent continuation of the Mitch Rapp series of thriller novels originated by the late Vince Flynn. Kyle Mills has written his final contribution to the series and leaves the franchise with a pretty decent addition.

Mitch Rapp is a top counterterrorism operative for the CIA, and yet he owes a favor to someone who is rather despicable. A Mexican cartel leader has called in a marker and wants Rapp to travel to Syria to look into the creation of a powerful narcotic that is interfering with business. Rapp poses as a Canadian lawyer and has to behave a bit more civilized than he is used to operating. Rapp is a stone-cold killer when hunting for terrorists or anyone who poses a threat to the United States. He soon discovers that the proliferation of this drug is actually a form of attack from the Soviet government. Rapp is basically on his own since his latest mission isn’t really sanctioned by the US government. He also has good reason to not trust the man for whom he is working this time. He is quite well that he is seen by the crime lord as being very expendable. None of these obstacles will deter Rapp from protecting his family and those he has come to love. That also means there is going to be quite a bit more killing that will be done.

Mills does pretty well here. I was rather amused at the scenes where Rapp has to pretend to be paralyzed with fear when he is abducted while in his guise. Little do the bad guys know that their victim is the most dangerous man in the room. Rapp doesn’t really do undercover gigs, so it was refreshing to have him employ a tactic that he so rarely uses.

The villains are typical of this series. I do find it interesting when Rapp ends up going after someone other than another Middle Eastern terrorist. I believe this is the second recent novel that Russians were more of a target of Rapp’s lethal talents, and I sort of like the change of pace.

Also, the recent novels have Rapp basically in a stepfather role, and it’s pretty cool to see a paternal streak revealed.

I miss the original creator, Vince Flynn, but Kyle Mills was a solid choice by the publishing house to continue the series. He is a competent enough writer and was courageous enough to place Rapp in situations that may not have been explored by Flynn. Still, Vince Flynn was taken too soon. and too young. I would have loved to have known which direction he would have taken Rapp, but I think Mills does well enough honoring the legacy.

Don Bentley is now the successor for continuing Mitch Rapp’s bloody mission in protecting America from its numerous enemies.

Next up, I will be reading The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill.