Memorial Day by Vince Flynn (2004, Hardcover)

Memorial Day follows the continuing exploits of CIA agent Mitch Rapp, codenamed IronMan. His formidable code name, along with his legendary status within the intelligence community, stems from the fact that Rapp is a killing machine, having been involved in the close up rubouts of dozens of international terrorists and other various baddies. His protector, DCI Irene Kennedy, watches over her most prized asset as various politically correct forces try to get away from "wet" jobs that Rapp specializes in. In this book, Rapp takes part in a special forces raid on an Al-Qaeda camp in Pakistan. Intelligence from the raid points to a nightmarish plot in which the terrorist organization is going to use a nuclear weapon on the United States in the near future. Rapp goes all out to discover the plot, as the government begins its evacuation process. This is a great part of the book because it is so relevant and Flynn makes it all seem very real and well researched. The battle writing is also exciting, as are the terrorists, who are not the carbon copies you see in other books. These guys have some life to them, and Flynn should be commended for that.

Just as those in the know in Washington breathe a sigh of relief, Rapp's gut begins to tell him that there is more to this plot that meets the eye. A senior Al-Qaeda lieutenant is in the US, and Rapp wants to know why. The why is just as frightening as the first plot, and Rapp struggles to discover this murkier cabal just as he faces a political challenge within the White House. His old enemy, Valerie Jones, the President's chief of staff, teams up with a new femme fetale to edge out Rapp, for political reasons. To do this, they put up the familiar social and judicial road blocks in front of Rapp's hard charging investigation. Well, IronMan has seen worse than that, and needless to say, by hook or by crook, he's going to find out what he wants to know. The ending is very good and excellently written, with Rapp taking the law and his own abilities to the limit in order to make sure this Memorial Day is no more memorable than the others.

This is the sixth book in the chronological order written by Vince Flynn with his hero, Mitch Rapp, the CIA's only answer to the remorseless terrorists that vows death to the "infidels" in America.

I agree, it is best if you read all his books in the order they were written. That way, you will understand the characters and references within the books to previous events.

And I have to tell you, this book is really, really good if you like intrigue, violence, drama and action...

To start off with, Mitch had to illegally invade a town in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan to capture targets of interest. And the author does one of the most incredible bang up job explaining the military deployment and tactics of the special forces to do the dangerous job with little or no casualties.

And you are going to like this... Vince Flynn DOES his research when he writes his books. And for this book, Memorial Day, was under security review by the Department of Energy due to classified information that appeared in the book. The classified information deals with nuclear security... Intrigued yet?

The story goes on that Muslim terrorists are sneaking in a nuclear bomb to vaporize Washington D.C. on Memorial Day when the President of the United States dedicates the new memorial to the fallen World War 2 veterans.

Will Mitch save the day? If you want the answer to this question, you have to get this book! :)

Enjoy!

I borrowed this book when I first read it and loved it so much that I had to have my own copy. It is a story about national security and the personal lives of those who defend us. The story draws you into it so that you feel like you are right there. The book is clean, but not for those who are faint of heart. Be prepared to stay up all night reading it. It is that good!!!!

The product was as advertised. I bought it after becoming acquainted with the author and wanted to obtain as many as possible that were in sequence, and, the price was right.

It was great to be able to buy a like-new hardcover version of a book I wanted badly for less than the new paperback price.

Great character set up. Excellent story teller.
Vince Flynn is one of my "Top 10" favorite authors.

I like Tom Clancy, but I already read all of his books, most twice. Flynn is almost as good, but when comparing them, Clancy's titles are three or four times longer, so Clancy gives a lot more bang for your buck. Flynn's books are still excellent and I will read the rest of his books.

This was the first Flynn book I have read-
Tough getting all the characters straight in the beginning-but very well written and full of suspense-no trick ending but not a formula either-

Has the flavor of non-fiction and could very well be a true story-we'll never know-Maybe "only the names were changed to protect the innocent"-

Ordered cloth binding as a "reading copy."
Couldn't beat the price locally...$.75.
Even w/shipping & handling added, it was far less expensive than a new paperback.
Was extremely satisfied w/packaging & speed of delivery.
Would rate seller as A+, but will add the caveat of ex libris condition to product.