Book Review: Separation of Power

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Separation of Power     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Vince Flynn
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Political Intrigue   Thriller
Series: Mitch Rapp # 4
Pocket, Oct 2001, $25.00, 356 pp.

He had been in power for so long that he owned presidents, but now CIA Director Thomas Stansfeld is dead and much of DC celebrates. The festive mood changes to horror when the realization begins to surface that Stansfeld's top assistant, Dr. Irene Kennedy is his most likely replacement. Her opposition has set in motion powerful plans to wreck any permanent appointment of Kennedy.

However, Kennedy's biggest problem is that her star assassin Mitch Rapp wants out as soon as he completes his final mission. Soon Mitch learns that Iraq is closing in on nuclear weaponry that Saddam protects beneath a hospital cover. Mitch will lead the assault team on the facility knowing that if he fails the Israelis will follow and a wider war will ensue. In spite of the stakes, the extreme elements opposed to Kennedy getting the top CIA job including links to the Halls of Congress will do anything to make Mitch fail even if World War III occurs.

The follow up to THE THIRD OPTION, SEPARATION OF POWER, is a tremendous espionage thriller that never slows down for even a moment. The story line is action-packed and Mitch is what we need right now in Afghanistan even if he wants to retire. Though some of the actions of the anti-Kennedy group seem bizarre when weighed against the cost, many readers will look at real terrorist acts and think nothing much of the anti-Kennedy crowd, sad as that seems. Once again, Vince Flynn provides a strong espionage thriller that makes this author the prime option of choice for genre fans.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner