Mitch Rapp Reading Order

Here's the correct Mitch Rapp reading order: every book in the right order, where to start, and answers to common questions.

Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp is the CIA's top counterterrorism operative — ruthless, principled, and shaped by personal loss. After Flynn's death in 2013, Kyle Mills and then Don Bentley continued the series, which remains a cornerstone of the political thriller.

Our Recommendation: Publication Order Read in publication order — this is how Flynn intended it. The prequels (American Assassin, Kill Shot, Denied Access) work better as backstory once you already know the adult Rapp.

Complete Reading Order (Publication Order)

  1. Transfer of PowerBuy NowAudible1999
  2. The Third OptionBuy NowAudible2000
  3. Separation of PowerBuy NowAudible2001
  4. Executive PowerBuy NowAudible2003
  5. Memorial DayBuy NowAudible2004
  6. Consent to KillBuy NowAudible2005
  7. Act of TreasonBuy NowAudible2006
  8. Protect and DefendBuy NowAudible2007
  9. Extreme MeasuresBuy NowAudible2008
  10. Pursuit of HonorBuy NowAudible2009
  11. American Assassin (prequel)Buy NowAudible2010
  12. Kill Shot (prequel)Buy NowAudible2012
  13. The Last ManBuy NowAudible2012
  14. The Survivor (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2015
  15. Order to Kill (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2016
  16. Enemy of the State (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2017
  17. Red War (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2018
  18. Lethal Agent (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2019
  19. Total Power (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2020
  20. Enemy at the Gates (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2021
  21. Oath of Loyalty (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2022
  22. Code Red (Kyle Mills)Buy NowAudible2023
  23. Capture or Kill (Don Bentley)Buy NowAudible2024
  24. Denied Access (Don Bentley)Buy NowAudible2025
  25. Double Tap (Don Bentley)Buy NowAudible2026
Own the Complete Series Buying the whole series at once is usually cheaper than individual books, and box sets make a great gift. See Mitch Rapp box set options on Amazon ›

Publication vs Chronological

25 books span 1999–2026 across three authors: Flynn (Transfer of Power through The Last Man, including the prequels), Kyle Mills (The Survivor through Code Red), and Don Bentley (Capture or Kill, Denied Access, Double Tap). Chronological order starts with American Assassin and Kill Shot, but most first-time readers do better in publication order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct Mitch Rapp reading order?

Publication Order. Read in publication order — this is how Flynn intended it. The prequels (American Assassin, Kill Shot, Denied Access) work better as backstory once you already know the adult Rapp.

Is the Mitch Rapp series finished?

The latest is Double Tap (September 2026). The next book has not been dated yet.

Should I start with American Assassin or Transfer of Power?

American Assassin is chronologically first (Rapp's origin), but it was written 11th. Most readers recommend publication order, starting with Transfer of Power, then reading the prequels as backstory later.

Are the books by different authors worth reading?

Yes — Kyle Mills and Don Bentley continued the series after Flynn's death in 2013, and both are widely considered to have kept the tone and quality intact.

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