American AssassinAmerican Assassin
Score Modern
What it's about
Before he was a CIA superagent and a terrorist's worst nightmare, Mitch Rapp was a gifted college athlete with no cares in the world. Then tragedy struck. This prequel tells how Rapp was recruited and trained, and his first missions.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and spent 18 weeks on the lists. It's the best place to start the Mitch Rapp series.
You'll love it if you liked
The Last Man
Extreme Measures
Only the DeadGood to know
It was written later but comes first in the story. It became a 2017 film.
By the numbers
- Readers61 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller59 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #124 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #550 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1059 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Vince Flynn
Extreme Measures
Protect and Defend
The Last Man
Kill ShotIf you like this, read next
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Verity
Gone Girl
The Martian
2666
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is American Assassin worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and spent 18 weeks on the lists. It ranks #1,059 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 72.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is American Assassin about?
Before he was a CIA superagent and a terrorist's worst nightmare, Mitch Rapp was a gifted college athlete with no cares in the world. Then tragedy struck. This prequel tells how Rapp was recruited and trained, and his first missions.
How long does it take to read American Assassin?
About 12 hours (476 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after American Assassin?
If you liked it, try The Last Man by Vince Flynn, Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn or Only the Dead by Jack Carr.


















