Title: The Third Option
Author: Vince Flynn
First published October 31, 2000
402 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780743499699 (ISBN10: 0743499697)
Rating: 4.27
Overview
Mitch Rapp, the CIA’s most skilled counterterrorism operative, is back in action. This time, he’s on a mission to take down a dangerous group of extremists who have been wreaking havoc across the globe.
But things take an unexpected turn when he discovers that the group is being funded by a powerful and influential figure in the world of politics. With the odds stacked against him and time running out, Mitch must use all of his training and expertise to bring down the enemy and protect the lives of innocent people.
The Third Option is a pulse-pounding thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Vince Flynn was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1966 and was the fifth of seven children. He attended St. Thomas Academy and graduated in 1984.
In 1988, he earned a degree in economics from the University of St. Thomas.
After college, Flynn worked for Kraft General Foods as an account and sales marketing specialist. However, in 1990, he decided to pursue a career in the United States Marine Corps.
Unfortunately, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program due to multiple concussions and convulsive seizures he experienced throughout his childhood. While waiting for a medical waiver, Flynn began to contemplate writing a book, which was an unusual choice for him because he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing his whole life.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Flynn began working for United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his free time, he worked on an idea for a book.
Eventually, he quit his job and moved to Colorado to work full time on his novel, Term Limits. To support himself, he worked as a bartender at night and wrote during the day.
After receiving over sixty rejection letters, he decided to self-publish his book. Term Limits quickly became a bestseller in the Twin Cities, and he secured a two-book deal with Pocket Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
Sadly, Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013, after a three-year battle with prostate cancer.
Editoral Review
Vince Flynn’s The Third Option is a thrilling political thriller that masterfully blends action with espionage. The novel is set in Washington D.C., and follows CIA operative Mitch Rapp as he races against the clock to stop an imminent terrorist threat to the American government.
The plot is fast-paced and action-packed, with Rapp facing numerous obstacles and setbacks as he attempts to save the day. Along the way, he receives assistance from the beautiful Anna Reilly, a White House staffer who has her own agenda.
Rapp must navigate the complexities of the situation while battling his own demons and the corrupt forces within the government. Flynn’s writing is gripping and engaging, with vivid descriptions and tense dialogue.
He paints a vivid picture of Washington D.C., its corridors of power and the seedy underbelly that hides beneath. The Third Option is a political thriller in every sense of the word, with themes of betrayal, power, and loyalty woven throughout.
The characters are well-drawn, with Rapp being a complex and flawed protagonist who is both ruthless and vulnerable. Reilly is equally compelling, with her own motivations and hidden agenda adding to the tension of the plot.
The secondary characters are also well-developed, with each playing a role in the narrative. However, The Third Option is not without its flaws.
At times, the plot feels overly convoluted, with too many twists and turns that strain credulity. Additionally, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped and one-dimensional, serving only to move the plot forward.
Despite these minor flaws, The Third Option is a thrilling read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Flynn’s expertise in the genre is evident, and the novel stands up well against other works in the field.
It is a must-read for fans of political thrillers, and those interested in the intricacies of American politics. In conclusion, I highly recommend The Third Option to anyone looking for a pulse-pounding thriller that will keep them guessing until the very end.
Vince Flynn’s writing is top-notch and the characters are compelling, making the novel a must-read for fans of the genre. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
