The New Mitch Rapp Novel – Denied Access is everything that you expect from the successful series
Table of Contents
My Rating – 4 out of 5
Introduction to the novel – A Mitch Rapp Thriller That Redefines Espionage and Action
Denied Access by Don Bentley is the latest electrifying addition to the Mitch Rapp series, continuing the legacy of Vince Flynn’s legendary CIA assassin with gripping precision and high-octane storytelling. Bentley, known for his razor-sharp prose and military authenticity, takes the reins with confidence, plunging readers into a world of international espionage, political intrigue, and relentless action. This thriller novel perfectly balances tactical realism with emotional depth, reaffirming why Mitch Rapp remains one of the most compelling heroes in modern spy fiction.
From the opening pages, Denied Access grabs readers with heart-pounding missions, covert operations, and betrayals at the highest levels of power. Bentley’s command of pacing and detail ensures that fans of Tom Clancy, Brad Thor, and Mark Greaney will feel right at home. Yet, it’s the evolution of Mitch Rapp—his morality, loyalty, and raw drive for justice—that gives the novel its true emotional core.
For fans searching for the best espionage thriller of 2025, Denied Access is a masterclass in intelligence warfare and character-driven suspense. Whether you’re a longtime follower of the series or a newcomer looking for your next fast-paced spy thriller, this book delivers everything the Mitch Rapp franchise stands for—danger, deception, and unstoppable determination.
Denied Access takes from where Kill Shot let off, bringing an end to the American Assassin trilogy (of sorts). Mitch Rapp is already a fiery product of the CIA’s secretive Orion program, run and mentored by the legendary Stan Hurley, and already on the ‘Be on the Lookout for’ list of Thomas Stansfield, the interim CIA Director. Thomas Stansfield is standing in for the recently deceased CIA director – found murdered in a Paris hotel. The surrounding scandal is yet to die down, and the discredit that such a scandal brings to a premier intelligence agency is nearly fatal.
After the scandalous but successful Paris operation, Mitch Rapp is enjoying some downtime with his gorgeous and talented Swiss girlfriend, Greta, but the serene tranquility of their vacation is cut short by a call from Greta’s grandfather, Carl Ohlmeyer. He wants Greta to come back to Switzerland and remain under protection. Ghosts from his past have resurfaced, and he has received another friend’s head in a box as a warning. According to the accompanying note, Greta is next. Obviously, the protective grandfather is worried sick!
Mitch Rapp is not yet the battle-hardened and conflict-scarred assassin that he matures into in his later days, and coming off his loss of Maria, his first girlfriend, he’s still wary and sore. Emotions run high, and he is drawn into the fight to protect Greta at all costs. Is he willing to go against his employer, mentor, and a nation superpower, which, despite the end of the Cold War, remains one of the World’s most secretive and lethal intelligence and spy communities? Only time will tell, and Mitch Rapp is not giving up.
Carl Ohlmeyer is not your ordinary Swiss banker, a veteran from the post World War II, Cold War times, he is also Thomas Stansfield’s friend from those days. Part of the Boys from Berlin brigade, he ran the money machine for the Allied forces against East Germany, and the Third Reich by extension. Though Russia was with the Allied forces in that war, the power equations post-war have shifted, with nuclear ambitions being the new super drug for power-hungry nations. Russia is no exception. Stan Hurley discovers that an ex-KGB General is behind this revenge mission. Rapp and Hurley also have to work this angle before the entire Boys of Berlin are wiped out.
Without giving out further plot details and storyline, things start getting interesting from here on, and Mitch Rapp is unleashed on the antagonists. Guns and knives are out, and you have an active Stan Hurley on the scene. A young Irene Kennedy, protégé of the legendary Thomas Stansfield, is just about bursting onto the scene now. Though she is still not the handler and mentor to Mitch Rapp, as she is in the later years of the series, her promise and confidence are displayed, and a rising star is seen on the horizon. I would recommend reading the American Assassin series from the beginning for the sake of continuity.
Vince Flynn‘s passing in 2013 shocked and saddened his fans and readers alike, and it was expected that the legend of Mitch Rapp to stop when his pen did. First, Kyle Mills stepped into the void, and now Don Bentley, ensuring that the legend keeps growing. They have both done a fantastic job in maintaining continuity, and none of the books feel out of place in the series immortalized by Vince Flynn. Thanks to these two fine authors, we never missed Mitch Rapp in action, and what a ride this has been. On behalf of all Mitch Rapp fans worldwide, long may it continue.
Conclusion to the novel – A Riveting New Chapter in the Mitch Rapp Legacy
In Denied Access, Don Bentley proves that he is the perfect successor to carry on Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp legacy. With a deft balance of intense action, intelligent plotting, and emotional authenticity, Bentley cements his place among the top espionage thriller authors of our time. The novel showcases Mitch Rapp at his finest—calculated yet compassionate, ruthless yet driven by a strong moral compass. As political alliances crumble and new enemies rise, Rapp’s mission becomes more personal, testing his resilience, instincts, and the limits of his loyalty.
Fans of modern spy thrillers, political intrigue, and counter-terrorism fiction will find Denied Access to be a pulse-pounding, cinematic experience that demands to be read in a single sitting. Bentley’s attention to operational detail and his background in intelligence lend the story a level of authenticity few writers can match. Every page brims with tension, betrayal, and adrenaline-fueled suspense, making it one of the most talked-about thrillers of 2025.
Whether you’re a die-hard follower of the Mitch Rapp series or discovering the character for the first time, Denied Access delivers everything fans crave—explosive action, global stakes, and the relentless spirit of a true American hero. It’s not just another spy novel; it’s a powerful continuation of a legacy that redefines the modern thriller genre.
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