The wait is finally over for fans of Vince Flynn’s iconic assassin, Mitch Rapp. Denied Access by Don Bentley delivers an explosive and deeply satisfying conclusion to the American Assassin trilogy, taking readers back to Rapp’s formative years in a world of espionage, moral dilemmas, and unrelenting action.
Picking up shortly after Kill Shot, the story opens with Mitch Rapp living a quieter life in Switzerland with his girlfriend, Greta. That calm doesn’t last long. When Greta’s grandfather a former Cold War spy receives a box containing the severed head of an old comrade and a note warning that Greta is next, Rapp is pulled back into a deadly conflict. Meanwhile, the CIA is reeling from political fallout after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Acting Director Thomas Stansfield faces congressional scrutiny and internal power struggles, while an operation gone wrong in Moscow threatens to unravel everything.
Stansfield calls on Rapp and his mentor, Stan Hurley, to intervene, pulling them into a tangled web of revenge, betrayal, and geopolitical manipulation that could ignite war between the United States and Russia. Torn between protecting the woman he loves and fulfilling his mission, Rapp must risk everything to stop a plot that could destroy the CIA and himself.
Don Bentley captures the pulse of classic Vince Flynn storytelling: tight pacing, sharp dialogue, and a relentless drive that keeps the pages turning. This is a novel that feels cinematic in scope yet intimate in emotion, giving readers both high-stakes action and a glimpse into the human cost of espionage.
What makes Denied Access particularly remarkable is Bentley’s ability to expand on the backstories of beloved characters. Thomas Stansfield’s experiences in World War II and his rise within the CIA add fascinating layers to his legacy. Stan Hurley’s fieldwork and mentorship of Rapp shine in a way that feels both gritty and authentic. Irene Kennedy, often seen behind a desk in later novels, takes on a rare field mission that adds depth to her character. These details enrich the world Vince Flynn built, showing the roots of the team that would later define the series.
Longtime readers will find that Bentley has honored Flynn’s vision while injecting his own dynamic style. His writing is crisp, confident, and steeped in the tone that made the Mitch Rapp novels bestsellers for decades. The action scenes are intense but never chaotic, the tension constant but balanced with moments of humanity.
For newcomers, Denied Access also serves as a thrilling entry point. It stands strong on its own, yet rewards those who have followed Rapp’s journey from the beginning. And for those who have loved this series for years, this finale feels like a love letter to everything Vince Flynn created a fitting and emotional close to the early years of America’s favorite assassin.
Fast-paced, emotionally charged, and impeccably crafted, Denied Access proves that the Mitch Rapp series remains the gold standard for modern spy thrillers. Don Bentley has done the impossible: honoring a legend while keeping the fire alive for a new generation of readers.
If you’re ready to dive into one of the best espionage thrillers of the year, grab your copy of Denied Access here: Buy on Amazon.
