The 17th thriller adventure in the series started by the late Vince Flynn and the fourth by Kyle Mills after he took over, features Mitch Rapp trying very hard to prevent a war.
Russian president Maxim Krupin is dying from brain cancer, and he desperately wants to keep it a secret and hold onto power for as long as possible.
Krupin is standing in his Kremlin office looking down at the protestors filing into Red Square. The growing backlash and constant threat of being overthrown is annoying to Krupin, but it’s the inoperable brain cancer that he was diagnosed with that proves most troubling.
While still able to take action, Krupin preemptively begins assassinating powerful enemies, sending his henchman Nikita Pushkin to kill those he suspects might stand up and oppose him when he’s too weak to fight back.
Head of Russia’s armed forces General Sokolov then advises Krupin that since his violent reaction to the chemotherapy and the potential for surgery is going to degrade his ability to personally interact with people, they will need a distraction. Sokolov suggests they destroy NATO to make Krupin look strong. Seeking hope for himself, Krupin has doctors perform experimental and dangerous treatments on other Russians who have illnesses like his.
Meanwhile, the CIA figures out that something has made Krupin unstable. Upon learning of Krupin’s condition, CIA Director Irene Kennedy realises that it’s a no-win scenario, as they’re essentially fighting an opponent with nothing to lose. While Krupin’s once-strong grip begins to weaken, his attempts to hold onto power by creating distractions that take the focus off of his frail frame and pale face become bolder and more dangerous. The more desperate he becomes, the more uncertain Kennedy is of Russian's next move. Worse, he still holds the keys to one of the largest nuclear weapon arsenals on the planet, which makes him a very dangerous man.
With diplomacy and military actions off the table due to Krupin’s increased hostility, American President Josh Alexander once again turns to his third option, Mitch Rapp, to do the impossible. Rapp is tasked to sneak into Russia and kill Maxim Krupin before it’s too late.
So Rapp and his one-time foe, Grisha Azarov, go to Russia to carry out the mission. Fans will remember that Rapp and Azarov became allies in the previous installment. Azarov had once been in the Kremlin’s employ as an assassin. Now he has a girlfriend, Cara, whom he cares deeply about. Azarov wonders if Rapp has the same longing for the simplicity of killing that he does. That doesn’t matter, because Krupin wants Azarov dead, and the feeling is mutual.
Mills dials up the suspense while packing in more action in this thriller, creating a relentless, heart-thumping plot that moves at breakneck speeds
Red War offers a good, escapist fun read as Mitch Rapp once again saves the world from another disaster.