Vince’s Novels Helped Me Through One Of The Biggest Trials Of My Life

I'm so so so saddened by your death. I'm at home crying my eyes out even though I don't really know you. 

My heart goes out to your wife and children.  I can't even imagine what they are going through. 

You were too young! 

I should have sent this comment when you were alive to tell you how much your books meant to me. 

My husband and I have been infertile for 6 years. We have a 1-2% chance of having a child. We always said if we ever got pregnant with a boy we'd name him Mitch. 

Yep, a little obsessed with your books, but they got us through many NYC subway rides and we read them to each other while driving across the country. They kept us awake! 

Anyway, 4 years into our infertility adventure I got pregnant. It was a miracle! We knew we had beat the odds. Ten weeks later I had an ultrasound and there was no baby. It had died. 

God was merciful though. 

I had reordered your first 3 books again because they had been lost while others borrowed them. The books were waiting for me when I got home, so I dove right in. I knew I just needed something to get my mind off the hurt and there was no better way to do that than read your books. 

I always tell people that Vince Flynn got me through one of the biggest trials of my life. I will be forever grateful! 

Thank you for your books, your life, your example. I'm so sorry it ended this way. 

- Sam G.

Discovering Vince For A Second Time

Hello Vince,

The First time I read one of your books was when I was deployed to Afghanistan. The first one was "Extreme Measures" then I found Pursuit of Honor fell in love with each book. Did not know that it was a 13 book set. 

Today, a friend of mine gave me a book called Executive Power and I'm thinking to myself "This type of storyline seems familiar and the character Mitch Rapp does as well. 

So I looked up your name and sure enough, I remembered who wrote the story. I am a member of the 72nd Military Police Co. in Henderson, NV with the Nevada Army National Guard. 

I was wondering if you would like to donate 1-2 full sets of all 13 books to my unit for reading. I'm sure a lot of the soldiers would like your stories seeing that a lot of people in my unit have a lot of combat experience such as myself and have alot of similarities in common with your books. Please write back with some comment if you would be interested in this or even if not. 

Thank you for your time,
Jeremy

VInce sent Jeremy's unit a full library of books.

Reading Mitch Rapp Helps Fan During His Battle With Cancer

My name is Tom Foley and am the Executive Associate Dean of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. I was also a high school and college lacrosse player. One of my high school teammates is the present Hall of Fame coach at Syracuse University, John Desko. Obviously you can see that I would have a strong interest in your character, Mitch Rapp.

I am writing to thank you.

Last summer, I was diagnosed with a low grade B-Cell folicular lymphoma (stage IV.) I started reading your novels in July of 2012 as I started my treatments. I have one more novel to go. I want to thank you for helping get through my chemo and the additional consolidation therapy that I have just finished. I am in remission and am feeling pretty good. My disease is treatable, but not curable, but we are doing alright!

Your novels have been wonderful, they helped me when I was sitting, getting my hours worth of chemo, they helped me to unwind before the end of the day and they helped me fight back as I go to the gym and spend time on the elliptical machine. Thank you for your Mitt Rapp series, I have truly enjoyed them!

Thank you for helping me get through these difficult times.

All the best,
Tom

Mitch Rapp Makes A Positive Impact On A Reader's Life

Dear Mr. Flynn,
 
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your gifted talents as a writer, and share with you my sincere gratitude in helping my husband through a very difficult period in his current life.
 
My amazing husband of 17-years recently lost both of his parents within 8 months of each other (12/11 & 8/12). Lee is a gentle soul who keeps his feelings tucked deeply inside and I could see and feel the burden in his heart from these life altering losses. 

For the very first time in our marriage I was the one feeling helpless and lost as to how to help my soul-mate process through this tragic and emotional period. Lee has always been my rock and savior, and with the tables turned, I felt I had let down my husband, and our marriage vows as I could not reach through his pain and help pull him back to me.
 
A co-worker told him about the AMAZING Mitch Rapp series and I practically ran to our local B&N to purchase the first book. Lee DEVOURED that book and I saw an immediate shift in his emotional state. He was so enthralled with the writing, the character(s), plot line, etc., that he would sit for hours and hours savoring each descriptive morsel of the story.
 
Seeing this as a positive step in helping his emerge from those dark, gloomy clouds of pain, I immediately ordered ALL of the remaining books in the series. There were days when he would sit and read your books from cover to cover - it was so amazing to see him engaged in life once again, and he slowly started to return to me.
 
I, myself, am an avid reader of all types of literature, usually reading through two to three books per week. At Lee's insistence, I am now reading my way through the Mitch Rapp series - and I find myself enjoying your series as much as my husband!!
 
Once again, thank you so very much for making such a positive and life changing impact in my husband's life. I will continue to make sure Lee always has your latest book ready for him to savor.
 
Kindest regards,
Tammy 

Vince Inspires A Young Patriot

My name is Pierce Wilson, I am sixteen years old and I feel that I should tell you that, even at my young age, you have had an impact on my life through your books. I had always had an interest in weapons and the military, as most young boys do, but after reading your book Memorial Day I encountered a moment of clarity. I started thinking of what I, being only fifteen at the time, could do to support the war on terror. Not many options presented themselves, so instead of using direct action then, I chose to use delayed action and think of what I could do in the future to counter this threat. 

I began researching the different branches of our military and learning about their special forces units, being the ones who have the most direct action against terrorists they click well with me. As I was learning about the military I was learning about myself as well. I discovered a feeling of duty and pride of being an American that I wish more children my age would share. With that new found duty and pride I begun a change how i was in my everyday life, I started to take things like school, future planning, and training, both mentally and physically, more seriously. Where as before I would just slide by with only doing minimum effort and being a lazy uncaring smart mouthed teenager. 

Your books helped me realize things bigger than myself. They helped me find my inner sense of pride and honor for my country that I had not really had before. 

For that I would like to thank you, for writing books that instilled pride into me. I might be only a junior in High school but, as of now, I know what I want to do with my life and how to accomplish that goal. My dream is to be able to pridefully call myself a member of MARSOC, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and to carry out my duty against terror and a United States Marine.

I do hope that you read this message sometime and that you respond. As I said before you are my favorite author, and the one who's books changed my life. I wish you and your family good health, and good writing.

Pierce

A Gift For A Fan Recovering From Hurricane Sandy

I don't know if you will get the chance to read this, but I figured I would take a shot.

I am a teacher at Southern Regional Middle School in Manahawkin, NJ. Our sending districts have been hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. We have many faculty and students that are displaced. 

Our  librarian, Johanna , was one hit particularly hard and she is a gigantic fan of yours. She even jokes all the time about how much she is in love with your main character, Mitch. 

She has been like an extended family member to my wife and our two sons since I have been a teacher here. If there was a way that I could somehow purchase one of your books and if you could sign it to her, I would greatly appreciate it. 

I was just thinking of bringing just a little joy to her during this difficult time for Johanna and her family. She would probably kill me if she found out I was writing this because she doesn't even want others to know how much she has been through. 

She is not the type of person to complain about anything, but she is the first person to help others at any moment. 

Thank you very much for your time! 

Sincerely, 
Tom Bucci, Jr.

A Gift For A Fan Recovering From Hurricane Sandy

Vince,

I hope this email finds you well. Riley has been doing well since my last update. She had a scan two weeks ago that was negative and she celebrated her 3rd birthday on Nov 2. This was actually the first birthday she had without going to the hospital to have cancer removed. She is developing well and is bright and ahead of her milestones. She does still have some emotional effects of her multiple anesthetics and time in the hospital. 

We took her to Hershey and when we went on the factory tour she started crying and kept asking to go home. What child wants to leave a chocolate factory? We figured out after a few minutes that the workers looked like doctors and nurses in their hats and jackets. 

Another time we dropped off her older sister at school and Marcie, Riley and I went to close on a refinance for our house. She immediately became quiet and withdrawn. It seemed odd, but we though perhaps she was just tired. She eventually said she didn't want to go to the doctors. She thought we must be going to her doctor appointment since I was home from work on a weekday and we dropped of Morgan somewhere. 

We will gladly take these issues over another recurrence!  However, I do get sad sometimes when I think of what she had to go through at such a young age. Aside from her clear scan, other good news is a third daughter joining us on Nov 3, Reagan Elise.

I do think of you often, and the girls remember you in their prayers - as do Marcie and I. I hope that the lack of news on the website is a good thing and you are feeling well. The email you sent when Riley had her recurrence helped me through a very difficult time. I felt so utterly hopeless at that point. You were going through such a difficult journey at that point and you took the time to send such an encouraging message. I will always be grateful for those kind words.

I hope you don’t mid the periodic updates. Riley is on the right, Morgan the left and Reagan is the peanut.

Warmest regards,
Joe M.

Two Years Sober And Thanking Mitch And Vince For Motivation

I am an avid reader and fan of Vince Flynn; I have read every single one of his books and cannot wait to read the next one. This sounds silly, but Mitch Rapp (though just a fictional character) gives me motivation during my day and my goals back to health and recovery. I was an alcoholic for years and six months into a recovery program, I read all of Vince Flynn's book and I guess you can say felt that Mitch Rapp and I had a lot in common.  I told myself I want to be a Mitch Rapp, health wise of course. I have learned a lot of lessons from the Mitch Rapp series both recovery wise, health, focus and being alert to my surroundings. So, I just want to say that to some reading and learning about adversity, hardships and obstacles puts a lost mind back into focus and back on track. I am 28 years old, had a good job at Texas Instruments, in shape, was very healthy, but over a couple years due to a loss of a family member, I lost my focus and my momentum to be successful and almost lost everything. Now I am almost two years sober, I am healthy, in shape and I have a great paying job again, and I contribute part of this success to Vince Flynn and Mitch Rapp (though again I know he is only fictional). Even if I do not win the autographed book by Vince, I would like to tell him my story and thank you, I really needed a getaway through that hard time. 
 
Thank you, 
Brad

Flying A Flag For Vince

Hi Vince, 
 
I am a U.S. Army AH64D Longbow Apache pilot currently deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division and a huge fan of your books. 

I currently just finished reading Kill Shot. I started reading your books on a deployment to Iraq in 05 and since then I can't seem to put them down. 

In appreciation for your work I have flown a U.S. flag for you and was wondering where I could mail it so that you receive it?  

Thank you for keeping my mind occupied with reading. 

Thank you for your time,
Michael N,

Vince sent a full library of his books for the base and a signed book for Michael.

Aviation Officer Inspired To Write By Vince

Dear Vince,

You are my favorite author. I have read all of the Mitch Rapp series and eagerly  await The Last Man. I hope Rapp's stories keep on going. The man does what he  needs to do to get the mission done despite personal consequences and is a bad  you-know-what.

I proudly served as an Aviation Officer assigned to a Military Intelligence unit in the US Army, and  believe we would be a stronger nation if more people served in some capacity for a few years. I went on to work in  other areas (finance, education services for underprivileged) and 'retired' to  be a stay-at-home wife and mother. 

I took my experiences, embellished  them (a lot), and completed a manuscript (a thriller with humor and romance).  I am in the process of querying agents. 

I just wanted to thank you for  creating the page-turning rush of excitement and for the inspiration it  provided me to begin writing. I only hope I can create such strong characters  and compelling reads. 

Sincerely,
Cherry 

What Can Keep A 14 Year-Old Away From TV And Video Games?

* SPOLIER ALERT:  IF YOU HAVE NOT READ CONSENT TO KILL, PLOT DETAILS ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS EMAIL *

Vince,
 
Hi. I have sent you an e-mail a time or two before and I wanted to give you an update. My 14 year-old son Lucas, who is a voracious reader asked me to recommend a book for him to read. I gave him Consent To Kill to see how he liked it. This was my favorite out of your books and I knew if he liked it, he would like the others.
 
I need to tell you that this was on a Friday after school. 
 
He read it from cover to cover in 2 days. He ignored the television, his friends, all video games and the computer. When he got to where Anna was killed he said to me very firmly, "How can I read the books before this one now that I know Mitch's wife dies?"  I still chuckle over that.
 
Once he was done reading the book he had a hundred questions about the characters, what happens with them, how they came to be. I gave him Transfer of Power, told him it was the first in the series and said, "Start reading."
 
After every book, he had more questions and I of course had more books. After he finished Memorial Day, he handed it back to me and I said the same as I always did to his questions: "I know, I know, keep reading, next?"
 
He has finished them all and is anxiously awaiting your next Mitch Rapp novel.
 
I wanted to tell you this story specifically because of the other e-mails you get from other readers. You appeal to 14-year old's too. LOL! You cross many age barriers!
 
Once again, thanks for sharing your mind with the rest of us, and keep getting better!
 
Daphne

Former Hostage Suggests He Knows The Original Model For Mitch Rapp

I lived in Beirut, Lebanon and Ryahad, Saudi Arabia for four years working as a Hospital CEO. 

Was taken hostage by Hezbollah and held for 17 months. You are on target about terrorism and the evil they do. 

Very impressed with your writing skills and knowledge of details. 

Ollie North is a great friend. As a hostage he saved my life when that killer in Libya offered 2.5 million to put a bullet in my head. Ollie must have been the
model for Rapp. 

Best regards, 
Dave J.

73 Year-Old Has A Crush On Mitch Rapp

Dear Vince, 
 
I just have to say that I, and all your fans, are thrilled that you are regaining your health. 
 
I also have to say that I have every single one of your books, which I have read 12 times while waiting for the next one to come out. 
 
I just love you to bits and, I'm not ashamed to say that I am also extremely fond of Mitch Rapp, how sad is that....a fictitious love bug...and me being a 73 year-old lady. 
 
It's your fault young man so I hope you will man up and take the blame! 
 
Thank you for all the joy your books bring to me and millions of other people. 
 
Keep well Vince. All the very best to you and your family. 
 
Kind regards, 
Bernie P. 
 
P.S. I loved your acknowledgments...made me cry xxx

Finding Love Through An Autographed Book

Thank you for writing amazing books!  My fiancé has been a fan for years however he only has one autographed book. 

The way in which this came about was rather interesting...I am a veteran and he is a police officer. 

In our pursuit for happiness we decided to try online dating. He had your name listed as his favorite author. I had no idea who you were (my apologies). Prior to meeting him I looked you up and found you were doing an autograph signing at a local Sams Club in Minnesota. 

Unfortunately for me it fell on a day in which I had military training so I pleaded with my mother to stand in line with my 3 month old sister to get this book signed for a man neither one of us had met! 

A mothers love is undeniable because a few days later when I went by her house there it was signed for "Josh O." 

He and I met a few weeks after that. He eventually learned the efforts of getting it signed and now two years later we are getting married! (five months away now!) 

I just thought you might enjoy knowing your book was the start of something more than I could have imagined :) 

I am exceptionally grateful for your work and the patience of my mother as I soon become "Mrs. O" 

Thanks!
Natasha

Sharing Memories Of A Father And Mitch Rapp

Dear Mr. Flynn, 
 
Just wanted to tell you thank you for your books. 
 
My Dad, Sam, always loved to read, but in his early 70’s he said he was going to only read articles but no more books - mostly because once he started a book he would sit and read until he finished the book and he was finding it difficult to sit for a long time. 
 
February of 2010 he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and was pretty sick. 

After hearing an interview with you on Glenn Beck, I purchased a few of your books, gave one to Dad, and told him he might want to read it. 

And then, every time I walked by his room he was reading your book. I was reading a different one and he would ask me, “How is our hero Mitch Rapp?” 

We finished our books, exchanged with each other, and spent many hours last summer reading as America was threatened and saved in 500 pages, thanks to our hero Mitch Rapp. 
 
Over the years Dad and I shared scores of books, but your books were our best, and our last. 
 
Dad died in October, but some of my last best memories include reading your books together. 
 
Thank you, and may God bless you, 
Monesa G.

Career Army Officer And War Veteran Sends Thanks And Admiration

Vince,
 
I am a career Army officer, veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and service that has taken me across the world to 27 nations. I was first turned on to your writings while overseas and have been a voracious reader of your work ever since. I was just preparing to loan the entire series to a friend when I read your update. 
 
I am so sorry to hear of the challenges you have faced over the past year, but glad for your triumph. You are an inspiration to a writer like myself and I feel for you and your family. That said, I am also delighted to know that you were able to return to your passion and finish another Mitch Rapp novel. I hope you are able to get some much deserved rest and recuperation and get back into great shape. 
 
We are about the same age and much of what you write about involves life experiences and time lines I can personally relate to. Having grown up during the Iran Hostage situation, the Lockerbie bombing and having my first tour in Berlin has definitely set the tone for my life and career.
 
You, your wife and family (because, as a veteran, I know it takes a lot of toll on our spouses and kids) have my sincere appreciation. Thanks for all the work you have done and will continue to do. I am sincerely inspired by you and your work. Thanks for modeling excellence as a writer, husband, father, patriot and citizen.
 
Rangers Lead The Way!
 
Respectfully,
Arnold S
 

The Request Of A Special Gift For A Special Man

Hi Mr. Flynn, 

I am writing to ask a favor of you.  My husband, Aaron recently returned home from an 18-month deployment to Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom.  

While he was deployed, his job was route clearance, which involved searching the roads for bombs and clearing the roads before anyone else would travel on them. he had a pretty dangerous job. 

While he was there he had little downtime and not much help taking his mind off the day-to-day routine and the severity of his daily job.  

Knowing my husband, my parents sent him a few of your books...he became hooked and had to have more!  He read all of your books on his deployment.  He didn't have a lot of downtime but when they went on overnight missions where they were away from their FOB, they didn't have much to do which finally gave him the opportunity to read and he always found comfort and a way to escape his realities of deployment by reading your books. 

I have to emphasize what a big deal this is, coming from a guy who didn't like to read much before he left.  Now, he is now huge fan of yours.   He can't wait for your next book to come out in February! 

So, here is where my favor comes in. I don't know if this would be at all possible, but I thought I'd never know unless I asked.  It would be the coolest gift ever if I could get a signed copy of his favorite book, which is "Consent to Kill."  I would be happy to pay you for the book and shipping costs or whatever it took.  This would be huge!  It would be an amazing gift to give him for Christmas. 

This was a really scary deployment for our family, we have two small kids at home and we were truly blessed to have him return home to us after being away for so long in such a dangerous area.  I would be forever grateful to you if you'd be willing to help me with this.  I'm sure you get requests all the time, but I can tell you that having a soldier return home and knowing that your books was one of few things that got him through deployment:   it's something to be cherished. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for any help you'd be willing to give, assuming you have the time. Thanks again and thank you for being an incredible writer!   Best to you!

Sincerely,
Whitney P.

Vince sent Aaron a signed edition of Consent To Kill.

LPGA Players Love Mitch Rapp Too!

My husband & I saw you on Glenn Beck. We started reading your books and ended up reading all of them. 

We are in our 50s and last summer three LPGA players stayed at our home, during a tournament in town. 

They left some of their luggage in our living room for easy access. I spotted two of your books. These are young women in their 20s who love Mitch Rapp and you, of course. 

We discussed your books and I sent them a care package of the books they didn't have yet (except American Assassin - I just couldn't part with it yet).

I think it's great that young people can read your writing and hopefully get a better handle on politics. 

- Linda

Mitch Rapp Offers A Welcomed Distraction For Marines In Afghanistan

Dear Mr. Flynn, 

I am currently writing you from Afghanistan.  I am on a year long deployment and I just wanted to say thank you. 

I came out here with every book you have written. I finished them all in about 2 months and many of my fellow Marines have as well. 

You books have helped us escape from this place we have to call home for a year.  I brought much enjoyment and gives us all something to talk about besides the day to day life out here. 

I cant wait till your next book comes back. It will be the first thing I buy when I come home. 

Thank you again for all you do. Have a blessed day. 

LCpl Tyler B. 
USMC 

(Vince sent him a signed edition of Kill Shot, when it was published)

A Signed First Edition For A Second Tour

Dear Vince,

My brother-in-law returned from a tour of duty in Iraq three years ago, and he ships out for a year in Afghanistan later this  month. 

He has told me that one of his favorite care packages during the first tour was one I sent him that included a copy of Transfer of Power.

The book made its way through camp and made some long day and nights a lot better for our guys--Thank you!. Eric has become one of your biggest fans, since reading your first book, and he collects first editions of the Mitch Rapp series. 

This second tour will be especially hard, as he is leaving a one-year-old daughter this time. I would LOVE for him to be surprised by a signed copy of your new book in October. 

It would be an awesome way to complete the circle that we began in Iraq three years ago. 

Any help you can provide would be sincerely appreciated. Many thanks for your consideration, and for the terrific books. 

- Gina

(Vince sent him a signed edition of Kill Shot)