Kyle Mills: Learning To Predict The Future

In the last few years, my crystal ball has been working overtime. Lethal Agent, a story about a weaponized coronavirus, was released shortly before the COVID-19 outbreak. A year later, Total Power’s warnings about the vulnerability of America’s power infrastructure were confirmed by the Texas blackout. Enemy at the Gates was intended to begin a three-book arc about the collapse of America’s democracy, but all the talk of stolen elections and the Capitol insurrection were so close to my story line that I had to change it. And now, a few years after the publication of Red War, the Russian aggression that I wrote about has come to pass.

I’ve been getting a lot of email from fans asking how I’ve been so successful with my predictions lately. It’s an interesting topic.

Be Curious. Be Skeptical.
Psychologists have done research into people’s ability to predict the future and found that a select few—dubbed superforecasters—are surprisingly good at it. These people tend not to be experts in any particular field and aren’t even necessarily abnormally intelligent. The main things they have in common are an endless curiosity about the world and a kernel of doubt about everything they believe.

I was struck by that research because those are a couple of my defining personality traits. From a young age, I felt compelled to know how things work. Why do tortoises live so long? Where does that dirt road lead? How do you rebuild a car engine? The subject matter has never made all that much difference. I just want to understand.

Further, I’m always questioning my positions. Mark Twain once said “It’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble, it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” I live by that adage and have an odd (some would say disconcerting) ability to change my beliefs when presented with credible evidence that they’re wrong.

Get Out Of The Bubble
The second—and just as important—component to accurate predictions is simple but increasingly rare: Get your information from a wide variety of sources. The Internet has turned out to be a two-edged sword. It puts the entire world at our fingertips, but also allows us to filter information that doesn’t confirm our existing biases. Of course, my news feeds include such mainstays as Fox and the New York Times, but also Al Jazeera, Spanish Euronews, and even the Russian propaganda reported by RT. And then there are the more specialized outlets that cover economics, science, and the emerging technologies that increasingly propel our society.

Keep An Open Mind (But Not So Open That Your Brain Falls Out)
I take all those perspectives and let them percolate in the back of my mind. After a few weeks, months, and sometimes even years, I’m able to make my model of the world just a little more accurate.

Admittedly, it’s not for everyone. Sacred cows have to be slaughtered, facts have to be meticulously checked, and people you admire have to be met with the same skepticism as ones you despise. Done correctly, this will eventually compel you to discard one of your core beliefs. I can tell you from experience that it’s a pretty harrowing moment. But also, a strangely liberating one.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Stranger Than Fiction 2022 Part 2

I’m back this month with another look at how real news stories parallel some of the scenarios I’ve created in my novels. I’ve had a good run over the last couple of years. Releasing Lethal Agent, a book about a coronavirus, just a few months before a global pandemic takes the top spot, but 2021 was rich with interesting comparisons, too.

Total Power
In 2019, I spent a terrifying year researching Total Power. There are a surprising number of disturbing articles out there about the state of our power grid and how easily it could fail. The worst part, though, was discovering that chaos would ensue after just a few days without electricity. Stretch that into weeks or months and we’d have a serious body count.

I took some flak from people who claimed I was being overly dramatic for the sake of creating an exciting story. After the early 2021 Texas power outage, articles like this one made it clear that the state had been on the thin edge. Interestingly, a number of my critics emailed me to apologize.

A ransomware attack was the weapon of choice for Total Power’s villain when he took down the US grid. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one who wanted to exploit this security weakness. Last spring, a hacker successfully shut down a pipeline in the US that delivers 45% of the fuel to the East Coast. Energy and electricity companies are increasingly reliant on computer networks and that makes them more and more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

In fall 2021 it was revealed that security agencies had discovered a drone that was attempting to disrupt operations by creating a short circuit at a power substation in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, the drone crashed onto a neighboring building before it could complete its mission. At the time this article was written, its operator had yet to be found. It’s the first known instance of an unmanned aircraft attempting to damage US electrical infrastructure.

Experts warn that attacks to our grid likely won’t let up and America is simply not moving quickly enough to protect it. This realization was the most frustrating part of my research. We know what the threat is and how to defend against it, but the political will is lacking.

Enemy Of The State
On September 11, 2021, upon executive order by the president, the FBI released the first of what it expected would be several classified documents related to the suspected Saudi support of the al-Qaeda hijackers.

The 9/11 Commission reported in 2004 that it had found no evidence of Saudi support. Since then, some commission members have admitted that there wasn’t an exhaustive investigation of all of the evidence.

So, the question remains: Were Saudi officials involved in 9/11 and did the American government cover it up? Enemy of the State was born from that possibility. Let’s hope we eventually find out.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Stranger Than Fiction 2022 Part 1

My favorite segment of the year is here once again. Since the calendar turned over to 2022, I’ve been sifting through all the news stories I’ve collected in the past twelve months to see how they stack up with the plotlines and characters in books I’ve written. I’ve got a couple of good ones for you this time.

Enemy At The Gates

I really love to think about technology and the way it can be used for good as well as evil. In Enemy at the Gates, isolating location data that’s associated with a burner phone—a pay-as-you-go phone that most people believe is untraceable—gives Rapp some hard evidence to advance his mole hunt.

For those who still think they can slink around in the shadows of today’s world, think again. It’s been repeatedly shown that “anonymous” data can be linked to an individual’s home or office. You can’t disappear if you use a smartphone. Period.

If you’ve read Enemy at the Gates and listened to any of the interviews I did during my tour, you know that I’m fascinated by the megawealthy and their increasing influence around the globe. In the book, CIA Director Irene Kennedy becomes entangled with the world’s richest man when they discover that their spheres of influence are mutually beneficial. It turns out that Gina Haspel, the woman who used to run the CIA in real life, has decided to do something similar.

And finally, a story about a man who boarded a plane dressed as his wife in order to take a flight after he tested positive for COVID-19 felt strangely familiar. Apparently, Mitch Rapp isn’t the only one who has experienced the concealing power of Islamic women’s clothing.

Red War

In Red War, I created a scenario in which Russia threatened Ukraine with a buildup of troops. It wasn’t really about security concerns, but instead the fictional Russian president’s desire to maintain his grip on power.

While America’s State Department doesn’t seem to take my view, a few analysts are starting to come around. This aggressive action is entirely about Putin giving his people what they want—the illusion that they’re still a Soviet-level world power.

I know this article should be listed in next year’s predictions post, but I’m going to include it here since we’re on the topic of the Russians making trouble. Recently, Ukraine suffered a massive cyberattack likely carried out by Russian hackers. For Red War fans out there, this recent move comes as no surprise. In the book, Krupin’s minions knocked out government communications, power, and more to weaken the targets of their invasion. Let’s hope Putin is not gearing up for a fight.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Enemy At The Gates Interview Roundup - Part 2

I’m continuing to share some of the best interviews from my Enemy at the Gates tour. This time around, it’s audio-only interviews. If you missed the videos as well as the special edition of the Mitch Rapp Podcast where we discussed the ending of the book, you can find that post here. 

John Gibson Podcast
In this interview, John got right to the question lots of people want to know: “Did you model the Cooks after any politician?” Listen and find out. 

O'Connor & Company
“I was laughing out loud at some of the scenes in this book. You’ve found a lot of humor in Mitch Rapp’s character as he’s started to age.” I find that as you get older, a good sense of humor about it is critical. Larry thinks Mitch is a lot like Tom Brady. Here’s why… 

Book This! with Freddy Cruz
Freddy and I talk about the craft of creating the perfect antagonist, meeting Tom Clancy when he was still an insurance agent, and books I liked to read in my younger days. 

Red Carpet Crash
“It was another thrilling Mitch Rapp book!” The world has changed so much since Vince passed so it was interesting to chat about how the series is evolving to meet the new reality.  

Bumper to Bumper with Dan Barreiro
Dan is a great guy and was a longtime friend of Vince’s, making my annual conversation with him one of my favorites. This one was no exception. Interview begins at the 21:40 mark. 

Backbone Radio with Matt Dunn
“I enjoyed every moment of reading that book!” We dive into why I wrote about the rise of the ruling class, what it’s like to write female versus male characters, and how sometimes even I don’t know what a character is going to do when I sit down at my desk. Scroll to the September 25, 2021 interview. 

Ross Kaminsky Show
“Mitch Rapp is such a fantastic character… I couldn’t put it down!” We talked about how I did my research for Enemy at the Gates during COVID and why I was inspired to set some of the book in Africa. 

Need To Know with Jeff Angelo
Mitch has a new president that despises him and an unfamiliar operating environment in this book. We talked about how I settle on what Rapp’s next challenge will be and how I do a lot of research to try and extrapolate what will be relevant when publication day rolls around. Interview begins at the 9:45 mark. 

The Protectors Podcast with Dr. Jason Piccolo
The host said he wanted to ask me questions that most interviewers don’t ask. We talked about our love of zombie movies, the weapon Mitch Rapp would choose in a zombie apocalypse, and why actors make stupid choices when trying to escape the living dead. Oh, and we talked about Enemy at the Gates, too. 

Bruce Ciskie Show
Bruce opened with, “The story behind Enemy at the Gates is an interesting one…” From there we discussed how my idea for a three-book arc was upended when current events overtook my plotline. 

Coffee With Closers
This podcast was a new one for me and I enjoyed chatting about topics like pushing the limits of Vince’s structure in Enemy at the Gates. We also covered all the apologies I got after the Texas power outage from people who thought my last book, Total Power, was overly dramatic. 

Jim Bohannon Show
Are there Mitch Rapps out there? We talked about how Mitch is likely a composite of people Vince had met or imagined and how some of the newer characters in the series are composites of people I’ve known.

We also discussed how reality matters to a fiction writer and how important research is. I was fascinated by writers like Forsyth and Clancy because everything in their books felt like it could be happening just out of sight. For me, this is what makes a thriller worth reading. Interview begins at the 40:50 mark.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Enemy At The Gates Interview Roundup - Part 1

It’s time again to gather up some of the interesting interviews from this year’s tour and put them in one easy-to-find place. I’m kicking off this roundup with videos and a couple of reviews as well as a special spoiler edition for fans who have wanted to discuss the ending of the book. This deep dive is courtesy of the Mitch Rapp Podcast. Next month, I'll share the collection of audio-only interviews. 

Video Interviews

Once Upon A Crime

Brian Costello, the Mitch Rapp Ambassador we all met last year during a virtual tour event, continues to be a fan-favorite interviewer. He gets major props this year for putting together an entertaining evening with only about 1-hour’s notice. The Real Book Spy was scheduled to do the interview, then a Total Power-style blackout knocked him offline. Brian stepped in and kept the energy high for the entire conversation. Check out his regular podcast that focuses on movies, books, and more.

The Crew Reviews

Stumped in the lightning round! I have stopped all writing of the next Mitch Rapp books in order to learn everything there is to know in the world before I talk to the Crew again. These guys never fail to make me laugh. If you haven’t been watching their show, go check it out right now.

Danger Close

It’s always fun to chat with Jack Carr and this year’s conversation was no exception. Many of my fans know that Jack added podcasting to his long list of accomplishments earlier this year. If you haven’t discovered him yet, scroll through his impressive list of guests and I guarantee you’ll find plenty of episodes to keep you entertained.

The Poisoned Pen

My conversation with Barbara Peters, the owner of the Poisoned Pen bookstore, covered a lot of ground from characters I’ve added to the Rappverse to the extreme nature of today’s politics that influenced the writing of Enemy at the Gates. Bonus for this interview: Barbara shows a photo of Vince taken during his last appearance at her store.

Savannah Book Festival

Savannah Book Festival is planning to host in-person events again in early 2022. For now, they’re still delivering fascinating virtual author interviews. We had an in-depth chat that started with how I came to write the Rapp series and included questions from fans as well. I look forward to the day when I can rejoin the festival face-to-face.

The Hugh Hewitt Show

Hugh is convinced he knows the real person behind the world’s first trillionaire in Enemy at the Gates. Is he right? Listen in and see. “I couldn’t put it down,” Hugh told me, adding that he liked all the weapons tech in the book, too. I’ve said it before: It’s an interesting time to be a thriller writer. The interview begins at the 1:27:43 mark.

The Break It Down Show

I love questions that make me think. This new-to-me podcast is one of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve done lately. Here are a few tidbits, and you’ll just have to watch to understand…

“He’s here for our weed.”

“When I say I’m a writer that just shuts down the conversation.”

And my favorite: “I used to be a Captain Morgan model.”

For Readers Who Want Some Answers

Mitch Rapp Podcast

SPOILERS! If you’ve read Enemy at the Gates and need some closure, this episode is for you. I chat with Mike and Chris about why I made the decisions I did. We do a deep dive into both character motivations and my own. I think you’ll find all kinds of insight here.

Print Interviews and Reviews

The Real Book Spy

"Mills lands what might be the most shocking twist—coupled with a truly jaw-dropping ending—that this series has ever seen." That's what the Real Book Spy said as he wrapped up his review of Enemy at the Gates. When TRBS is happy, I'm happy.

Elise Cooper

I caught up with Elise Cooper once again to discuss Rapp, Irene and the gang for Crimespree Magazine, MysteryandSuspense.com, and Military Press.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Enemy At The Gates Tour Highlights

This year’s book tour launched from Granada, the city in Spain where I’ve been living for the past five months. It was virtual once again and, as always, fans rolled out some heartfelt, creative, and often hilarious content to help me tell the world that Mitch Rapp was back. Since August I’ve been doing lots of radio and podcast interviews, and I plan to share some of them in next month's roundup. There have been plenty of late nights since my time zone is six hours ahead of U.S. east coast time.

Here’s a sampling of this year’s tour moments. Mitch Rapp is nothing without his posse and the same is true for me. I can't tell you how thankful I am to be surrounded by supportive independent bookstores and generous fans who answer questions, review my novels, and are genuinely excited when a new book drops.

Cheers to you!

I couldn't bring my Crew Reviews glass all the way to Spain so I made another one.

Having a little fun on social media after imagining what it might look like to have my book cover plastered on one of Spain's most impressive monuments.

Rapp Memorabilia

My publicist, David Brown over at @AtriaMysteryBus, wondered if fans might be interested in supporting an indie bookstore in return for an autographed page from my original manuscript. Turns out, they were! I signed more than 350 pages, shipped them off, and readers waited to see which one they’d receive.

A huge shout out to the bookstores that participated in the preorder campaign and hosted events. You can still order books from them on the links below. A big thanks to Savannah Book Festival as well for hosting an event.

Little City Books in Hoboken, New Jersey
Murder By The Book in Houston, Texas
novel. in Memphis, Tennessee
Once Upon A Crime in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, Arizona
Warwicks in La Jolla, California

Disasters Narrowly Averted

Just as books were rolling out nicely, tragedy struck. Mike from @MitchRappPod tried to do a fancy unboxing and sliced through his signed page that was hidden by the wrapping. He didn't realize the page was there so he crumpled up the wrapping paper and threw it all in the garbage. The sad story unfolded on Twitter after he fished it all out again later that day. Not to worry, though. I printed a new page and after some wrangling with the Spanish mail system, managed to send it out to him.

And, from another corner of the country…@KLFreyAuthor was racing through the story when he flipped the page and was faced with a horrible sight. His plea on social media was answered in the form of two photos that showed the missing pages so he could resume reading. Absolutely no one can keep a Rapp fan down.

Mitch Rapp Lives

This once-a-year shirt serves as the starting gun for Pub Day. When it comes out of the drawer, it's a race to see if Mitch Rapp will debut near the top of the New York Times bestseller list once again. If you'd like to add one to your closet, you can buy it from Saint Thomas Academy where Vince was an alum.

Gun Guru

I am fortunate to have a guy in my court who knows a ton about firearms. @rodgregg helps me avoid mistakes, but he also suggests cool weapons Mitch can use to get out of whatever jam he finds himself in.

Stay Tuned

I hadn’t thought about it until @KLHDesigns tweeted, but now I want to know... Will the "Enemy" books become a series within a series? Let’s see where the Rapp #21 title takes us.

Behind Door #1

Let's Book A Deal, a game show that recently debuted, awarded @mlcarter34 a copy of Enemy at the Gates. Will there be more chances to win future books? You'll have to wait and see.

 Rapp Ambassadors Revealed

The ambassador program is legendary for getting the word out during the prepublication cycle. This year there was a twist: Via reaction videos, we got to meet some of the participants who were chosen to receive early copies of the book. I’ll always be grateful for their passion and efforts to share the news with their networks.

Top L to R: @bridgetabrooks, @TheJonCrunch, @Jse_80

Middle L to R: @RedRaptorRage

Bottom L to R: Ambassador Gary Nash, @MACHTink

Assassin Art

@TheJonCrunch has once again taken Rapp into the realm of fine art. Will there be a Rapp gallery one day?

I can’t imagine how long it takes @dawn_alcorn to make a book cake, but I appreciate every minute she spends transforming my covers into edible art.

 Rapp Obsessions

Maybe I’m biased, but a complete collection of books is one of my favorite photos to see. Here's a great example from @Marc_Harris3.

A subcategory of this genre is the bookcase shot, where fans share pics of their collections. Top to Bottom: @HM3ss_Piranha, @MllrChris, @zenextremist

How To Read Rapp

This year there was no shortage of book pics taken poolside, seaside, and in the company of cigars, adult beverages, and pets. I think it’s fair to say that readers find spending time with Mitch to be relaxing despite all the bullets and mayhem.

@sherrifoster14

@ShawnCrossWords and Hondo

@JimNashMN

@Orlando_AUTiger

@EricReinhold4

@chelow116

Multilingual Rapp

This year I was surprised to see my first American Sign Language review and it came to us from @swalton907. As someone who’s currently learning Spanish and understands how hard it can be to master a second language, I was definitely impressed with her fluency.

And Then This Happened...

Enemy At The Gates debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list!

Thanks so much to everyone who bought a book and spread the word. It's fun to see Mitch Rapp still going strong after so many years!

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Researching Enemy at the Gates

One of my favorite things to do is seek out interesting experiences that can be used to give my books a richer, more authentic feel. And sometimes it goes beyond even that. Often something I expected to become a minor flourish—someone I’ve met, something I’ve done, a place I’ve been—morphs into a major character or plot point.

Here are a few of the things that inspired the upcoming Enemy at the Gates.

Setting
I had an opportunity to spend some time living in Africa in the ‘90s and it’s a place that still fascinates me. The continent is so exotic and unpredictable that it’s impossible not to have an adventure there. Whether it’s nearly losing my rental car to an elephant, listening to tall tales in a local bar, or discovering that mopane worm stew is better than it sounds, there’s always a story to be told.

Longtime readers of the Rapp series will remember that he set up Claudia Gould with a new identity and a house near Franschhoek, South Africa. It’s an off-the-beaten-track place where she can lose herself and stay under the radar of any old enemies who might still hold a grudge.

It’s perfect for Mitch, too. Perhaps the most beautiful wine region in the world, Franschhoek is awash with quiet roads, rugged mountains, and strenuous hiking trails. Even better, Cape Dutch architecture is naturally sturdy and difficult to penetrate. The ideal place for a security-obsessed outdoor athlete.

Years ago, when I was doing a lot of biking and climbing there, I never imagined that I would eventually use my knowledge to make it the home of the world’s favorite literary assassin.

Rural roads, vineyards, and grey rock. This is a classic Franschhoek landscape and the scene I'm imagining when I describe the drive to Mitch's house. PHOTO: Wiki Commons, GOC53, CC BY 2.0

Add a Cape Dutch house surrounded by a big wall and a couple of overprotective Rhodesian ridgebacks and you have a great idea of what Mitch’s South African fortress looks like. PHOTO: Wiki Commons, Chris & Kerri, CC BY-SA 3.0

Gideon Auma

In 2009, I published Lords of Corruption, a thriller set in the world of African aid. In doing the research for it, I read a lot about Joseph Kony, the psychopathic leader of a Ugandan terrorist organization called the Lord’s Resistance Army. His ability to operate in the shadows while inflicting indescribable damage on local villagers almost seemed like magic. Before his heyday ended, he’d created thousands of child soldiers and displaced millions of people. Gideon Auma, one of the antagonists in Enemy at the Gates, is very much inspired by Kony. Sometimes there’s no reason to make anything up. Reality is worse.

Technology
The book’s denouement very much turns on telecommunications tech, giving me an excuse to do a deep dive into the subject. Everyone knows we’re being tracked by our phones, which is why people like Mitch Rapp use burners—pay-as-you-go handsets with no identity or contract attached.

I began to wonder if those burners were as foolproof as people think. Was there a way to track them? To put a name to their owners?

One day inspiration struck. I was listening to a podcast about how CAPTCHA was developed and it was just the missing piece I’d been searching for. That random podcast ended up inspiring a critical plot point.

In the book, I also talk about the high level of surveillance in Saudi Arabia and what Mitch does to evade it. For several years now, I’ve been following the Big Brother tactics of the Chinese government and the proliferation of cameras throughout their society. The Saudi royalty is starting to use similar technology, making it harder and harder for operators to remain covert.

Medicine
I have more than a passing interest in all things medical and have written thrillers on subjects ranging from parasitic infections in The Ares Decision to humanity’s obsession with vanquishing death in The Immortalists. When I was developing the coronavirus bioweapon in Lethal Agent, COVID wasn’t yet a reality. But now that it is, there’s even more information available.

As I continued to pore over it, I started to wonder: Would it be possible to create a single vaccine that provides protection against this entire family of viruses? Fast forward to Enemy at the Gates and Dr. David Chism, who is performing just this type of research.

I See It. Then I Write It.
For me, it’s so much easier to describe a building, city, or landscape that I’ve actually seen than to create it out of whole cloth.

I’m constantly scouring the Internet for cool architecture and stumbled on a prototype house in Costa Rica that became my image for Nicholas Ward’s Uganda home. His, of course, is much more elaborate given that he's the world's first trillionaire. PHOTO: Dezeen.com

Little known fact: Scott Coleman’s house took shape after going to a friend’s newly constructed home in Wyoming. All I could think about as I got a tour was how much Scott was going to enjoy living there.

One of my favorite ways to work through an action scene is to draw it out on paper. Otherwise, it’s hard to keep track of where the characters are and in which direction bullets are flying. 

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: How To Spark Creativity

Sometimes it can feel like you’ve reached a dead end with your ability to solve a problem. In the world of novel writing, it’s called writer’s block, but a lack of new ideas and fresh perspectives affects everyone eventually. Depending on how bad your case is, it can slot in anywhere from mildly demoralizing to truly soul crushing.

So how do I keep my creativity flowing, whether it’s for a chapter in my latest novel, a problem getting my 1952 Chevy door handle to work with a modern latch, or rearranging a musical composition so I can manage it on my guitar? Lots of ways, actually. But here are the places I start:

The Shower
You can’t believe how many plot points I’ve come up with and complex problems I’ve solved in the shower. There’s something about having nothing else to do, combined with the white noise from the water, that’s tailor-made for escaping mental ruts.

Driving
Zoning out while driving isn’t something most people should do, but I live in Wyoming where the roads are straight, long, and empty of anything other than the occasional bison or antelope. If you don’t have the ability to get out on foot, a boring highway will do the trick. Of course, you have to be alone in the car and no radio, phone, or podcasts are allowed. This time the white noise is provided by the tires, engine, and wind, but they work almost as well as the water from a shower.

Trail Runs And Long Walks
A trail run is a time when I should be focusing on the possibility of a grizzly bear around the next corner, but I often find myself dreaming up book ideas instead. A few years back, I went for a crack-of-dawn run in Saguaro National Park and returned to the car hours later with Enemy of the State completely sketched out in my head.

A Change Of Environment
One of my favorite ways to spark new ideas is a change in daily routine. For me this often means foreign travel, but an exotic locale isn’t necessary. Sometimes relocating my office from my basement to a local coffee shop or a comfortable boulder by the river is enough. Even my garage woodshop has served as a desk—as is evidenced by all the book notes scrawled on the top of my workbench.

New faces, new sounds, and new smells always put me in another frame of mind and allow me to see things from a different point of view.

Finding Your Own Path
I’ve found that these things work for me and fit into my lifestyle, but your circumstances might be completely different. Give some thought to when great ideas have come to you in the past. Can you replicate those environments? Consider how your life sometimes takes you to places with few distractions and learn to use those moments.

I think you’ll find that you don’t need much to break yourself out of a rut. Just a little patience and some focus.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Life In Spain - Summer 2021

After more than a year of pandemic living, things finally seem to be returning to normal. And nothing has prompted this feeling more than our recent move back to Spain. Many of you already know that I split my time between Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Granada, Spain. It’s always quite a culture shock. I’ve put together a few pics to show you what it’s like and to introduce you to the ancient city that’s become my second home.

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We kicked off our trip in Girona—a beautiful city about an hour by train from Barcelona. It’s home to many of the world’s professional road bikers and the riding is second to none.

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The countryside surrounding Girona has a lot of medieval villages that make for a fun day of exploring. I like to fantasize about what it’d be like to restore a house from the 1600s, but I’m still stinging from my experience restoring a 100 year old row house in Baltimore when I first got out of college.

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Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world. If you haven’t been to Spain yet, this is a great place to start.

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Catalonia is a region for foodies. You’ll find markets bursting with locally sourced meats and produce, some of the best restaurants in the world, and, as always, fantastic wine.

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After spending a few weeks in Girona, we rented the largest van we could find, unloaded our storage unit, and set out on a coastal road for Granada. En route, we stopped in one of Spain’s many wine regions for the night. Absolutely stunning.

I always know we’re almost home when the endless olive groves start. Andalucía, the region where Granada is located, produces more olives than anywhere else in the country. Maybe even the world.

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Back in Granada! We’ve missed our favorite Spanish city and it feels good to finally return. We’re still getting settled, catching up with friends, and walking around the streets of the historic Albayzín to see what’s changed in the two years we’ve been gone.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Mitch Rapp Doesn’t Swagger

When I was first asked to write Mitch, I started to think about the essence of the man. Who is he on a fundamental level and how could I build on what Vince had already so carefully constructed? My mind went immediately to one of the greatest pieces of action dialogue ever written. In The Outlaw Josey Wales, Clint Eastwood is in a saloon when a man walks in to challenge him:

Bounty Hunter: “I’m looking for Josey Wales.”

Wales: “That’d be me.”

Bounty Hunter: “You’re wanted, Wales.”

Wales: “I reckon I’m right popular. You a bounty hunter?”

Bounty Hunter: “Man’s got to do something for a living these days.”

Wales: “Dying ain’t much of a living, boy. You know, this isn’t necessary. You can just ride on.”

The man reconsiders his situation and leaves the saloon. Moments later he comes back in, clearly unable to live with being a coward.

Bounty Hunter: “I had to come back.”

Wales: “I know.”

The bounty hunter goes for his gun and, predictably, it doesn’t work out well for him.

Josey Wales became a killer in reaction to the brutality around him, but he’s not blood-thirsty. He doesn’t feel the need to impose his power or will on others. And, in this case, he has no desire to kill this man. If it’s necessary, though, he’ll do it without a second thought. With a few words of dialogue, this brief scene tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the character.

In my mind, Mitch Rapp is a modern-day Josey Wales. He’s a man who doesn’t brag or swagger. His actions and reputation both precede and define him. No one needs to be reminded of who he is and what he’s capable of. In Wyoming we have a saying about people who talk a big game but can’t back up those words: All hat, no cattle. Rapp is the opposite: All cattle, no hat.

Mitch doesn’t work for adulation or for money. And he certainly doesn’t do it because it will provide him with a long or easy life. He does what he does for love of country and to protect those who need protection. More and more, that kind of motivation seems to be going out of style. Not only do people not do things for others, they don’t even do things for themselves. Anonymous approval and glory on social is the ultimate reward.

This is one of the reasons I like writing Mitch Rapp. He follows his own path and doesn’t let anything or anyone push him off course. In a way, he’s the lone marshal riding across the prairie in search of a fugitive. If he succeeds, he brings the man to justice and gets nothing in return but a meager payday. If he loses, he dies in the middle of nowhere and gets picked clean by vultures. But it’s his duty and he’s going to do it—not for fame or money—but because he swore to.

Fortunately, those people still exist and they’re out there keeping us and the world safe. Hopefully, that will never change no matter how many ‘likes’ are up for grabs.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: One Year Later...

Around this time last year, I was putting the finishing touches on Total Power while the world teetered on the precipice. The scale of COVID was still unknown but my imagination was running wild. I’d recently spent a year inventing YARS, the deadly coronavirus that gave rise to Lethal Agent, and was way too well versed in every possible worst-case scenario. Visions of plague, smallpox, and Ebola danced in my head, causing me to wonder if I’d even survive to see the book published. And if anyone would be around to read it.

Such is the overactive imagination of a thriller writer…

Fast forward twelve months and we’re on much more stable ground. COVID has been a heartbreaking tragedy, but not the species-defining disaster of my nightmares. What is still up in the air, though, is how the pandemic will affect society going forward. And how best to reflect that in novels that fans expect to feel real and current.

Pandemic and Societal Shifts

Black death brought about changes on a level that is hard to overstate. Everything from politics and economics to art and religion were turned on their heads. The reduction in labor and decimation of the ruling class gave workers unheard of freedom and opportunity. The grip of the Catholic church, which had been the cornerstone of medieval society, was significantly weakened. And people began to question whether the whims of God were so easily explained. In some ways, the modern world was built on the wreckage left by plague.

The World Going Forward

Experts say it takes approximately two months to form a habit, so it seems that the last year will be plenty to permanently change the way America functions. But will it? If you’re working from home right now do you love the flexibility or do you miss the social interactions of the office? Virtually everyone’s spent the year glued to Netflix and other streaming services, but have you grown so accustomed to them that you won’t return to theaters? Online shopping has gone from being a convenience to being a necessity. Have you been seduced by the ease or are you anxious to start browsing store aisles again?

For many, the tempo of everyday life has slowed. Was that a good thing or a bad one? Have you connected online with friends you hadn’t seen in years? Did you start getting outside more? Enjoy more family time? Maybe those activities will take hold and be the silver lining in the dark cloud that’s been hovering over us for so long.

Coronavirus And The Rapp-verse

As I tap out the opening pages of Mitch Rapp’s twenty-first adventure, I find myself constantly thinking about what world we’ll be living in when it’s published. How will Mitch’s operating environment have changed from the one he experienced in Total Power?

Hand sanitizer all around after taking out a terrorist? Probably not. Kicking back for a Zoom happy hour with his college roommates? I doubt it. But in a world exploding with surveillance cameras, I could see him appreciating the ability to wear a mask in public. And any excuse to avoid airports in favor of the Gulfstream would be welcome. 

Typically, I’m pretty cynical about people’s ability to change. We’re a species that solves problems, not one that prevents them. It’s possible that when Book 21 hits shelves, the pandemic will already feel like a distant memory. On the other hand, with vaccine hesitancy and variants, the life we’re living right now might be the new normal. As always, I’ll keep eyes—and my mind—open.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Enemy At The Gates - The Story Behind The Book

In the last few years, my crystal ball has been working overtime. Lethal Agent, a story about a weaponized coronavirus, was released shortly before the COVID-19 outbreak. A year later, Total Power’s dire warnings about the vulnerability of America’s power infrastructure were confirmed by the collapse of the Texas grid. Fans have been asking me what I’m writing about next so they can be prepared in case it blows up in the headlines again.

With Enemy at the Gates, my effort to predict the future got me into hot water. I’d planned for the next three Mitch Rapp novels to follow the destruction of America’s democracy from within. Power-hungry politicians, a co-opted military, and multiple foreign actors would work in concert to degrade our freedoms until there was nothing left. America would become a democracy in name only—something more like Russia or Iran than the country our founding fathers created.

The problem was that the claims of fraud in America’s 2020 presidential election and the subsequent Capitol riot made the book feel a little too close to reality. In the end, I decided to abandon the grand political arc and focus entirely on Mitch. For the first time in his life, he’s working for a president who doesn’t like or trust him. He’s watching internal threats become more dangerous than the external ones he’s spent his career fighting. And he’s starting to feel all those old wounds—both physical and psychological. The world is changing at a pace that’s never been seen before in human history. Is Mitch willing to change with it?

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Stranger Than Fiction 2021 Part 2

In January, I kicked off my annual review of real-world events that mirror plots and characters from my books. This month, I’m back with a few more interesting parallels. I’ve also included several scenarios crafted by Vince. It’s incredible that seven years after his death, his work still feels like it could have been published yesterday.

Red War
Russia’s fictional leader, Maxim Krupin, had a brain tumor and now Vladimir Putin may be ill? Red War called and wants its plot back. I’m feeling a little unsettled with this one because it will be very difficult for a strongman like Putin to step down. Dictators tend to be either in power, desperately trying to cling to power, or dead.

Protect and Defend
In Vince’s ninth book, an Iranian underground nuclear facility is blown up by an Israeli agent. In 2020, a number of sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program came under similar attack.

The Patriot Attack
Years ago, I wrote a few books for Robert Ludlum’s Covert One series. I really enjoyed spending my days with a hero who was an army microbiologist because it let me unleash my inner science geek. The Patriot Attack was my exploration of a war between China and Japan using next generation weaponry. One scene imagined two fighter pilots in a dogfight against artificially intelligent drones. The humans were hopelessly outclassed by computers that could make millions of calculations per second and withstand deadly g-forces. It appears that DARPA liked my idea.

Another fun detail that’s come to pass relates to the protagonist’s partner, Randi Russell. She had a pair of shoes with removable heels—the perfect solution for the bad-ass operator who wants to transition from the boardroom to the battlefield. I’d like to think that the inventor of these real-life shoes read the book and was inspired by my creation.

Transfer of Power
Marcus Dumond, a brilliant CIA hacker, was introduced in the first book in the series. It turns out that Vince’s crystal ball was working overtime on this one. He described the real-life Marcus Hutchins almost perfectly. Not just the first name, but what he looks like, his computer skills, and his arrest by the FBI. Interestingly, Hutchins was only one year old when Vince wrote out his life story.

The Immortalists
My premise in The Immortalists revolves around the ultra-rich chasing a treatment that would give them health and vitality well beyond the lifespan of today’s human beings. Of course, they will do anything to get it and to keep it out of the hands of others. Hopefully, things will go smoother when it really comes to pass. And it may well. Some of the world’s wealthiest people are now working to develop just those kinds of therapies.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Stranger Than Fiction 2021 Part 1

A new year means a fresh list of news stories with eerie parallels to characters and events I’ve brought into the literary world. Have I created a fair number of plot lines that are now playing out in real life? Unfortunately, yes. Here’s what bubbled to the surface in 2020…

Lethal Agent
No big surprise that COVID-19 leads my recap of Stranger Than Fiction entries this year. Lethal Agent followed a group of terrorists trying to weaponize a coronavirus they found in Yemen.

In my mind, pandemic is by far and away the greatest threat to humanity. It’s never a matter of if, but when. And, oddly, this one corresponded with my fictional telling of a similar story. If only Mitch Rapp had been here to help, 2020 would have been a lot better for everyone.

Beyond the obvious parallels, there are also some more subtle ones. For instance, the sophisticated method of transporting drugs from Mexico to the US. A few months after the book was published, authorities found a ¾ mile-long tunnel from Mexico to California, complete with an elevator similar to the one I described. And it’s only 10 miles from where I located it. So close…

Most scientists who have studied COVID-19 agree that the virus likely crossed to humans from bats. Just like my fictional strain.

Apparently, real-life terrorists saw an opportunity to get in on the coronavirus action, using the precise method dreamed up by my villain.

Total Power
After a devastating 2020, my sincere hope is that events from my latest book, Total Power, won’t become reality. Again, the scenario isn’t something that I invented from nothing—this is a very real threat to America. Experts have been desperately trying to get our leadership to focus on our electrical grid’s vulnerabilities for years now.

There were several tweets and stories about readers who suffered power outages while they were deep into the Advanced Reader Copies. I continued to hear from fans periodically who had similar experiences during hurricane season. Adds a little atmosphere to the story!

Russian penetration into American computer systems plays heavily in the book, and in mid-December, a widespread hack of dozens of government agencies and private companies was discovered. After an investigation, all roads led to the Russians.

A couple of weeks later, the cyberattacks continued. It was reported that hackers possibly breached Black Start, the detailed technical blueprints for how the US would restore power if there was a major blackout.

Enemy Of The State
As longtime fans will remember, Vince tended to be suspicious of the Saudis. I decided to play off his distaste in Enemy of the State. The premise is that the American government was complicit in covering up the royal family’s link to 9/11. As time goes on, evidence continues to mount that I was right.

In spring 2020, an FBI agent accidentally revealed the name of a Saudi official who may be linked to the 9/11 terrorists.

Then, on the eve of September 11, 2020, we learned that a judge in a Manhattan federal court where a 9/11 lawsuit is underway, released a list of witnesses that includes members of the Saudi royal family.

The Utopia Experiment
In The Utopia Experiment, I dove into the world of high tech and what our lives would be like if we could link our minds to computers. The applications were endless and now, years later, we’re seeing real-life research into them.

I specifically stated that my device—called the Merge—could stream music directly to our brains and help treat neurological disorders. Now Elon Musk has picked up the ball.

The Merge also had a sophisticated navigation system that showed a driver the correct route via the Yellow Brick Road—a yellow path overlaid on the actual road. Panasonic has recently unveiled a similar system and is making the technology available to auto manufacturers.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Holiday Wishes and Heartfelt Thanks

Year end is the time when many of us look back and take stock of what we’ve accomplished, what’s still left on the to-do list, and what we envision for the future. I also find myself thinking about the many things I’m grateful for. While this year has been one of the strangest of my life, many good things have happened. My tour for Total Power is a great example. Since every event that bookstores and libraries hosted was virtual, many more fans had the opportunity to participate. Their energy was infectious and one thing was clear: A pandemic couldn’t stop readers from tuning in to discuss their beloved literary characters. I was afraid that sitting in front of a video camera for two weeks might be a bit soul crushing, but it turned out to be exactly the opposite. I’m thankful for every person who joined me as I traveled across the virtual country. Your questions and running commentary with other fans made the events lively and fun.

As I write this, I’m listening to an interview with the legendary John le Carré, which has reminded me of one more thing I’m grateful for: The opportunity to play a role in the rich tradition of thriller writing. Thanks to all of you, this pastime-turned-profession allows me to create other worlds, explore things I would have otherwise known nothing about, and see life through the eyes of characters who are nothing like me.

Let's wrap up this year with a few videos featuring some of the writers, fans, and interviewers I talked to during my tour. I appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you all in 2021!

Poisoned Pen with Brad Thor

I met Brad before he published his first book and we’ve been friends ever since. From our first get-together, I had no doubt he’d go far in this business. And boy was I right… Our video is here.

Once Upon A Crime with Tim Flynn

I met Tim when I went to Saint Thomas Academy for the launch of The Survivor and a celebration of Vince’s life. He was warm and welcoming, as was the rest of Vince’s family. I still get together with a few of them when my tour kicks off in Minneapolis each year. Our video is here.

Hudson Library & Historical Society with Librarian Gwen Mayer

Going to libraries are some of my best memories as a kid and nothing makes me happier than being in a position to support them. Our video is here.

Murder By The Book with Jack Carr

I had the pleasure of meeting Jack when his first book launched a few years ago. I was more than impressed with his career as a Navy SEAL and the no-holds-barred attitude he brings to writing novels. If you’ve been following his trajectory, you already know that he’s quickly risen to become one of the most popular writers in this industry. Our video is here.

Barrington Books with Mitch Rapp Ambassador Brian Costello

The Mitch Rapp Ambassadors are a group of readers who get advance copies of my latest books and weigh in on social media before each is released. After spending a solitary year writing, I always enjoy hearing what these Mitch Rapp super fans have to say. Our video is here.

Novel. with The Real Book Spy

Ryan Steck, known as The Real Book Spy online, is a one-stop shop of book reviews, author interviews, and must-read lists. Starting out as a fan who put his opinions out there on the Internet, Ryan is now one of the most respected voices in the thriller/mystery industry. And, as a bonus, he knows more about Mitch Rapp than anyone on the planet. Our video is here.

Toledo Lucas County Public Library with Library Director Jason Kucsma

This library was new to me, but I hope it won’t be the last time I’m invited for a visit! Our video is here.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Total Power Tour Interviews and Videos

My tour started with a candlelight dinner to set the mood for lights out in America.

This year’s Total Power tour was 100% virtual, creating more opportunities to do interviews because I wasn’t on the road every day. The great news is that means lots more links to share. When you’re ready to binge on Rapp, here are some of my favorite conversations, straight from the bunker.

Radio and Podcasts

The Hugh Hewitt Show

“This is the best Mitch Rapp book I’ve ever read,” Hugh told me, and I’m forever grateful. He’s an old friend of Vince’s and a huge fan of the series. His praise means a lot to me. Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of our conversation.

John Gibson Podcast

“This is a bad-ass villain. I must compliment you, he’s really interesting.” John loved the antagonist I created and I have to admit, I do too. In fact, I almost prefer bad guys to heroes. Maybe I’m a villain at heart? Listen here.

The Larry O'Connor Show

“It’s riveting… Hopefully you’re wrong about this one. I don’t need our power grid going down right now.” And as a bonus, Larry and I discussed last year's Lethal Agent. He’d recently read the book and was able to evaluate, real time, my predictions about how America would react to a coronavirus pandemic.

The Ross Kaminsky Show

Ross told me that he stayed up late for a few nights because he couldn’t put the book down. “This is one of your best… It’s fantastic!”

Calling in for my first phone interview of the tour.

The Jim Bohannon Show

“Total Power is a grabber… If the power was out for a year, 90% of us could die? I think people need to have that driven home.” We talk about the security of our power grid and who might survive a disaster like this. The interview begins at the 41:00 mark.

The Matt Locke Show

Matt and I talk about how I come up with my ideas. In general, I always like to give Mitch Rapp something he’s never faced before. In Total Power, not only was he unable to save the day, he has to operate in an America that’s gone dark.

Bumper-To Bumper With Dan Barreiro

Dan’s studio is one of my favorite tour stops so this year I really missed getting together with him. He's a longtime friend of the Flynn family, and he’s a huge fan of the series. He also shares a funny anecdote about Tim Flynn, Vince’s brother. The interview begins at the 36:15 mark.

Author Stories Podcast

Hank Garner continues the tradition of introducing listeners to my latest book in this year’s interview. A big congratulations to Hank and his team for recording more than 1,000 episodes to date!

Talking Lead

Where do you hear a conversation that ranges from monkeys and hunting in Wyoming to threats to humanity, the Sundance Kid, and a round of New Guy questions? Right here, that’s where.

Red Carpet Crash

This host started reading the Rapp series for the first time before our interview last year and now he says he’s hooked. Who can resist the power of Mitch? Listen here.

Whiskey Politics

Politics AND whiskey at the same time? You bet! Listen here.

Videos

The Crew Reviews

Last year the crew was just getting started. Now they have a new logo, a cool highball glass, and they’ve racked up loads of phenomenal interviews with top writers in the genre. As always, I enjoy the witty conversation and observations. “Mitch is bleeding throughout the entire damn book.” Yep, that about sums it up.

In my recording studio aka my office that I converted into a makeshift bunker with light kits and a background.

WTOL

We talk about why John Alton, the villain, is a funny and appealing character despite being psychotic. We also talk about the evolution of Rapp and how this assassin is warming up to kids.

No Limits: A Mitch Rapp Podcast

If you’re a Rapp fan and love the idea of doing a deep dive into the series, this podcast is for you. The hosts are reading through the series and devoting several episodes to each book.

Funny story about this video: You’ll hear that our connection is spotty and it turns out that the problem was on my end. Right after the interview, a technician found a huge mouse nest in the Internet box on the side of my house. It was interfering with the signal. Their podcast sounds great, though, so don’t hesitate to jump right in and subscribe.

Print

The Real Book Spy Review

After reading the ARC, The Real Book Spy announced that Total Power is a serious contender for best book of the year! Hopefully that still holds true when his list of favorites drops in early 2021… If you’re not following TRBS, check him out. Before you know it, your to-be-read list will be ten times longer.

The Big Thrill

International Thriller Writers produces a monthly e-magazine that features lots of thriller/mystery/crime novels. It’s a fantastic place online to discover new books. Here’s my interview.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: Total Power Tour Highlights

We can all agree that 2020 has been the year of uncertainty. It’s also been a time of tremendous change in the way authors promote new books. Instead of going out on the road for face-to-face events, we’ve stayed home and connected with fans, bookstores, and libraries online. The experience has been vastly different, but it’s also opened up a range of opportunities—my normal travel time from city to city was replaced with additional interviews that reached new audiences and virtual tour stops meant fans could participate in the discussions regardless of which bookstore was hosting an event.

As I think about my first virtual tour, I realize that there have been a lot of other “firsts” in the last couple of months. For those who missed the festivities, I’ve put together a few of the best Total Power moments so you can catch up on all the funny, touching, and, impressive fan content that’s been circulating online. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have…

First Book Cake

Simply outstanding…

First Rapp Holiday Cards

Such a great idea to encourage readers to buy from independent bookstores…

First Power Outage While Reading Total Power

Eerie, right???

First Interview With Vince’s Brother

Tim Flynn talks Vince and much more…

First Book Review Diagram

All the way from India via @ankitDHIRASARIA…

First Interview By A Mitch Rapp Ambassador

Ambassador Brian Costello (@bcostellobooks) kept me on my toes in this fun and fast-paced interview…

First Book Review Limerick

There are reviews and then there are limerick reviews. Courtesy of @MitchRappPod…

First Interview By A Spy

Ryan Steck is a book spy (@TheRealBookSpy), the Rappologist, and the world expert on Mitch Rapp. Listen in, he's trying to stump me…

First Live Unboxing With A Saber

This fan has set a new standard for opening ARC packages…

First Live Unboxing Injury

This ambassador said he didn't need that finger anyway*…

*No fingers were actually lost in the making of this #LiveUnboxing video.

First Roomba Rodeo

Mark my words. This showdown is going to be as big as the New York Times bestseller list someday…

First Sharp Shooting While Reading

@rodgregg channeling his inner Rapp…

First Pet Contest AND First Rapp Book Promoted by Burt Reynolds

I'm speechless…

First Fan To Wonder (Aloud) If She Has A Rapp Problem

Well, what advice do you have for @sherrifoster14?

First Road-To-Total-Power Soundtrack

Apparently this book spoke to some readers in the form of song. Watch @AtriaMysteryBus find his voice and sing along with him here...

Honorable Mentions

Times Square, so cool...

Official Leave of RAPPsense note. Guaranteed to be accepted in any place of business...

Rapp meets fine art thanks to @TheJonCrunch...

Fans came through in a big way to create this crowd-sourced video compiled by @btsdesigns...

Clearly this development is the result of Total Power (right?)...

Rapp pizza…

And then THIS happened! What a way to wrap up the tour...

Thanks so much to everyone who bought books, shared reviews, and participated in this year's tour! Until next year...

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: We Have The Power To Fix America's Greatest Weakness. Will We?

As a thriller novelist, I expect to be terrified by the scenarios I explore. With bioweapons, terrorist attacks, and loose nukes as my daily companions, it takes a lot to get a rise out of me. But in researching my new book, Total Power, I stumbled upon what I now believe to be America’s greatest weakness: Our electrical grid.

It’s been called the most complex machine in the world and that’s probably a fair description. Three thousand three hundred utility companies, fifty-five thousand individual substations, and two hundred thousand miles of transmission lines all coordinate to meet the country’s insatiable demand for power. Unfortunately, it’s this scope and complexity that makes us so vulnerable.

And this isn’t just a theoretical threat. In 2013, a meticulously planned attack was carried out on a substation near San Jose, California. It caused fifteen million dollars in damage and looked very much like a dry run for something bigger. None of the perpetrators were ever caught and if they are indeed plotting something more ambitious, it could be unimaginably destructive. According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, only nine critical substations would have to be disabled to plunge the entire country into darkness for eighteen months or more. Nine. None of which likely have much more security than the San Jose facility.

Even more sobering are the cyberattacks. According to former Energy Secretary Rick Perry, malicious actors probe our systems hundreds of thousands of times a day. One of the most serious incidents occurred in 2017, when Russian hackers penetrated deep enough to actually take control of parts of our grid. Based on testimony given to Congress by the director of the National Security Agency, a number of our enemies likely already have the ability to put the entire country in the dark.

This all leads to an obvious question. What would happen if such an attack occurred?

Grocery stores would be emptied in a matter of days and, without power, replacement products could be neither manufactured nor transported. Critical medication would no longer be available. There would be no air-conditioning or heat. Those who live in cities would be trapped. Cars full of people trying to escape would clog the streets, permanently blocking them with vehicles that had run out of gas while waiting in endless traffic jams.

Then, a couple of weeks in, the systems that bring water to our homes would begin to fail. And while a human can survive for a surprisingly long time without food, we die within days without fluids. This would also lead to a breakdown in basic sanitation, contaminating whatever water sources were still available. Disease would spread and violence would erupt as people became increasingly desperate.

Normally, we could hunker down and wait for help from FEMA, the National Guard, and maybe even the US military. But in a country-wide shutdown, that help would never arrive. All those organizations operate on the principle that they can stage from places that still have power. Hurricane Sandy was a perfect example of this. While devastating to the eastern seaboard, the rest of the country remained online and able to provide assistance.

R. James Woolsey Jr., the former director of the CIA, summed it up nicely: If the power went out and stayed out for a year, between two-thirds and ninety percent of the American population would die. That’s more than both world wars and the bubonic plague combined.

Can we fix it? Yes. But not without a lot of commitment and money. We have to significantly improve our cybersecurity and create manual overrides in case our enemies find ways around those improvements. We need to provide military bases with their own microgrids independent of the greater power supply. We should incorporate renewables that remain operational when more traditional sources can’t be supplied with fuel or are forced to shut down for safety reasons. We have to stockpile replacement parts that can be quickly distributed and installed. Finally, substantial physical security will be required at the hundred or so substations that are absolutely critical to keeping America’s lights on.

The likelihood of one of our enemies mounting a significant military campaign against the American homeland is low. We have the most powerful armed forces in the world and our geographic isolation would be difficult to overcome. A surreptitious attack on our electrical infrastructure, though, is within easy reach.

COVID has given us all a glimpse into the dangers of not being prepared for a crisis. We now have some inkling as to what it would be like to try to survive without the machinery that makes modern society possible. Based on our own government’s risk assessment and the shortages we’ve experienced during the pandemic—insignificant compared to what we would lose in the absence of our power supply—it’s difficult to think of a higher priority than making our grid is secure.

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: More Mitch!

Celebrating three more years of Rapp!

I’m really excited to announce that I’ve signed on to write another three Rapp novels for Emily Bestler Books. It’s hard to fully express my gratitude to the fans who have embraced this new era and reached out to offer encouragement, kind words, and constructive criticism. Your passion and energy are what make it so fun to sit down in front of my keyboard every morning.

Rapp’s Future
Since I get to send Mitch on at least three more missions, I suppose the next question on everyone’s mind is what will he face over the next few years? I’ve just finished my outline for the next book (all 35,000 words of it) and you’ll be happy to know that I have a strong idea of where the series is headed. Mitch will continue to gain wisdom from everything he’s been through, and the threats he confronts will continue to parallel the developments we see around us in real life.

Some things will never change, though: Mitch will forever remain patriotic, focused, and unrepentant about eliminating anyone who poses a risk to his country or the world. And, to answer an often-asked question, I have no plans to kill off Scott Coleman. I’m not sure where so many fans got the idea that I have it in for the guy, but it’s not true! To me, the legs the series stand on are Mitch Rapp, Irene Kennedy, and Scott Coleman. My connection to him is as strong as anyone’s. If anything, you may see an expanded role for him. I love writing about the man.

Thanks For Helping This Series Succeed
Along with fans, there are so many people who keep this series careening forward. From Emily Bestler and her incredibly talented team, to Vince’s agent and family, to my own network made up of family and friends.

So, thanks again for your support and get ready for some of Mitch’s most harrowing missions yet!

If you’re not following Kyle, connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

Kyle Mills: The Quest For An Error-Free Manuscript

I despise making mistakes. And that’s made so much worse by the fact that I earn my living writing 100,000+ word documents that millions of people read. What are the chances that I nail every hyphen, every fact, and every setting?

Pretty much zero as it turns out. Readers have keen eyes and they let me know when I slip up. Use the word cement when you mean concrete? Get hammered by engineers. Clip instead of magazine? Then it’s gun aficionados.

The list goes on…

Over the course of a quarter century in this business, I’ve made errors that run the gamut from really stupid to so minuscule that only one or two readers would ever pick them up. Below are a few of my most entertaining ones arranged in the categories my mistakes always seem to fall into.

Hopefully, looking through them will make readers slightly more sympathetic. And serve as a cautionary tale for my fellow authors.

Pre-Internet

When I was writing my first novel, Rising Phoenix, research was so much more difficult. With the Internet still in its infancy, I spent a lot of time prowling libraries, phoning my contacts in the government, and scrolling through microfiche.

Shortly after the book was published, I started getting correspondence addressed in pencil. It turns out that this is how you could tell a letter was written from prison. Apparently, inmates didn’t have access to pens.

All were a variation on the same theme—telling me how much they enjoyed the book, but that smoking crack from a plastic pipe would cause it to melt. Toward the end of the letter, they would assure me that they had impeccable credentials in this area as they were serving a significant sentence for narcotics violations.

Today, glass pipe appears in the first sentence in the crack pipe entry on Wikipedia. So much more civilized.

Blissful Ignorance

These are errors that work their way into my books because I know so little about the subject that it never even occurs to me to ask a question.

Dog team and crew in Antarctica in January 1911 with Mount Erebus in the background. Photo: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Public Domain.

In The Survivor, I talked about sled-dog training Mitch had done in Antarctica. We’ve all seen the old photos of early arctic explorers with their teams, right? Well, it turns out that dogs were banned from Antarctica in the early 90s. Based on Mitch’s age, he would have been relegated to a snowmobile.

In a way, I don’t regret that error. Only one person caught it and there’s something incredibly romantic about the image of Mitch flying across the snow behind a bunch of huskies.

Too Mundane To Give Much Thought

There are a shocking number of procedures and everyday items that we think we understand better than we actually do.

In Red War, General Sokolov was armed when he went into a room where another character was undergoing an MRI. I never thought twice about this scene until a physician pointed out that the magnetic field produced would have serious consequences to anyone carrying metal.

So obvious when you stop to think about it!

Presumed Expertise

These are my favorite kinds of mistakes—facts that I refuse to check because I’m so certain of my knowledge.

My third book, Free Fall, introduced a rock climber who finds herself mired in a political scandal. At one point in the story, she talks about a route called Lactic Acid Bath at the New River Gorge in West Virginia. I’d worked on that climb when I lived on the East Coast, so I didn’t bother to grab my guidebook and confirm the location.

A reviewer for Climbing Magazine took great pleasure pointing out my confusion. All the more painful in that pretty much every friend I had at the time was a subscriber.

There’s also an error in The Survivor that squarely falls into this category. Mitch is in a black cab in London and he pays with a 100-pound note—a denomination that doesn’t exist.

This error is particularly funny because I finished that book while living in London and had also lived there while my father was the legal attaché to the UK.

I’d always assumed that they were out there somewhere, but that I was too poor to have seen one.

What Have I Learned?

The most important lesson is to not get defensive. If you make an error in a book—or in life, for that matter—own it. When readers send corrections, I gratefully forward them to my publisher for when the paperback version goes into production. E-books can be updated immediately.

Still, I continue my quest to create a perfect manuscript. Perhaps with age will come increasing wisdom. Or maybe just increasing forgetfulness. We’ll see…

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