Kyle Mills: Final Trip Update - Greece Island Hopping

While based in Spain this year, I’ve squeezed in a lot of travel between research and writing the next Mitch Rapp saga. I’ve been sharing stories and photos from the road lately, and this will be the last entry. We’re wrapping up our time in Europe and soon I’ll be back at my desk in Wyoming. As fun as it’s been, it’s hard not to eventually start missing the rugged landscapes and open spaces of home.

This time, it’s Greece. The cradle of democracy that became the pattern for the free world many of us are lucky enough to live in today. Lots of people go to Greece for the beaches, but to be honest, I’m not much of a beach guy. I’ll take an old ruin or battlefield over surf and sand every time.

Athens

Most people tolerate Athens’ crowds and the heat for a day until they can get on a ferry to the nearest island paradise. In reality, though, it’s a terrific city with a great vibe, delicious food, and amazing archaeological sites and museums. Our few days there turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.

Our only regret is that we didn’t stay long enough to see live music at one of several amphitheaters around the city. Amazing that after thousands of years, they’re still in operation.

Hydra

Greece encompasses 6,000 islands, only 227 of which are inhabited. But 200+ islands makes it difficult to decide where to go. Brad Thor recommended Hydra, so that’s where we started our journey. Compared to some of the more high-profile destinations in Greece, it’s relatively unknown to foreigners.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited, creating interesting challenges and a quiet, sleepy atmosphere that we loved. That, and a few excellent hikes to lonely monasteries, made this our favorite stop on the trip.

Paros

Our next ferry took us to Paros, which is much deeper into the Aegean and has the white buildings, blue domed churches, and windmills that many of us associate with Greece.

Paros’ fame comes, in part, from its culinary scene and world-class kite and wind surfing. More touristy than Hydra and with streets packed with people, it was still a relaxing spot to write for a few days. Here, bougainvillea hangs over walls and accordion music drifts in from the street.

Santorini

I will admit that, initially, a stop in Santorini wasn’t appealing in the height of tourist season. Now that I’ve been, though, I’m glad we made the trip. The bright white villages are situated along the top of a volcano crater and steep hillsides plunge into a dark blue sea. The food is terrific and the atmosphere lively. Sometimes a little too lively…

For those who like to recreate on vacation, the caldera hike shouldn’t be missed. It’s nearly 6.5 miles of rolling trail that winds along the edge of the crater, through towns and unpopulated terrain. Even in one of the busiest times of the year, there are very few people on the hike if you start early in the morning.

Santorini is where the young and beautiful pose for the elaborate photos we’ve all seen on social media. I tried to take a similar shot of my wife, but I might need a little more practice.

Crete

Crete, our last stop before heading home, is the largest of the Greek islands and known around the world for its cuisine. We stayed in the old Venetian port town of Chania where there are narrow alleys and tiny restaurants with outdoor seating tucked into ruins. Here, crumbling walls and a missing roof aren’t a bug, they’re a feature. Combined with the beautiful sunsets and popular beaches, I can see why this destination is high on a lot of people’s lists.

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

Kyle Mills: Travel Update - Southwestern Spain Road Trip

I’ve become a barrel aficionado since living in Spain. There’s just something about a makeshift table on a sidewalk that I can’t resist.

Cádiz, Province and City

Even though I spend a lot of time in this part of the world, there are still many places I haven’t visited yet. Each of the provinces has a feel of its own so I enjoy jumping in a car and heading off in a random direction. A few months ago, we drove through the southwestern corner of the country to the city of Cádiz. Strangely, there aren’t a lot of tourists in this part of Spain despite plenty of coastline. Those who do make the trip, though, will find landscapes that stretch from beaches to rugged cliffs, Spain’s famed sherry, and some of the best food I’ve come across while living in my adopted country.

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This region is dotted with stunning white villages that make for an interesting stop, be it for a couple of hours or a couple of days. Vejer de la Frontera, one of the prettiest in the area, blew us away with delicious dinners and an endless sea of blocky white buildings that were so bright they were difficult to look at in the sun.

Restaurants like this are a common sight in Andalucía. This one perfectly captured the things the southern Spanish hold dear: cured ham, music, and bullfighting. Regardless of your position on bullfighting, tradition reigns here and the men and women who step into the ring are some of the most revered in the country.

Can you name the musician in the black and white photo over my right shoulder? It’s Paco de Lucía, one of my favorite Spanish classical guitarists. I knew I’d found my people when we stopped here.

Cádiz is said to be the oldest city that’s still standing in western Europe, founded by the Phoenicians in the 12th century. Today it’s a lively spot with flamenco, breezy plazas, and one of the best carnivals in all of Spain.

The Sherry Triangle, a wine region in Cádiz, is the only place in the world where sherry is produced. My advice is to find a sunny table and pair whatever sherry the waiter recommends with some just-off-the-boat seafood.

I always take time to explore the local markets, and Cádiz has some of the most interesting fishmongers in the world. I would have bet good money that you couldn’t make a living by selling just fish faces.

Next time I visit the province of Cádiz, I’m going to take my bike. This region has a series of Via Verdes—designated routes that wind through mountain passes, green landscapes, and tiny villages. I’m convinced that getting out of the car is critical to experiencing the people, traditions, and pueblos that make this part of Spain so special.

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

Kyle Mills: Travel Update - Northern France Road Trip

Les Braves, a sculpture on Omaha Beach, honors Allied D-Day troops.

Readers often ask me if I think there are real Mitch Rapps out there and I recently had the honor of going to a place where many of them fought: Normandy, France. It would actually be hard to write some of these soldiers’ stories because they would seem too far-fetched. People climbing cliffs with ropes and grappling hooks to assault massive German bunkers. The defenses and artillery fire that the Allies faced. The incredible rate of casualties that never dampened our troops’ resolve.

D-Day Sites
Many historic locations around Normandy have remained unchanged and are hard to fully grasp without standing in the middle of them. Pointe du Hoc, the elevated site the Germans used to bombard Omaha Beach, is the perfect example of this kind of place. Covered in overgrown bomb craters and bunkers, this spot tells the story of the soldiers who scaled a 100-foot cliff while Germans shot down on them. Despite incredible odds, they managed to accomplish their mission.

Get the enemy’s perspective from a German gun placement. Drive through the countryside and see for yourself why our men got bogged down in the fields. Touch the remains of a Mulberry harbor, a mobile structure for unloading troops and supplies, left behind on Gold Beach. There are also many war museums and other interesting stops in the region, but it was impossible to see them all in one trip. I chose to meander and get an overall flavor with the plan to return for a more in-depth visit in the future.

Cemeteries

The Normandy American Cemetery and Monument at Colleville-sur-Mer is everything I expected it to be—an airy and bright celebration of heroism and sacrifice. It’s hard to imagine what more than 9,300 deaths look like until you walk through the orderly rows of simple white crosses. While I don’t have any relatives buried there, I can imagine what it must feel like for those who do. It’s a powerful place, without doubt.

I wouldn’t say that I think a lot about graveyards. That is until I visited La Cambe, the German war cemetery that is only a few miles from Omaha Beach. The experience was jarring as the clouds rolled in and the atmosphere turned heavy on the out-of-the-way plot of land. Passing through the entrance couldn’t have been more different than what I’d just experienced on American soil an hour earlier. The dark carved stone crosses are used sparingly, and simple flat stones mark the graves of more than 21,000 German soldiers. They surround a large central mound topped with an ominous sculpture that seems designed as a counterpoint to draw a stark line between good and evil.

Architecture and Food

Normandy is easily one of the most beautiful regions I’ve driven through in France. Green rolling hills meet seaside towns and the buildings feel old and aristocratic. Half-timbered houses made of lumber and stone are also a common sight here and create endless variety.

I’d read that the most popular cuisine in Normandy can be summed up with the four Cs: cider, Camembert, cream sauces, and Calvados. After the first day, we realized that one of the hardest parts of this trip would be to not gain thirty pounds.

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is a UNESCO-listed medieval town and ancient abbey perched high on an island in the bay between Normandy and Brittany. Depending on the tide, it may or may not be surrounded by water when you’re there, but either way, it was a beautiful last look at France’s northern coast before we headed back to Spain. Photo credit: WikiCommons Hans Hillewaert

Random Discoveries

Bayeux, a town close to Omaha Beach, is a popular and convenient base for exploring the WWII sites. Visitors also come to see the Bayeux Tapestry, a UNESCO-recognized embroidered cloth that’s nearly 230 feet long. It depicts the duke of Normandy’s conquest of England in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. From what I’ve read, this medieval masterpiece will be loaned to the UK at some point in the near future.

Rouen, another of my favorite stops, has an interesting claim to fame. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake there. La Couronne, France’s oldest restaurant founded in 1345, is located close by.

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

Kyle Mills: Travel Update - Portugal Road Trip

It’s been nearly a year now that I’ve been back in Spain and I’ve been using my time here as an opportunity to scout some interesting settings for future books. The past eleven months have been a whirlwind—in between all that travel, I had to write Oath Of Loyalty and now I’m starting work on Mitch’s twenty-second adventure.

I know a lot of people haven’t been able to start traveling again, so I thought I’d whet your appetite by sharing some photos and thoughts from a couple of road trips I’ve done this year. Up first is Portugal—an affordable, interesting, and delicious destination. If you haven’t visited yet, consider it for your first post-COVID international outing.

I will admit that traveling during the pandemic required a lot of flexibility and tolerance for complexity and the unknown. On the other hand, the chance to experience a destination in prime season without the crowds has been an opportunity that likely won’t be repeated. It reminded me a little of a trip I did years ago to Egypt after a major terrorist attack. Standing alone in King Tut’s tomb is something I’ll never forget.

Why Portugal?

To be fair, one reason is that it’s only a few hours’ drive from my home in southern Spain. Having said that, Portugal has become one of my favorites places and I plan to continue exploring until I’ve covered it all. Most people start with Lisbon or a sun-drenched beach. Either is a great place to jump in and get your feet wet (pun intended.) But there’s a lot more to experience if you really want to begin to understand this ancient place.

Lagos, which is in the Algarve on the southern coast of Portugal, is laid back and inviting. 1980s American music was always blasting at cocktail hour and the town’s gleaming white buildings and terracotta tiles couldn’t be more appealing in the setting sun. Depending on where you go in the Algarve and what type of environment you’re looking for, you can find party towns, traditional fishing villages, spectacular beaches, and wild landscapes.

The food scene in Portugal is worth the visit alone. Along the coast as well as elsewhere in the country, you’ll see lots of traditional restaurants like this one. There are meat dishes, stews, and loads of seafood that’s preserved in salt, conserved in tins, and, of course, just off the boat. And while they might not be on Mitch’s training diet, you shouldn’t miss the pastéis de nata: Portugal’s famous custard tart.

I wouldn’t say that I seek out sardines, but in Portugal they’re impossible to avoid. These fat little fish are typical lunch fare and when they’re in season, they’re delicious (according to my wife, anyway) when salted and just off the grill. In addition to finding them on practically every menu, you’ll see them featured on street art, ceramics, and preserved in colorful tins—really anywhere you look.

Another element that immediately signals Portugal is the country’s incredible mosaic stone sidewalks. They are predominantly black and white, hand shaped, and arranged both with or without patterns. And an interesting detail—they’re kind of slick. Something I’ll consider if Mitch ever needs to chase someone through the winding streets.

One of the things that sets Portugal apart from most other places in the world is its rich tradition of tiles. Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best spots to see examples of this style of artwork. Some of the buildings have repeating patterns on their facades, while others depict scenes. The city is experiencing a revival of many of its historical buildings. How to prevent the loss of these treasured tiles in the renovation process is an ongoing problem that some preservation groups are trying to solve.

Porto is also revered because it is the center of the country’s port industry. At tasting rooms around the city, you can try a range of this fortified wine from internationally known brands like Sandeman and Graham’s as well as from the smaller producers. I’m having a hard time picturing Mitch whiling away his time with a tawny in the harbor, but I like it.

Are you up for a death-defying adventure and want to see where port originates? Drive around the Douro Valley. The secondary roads that weave through the rugged countryside are ridiculously narrow and bordered by terrifying cliffs. Worse, I’m pretty sure there isn’t even a Portuguese word for guardrail. Full disclosure: At times, Google Maps had a loose definition of “road.”

If you have the luxury of time, get off the beaten path. Part of the appeal of Portugal is that there are so many intriguing towns to explore. I’ve walked along the tops of castles with tiny towns tumbling down the hills around me, through ancient churches, and along rocky coasts. It never gets old.

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

Vince Flynn Day Is A Reality!

Governor Tim Walz has signed Rep. Jim Nash's resolution to make April 6, Vince Flynn's birthday, Vince Flynn Day in the state of Minnesota.

The official ceremony will be held next Wednesday in St. Paul, MN!

Follow our social channels for pictures from the event.

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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.