SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group discussion

Hey guys! I am new to Goodreads, and to be honest I'm new to "reading" as well. I say it like that because up until few months ago I had honestly never read a book in my adult life. I'm a father of five, and my older kids love to read. It was suggested to me that I check out Vince Flynn because I'm a big fan of CIA and spy movies. Long story short, I read all of Flynn's books in a matter of a couple months and now feel like there is this huge void in my reading life.

I've picked up all of Brad Thor's books and I like them very much. I'm almost done with them in fact, and already wondering who I will read next. Before finding Thor I tried out a few other authors (Alex Berenson was one, I can't remember the others) and I just couldn't get into them.

I'm not sure if it's just that I appreciate Vince Flynn so much, his work and the fact that he pulled me into reading. Or if I just haven't found a good author besides he and Thor.

Can anyone suggest an author who writes series that are similar in any way to Vince Flynn? I know of Clancy and will check him out. What about characters similar to Mitch Rapp? Anyone who has time to comment I'd greatly appreciate it!

Try Daniel Siva's Gabriel Allon character and series.

Lee Child's Jack Reacher is good.
Mark Greaney is new to the scene (past 3-4 years) and does really well in the CIA / political thriller / killer genre.

Just a couple suggestions.

Check out Brad Taylor's Pike Logan series. I am also a huge Flynn and Thor fan, Taylor fits right in.

Thanks so much everyone! I'm excited to check these guys out. People that have been into reading this genre for a while, was Vince Flynn the gold standard while he was still alive and writing? The lady at my library seemed to think so, which surprised me because she didn't looks like the type to read books like this lol.

Sorry of that's a stupid question, but I just don't know many authors. I miss mitch Rapp, I sure hope Flynn was far enough along on his last book that it cane get published at some point. One more go around with Rapp would be awesome! I guess we're still awaiting an update from the publisher on that though.

w.e.b. griffin...Presidental Series

Thanks Greg, I've seen a LOT of W.E.B Griffin books at my local library. I wondered if he was in this genre, or similar in some way. I'll grab his book this week!

On a site note to everyone. I don't know if you guys like Tom Clancy, but I noticed his books are really thick. Is he known for writing really long stories or something?

W.E.B Griffin Presidential Agent (As Greg suggests) or Badge of Honor and Corp series
Also check out James Rollins SIGMA series or Jack Du Brul Mercer series.

All are of similar lines along with Clancy, Cussler or Lee Child's Jack Reacher

Also, try David Baldacci's series with John Puller in The Forgotten and Will Robie in The Innocent and The Hit. The King and Maxwell series by David Baldacci is also very good.

You guys are great, thanks so much!

Hi Ryan, clancy books are a little on the heavy side but once you get into them you don't notice until you get near the end. (unless you are reading an ebook)!!!

Hello, I agree with Sandy that Daniel Silva's books are strong in CIA and other international spy rings. Not really a special ops category. But awesome for spies and easy reads.

If you would like a fictional but based on real history of the CIA, read The Company by Robert Littell. This is a long book, and not so easy to read through if interrupted often.

Hello, I am new to Goodreads. I am an avid spy thriller reader and also like the movies too about spies.

I adore Clancy, Daniel Silva, and humorous spy stories like Once A Spy by Keith Thomson which was a delightful read.

It is a privilege to read your suggestions, many which I haven't read yet. I am glad to be here.

Thanks for commenting Suzie! I'm so impressed by the amount of people that have taken time to comment and help me out I honestly thought that there was a chance no one would reply, so this has been amazingly helpful. Kinda restores my faith inhumanity that there are still people willing to offer free advice, suggestions, etc. if the people at my library were half this helpful I'd have never joined GoodReads.

Anyways, I have been on a book binge today checking out what people have suggested. I'm finding that I don't like first person narratives as much as third person, though I'm not sure why. Maybe because third person narratives feel like a movie in a weird way, you see the entire view of what's going on, not just one persons. Anyone else feel this way? So the Pike Logan books by Brad Taylor wasn't something I wanted to just keep reading. Maybe if I power through it I'll grow to enjoy it just because of the characters, etc? I'm gonna keep reading and see...

Also, I grabbed Daniel Silva's first book and read the first few chapters. Obviously that's not enough to decide much, but I do think I'll enjoy these books because I've read a lot about the character and author. It seems like a fit for what I enjoy, so thanks to all who suggested him.

I've also picked up a book by Ben Coes, my father suggested him and REALLY liked all four of his books. Anyone else read his stuff, if so what do you guys think?

I think Brad Thor is the most similar to Vince Flynn. But he uses a lot more historical fact within his fiction writing, and that's pretty neat actually. I have yet to find a character I enjoy as much as Mitch Rapp, but thanks to you all I have a lot of possibilities im looking into.

Oh, I also grabbed the Presidential series (the first book in the series) by W.E.B. Griffin. Two people suggested those books, so I'll start that one in a few days. Thanks again everything, really!

I relate to your comment about first person versus third person. I generally prefer third person also. There are times though when I can relate to a first person narrative if:
1. I am.... moody....for lack of a better simple description.
2. The writer draws you into himself like a second skin. That's when you're positive, as a reader, that the author lived every sentence and is sitting across from you in some clandestine but perfect setting almost knee to knee, sharing a favorite beverage and sampling delicious food while sharing memories.
3. When I am moody. Did I mention that one already? ;)

I'd be honored to have my book, Into Hell's Fire, read and reviewed. A first effort for me, and I'm getting some very positive feedback, but not by anyone who is a spy novel buff like we have on this board. I'd be happy to get some reviews. Thanks! I have plans to make a Lucas Martin series depending on popular demand. Hit me, hit me, I'm open!

Hey Douglas, I'd LOVE to read your book. How do I get my hands on a copy or ebook? I'll read it ASAP if you tell me how, plus I'll do a review and rate it. I tried messaging you but nothing came up, it just wouldn't work for some reason. Can you contact me?

A year ago, I posted a similar message to yours. I got a lot of similar suggestions from people. However, most books were a letdown compared to Flynn. What I finally realized was that if you only read books in this genre, it gets old. I would advise mixing it up a little. Read a Jack Reacher book (which is great, but it's NOT CIA/Espionage), then read a biography of someone you're interested in, then a Gabriel Allon (Daniel Silva) book, etc. If you don't do it that way, you risk spoiling the genre for yourself.

"What I finally realized was that if you only read books in this genre, it gets old. I would advise mixing it up a little"
This is a very good idea. I really enjoy reading black op books (I'd add Alex Berenson to the list and definitely Legends by Robert Littell) but I do mix it up with mystery books. If you like a good mystery, I'd add, besides Lee Child (even though most of his books deal with Jack Reacher, he has 4 books that deal with Joe Pike-a favorite of mine) , Harlan Coben, Robert Crais, Jeffrey Deaver, James Grippando and Tom Robb Smith.

Joe Pike is by Robert Crais, not Lee Child.

oops, yes you're right. I still like the Joe Pike books better than the Elvis Cole ones even though Lee Child didn't write them!

The comment by Lou regarding mixing up your genre has a lot of merit. I too miss my two favorite authors Flynn and Clancy. I have been reading Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben and Nelson Demille to mix things up but I will really miss Mitch Rapp and Jack Ryan. I'm going to take everyone's advice and check out Reacher and Gabriel Allon and Pike Logan

Ben Coes is amazing!

Jim Boyd - you would probably enjoy Ted Bell's series featuring Alex Hawke. Additionally, David Baldacci wrote The Forgiven with a character very similar to Jack Reacher. So many to chose from, yet Mitch Rapp will still be missed. As for Jack Ryan, I wouldn't be surprised to see him again.

Coes. Connelly. Coben. Demille. These are all new to me! I feel so very newbie here. This group already has been so valuable in just 24 hours. Thanks for posting these Becky, Jim and Sally.

Also to Lou: I agree with mixing genres.

If you really like Mitch Rapp, you'd like Brad Thor's Scott Harvath. All of Thor's novels are very similar reads to Vince Flynn's.

Raisen, I agree about Thors comparison to vince Flynn. After I finished all of the Mitch Rapp books, I turned too Brad Thor and enjoyed his novels very much. Harvath is different from Rapp in a lot of ways, and I still prefer the duo of Flynn and Mitch Rapp, but Thor is quite talented and entertaining to read.

I'm heading to my library in a few minutes. I cannot thank everyone enough for their comments and suggestions. I will be giving the Jack Reacher series a try, along with a few others. You guys are great, thanks for the help!

Thanks Jon - I am certainly looking forward to reading your book also. I'm sure I will recognize a character or two.

Hope you enjoy it, Jim. Please let me know what you think. I'll provide the links in case you're interested in following the journey on the website or Facebook.

www.jondkurtz.com

https://www.facebook.com/AChoiceofDar...

http://www.amazon.com/Choice-Darkness...

I read most of the authors mentioned above. Flynn is my favorite. I am re-reading them thus year. i also agree with lou. I mix it up with history. David Hagberg is one author I didn't see mentioned. I enjoyed the books I've read.

If you like spy series and W. E. B. Griffin, try the Honor Bound series about WWII OSS operations in Argentina (a subject near to my heart since I am working on a series of OSS spy novels myself). I think it is one of his best. I have read a couple of the Presidential Agent series, but to be honest it is his only series where I have not read every book.

I am moving through the Daniel Silva books and love his writing. He has been accused to using a predictable canned plot in every book and I think there is some truth to that. But his characters are seductive and I keep reading, canned plot or not.

Tom Wood's Victor the Assassin series is an excellent option. Initially starting as a freelance assassin he gets press ganged into the CIA, becoming the personal asset for the number two at the National Clandestine Service. The plots are excellent, the tradecraft and weapons are superb and the books (The Killer, The Enemy and The Game) are much more fast paced than even Vince Flynn's.

Patrick wrote: "If you like spy series and W. E. B. Griffin, try the Honor Bound series about WWII OSS operations in Argentina (a subject near to my heart since I am working on a series of OSS spy novels myself). ..."

Yes, I agree about Daniel Silva, but like you said, he's still the perfect read at the end of a long week day night when you're mind needs winding down but you're too tired to think too much.

Gabriel Allon and his super competent and sexy wife are sometimes just the perfect combination for sleepy-bye time. (After prayers, of course!)

I've read them all and I'm into the Douglas Preston "Pendergast Series" lately not really a special op's type books but has some mystery/crime/super natural undertones, real nice change up...I read 30-40 books a year :)

Here's a long discussion in which numerous spy authors, action series, adventure novels, thrillers, and wartime espionage books are discussed. Browse through and you are sure to see some which will catch your interest. There's mention of everything from GK Chesterton (writing in the 1910s) to today.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...-

Ryan, I know EXACTLY where youre coming from as I just finished all of the Rapp books and feel like a chapter of my life has come to an end lol. I read two series before I was introduced to Flynn and they both will always be some of my favorite books.

1)MOST FAVORITE OF ALL---- Jack Coughlin "Kyle Swanson" series
2) John Gilstrap, "Jonathan (Digger) Grave" series

Both are incredible books/series with amazing characters that remain throughout all the books in the series.

Hope you try these two as they are two of the greatest series I have ever read.

I think Reacher is the best series there is. I have begun the Dewey Andres series by Ben Coes and the first Power Down was very good.

One of my current favorites is the John Wells series by Alex Berenson. Definitely check them out if you haven't already. Every book could be pulled right from the headlines.
The Faithful Spy

Eisler is excellent. But I have to mention, he's a friend. Also, try my techno-thriller about espionage, Bloodridge, Book 1 of the SpiesLie series.

I would recommend Brad Taylor. For full disclosure, he's a friend of a friend. But he writes about special operations from deep personal experience. Fun read, too.

Debating on my next series... After reading this thread, I'm leaning toward Victor the Assassin or Jack Reacher.

I have read the following series; Mitch Rapp, John Corey, Scot Harveth, Court Gentry, and Pike Logan.

Thoughts?

Jack Reacher is always a good option in my opinion!

Ditto Jack Reacher. Start with #1 The Killing Floor.

Mitch Rapp is tough to beat. Brad Thor has done an admirable job with Scott Harvath and Jack Reacher is good but different (did anyone else have a hard time reading a Jack Reacher novel after Tom Cruise "portrayed" him on the big screen/)

Regarding the comments about mixing it up a bit, I agree and here's my recommend: Robert Parker. His Spenser character is THE hard boiled detective in the Raymond Chandler style. I find that I like his novels for about the same reason I like Vince Flynn's work. Tough guy gets it done.

Try out some David Baldacci...he's got some good stuff!

It is my understanding that Kyle Mills has been chosen to continue the Mitch Rapp series begun by Vince Flynn. Mr. Mills is the author of a series of "thrillers" with an FBI agent, Mark Beamon,as the main character. I just started reading them, but thus far, they are very well written. Mark Beamon, like Mitch Rapp, is somewhat of a maverick. However, he is a much more cerebral character than Mitch Rapp, more apt to resolve conflict with a wisecrack and good detective work, rather than with guns or fists. It will be interesting to see Mills' take on Rapp.

The Ryan Kealey series is well written and worth a look by Andrew Britton. Unfortunately, Britton has passed away and will not be writing additional books, but the 5 that are out are worth a look.

Dewey Andres series by Ben Coes is excellent.

Joe wrote: "Dewey Andres series by Ben Coes is excellent."
Just finished Power Down a week ago and you're quite correct, it was excellent. I'm going to get his next book after I'm done with "One Rough Man" by Brad Taylor. It's pretty good to so far.

The entire Pike Logan series is very good. Andres is a little more volatile than Logan but both are great.