This week Chris & Mike break down what makes a good first line for a thriller novel and discuss their favorite first lines from the Mitch Rapp series! Also, did you know that Sentence Length has Declined 75% in the Last 500 Years?

Term Limits - “The old wood cabin sat alone, surrounded by trees and darkness.” 

American Assassin - “Mitch Rapp stared at his reflection in the dusty, cracked mirror and questioned his sanity."

Kill Shot - “The man flew through the air, propelled by one of the other recruits.”

Transfer of Power - “A fine mist fell from the darkening spring sky as a black limousine turned off of E street. “

The Third Option - “There exists in America a silent and invisible order made up of former soldiers, intelligence officers, and diplomats.” 

Separation of Power - “Dr. Irene Kennedy stood over the fresh mound of dirt and wept.”

Executive power - “The sleek gray craft sliced through the warm water and humid night air of the philippine sea at twenty-five knots, its twin engines rumbling toward its destination with a guttural moan.” 

Memorial Day - “Mitch rapp started through the one-way mirror into the dank, subterranean cement chamber.” 

Consent to Kill - “To kill a man is a relatively easy thing-especially the average unsuspecting man.”

Act of Treason - “The motorcade rumbled down the cobblestone street.” 

Protect and Defend - “Mitch Rapp ran his hand along her smooth, naked thigh, up to her waist, and then down along her flat stomach.” 

Extreme Measures - “Mike Nash glanced anxiously at his watch and then eyed the twin flat-screen monitors.”

Pursuit of Honor - “It was nearing ten o’clock in the evening when Mitch rapp decided it was time to move.”

The Last Man - “The four dead men were lined up on the living room floor of the safe house.”

The Survivor - “Scott Coleman turned away from the color monitor and glanced right.” 

Order to Kill - “Grisha Azarove steered clear of main street, taking a random path as he walked through what had once been one of Russia's many oil boomtowns.” 

Enemy of the State - “It was just after midnight and Rabat felt largely deserted.” 

Red War - “The streets were overrun.” 

Lethal Agent - “The cave was more than ten meters square, illuminated with a handful of battery-powered work lights.” 

Total Power - “A light mist condensed on Sonya Vance's windshield, turning the forested mountains around her into smears of green.” 

Enemy at the Gates - “Lucky.”

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Disclaimer: This podcast is not affiliated with Vince Flynn, Kyle Mills, or Simon & Schuster. The music soundtrack is Guerilla Tactics by Rafael Krux.