Vincent Joseph Flynn, born on April 6, 1966, was an American author known for his political thriller novels featuring the fictional assassin Mitch Rapp. Flynn had a significant influence in the genre, being a story consultant for the fifth season of the television series 24. Unfortunately, he passed away on June 19, 2013, due to prostate cancer.

Born as the fifth of seven children in St. Paul, Minnesota, Flynn graduated from St. Thomas Academy in 1984, and earned a degree in economics from the University of St. Thomas in 1988. He initially worked for Kraft General Foods as an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990, he pursued a career with the United States Marine Corps, but was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program due to concussions and convulsive seizures. This setback led him to consider a writing career, marking the beginning of his journey as an author.