Lots of people want to know if I spend time in the countries where I set my books. Absolutely—as often as possible. Writing Order to Kill, my latest addition to the Mitch Rapp series, was no exception. I thought it might be fun to share a few details from my location scouting trip to Costa Rica and give you a feel for the sights and sounds that shaped a portion of this book.

Getting the Setting Right

Nailing the setting means giving characters a rich, textured universe to inhabit. But more important, travel has a way of sparking ideas that wouldn’t play out the same way sitting at my desk. In foreign territory, I find my mind wandering to “what if” scenarios. How would I escape if cornered in this tight, twisting medieval alley? How would I dodge a bullet in this chaotic market?

Lately, readers have been asking about Costa Rica. Grisha Azarov, Mitch Rapp’s nemesis in Order to Kill, sets up his base there. Here are a few shots that illustrate my surroundings while I was researching Rapp’s newest opponent. After spending a month writing, photographing, and absorbing the laid-back atmosphere, I decided that if you’re an operator on the down low, this country offers many advantages.

It’s Vast

Mountainous landscape in Costa Rica Behind the Scenes of Order to Kill

Lots of places to hide. Few people to find you.

It’s Rugged

A blue house perched on the side of a mountain pass in Costa Rica Behind the Scenes of Order to Kill

Anyone attempting to sneak up off-road and surprise you would first have to get through some of the country’s most venomous species—aggressive snakes like the fer-de-lance and the bushmaster as well as creepy Brazilian wandering spiders.

It’s Remote

Dominical, a sleepy town in southern Costa Rica Behind the Scenes of Order to Kill

Sleepy towns make it hard for a hit team to go unnoticed.

It’s Relaxing

A Costa Rica surfer Behind the Scenes of Order to Kill

After a mission, you can unwind.

And Most of All, Costa Rica Allows for Creativity

Crocodiles in a Costa Rican river Behind the Scenes of Order to Kill

A body to dispose of? No problem. There are rivers full of crocodiles.

A vendor opens a coconut with a machete Behind the Scenes of Order to Kill

Machetes are common. Left the Glock at home? You’ve got a weapon around every corner.

This beautiful country was a perfect place to hide out and get lost in Azarov’s head. I even ran and hiked on the endless rolling dirt roads on most days, just to have a basic understanding of what it might be like for this Russian operative to maintain his peak physical fitness. What I discovered is that he’s much tougher than I realized when I created him. Even sitting by the pool becomes hard work in the relentless hot sun.