The debut of the newest Vince Flynn novel shows just how excited people are to have Mitch Rapp back.

St. Thomas Academy, Flynn's alma mater, hosted a release event Tuesday night that included a panel discussion about the late author's legacy.

Flynn had written only a handful of pages for "The Survivor" when he died of prostate cancer at 47. Accomplished author Kyle Mills was tasked with finishing the tale.

Mills was on-hand for the celebration, which drew about 800 fans, the Pioneer Press reports – including radio host Rush Limbaugh, who was a friend of the St. Paul native Flynn.

In addition to the big name, "The Survivor" also debuted to strong sales.

WCCO reports the novel – which went on sale at midnight – debuted at No. 2 on the Barnes and Noble best-sellers list. (It's down to sixth as of 6 a.m. Wednesday.)

'The Survivor' is 'another winner'

"The Survivor" is a new espionage thriller starring Flynn’s longtime “Mitch Rapp” character.

The Associated Press in its review calls the novel "another winner," and says Mills "created a wonderful tribute to Flynn while also writing a great novel."

Excited fans are tweeting with the hashtag #MitchRappIsBack.

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Flynn left behind a wife and children when he died in June 2013. Thousands paid their respects to him at a funeral service in the Cathedral of St. Paul.