Gray Day

My Undercover Mission to Expose America's First Cyber Spy

By: Eric O'Neill

Narrated by: Eric O'Neill

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A cybersecurity expert and former FBI “ghost” tells the thrilling story of how he helped take down notorious FBI mole Robert Hanssen, the first Russian cyber spy.

“Both a real-life, tension-packed thriller and a persuasive argument for traditional intelligence work in the information age.” (Bruce Schneier, New York Times best-selling author of Data and Goliath and Click Here to Kill Everybody)

Eric O’Neill was only 26 when he was tapped for the case of a lifetime: a one-on-one undercover investigation of the FBI’s top target, a man suspected of spying for the Russians for nearly two decades, giving up nuclear secrets, compromising intelligence, and betraying US assets. With zero training in face-to-face investigation, O’Neill found himself in a windowless, high-security office in the newly formed Information Assurance Section, tasked officially with helping the FBI secure its outdated computer system against hackers and spies - and unofficially with collecting evidence against his new boss, Robert Hanssen, an exacting and rage-prone veteran agent with a fondness for handguns. In the months that follow, O’Neill’s self-esteem and young marriage unravel under the pressure of life in Room 9930, and he questions the very purpose of his mission. But as Hanssen outmaneuvers an intelligence community struggling to keep up with the new reality of cybersecurity, he also teaches O’Neill the game of spycraft. The student will just have to learn to outplay his teacher if he wants to win.

A tension-packed stew of power, paranoia, and psychological manipulation, Gray Day is also a cautionary tale of how the United States allowed Russia to become dominant in cyberespionage - and how we might begin to catch up.

©2019 Eric O'Neill (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Gray Day is a well-written and suspenseful story about an odd spy and the young man who helped take him down.” (The Washington Times)

“What job could possibly be twisty, mind-bending, and demanding than being an undercover spy in one of the FBI’s own cybersecurity units? With resolute doggedness, shrewd psychological instincts, and the sheer guts to make critical split-second decisions, rookie agent Eric O’Neill helped to turn the tables on his own boss - one of the most dangerous traitors of our time. In Gray Day he weaves together his personal and professional stories with all the skills of a seasoned novelist. The result is a thrilling, page-turning brew worthy of Hollywood - only better because it’s real.” (Elisabeth Elo, author of Finding Katarina M.)

"An adrenaline-laced memoir...as compulsively readable as any thriller. O’Neill has a knack for ratcheting up tension so that foregone historical conclusions, such as Hanssen’s capture, feel like white-knuckle cliffhangers.... O’Neill’s page-turner deglamorizes undercover work while conveying the uncertainty, stress, and excitement that accompany a successful investigation.” (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent!

O’Neil does an amazing job explaining the Hansen case, and while it was a great trip down memory lane on the case. It was wonderful to hear it from his words.

The final chapters were almost the best, as he touches on America’s truest threats. Cyber security...
you can not tell one story with out the other. This story was well done in all aspects.

I hope this is not O’Neil’s last book.

Riveting and unsettling

I saw the movie that is based on this book. So glad I took the time to read the book; glad I did it in the order of movie first. Incredible story, a real page-turner

Excellent Story

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning. I liked the fact that it was read by the author. It felt authentic and I couldn’t wait to hear more. The story was well written and easy to listen to. Overall, this book was very enjoyable and would love to see more like it.

Fascinating Book!

An amazing story of the journey of a former FBI agent working within the nation's most trusted agency to catch one of their own. Profoundly insightful, and very educational about the world of spies.

More to the story

I’m sure Eric played a vital role, but for lots of others worked the case way longer. Good book though.

Excellent Spy Thriller

I loved this book! It is well written and understandable! Overall, this book is well put together and well paced. This book is very comparable to The Circle Of Treason, but reads a lot easier. I was glued to this book and finished it quickly for my busy schedule. I love the personal story aspect. A lott of spy nonfiction is written like a report for a file but this expands on the characters involved in the story. I can't stop telling others how much of a great read this is.

Read it to find out

I really enjoyed the story especially that the author read it.
I love espionage books and this one makes the list.
I believe that there is too much technical information that I was lost.

A Real Spy Story

O'Neill has written a first-class memoir detailing his undercover mission to expose America's greatest traitor. Far from the Bond-like adventure we think of, the real work is gritty, sometimes boring, but also dangerous. It also has a tremendous impact on families. This is a spy story and a darn good one!

Outstanding story unveiling the first Cyber spy

This is an amazing story that every Cyber security professional should hear. Great first hand account of one of the most damaging spies the United States has encountered.

Great story!

I absolutely love this book and the way Eric tell the story.
I first heard about Eric n the Spy podcast a couple of years ago or more.
If you like true stories about spies it doesn’t get any better than this one.