Ballistic

A Gray Man Novel

By: Mark Greaney

Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Ex-CIA assassin Court Gentry thought he could find refuge living in the Amazon rain forest. But his bloody past finds him when a vengeful Russian crime lord forces him to go on the run once again. Court makes his way to one of the only men in the world he can trust - and arrives too late. His friend is dead and buried.

Years before, Eddie Gamboa had saved Court's life. Now, Eddie has been murdered by the notorious Mexican drug cartel he fought to take down. And Court soon finds himself drawn into a war he never wanted. But in this war, there are no sides - only survivors....

Listen to another Gray Man novel.

©2011 Mark Strode Greaney (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Bourne for the new millennium." (James Rollins, New York Times best-selling author)

"The story is so propulsive, the murders so explosive, that flipping the pages feels like playing the ultimate video game." ( The New York Times)

Ballistic

Another Great Gray Man novel. I caught some of these books on sale and have become a total fan. I have started over from book 1 and will listen to the entire series. I haven't been disappointed yet.

The Gray Man Goes Guns Blazin in Old Mexico

First off Jay Snyder is one of the best narrators in the business and makes every character and accent come alive in the story. Every Greany book with him is a win.

As far as the story goes it was good to spend more time with the Gray Man, and this developed his backstory a little more. The action scenes where we get to see Court do his thing amd live up to his reputation are phenomenal and make this book. The problem is I could have used more of them. Too much of Court's one man cartel war takes place off page, and we hear about it from other characters. Also, the stakes felt lower here with everything revolving around a single family without larger geopolitical machinations. It was worth it though when we see Court Gentry break loose.

Kept on the edge of my chair.

This writer made made me want read the entire collection. I hate for the books to end. I had to hurry to get the next book.

Action Figure has a soft spot!

Where does Ballistic rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an excellent series. Greaney far surpasses Grisham, Baldalchi. This action-packed installment takes an unusual turn. Cort experiences a range of experiences and emotions when he attempts to shield a family from a warring Mexican drug lord. Twists & turns & action abounds! I like that it's not falling into formula fiction.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Absolutely - page turner deluxe.

Have you listened to any of Jay Snyder’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to him read the prior 2 books in the series. He's excellent!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Addictive series.

Impossible to take breaks. The reader is one of the best I’ve heard. I’m going broke

a fun run with realistic unreality

what is the death count now; 200+ by one man against armies? it is fun to see how possibilities can happen when not only you are skilled, but when all manner of luck is placed in your corner. It is a fun read, albeit predictable.

I couldn't stop listening!

Another thrilling Gray man story. I feel like he's becoming more human with each book. And I liked the bit of romance added this time around.

A page turner.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is the second book I have read (listened to) by Mark Greaney. In my opinion he has the writing skills of the greats like Clancey, etc..

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

How? Greaney focuses on the ongoing plots rather than waste pages with junk.

Have you listened to any of Jay Snyder’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

No.

Awesome book. Fabulous narration..

OMG! I think The Gray Man is a superhero in disguise. That man can go through so much pain and torture and come out fighting.

This story had a few visits to the past, telling you how he met Eddie Gamble/Gamboa, and how in the present he got involved with Eddie’s pregnant wife Elena and the rest of the family. AND of that insane Daniel de la Rocha, who just knew that the skeletal image of some ridiculous saint was only going to be happy if Daniel killed the unborn child of Eddie Gamboa Wow! That’s insane for sure.

Anyway, Court Gentry/The Gray Man had to fight Daniel’s drug cartel to get Elena out of Mexico and into the United States, and boy did he kick some butt.

There was a little romance in this and Court actually had sex, the fade-to-black kind, but still….

And the F-bomb was used 120 times, and IMO the F-bomb is really necessary in this kind of book, or any kind of book that’s about assassins or mafia or any books that’s full of men.

As to the narration: Jay Snyder is just fabulous! I love his narrations as much as I do Napoleon Ryan, Robert Petkoff, Eric Dove, or Tim Campbell. All their voices and emotions are awesome.

How much pain can one man endure?

Would you listen to Ballistic again? Why?

In this Gray Man novel our hero endures beatings, tortures, bullets, knives, being blown up, and fortunately did not get bitten by an alligator. I love these books because they remind me of the fact that my aches and pains are nothing. In fact, I thought of the Gray Man the other day while in China as my bowels gave way to some bad food. My will was strengthened and I pressed on toward my target.... a local outdoor toilet and two immodium tablets!

I can't get enough of this series and I think we should all start an ACGMN or Adult Children of Gray Man Novels.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Well, in a manner of speaking it kept me on the edge of my seat. Some parts were so good I took another immodium and then re-listened to the same part of the story.

Which scene was your favorite?

The part where the woman he thought he loved or might love wanted to become a nun! I can only assume that God was protecting her from sins of the flesh with a guy that can turn killer bees to his whim.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh, cry? Hell, no! Every time he blew up some bad guy I was cheering. Uh, then I went back to the edge of my seat!

Any additional comments?

As a member of ACOAC (Adult Children of Audible.Com) this was a fun listen while trapped in the bathroom for days.