The Gray Man

By: Mark Greaney

Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a Netflix film starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, and Ana de Armas

The first Gray Man novel from number one New York Times best-selling author Mark Greaney.

To those who lurk in the shadows, he’s known as the Gray Man. He is a legend in the covert realm, moving silently from job to job, accomplishing the impossible and then fading away. And he always hits his target. Always.

But there are forces more lethal than Gentry in the world. Forces like money. And power. And there are men who hold these as the only currency worth fighting for. In their eyes, Gentry has just outlived his usefulness.

But Court Gentry is going to prove that, for him, there’s no gray area between killing for a living and killing to stay alive....

Get ready for white-knuckled listening. Greaney's debut novel introduces the enigmatic and elusive Court Gentry, a former CIA operative and a legendary hired gun. With a terrifying ability to vaporize targets and a strict moral code, he stalks the gray margins of the world, moving silently from job to job, accomplishing the impossible, then fading away. When his government and former employers turn on him, there is no safehouse to run to, no way to lie low. In a constant state of escape and pursuit, Gentry tears through the Middle East and Europe in a riveting life-or-death race against time.

©2009 Mark Greaney (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Through the carnage, Gentry remains an intriguing protagonist with his own moral code. Comparisons will be made to Jason Bourne, but the Gray Man is his own character. The ending screams for a sequel, but it will be difficult to maintain the intensity level of this impressive debut." (Booklist)

"Hard, fast, and unflinching – exactly what a thriller should be." (Lee Child)

"Bourne for the new millennium." (James Rollins)

Fast paced espionage

If anything it is a touch unbelievable and Gentry too much of a "can do it all, can survive anything". There again, books are meant to be a bit fanciful. Who want to read about me do the dishes!!

Greaney reaches for Clancy-dom, falls a bit short.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Primarily the way the main character handles situations. Court Gentry has the potential to be a very dynamic and engrossing character, but the author seems to be indecisive about how he wants the character to be. He is introduced as the Gray Man, a near-mythical force in the world of espionage and assassination. However, everything that the character does in the story does nothing to prove to the reader that he is as lethal as his reputation says he is. For such a lethal and proficient killer, Gentry spends most of his time injured or running from one bad situation to the next.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Court Gentry, as the main character, is still the best in the book. Chock full of holes overall, Gentry nonetheless is still a character that is well-researched with a convincing backstory. However, it is this same convincing backstory that proves (for me) to be his undoing.

What aspect of Jay Snyder’s performance would you have changed?

There are times when the narrator has some very obvious sounds of saliva in the mouth that is very distracting. It is only at certain times, most notably when the story calls for a whisper or a quck switch between accented voices, but it nonetheless detracts from an otherwise solid performance.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably yes, because the movie version would likely change the Gentry character to more fit with the "badass untouchable killer" backstory.

Any additional comments?

Firstly, I am a big fan of Greaney as related to the ongoing Ryanverse stories done for Tom Clancy. However, in this solo effort I feel like Greaney is reaching for a John Clark-esque character with Court Gentry, but falls short. Gentry is touted as a mysterious, skilled assassin but seems to stumble his way through these adventures. I've also listened to the second book and the flaws in this are only magnified in his sophomore effort. Greaney has a lot of potential, but he needs to decide if Gentry is a badass, ruthless assassin or an idealistic operative with mediocre skills and a golden horseshoe stuffed into his tactical vest.

Absolutely Terrific

If you could sum up The Gray Man in three words, what would they be?

The hype is true, this is 'The Bourne for the 2000's. Read it, listen to it.

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

Without a doubt

Which scene was your favorite?

There were several. It's tough to rank them.

Any additional comments?

I've read and listened to all the Grey Man novels. I highly recommend that others do to.

OUTSTANDING - a real page-turner

Would you consider the audio edition of The Gray Man to be better than the print version?

have not read the print version

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gray Man - he's contemporary yet idealistic.

Which scene was your favorite?

The confrontation with The Gray Man's previous or X-handler

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

The same one

Pretty good

Pretty good. A bit too much mentioning of how good the gray man is. We get it, he's good. However as this book had to set his character and build the world it makes sense to do it. I think the book was fairly well written, however at times it was a bit weak. But it always kept me interested and wanting to know what happens next. This is my second book by Mark, first being his Jack Ryan commander in chief book. And I'm already a fan of him. As he excells at making things sound authentic, and putting pictures I'm your head.

As I was listening to the book I pictured the events happening quite well, so much so it was like watching a movie in your head in a sense. Which for me is a sign of a good author. Though listening to the audio version might make it more easier.

The book is full of interesting events that keep you going, and while you know the gray man won't die you still sat there worried if he would pull through. After all he is supposed to be almost a God like operator. Which is mentioned quite a lot. We get it, he have massive plot armor. Which of course, would make sense since it'd be an abrupt end had he succumbed at the beginning.

I recommend this book if you are interested in weapons, espionage, and operator/military fiction. It definitely can very well be up there with characters such as James Bond, Jason Bourne, Sam Fisher, and others. And I'm looking forward to see how the other books are like!

action packed

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I will definitely be continuing this series. I highly recommend this book.

pleased to have discovered this title

Enjoyed this audio book a great thriller lots of action really a wortwhile listen highly recommend this book.

Action Great; Characters Suck

Ever go to an action movie and scream out, pleading for a human connection with any character. so bad, you want to friend the clean up crew. Yep. This is one of them. This was a tag along on a 2fer offer. Bad choice.

I recommend that the author find someone with some heartline plot skills to add to his considerable blunt edged fighting writing.

And I scream into the void -- my kingdom for a character I can care about!

10 OUT OF 10

Put on your running shoes and don't close your eyes .10 out of 10. HOT . Michael W

Edge of your seat action

This was the best action thriller I've listened to in a long while. Excellent narration added to an already engaging and fast-paced story.