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)

Great action read

This is one of those super assassins...just won't die stories. The story line is ok if a bit overkill but the narrator was good and the action nonstop.

Thrilling Story

I enjoyed this audiobook; story and narration. Of course it was fantasy in its genre. Who doesn’t enjoy the hero surviving against all odds. It was difficult to stop reading as each chapter screamed for the next.

Derivative and predictable, read by an announcer

OK, I don't want to unfairly knock it, it was a straight up thriller, no glaring problems, and made for a fast paced listen. I'm sure any fan of the genre will be entertained.

That said, there were some things that kept it from rising to the top. The characters are stereotypical, and somewhat flat. The story I'd fine, but I felt like I'd heard it all before. I pretty much knew what was going to happen from start to finish.

The narrator has an excellent announcer's voice, maybe not appropriate for this book. It often felt like I was listening to and old time radio announcer narrating. It made the read feel detached from the story.

I was definitely annoyed by the wavering accents and delivery. It seemed that the narrator hit a bit of a groove about two-third of the way through a chapter, went to lunch, and came back as AN ANNOUNCER! A number of common foreign words were butchered, like they weren't researched for pronunciation. and there was an annoying vein of homophobia all the way through.

I got this as part of a 2 for 1 sale, so I want as concerned about the negatives as I might otherwise be. I'd wait fire a promotion before getting this one.

Major Non-Stop Action

I started this series with the last book, Ballistic, and found that I liked the Gray Man enough to continue. So I saved The Gray Man for a loooong car ride, knowing that the non-stop action is a great way to move oneself down the road and stay awake. I was not disappointed!

You have to be prepared to suspend your disbelief in a major way, but this author is good enough that I wasn't groaning too much. However, I did groan when the thick fog helps the protagonist evade detection, yet doesn't seem to hinder the landing of a helicopter on a roof. Seriously?!

But that *nit* aside, if you enjoy fast paced action, this book is definitely worth the credit.

A good listen

A good story with a great reader. Love the twist at the end, but not much twist or suspense in the story.

Fun if not well written

My first esposure to Greaney was his continuation of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan novels and while this book isnt as well written or paced as those examples of his work it is an almost non-stop action packed blockbuster. I'd compare it to a less intelligent bourne novel. Greaney's knowledge of the military and modern day weaponry shine through and make this a very fun worthwhile ride

Exceptional, Great Suspence

a gripping story full of suspense and intrigue through to the very end a fantastic book

Simple, but good

Not the book with the most depth or fleshed out characters, but I really enjoyed it.
I'd recommend it just to men who like the movie The Expendables.

Fun Listen - A Little Far Fetched

A little far fetched compared to other spy/assassin type books such as Tom Clancy etc., but a fun and adventurous listen!

Sometimes Too Much of a Good Thing

Court Gentry is an interesting character as is the premise of his back story. The book is enjoyable but lacks the subtle character development of a Robert Ludlum and some of the key scenes are either either contrived or over the top. It is a bit like a chain restaurant: decent fare but lacking in the nuances of a great meal.