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 story

The story line was gripping. A great listen. .Way to much foul language! Great readers performance.

Move over Superman!

You really have to like blood and guts to listen to this story. Stretches the limits of incredulity even for a novel. The main character is "likeable" but completely unbelievable. Cannot fault the reader who does a reasonable job despite the teflon nature of our hero. If you like novels where the maincharacter is superhuman and incredibly lucky to remain alive as something always turns up to save him then you might enjoy the story. There are also some glaring errors of geographical fact but they pale into insignificance compared with the incredible exploits of the Gray Man. I personally prefer some degree of authenticity and plausibilty.

Gripping, fast-moving

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It kept me entertained and gripped for 2 days and I couldn't wait to get my headset on and into the car. The plot was fast moving albeit a bit far-fetched in certain places. I overlooked those details because of the sheer pace of the story. Brilliantly narrated, although the accents were not that good.

Worth the credits

Good character. Good story. Have to laugh a bit at folks who find it "unbelievable". When was the last time you read a spy novel that was?

Great pace and worth the download.

Can't wait to listen to the next Gray Man book

I've already bought and downloaded the next book in this series and look forward to listening to it. There were mixed reviews on Audible about The Gray Man but I'm glad I bought it. Kept my interest throughout.

Not my usual kind of book

This was like a Bourne adventure, and I don't even remember buying it! But I must say that I couldn't stop listening to it once I started. I even went and bought the next two in the series!

a enjoyable listen

My first by this author. It wasn't deep but it was an enjoyable, entertaining listen. Kind of Vince Flynn/Mitch Rapp like. This guy couldn't catch a break. I'll listen to the author again.

OK but too long

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not tell anyone this one is a must listen

Which character – as performed by Jay Snyder – was your favorite?

The Gray Man

Could you see The Gray Man being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It has some possible merit for TV

Any additional comments?

The narration was very good

Contrived but could not put it down

Thrillers that rely on the one super-hero, often a former spy or SEAL with clipped wings who has been nursing his wounds in retirement, usually require some kind of setup of circumstances that stretches the imagination. The setup in this case was exceedingly contrived. Getting chased by secret kill squads from 10-15 countries in a mad dash across Europe to beat a morning deadline for a contract signing set by a petulant dictator on another continent is as contrived as I have ever seen.

That backdrop and the fact that the narrator, in my view, seemed to be more of a novice than the experienced reader he apparently is, were two strikes against this. But the book was still a home run. It was clever, nail-biting, informative, well-researched, and, by that all important intangible measure, I could not put it down. A worthy listen, and highly recommended for those, like me, who love the thriller genre.

Court Gentry...A Great Leading Man!

This was a really great listen. Court Gentry is a character everyone could fall in love with. He's an assassin with morals, who's tough, determined and focused. Anyone against him better watch out. He's simply unstoppable! I need more of this guy. Great job Mark Greaney. Over all, Jay Snyder as the narrator is Awesome. But most important, his voice fits the Court Gentry I have in my mind. This is a must read and an even better listen.