The Gray Man - Mark Greaney

The Gray Man
Mark Greaney
Jove


Thriller

The bare bones of this story are surprisingly simple. An elite contract killer becomes the hunted when his handler’s family is kidnapped and threatened with death. That says everything and nothing about this novel. The contract killer in question, Court Gentry, is used to using his head to get out of tight spots and life-threatening places. But the people coming after him now are coming from all over the globe, and he’s not sure if he can actually trust Sir Donald, his contact.

The action begins on the first page and never really stops. Court moves from the Middle East through various parts of Europe. His goal is the French country house where Sir Donald and his family are being held. He’s on his own against hit squads from countries all over the world. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Jason Bourne only wishes he were as good as Court Gentry.

I cannot speak to the accuracy of the various weapons and munitions used throughout the novel. I don’t care about that. I will not say that this is a completely believable down-to-earth story. I don’t care about that, either. This is escapist fiction at its best: Virtually non-stop action, starring a man who seems unstoppable. It’s to the author’s credit that he manages to hold the suspense throughout the novel. There’s no telling, until the final page whether Court will win or lose. Don’t start this one late at night if you need to get up early; the pages practically turn themselves.

Rating: 8
October 2009
ISBN# 978-0-515-4701-8 (paperback)