Mark Greaney has hit another home run with Mission Critical. The Gray Man series is one of my favorites. Even if you haven't read any of the others in the series you could start with this one and not feel you are missing critical information. Lots of action, well developed characters and I love the humorous bantering between the characters. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Tom Clancy and Lee Childs.

Mission Critical is the latest book in the The Gray Man series by Mark Greaney. As with all of the other books that I have read in this series, it did not disappoint. The Gray Man series is everything a master spy novel is supposed to be and then some. The action is intense and the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. This time, there is a bit of romance that shows an entirely different side of The Gray Man aka Court Gentry, that I am glad we finally have an opportunity to explore.

Two books ago, Courtland Gentry came across a Russian Spy named Zoya Zakarov during an Op. He brought her to the U.S. where his CIA handlers planned on making her an asset. They had some chemistry, but didn’t really have time to explore it as Court moved on to the next mission. Present day, Court is a passenger on a CIA plane in Europe when all hell breaks loose. He ends up trying to retrieve someone that was literally taken while they were making an exchange at an airport. To make things more interesting, this wasn’t even his Op. He was just hitching a ride back to the U.S. to get briefed on his next Op. Luckily, when you are The Gray Man, improvisation is all in a day’s work. To make for a larger twist, Court’s current predicament intersects with Zoya in a way that no one will see coming. It’s a Spy Thriller so I can’t give much more than that. I’ll just say that you have to pay attention to every detail to truly understand what’s happening. Plus, we get to see Court and Zoya work together along with Romantic, another spy from Court’s past. Romantic is a cocky Texas cowboy who likes what he does a little too much.

The best part of Mission Critical is the budding romance between Court and Zoya. Court has been doing this spy thing for a while and it appears that Zoya has made him question the future in a way that he hasn’t before. Not to mention the fact that Court encounters a giant of a man that kicks his butt on more than one occasion. Inevitably, you have to ask if Court is going to hang it all up for love or will he die doing what he does best. I went through the entire book trying to figure that one out and so will you.

I had not heard of the Gray Man thrillers before, but the blurb sounded good and I was in the mood for a thriller. Although this was the eighth in the series, I had no problem jumping in and understanding the backstory and interpersonal relationships. I have to wonder why I hadn't heard of this series before now that I have gotten into the Court Gentry main character.

Court Gentry is the experienced and "graying" legendary CIA operative who finds himself in the middle of a plot to infect the intelligence agencies of UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand during a conference. In the middle of it all is his love interest, Russian operative turned US asset, Zoya Zakharova. This makes much of his mission a tad personal. Zoya Zakharova (raised by two Russian Agents) is in the process of becoming a US operative and asset when the compound she was lodged at was attacked. She goes on the offensive and flees which results in CIA officials feeling skeptical as to her loyalties. Agent Zack Hightower is another CIA agent who doesn't flinch if asked to torture or do whatever is needed. His interactions with Court are very telling about both men.

General Feodor Zakharova, Zoya's father and former GRU Chief was supposed to be dead. But, he has been living in England under a new identity and devising his own revenge on those he deems responsible for his wife's suspicious death. Dr. Won Jang Ji, a North Korean virologist researcher has teamed with General Zakharova to deliver a blow for her beloved North Korea. Russian mercenaries, sleeper cell members, and at least two moles/double agents add to the action.

The setting ranges from a Virginia safe house compound, London locations, and the showdown in a castle on the banks of Loch Ness. That was a great location with enough description to feel you are there. The plot has high stakes and danger at every turn to keep readers interested. The climax was well done with nail biting suspense and a surprising twist. The wrap-up adds a complication to Court's happiness with only a glimmer of hope that was in line with tenor of the overall story line.

Besides the spy thriller plot with high stakes echoing current international tensions, the political maneuvers and layered characters of Court and Zoya gave a more personal aspect. Without that touch, I wouldn't have continued reading. Court and Zoya have a loyalty and trust in one another that goes deep and made the book memorable in my humble opinion.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.

I read the first book in the series several years ago and loved it, but have not read any more until this one which came available as an ARC on NetGalley. Ordinarily, I read a series in order, but took a chance since Mark Greaney was coming to speak in a local bookstore about the book. I don't think I missed much by not reading the previous books (although I will now after reading this one), but would like to see how the characters develop. In this book, Court Gentry, aka the Gray Man or Violator, is on a CIA transport for home when the plane stops to pick up a passenger being transported by a vicious gang of men who end up all getting killed and the prisoner whisked away to an unknown location. When Court calls his handler, he is told to find the prisoner. In the process he gets involved with the Russian mob, and meets up again with Zoya, who is Russian and being converted to work with CIA. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but it is a thrill ride, especially towards the end, and poor Court gets beat up twice by a monster of a man before he is able to give him his just due. I stayed up very late to finish this because I HAD to see what was going to happen! I highly recommend this book.

This story is intense from the beginning and completely grabs you. That is the one factor I love about reading this series. The author never repeats a plot or even a similar plot by another author. Each book I have read, and especially this one, has been completely unique, fast-paced, and totally gripping.

Mission Critical takes us to Europe for most of the story and the slow build in intensity, suspense, and information will just about stress you out but the wait is so totally worth it! Don't jump to the end.... Just don't!

Zoya is back popping in and out as she often does, along with many other characters we know and hate/love. Many new ones pop in too along the way as strong supporting characters that round out this page turner perfectly.

Secrets, lies, twists, turns, along with plenty of violence, and the high body count we come to expect from Court and his cronies, makes this story is so completely plausible, it is scary in many ways. I just loved it! Plus, I know this one would be so good on audio!

If you are a black-ops fan, you have to read Mission Critical and the whole Gray Man series. Excellent in every way - even the frustrating parts!