I just reviewed Armored by Mark Greaney. #Armored #NetGalley Love everything Mark pens! What a non stop action packed thriller from the opening pages. I've been reading all the gray man books and red metal, and the details he puts in makes you feel like you are present as it's happening! Bravo!

This is the possibly first book in a new series from Greaney, who authored The Gray Man series of books prior. I say possibly, because some book sites list it as a #1 Joshua Duffy, and others do not. Either way, it is a stand-alone if the series does not happen, or if you just want to read it.

After having read all the books in The Gray Man series, I was expecting something somewhat similar in this book. In some ways I was not surprised. There is quite a bit of military slang and tech terms, but Greaney manages to write it in a way that I thought I could understand the different between a Glock 9mm and an AK47 without a lot of wasted detail. The story itself is pretty straight forward, containing the usual near-misses and heroic escapes the main characters usually have happen. Side characters weren't filled out too much, as most die off anyways.

There were a few things I liked, one of which was the main characters wife, Nikki, who is such a supportive spouse - not only during the time Duff was recovering from the leg loss, but just in general. And the lengths that she went for him! At some point, it may be interesting if Greaney would do some sort of side novella, or even a book, about Nikki, as her story seemed to catch my attention a bit as well. I liked that story actually seemed plausible, though a bit unlikely. Also I add, that I truly have no idea how the private security firms work in dealing with jobs like this out of country.

There was not anything in the story I could think to dislike. I do admit, I really don't see another story for a series would lead, but I have been surprised before by authors. I would recommend this book for anyone that enjoys action/military/thriller type books.

I decided to read this book because I am a huge Mark Greaney/The Gray Man fan. Armored did not disappoint. While I admit that Josh Duffy can probably not be serialized like the Gray Man, Greaney should never pidgeon-hole himself to writing about only one character.

Having read Ballistic (Gray Man book 3), I have to admit that I am totally confused about the geography of the different Mexican Cartels: That will be my next read.

This standalone from Gray Man author Mark Greaney is a must-read for all thriller lovers. Josh Duffy was dumped by his military contractor employer when he lost a leg protecting a civilian in Lebanon.

To dig his family out of crippling debt, Duff takes a job with a sketchy contractor protecting a UN delegation heading into the cartel-controlled Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico.

Greaney builds the tension to unbearable levels, as Duff and his crew of misfits battle to survive in an unsurvivable situation.

Filled with characters you’ll love, from
Duff to his ex-Army Captain wife Nikki, to the misfits he has to lead out of danger, this may be the best military thriller I’ve read in years — or ever. Highly recommended. #Armored #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

FREE ARC FROM NET GALLEY

A great stand alone story by MG

It has his expected and appreciated "bangey-bangey" parts but a good family plot with "Duffy" and his wife and the story was not ruined by any "super-her-stronic" character lines. Rather all the characters were down to earth and even though the Frenchie part was sadly unexpected you could remember them long after the kindle went oof.

Per usual MG did his homework with the PMC group and if you have worked with them, been them, or just around them there are several parts that will make you smile.

Great book

I had already had some friends recommend the Audible Original version of this story to me so I was excited to see a physical version come out. I've long been a fan of Mark Greaney's Gray Man series and his time writing for the Clancy books.

This book was no different and I enjoyed it greatly. These books, the military thrillers that make up the modern generation Clancy descendents live and die because of their main characters. For every Gray Man, you have one or two characters that never take off and those series don't reach the heights that Greaney's Gray Man or Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X series do. Duffy is a great character and I would gladly read more books about him. I think my favorite part, both of the book and of the Duffy character, I think the strongest praise I can give this book is that Greaney didn't just create a new Gray Man but a completely new and different character in Duffy. So often an author will just try to recreate their first successful character with diminishing returns and Greaney has avoided this pitfall.

The plot of this book was engaging and propulsive. For fans of the genre, there will be a lot of twists and some that I think will be wholly surprising which is no small feat. I think the villains of this story are also fascinating and well done and I think for those of us who often grade books based on antagonists just as often as protagonists this will be a success for them as well.

Mark Greaney strikes gold once again with a brand-new series that’s every bit as action-packed as the Gray Man series but with a fundamentally different protagonist to spice things up.
Joshua Duffy is a former Close Protection Agent who after a botched operation becomes a mall cop due to a grave physical injury. Strapped for cash to provide good-living for his family, he undertakes a contracting assignment to protect a convoy of UN officials cutting through the Mexican ganglands to meet with a feared drug lord. A seemingly simple protection detail takes a major detour when traitors and hidden agendas surface in the midst of constant shootouts and explosions. Duffy must overcome his demons and get back to his family before his enemies can outsmart and outgun him.
Mark Greaney’s tactical and technical knowledge is showcased big time in Armored with a plethora of facts and imagery for weapons systems and equipment in the vein of Tom Clancy’s detail-heavy writing. At the same time, Greaney maintains a clear spotlight on the driving force of the narrative; the rag tag group of characters with their realistic and hilarious strengths and flaws that add a touch of chaotic realism to the explosives-laden storyline. Josh Duffy is no Gray Man. As a husband and father, Duffy is a man with a lot to lose. His desire to provide for his family is a universal tone that hits harder and closer to home than perhaps any other, making him the ideal hero to cheer for as he navigates through the wildlands with his new team of mercenaries who grow on you as you make your way down the story.
It’s a no-brainer that this book was picked up even before release for a movie adaptation. Greaney’s cinematic writing style effortlessly captures the thriller trifecta; extensive storytelling spanning multiple timelines, authentic characters, and spectacular action sequences from the very first chapter. You’ll find yourself in the thick of the battlefield with Greaney’s attention-to-detail in describing everything from the hot brass of ammo to the green of the forests. Armored is the perfect action-packed adventure to either get you out of a reading slump or make your reading streak even hotter!

Full review will be posted with blurb image on: https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com