Burner is the latest installment in Mark Greaney’s addicting Gray Man series. Court Gentry, better known as the Gray Man, is a former CIA operative that is currently blowing up Russian yachts when he’s asked to assist in a mission with his old handler, Brewer. Court finds himself on the hunt for Alex Velesky, who has stolen records from a Swiss bank uncovering, and on opposing sides with his former lover Zoya.

Greaney has done a fantastic job writing his familiar characters into a plot around current global events regarding Russia and Ukraine. He’s a talented writer that always delivers relentless action and adrenaline fueled storylines. I am never disappointed in a Gray Man novel.

Burner by Mark Greaney
Burner (Gray Man, #12)
by Mark Greaney (Goodreads Author)
Pam Elliott's reviewDec 23, 2022
5 Stars

Another fast ride with The Gray Man! In Mark Greaney's latest, Court Gentry thwarts the bad guys on a full train ride through Europe and in an airplane hanger with foam spray spreading everywhere from the fire alert which The Gray Man, of course, pulled. Greaney never disappoints me with his Gray Man stories. I like that Gentry, our hero, has a love interest now. His character has developed with more nuances and real-life issues. You would expect to grow tired of the same old Gray Man doing the same old thing -- but you don't. Greaney adds just enough newness and cleverness to the story here to keep me reading and enjoying my ride. I am hoping for more Court and Zoya team endeavors!
This ARC was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review.

Mark Greaney’s “Gray Man” series is synonymous with insane action, well written plots, and a cast of characters that make this series second to none. This is Greaney’s twelfth installment of the “Gray Man” series, and he continuously raises the stakes for his main cast of characters, and I can honestly say my stomach lining has taken a toll from it!

In Mark Greaney’s latest “Gray Man” novel, Burner, Court Gentry is tasked with a mission that places him directly between the Russia government and the CIA. Gentry is on a mission to capture one Alex Velesky, who has stolen information from the Swiss bank he works for with the goal to uncover a conspiracy. Once he has these documents in hand, it is a far more dangerous prospect then he could have ever imagined. Now, Russia, the CIA, Court Gentry, and Courts lover Zoya Zakaharova are all on the hunt for Velesky to take back what was stolen. Court and Zoya find themselves on opposing missions, and they must work together to suss out who is telling the truth.

Burner was a brilliantly written novel with an explosive plot driving this crazy train. Like I mentioned earlier, Greaney has established a dynamo cast of characters that we as readers come to love and to hate. As a book series progresses, I start to worry about any long term characters that I’ve grown attached to. I get worried if this is the time this author will kill them off, and that feeling was prevalent for me in Burner! Greaney is an expert in character development, and it was on display here. Preorder Burner for an adrenaline filled page turner for the ages!

Mark Greaney is an extraordinary author who has written some of the finest action-adventure thrillers published in the last decade. Although it pains me to say so, unfortunately this is not one of those books.

Maybe the Gray Man has simply reached the end of his natural life cycle as almost every series character eventually does, but BURNER read like someone had just fed all the prior Gray Man titles into some kind of artificial intelligence software and this is what it produced as a new Gray Man title. Most of the action sequences were overstretched to the point of becoming just plain dull, and there was little of substance to the book other than those action sequences and a downright embarrassing romantic subplot that ended with everyone living happily ever after.

I like the Gray Man series, although honestly not as much as I like the really fine work Mark did under the Tom Clancy banner, but this book was simply not up to the standard Mark had previous set for the series. A terrible disappointment.

WOW, the series just gets better and better. I am always shocked that Mark can keep my attention for hours with the non stop action. Another 5/5, well done!

Well, I'm running out of ways of saying Mark Greaney is a badass. In the twelfth Gray Man, Russia has invaded Ukraine and is immediately a pariah. At first, most countries in the world were resolute in its support for Ukraine and the sanctioning of Russia. But, as the Russian President becomes more erratic and paranoid the will to hold Russia accountable diminishes. Afraid the Russian President will start WWIII, world leaders are signing an accord to welcome Russia back into the international community like nothing happened.

Meanwhile, Russian citizens are becoming disillusioned and some are fighting back anyway they can. One of those citizens is a banker living in Switzerland who launders Russian money and exchanges it for crypto which then is used to finance their operations, bribe officials around the world, etc,. Stealing top-secret documents from his bank, the banker is now in possession of materials detailing Russia's nefarious dealings. The Kremlin and certain coconspirators will do anything to keep the information from going public. Including some high ranking American officials.

Enter Court Gentry. Hiding from the CIA and bored, Court has nothing to do but think of what-ifs, mostly involving Zoya. He's basically turned into like a sullen, heartbroken teenager listening to emo music on repeat (I know the feeling well). Until the CIA finds and asks him a to take seemingly mundane task for the Gray Man. Court is sweet-talked into obtaining the information before it gets in the wrong hands. Of course, nothing is what it seems and Court is about to find out that the surprises never cease.

Burner is exactly that: A burner. Since this is Greaney's 12th Gray Man novel that means I have said "this is my favorite Gray Man novel" twelve times. Greaney always gives us interesting plots, incredible action, humor and intelligence are all hallmarks of his.. In Burner, Greaney takes the Russian invasion and shows us an outcome that would be disastrous, but entirely plausible.

What makes Greaney so successful are they subjects he broaches within the chaotic worlds of The Gray Man. Truth, honor, duty, love, forgiveness, and the fight against addiction all play prominent roles in Burner. Sure, the train scene full of assassins is awesome (its badass) but what takes Burner over the top is Court and Zoya's relationship or lack there of. Here you have two of the most feared assassins and they are acting like a couple of confused, love-dumb teenagers. Assassins really are just like us.

I cannot recommend Burner, and the Gray Man series, enough!

My sincere thanks to Mark Greaney, Berkley, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing an advanced copy of Burner!

Celebrate! The Gray Man is back in another action-packed, smashing adventure that moves with the rapid pace and tension of an out-of-control high-speed train. Mark Greaney’s Burner is another reminder of the sheer awesomeness and lethality the Gray Man exudes and perpetrates.

Alex Velesky, a Ukrainian employed at a Swiss bank, is on the run. He’s being hunted by the Russians and the CIA for what’s in his possession – financial transaction information that highlights dirty money flowing from Russia to the west. This data has the potential to do tremendous harm to Russian leadership…as well as American recipients of these funds. Overmatched and on the precipice of capture, he needs all the help he can get to remain among the living. Enter Zoya Zakharova and Court Gentry, each involved in the action but from different sides, unaware of the other’s involvement. But when they come together with different agendas, they’ll have to figure out how to work together to keep this asset alive long enough to unveil a massive conspiracy and bring down some powerful individuals.

There are a few things that really stand out and make Burner the latest home run in the Gray Man series. First, the story is timely with a Ukraine vs. Russia plotline. There’s a tremendous contrast between a nightmare scenario with the world being willing to overlook Russia’s horrendous transgressions in the name of financial greed versus a dream scenario where the Russians financial apparatus is brought to light and holds them accountable for the evil they have wrought. Second, all the settings are fantastic but none more brilliant than on a speeding train through Europe with killers all over the place. The confined space with nowhere to go ratchets up the intensity and action to near unbearable levels and will leave you shook. Third, the mental states and relationship between Court and Zoya shows that even the most hardcore covert operatives have feelings and a desire for something more out of life. And maybe, just maybe, they can find some peace and happiness on their own terms. At least until more bad guys need killing.

A blockbuster of a thriller, Burner will leave you breathless, alternating between fist pumping and pounding your fist on the table in anger, and ultimately rooting for love. Because nothing says love like financial transactions and shootouts with a high body count.

When you kick over a rock, you never know what's going to crawl out.

Alex Velesky has been given an encrypted mobile phone with the records of Russian money flowing through his bank to the West. Dirty money to buy politicians, spies, and media influencers. He steals the corresponding records from his bank, in order to bring this widespread corruption to light.

Before he knows it, he's being hunted by everyone from the Russian mafia to the CIA. Court Gentry and his erstwhile lover, Zoya Zakharova, find themselves on opposites sides when it comes to Velesky. They both want him but for different reasons. Everyone wants Velensky stopped, but who wants him to share his information with the world?

Filled with nonstop action, human treachery as well as heroism, Burner will keep readers glued to their seats, turning pages as fast as they can. Highly recommended. #Burner #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

This ARC was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is about book twelve in the series about 'The Gray Man' by this author. In fact, I beleive there is a movie out called that, based on the main character. Anyways, I was happy to delve back into this action series and see what Court has been up to. It wasn't much. Our action-oriented main character was basically sinking some expensive yachts/cruisers of money-hungry Russians, until he is asked to help on a case from his old handler, Brewer. Needless to say, when one of the groups from governmental ABC organizations get involved, things get messed up. They send him after a target to bring in alive, with the information he allegedly possesses. Little known at the time, his previous lover, Zoya, has been hired by a different foreign orginization to do the same thing.

There has been a time difference since the previous novel, and the two lovers have been apart for some time. The splitting wasn't easy, and each has handled it their own way: Court doing stoic, Zoya drowning in the bottle. The author has brought the story more into modern times, as the Ukrainian War with Russia has been going on, and Zoya feels guilt about it - as she is Russian, even though she has played no part in the war.

So there isn't a lot of time to get all mushy when they run into each other, and Zoya has the target. They decide to work together, and find out that no government agency should have this info, and work to get it released to the world. Well, yes, there is quite a bit of action in the midst of them doing this, and even a nice ending. I don't know if we will see Gray Man come around again or not. It may be time he retired and settled down.

The Gray Man is back more formidable than ever this time around with an ax to grind. We get our butt-kicking, Glock-toting, unstoppable assassin with a new flavor to mix things up.
Burner packs the classic Greaney gut-punch of putting Court Gentry through the wringer in the backdrop of uber-current sociopolitical climate. With Russia’s atrocities against the Ukraine ramping, Gentry puts his skills to a higher cause by taking out material investments of Russian oligarchs trying to protect their assets from being seized. When he gets roped into another CIA off-the-books directive to find Alex Velesky, a Ukrainian Swiss banker, who seems to be in possession of information that everyone from the Russian mafia to the CIA wish to extract for their own agendas. What Gentry does not know is the vital nature of this information such that it exposes a vast criminal conspiracy set in the heart of Russia-Ukraine conflict. Sadly, Gentry also does not know that pursuing this mission will put him in the crosshairs of his estranged love, Zoya Zakharova, and not in the happy way he keeps daydreaming about.
Just when I seem to think The Gray Man series has reached its peak, Mark Greaney blasts along to prove otherwise. Burner is packed with unbelievably gorgeous and extravagant action sequences. I don’t mean unbelievable in a bad way. True to his form, Greaney keeps a tactically and technically realistic purview of the action but it’s all just so awesome. I must have read each shootout and hand-to-hand combat sequence atleast twice because the details are so vivid and neat to picturize while you’re reading through the pages with dangerous amounts of adrenaline coursing through your bloodstream. Its no secret that The Gray Man is more John McClane than James Bond, and we get a wonderful depiction of it in unorthodox moments of Gray Man-badassery.
12 books in and yet, Mark Greaney still keeps the Gray Man series fresh and the readers on their toes with a constantly evolving protagonist. As globetrotting as Burner is, it’s still a very empathetic story that keeps an imperative focus on Gentry as he wrestles with his purpose after all he has been through. The ending opens up a new chapter for Court and Zoya, one that britches away from the previous close calls to create a more meaningful next step for the two lovebirds. I cannot wait for the next Gray Man adventure!
Grand and cinematic, Burner is indicative of Greaney’s best work yet. The only downside is the terrifying long wait after you finish Burner in a few days and then yearn for what may come next from the master of action and espionage.


Full review to be posted on https://www,bestthrillerbooks.com/kashif-hussain

Burner picks up after the events of Sierra Six left off. Greaney does a good job of bringing us up on the whereabouts of the main characters quickly and then the book takes off in rocket fashion as true to the series.

The setting of the book deals with the current Russian/Ukrainian conflict and it is handled well and believable. The pace is similar to the rest of the series in that it rarely slows down and I never started to get restless in-between any of the action sequences. We get the return of a number of characters from previous books and their storylines are intertwined expertly. I was very relived to finally get some closure with Brewer, and a somewhat happy ending with Zoya and Court. The ending of the book put it in the top three of the novels so far for me just for wrapping up those plot lines.

Overall this is a strong entry into a well made series. After 12 books sometimes the threads can start to get muddled, but Greaney manages to keep it on track. Well done!

The twelfth entry into Greaney's Gray Man series is as rock-solid and filled with fast action and adventure as you would expect from this terrific series. Court Gentry, otherwise known as the Gray Man, is a former CIA operative who worked in the shadows when plausible deniability was necessary, has been rogue for many years because of an operation gone south with a kill order out for him. Now legendary for his exploits, Gentry is quietly earning a few extra bucks blowing up yachts on behalf of a Ukrainian oligarch. Of course, the yachts are owned (through numerous shell companies) by Russian oligarchs.

Timely as can be the events in this novel take place as Putin's war against the Ukraine in 2022 takes place. The West is on the surface enraged by Russia's actions, but still dying to do business with whoever has the goods. And those willing to do business with the Russians include elements of the Central Intelligence Agency, missioned with preventing ongoing trade talks from being scuttled.

Gentry's extracurricular activities do not make a lot of headlines, but they do put him in the eyes of the intelligence community once again and he is somehow roped into a new operation where information about Russian money laundering to operatives in the West has been revealed in an electronic storage device. Everyone wants that device. And Gentry is going up against the best assassins the Russians have to get it. What's more his old flame Zoya has resurfaced (although not in the best condition) an is involved in seeking it on behalf of someone.

The action flows through this book from the very first page and literally never stops. There is no break in the action, no down time, no vacation interlude. If what you are looking for is the best in nonstop action, you found it.