Another fantastic adventure in the Gray Man series. The intensity of the storyline is thrilling indeed! Court Gentry is relentless in pursuing his goal against insurmountable odds. Lots of electrifying action, surprising twists and alarming setbacks yet he comes out victorious! What a great plot culminating in an explosive climax! The very satisfying denouement and epilogue set up a new, exciting path that Court Gentry will be working in the future! Bravo, Mr. Greaney. You never fail to disappoint!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this exhilarating installment!

When Book 13 The Chaos Agent ended, my heart was in my throat. What seems to be an impossible task becomes a life-or-death journey for the Gray Man in this story. With pulse-pounding action at every turn, the gift the Greaney has for storytelling is amazing.

Every chapter features unbelievable, highly imaginative action that makes his writing addictive. The reader is deeply ensconced with the characters, gasping and keyed up with every chapter.

The secondary characters are depicted perfectly, feel seemingly real, and add immense depth to the story. Zack and his band of warriors, Court and his group, and Zoya, of course, test their limits and ours!

This one is a crazy, intense story with an amazing plot that doesn’t quit. The ending killed me because we are given so little. Ugh! But a great setup for what is to come.

If you haven’t read a Gray Man book yet, go back a few books before diving into this one. It will be worth it!

Another installment in the Grey Man series. These books started out as lone wolf books, but they are more of an ensemble now, and in this one Court Gentry is on a rampage through Europe attempting to break out his girlfriend Zoya Zakharova is being held. This has a fun gulag prison break storyline. Greaney clearly does a lot of research into the nuts and bolts of weapons and warfare, but keeps the action moving and doesn’t get bogged down in minutia.

Courtland Gentry, the world’s top assassin also known as the Gray Man, Violator as well as Sierra Six, is ferociously back in action trying to rescue his love, Zoya Zakharova, from a penal colony deep inside rural Russia.

Zoya, a former Russian intelligence office turned CIA agent with the call sign Anthem, had been captured in Cuba at the end of The Chaos Agent (2023) and presumed dead. It turns out that Zoya is still very much alive, having been given back to Russia in a trade, though she’s suffering from malnutrition and overwork as a seamstress in the brutal gulag where she’s being held. Only Gentry amidst deep heartbreak has held out hope that Zoya was alive and has gone almost mad is his quest to find her.

Gentry’s convinced Zoya’s being held in Russia and has been marauding with unremitting violence through Central Europe trying to both learn more about Zoya’s whereabouts as well as find a safe way to get into Russia, which has been heavily blockaded due to the Ukrainian war and economic shutout by the West.

The dramatic, unrelenting, heart-pulsing action scenes pile up as does the violent fighting and high body count in Gray Man’s lethal wake. Court comes off as both hero rescuer of Zoya as well as heartless anti-hero to anyone who gets in his way. Even though he’s used to being a lone ranger as an off the book assassin, as well as being hunted by the CIA who betrayed him, Court continues to secretly rely on his former CIA boss and friend, Matt Henley, who’s been kicked to a CIA outpost in South America, and Zach Hightower, who’s been working as an assassin for hire fighting off Russian undercover agents in Central Europe. Court also gets entangled with a former Soviet oligarch who’s fled to Europe, put his huge resources to work in supporting Ukraine, and willing to finance a mission to free the main Russian opposition leader from a penal colony near where Zoya is being held.

Greaney brilliantly dives deep in the Ukraine-Russian war as well as Putin’s authoritarian regime. The book explores the massive casualties and economic toll the war has taken on the Russian citizens who cannot get any clear information about what’s going on and live in daily fear of all the state police enforcers. Men of fighting age are drafted, conscripted, persuaded or forced to join the army, often poorly trained, barely outfitted and sent up as fodder to fight the land battle with Ukraine. The soldiers mostly do not want to be there, and their families are bereft as tens of thousands of coffins come back from the front. At the same time young children get swept into ideological brainwashing to set up the next generation of expendable fighters. A thinly veiled Putin relies on enormous wealth, the bribing of the powerful who bend to his will, and the fear and ignorance of the populace to exert brutal control. Each of Russia’s internal police agencies battle each other, with a villain emerging in a crafty Lieutenant Baronov who believes whole-heartedly in the regime and wants to bring the West to their knees. The deeply detailed insights makes all of Russia feel claustrophobic and oppressive, even contrasted with the spots of powerful bravery by Russian resistance fighters who willingly sacrifice their lives and endanger their families in their efforts to spur regime change. Powerful insights, especially given the intense research Greaney puts into his books.

Meanwhile, prepare to hold your breath in suspense during most of the novel, and to root for the Gray Man as he throws his entire life on the line in hopes of rescuing Zoya.


Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

My heart was actually pounding reading this novel! The adrenaline spiked suspense level is at an all-time high in this latest installment of the Gray Man series! The Gray Man is out of his mind with desperation as the only woman he’s ever loved is imprisoned and believed dead by everyone else. Deep within the confines of a Russian prison, Zoya, once a spy and assassin for Russia turned asset for the US is the only one who can give the Russians information they so badly want. Imprisoned by a psychopathic officer, her only hope is Courtland Gentry – the Gray Man. But Courtland has been badly beaten down and isolated in his mission that no else believes in.
Greaney has given us a high intensity action packed thriller with a vulnerable main character, exposed like we’ve never seen him. The danger is even more ramped as Gentry is trying to sneak INTO Russia as the war against Ukraine rages on. Despite the solo mission, comrades in the likes of Handley and Hightower try to watch his back, but has his obsession with freeing Zoya left him vulnerable to those who want him dead.
The intensity hits from all side as Greaney interweaves the high stakes action of Gentry’s mission with the psychological menace of the women’s prison, and the political aspects demonstrated through the rebel Russian forces working against the war.
This fourteenth installment of the Gray Man not only delivers heart pounding action but also the emotional toll of the fictional characters and the real world political world. Once again, Greaney has left me even more excited for the next installment!

A much more intense version of the Gray Man appears in this novel than many of the previous ones. Very enjoyable read and looking forward to the next in the series

I received an Arc through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story starts with Hightower under house arrest when he is visited by Lacy, a CIA senior official. She tells him that he is to assist a group that is involved with the War in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Court is in Europe try to make his way into Russia to rescue Zoya who was kidnapped in Cuba earlier. It seems like everyone except Court believes that Zoya is dead.

Read along and discover what steps Court makes in order to get into Russia. Learn how Hightower and Court get together once more. Find out who has laid a trap for Court and whay his bait was. Read the exciting conclusion, you won't be disappointed.

This is a definite read if you like action. The story will keep you trying to figure out how he would accomplish his task. I know that I had a hard time putting the book down, it is that Good!

Mark Greaney brings his usual excellent action-adventure storyline to the fourteenth book in the Gray Man series, Midnight Black. Zoya Zakharova is in prison in Russia. She was once a master spy for Russian foreign intelligence. Then she defected and eventually became the partner and significant other of the Gray Man, Courtland (Court) Gentry. But if Russia thinks a prison in the middle of nowhere during winter is going to stop Court, they don’t know him very well.

Court is a former CIA paramilitary operations officer, and former CIA contract agent. He is perceptive, determined, and able to quickly assess situations. He loves Zoya and is determined to get her back and doesn’t care who he must go through to make that happen. Readers gain knowledge of Court’s disposition and frame of mind as the story progresses. While Zoya is motivated by causes, she mainly wants to escape prison and survive. There are a host of additional characters, but readers of the series will be familiar with some of them. There’s also a character list at the beginning of the book as well as a list of acronyms.

Greaney is an excellent storyteller who is skilled in bringing together diverse characters, a contemporary topic, and plenty of pulse-pounding exhilarating action. From the gripping prologue to the end, the atmosphere was electric. I found it riveting and full of excitement and suspense as I experienced gripping scenes, action, a superb plot, and fantastic writing. The dynamic plot came alive with the constant sense of danger, urgency, and uneasiness keeping me fully engrossed in the story. The world-building is excellent and transported me to the various locales. While some of the action scenes are a little excessive for one person to handle with such resilience, the story worked for me.

Overall, this engrossing, tense, chilling, and entertaining novel is an excellent addition to the series. Featuring a strong, flawed, and capable protagonist, excellent pacing, plenty of action, and a solid plot, the story kept me turning the pages rapidly. I’m looking forward to reading my next intense and dramatic novel by this author. I recommend this series to those who like political, action, espionage, and military thrillers.

Berkley Publishing Group and Mark Greaney provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for February 18, 2025.

Gray Man is back.  A top notch action adventure with a ripped from the headlines story arc.  Told through multiple point of views. The battle scenes are epic. The amount of detail,  is evident in the excellent details.  I will definitely be reading more of the Gray Man series.

Wow! What a ride “Midnight Black” was. After getting hooked on the Gray Man, I couldn't wait to dive into this book. Trust me, it doesn't disappoint!

From page one, you're thrown into Court Gentry's world of high-stakes espionage and heart-pounding action. The way Gentry navigates impossible situations had me on the edge of my seat. Greaney's writing is so complex, weaving plot twists that'll keep you guessing until the very end.

But here's the kicker - beyond the adrenaline rush, we get to see a whole new side of Gentry. Despite being an assassin, he's not just a one-dimensional action hero. The depth of his character really surprised me, adding layers to the story I wasn't expecting.

"Midnight Black" doesn't just meet the bar set by previous Gray Man novels; it raises it. The pacing, the intricate plot, the character development - it's all there and then some.

If you're into thrillers that blend intelligence with action and characters that are more than meets the eye, you've got to pick this up. It's a masterclass in the genre, and I'm already itching for the next installment!

Thank you, Berkley and NetGalley, for my free book.

Greaney has taken his Court Gentry character into a more action/adventure mode than the series started. It's fun, but I miss the more introspective more realistic spy game that Greaney wrote in the early part of the series.

To get the action in, Greaney departs into the outrageous and here is another of that genre for Court Gentry. Greaney maintains his writing ability and creates an absurd foundation of invading Russia. As I wrote in my last review of the volume before this, John Gilstrap started his Graves series this way, and it's kept it's consistency. I do believe Gilstrap pulls this off better than Greaney, but this is still a good book.

Greaney pushes this main character (and others) through quite a labyrinth to get to a certain goal. The writing should keep the reader on the edge of their seats as complications riddle plans and the goal seems to be more and more impossible to accomplish. It's madcap adventure and Greaney pulls it off well.

The settings are a critical part of pulling the story off and Greaney illustrates them well. I was very impressed in the final battle setting and the multiple views of a fictional location that Greaney does an excellent job depicting.

Bottom line: i recommend this book. 7 out of 10 points.
Access to teh book was via NetGalley.com

Action, suspense, political intrigue and betrayal. This addition to the Court Gentry series lives up to the previous books of the series, definitely a page turner. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Court Gentry aka “The Gray Man” is on a mission to rescue his girlfriend, Zoya Zakharova, who is imprisoned in Russia. He starts in Eastern Europe and fights his way into Russia using a Cold War era underground network to make it into the country. Danger all round , the Gray Man will stop at nothing to free Zoya.

Mark Greaney might very well be the best action thriller in the business right now. Midnight Black was non stop action as Court battled his way to the prison holding Zoya. Starting with gangers in Eastern Europe to FSB deep in Russia, Court leaves a trail of bodies in his wake. He gets a help along the way from familiar faces Matt Handley and Zack Hightower. The plot is excellent and really puts Court in some of the tightest spots he has ever been in. The cold winter world of Russia is a great setting that really adds to the story.

Whether you have read all the Gray Man books or if this is your first foray into the series, you will throughly enjoy Midnight Black. You definitely need pick this book up when it is released on February 18th. Thank you to NetGalley, Mark Greaney, and Berkeley Publishing Group for a free advanced reader copy for an honest review.

Mark Greaney has once again outdone himself, and upped the ante for his characters, with Midnight Black. Love-stricken (because lovesick doesn't quite describe the despair) Court Gentry is determined that the love of his life is still alive, and being held somewhere in Russia, and he's going there to find her, a plan be damned. Ending up with some unofficial help from the CIA, along with Russian expats and an underground resistance movement, the Gray Man attempts to locate and rescue his love. Meanwhile, Zoya is testing the limits of her imprisonment, while being dangled as a prize by a psychopathic intelligence officer. Nonstop chills and thrills!

The Gray Man is back in Midnight Black, the 14 novel in the Gray Man series by Mark Greaney. The Gray Man's partner and lover, Zoya Zakharova has been captured by Russia and placed in a Penal Colony in the middle of nowhere Russia. Gray Man is doing anything in his resources to cross into Russian territory and leaving a wake of dead bodies in his path. He has little support from anywhere else besides former CIA director Mike Henley. Along the way he must fine the right connections to help get him across the border and make his way to the penal colony to try and save Zoya. There is plenty of action, gun battles, and espionage. The book moved along at a great pace and keeps you captivated. This was my second book by Mark Greaney and it was very enjoyable. Will definitely be reading more Gray Man in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book (publication date set for February 18, 2025) from NetGalley in exchange for my review.

This is the 14th edition of the series. I won’t delve into the plot but suffice it to say it is very Russia-Ukrainian War heavy, with subplots that I hope are a reflective of the reality there. Example: that there are in fact rebel Russian forces being trained in NATO countries tone infiltrated back into Russia to provoke chaos and upheaval amongst the overall complacent/underinformed/mislead Russian population in general. I had not heard of nor considered this but if it is reflective of reality, then so much the better given the recent Trump re-election here in the United States and all that could mean for continued US support of Ukraine.

Well worth the read for those who continue to be Gray Man enthusiasts.

Wow, Mark Greaney didn’t disappoint in this latest installment from the Gray Man series. This really is Court like we’ve never seen him before. The ups and downs throughout the story and the desperation Court has at times make the book extremely hard to put down. The climactic final scenes were also riveting.

Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this book. #MidnightBlack #NetGalley

Cortland Gentry is the only one that thinks that she’s alive. The rest of the known world is convinced that she has been executed. He’s convinced she is alive and thanks to some CCTV hacking it is found that Zoya is being held deep in Russia in a snow covered gulag. Seemingly marked for a slow and painful life.
The Gray Man is determined to free her and joins forced with a rebel outfit and the caper turns into a full fledged assault on this lonely place of death.

What happens when the Gray Man is exhausted, desperate, unrestrained and obsessively focused on an intimately personal yet seemingly impossible objective that he is willing to die trying to achieve? You get Midnight Black, an insanely intense balls to the wall heart-pounding journey that is gripping, suspenseful and packed with so much adrenaline-soaked action that you’ll need a moment to catch your breath after every chapter. It’s classic Mark Greaney. Delivering another legendary, mind-blowing Gray Man thrill ride.

Court Gentry is hellbent on covertly entering Russia to rescue Zoya Zakharova, the woman he loves, from a Russian prison. Meanwhile, Zach Hightower is tasked with helping the Russian Resistance in Poland to take out enemy spies and train their paramilitary forces. And Matt Hanley back at the CIA has crafted a plan that will put goth Court and Zach in the middle of an audacious mission that would deal a massive blow to the Russian president. But it’s so dangerous that it might be too much for even the Gray Man to pull off. And the only thing that’s certain is that bullets will fly and bodies will drop in copious amounts.

Midnight Black is up near the top of my favorite Gray Man books of all time. It includes a fascinating blend of the intense direct action we know and love with a raw vulnerability from Gentry that makes him more emotional and leads to a loss of composure at times. Presenting a fresh dichotomy we have not witnessed before from the most effective and efficient assassin on the planet. And the best part is it works incredibly well. Adding depth and a new dimension to one of the genre’s most beloved characters and opening new avenues to explore in future novels.

That’s not to say it’s all feelings, rainbows and hugging it out for 500+ pages. Au contraire mon frère. The big mission with multiple moving parts is as daring and recklessly hopeful as anything you’ll ever read and filled with death, destruction and chutzpah. It’s an operatic masterpiece of military operations with an outcome so uncertain that you cannot begin to guess what’s going to happen. It’s high-stakes, white-knuckle, nail-biting stuff of the highest order. And it’s exceptionally written, beautifully executed and unputdownable. A masterclass in thriller storytelling by Mark Greaney. Proving once again that he's one of the absolute best in the business.

Midnight Black by Mark Greaney

Every year for the last few years around Thanksgiving, I’ve been blessed enough to be approved to read the new Gray Man and the new Joe Pickett novels back-to-back. Enough so, it’s become sort of a tradition of sorts. Every year, it seems like I find myself saying the same thing about how Greaney somehow finds a way to keep the Gray Man feeling fresh and new despite being 14 titles in. This year proved no different. Midnight Black is everything you’ve come to love from Greaney as well as Gentry choked full of SDRs’ gunfights and plenty of that signature Gentry humor and violence mix. Picking up where the Chaos Agent left off, Zoya is in a Russian prison camp after being sold to the Russians by China. Meanwhile, Court Gentry is hell-bent on getting into Russia to save her, not believing the rumors of her death. The path of destruction and death he’s willing to leave in his wake has no limits to save the woman he loves. The familiar cast of characters are present here as well as some cool new ones that give another look at the Russia-Ukraine war few I’ve read have given when Court meets up with some rebels along the way to pull off his mission, which, without going into detail here for the sake of spoilers, two missions take place simultaneously, which I found really cool the way Greaney navigates that, similar to the way Sierra Six was with two timelines. This is everything you’ve come to love from the Gray Man and more. It also sets up the future in a cool way. This is a MUST read especially for Gray Man fans!