The Gray Man is back with Greaney’s Midnight Black, #14 in the series! Unfortunately, the Gray Man must sneak into Russia in this novel to save his lover, Zoya, who is in the gulag. If you are up on the series, you know that Zoya was captured and returned to Russia in the last book, The Chaos Agent. Courtland Gentry, aka the Gray Man, is a former CIA operator who works for the CIA off and on when the job is “off book.” The Gray Man has been one of the most likeable spy operatives since his debut in 2009 in The Gray Man. I read them all for my “spy action” fix!

The action continues in this latest entry as the Gray Man must use all his guiles to find a way INTO Russia and then battle the guards at Penal Colony IK22 situated with a thousand miles of frozen wasteland around it, find Zoya in the prison, and bring her back with him out of Russia. The Kremlin thinks the odds are with them this time, but of course, the Gray Man doesn’t play by the rules, and Russia again underestimates him.

I must admit that I prefer the Gray Man when he is on missions where he is using his skills in a less emotional manner. He makes many mistakes in this outing due to his lack of sleep or self-care and worry over Zoya being killed. The action involves more gun battles and less craftiness and strategy than most of the other books. The Gray Man is desperate and has help from a secret Russian resistance group, and therefore, he loses some of his appeal as a spy – this is more “military strategy” and less duplicity and artfulness.

The last few books since Zoya appearance (Relentless, 2021) have been less interesting for me as the Gray Man is not all he could be with his love interest. Let’s hope that in #15, the Gray Man is back to his real skill of cagey spy craft and that Zoya is finally out of the story line.

This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review. Midnight Black will be published on February 18, 2025.

After Zoya's capture by the Chinese in Cuba, Gentry is pushed to the brink, determined to rescue her from the FSB's grasp. Once more, these patriots have been exploited and discarded by the very institutions and countries they've loyally served. Nonetheless, Hanley and Hightower rally behind Gentry's perilous solo mission to penetrate Russia and its penal colony system to retrieve Zoya. This harrowing endeavor could spell the end for this close-knit group of friends who have weathered countless trials together. A cautionary note: Midnight Black may lead to sleepless nights for many readers.

Mark Greaney’s latest installment in *The Gray Man* series delivers another high-octane, emotionally charged thriller that dives deep into the heart of darkness. In *Mission: Yavas*, Court Gentry—the titular Gray Man—faces his most personal and dangerous mission yet. Zoya Zhakarova, the woman he loves, has fallen into the clutches of the Russian intelligence service, and the CIA believes she’s already been executed. But Court won’t accept that. His single-minded belief that "she’s not dead" fuels his relentless pursuit to rescue her, no matter the cost.

The story picks up with Court’s desperation palpable as he spends six months trying to infiltrate Russia, using every tool at his disposal—bribes, bullets, and sheer force of will. But as the clock ticks down, Court’s options grow slimmer. His final, almost insane move is to seek out a shadowy network of anti-communist agents who once helped political dissidents escape the Soviet Union. This risky alliance sets the stage for a daring mission into the heart of Russia’s frozen wasteland, where danger lurks at every turn and survival feels like a fleeting hope.

The destination? Yavas, a desolate prison where even the strongest souls are broken. Located 700 miles from the nearest border, it’s a place where hope dies, and nightmares thrive. Getting in is only the beginning; getting out alive is a feat that will require Court to navigate not just the brutal Russian landscape but a web of geopolitical tensions that threaten to ignite a war. The stakes have never been higher, and the odds have never been worse.

Greaney masterfully weaves together high-stakes action, complex geopolitics, and emotional depth. Court Gentry, a character defined by his cold efficiency and lethal skill, is pushed to his limits as the mission becomes not just a rescue operation, but a personal quest for redemption and love. While the novel excels in its fast-paced, action-packed sequences—Court’s confrontations with enemies, his resourceful escapes, and the sheer grit he displays—what truly sets *Midnight Black apart is the heart behind the action. Court’s determination to save Zoya gives the story a depth rarely found in the genre. His vulnerability, his internal struggles, and his unwavering belief in her survival create a compelling emotional backbone to the otherwise explosive narrative.

The grim, wintry setting of Yavas—a place where prisoners are forgotten by the world—adds a haunting layer of atmosphere, and Greaney’s vivid descriptions make the Siberian landscape feel as unforgiving and bleak as the people imprisoned within it. The tension is palpable, as Court’s every move seems to bring him closer to either salvation or disaster.

In conclusion, Midnight Black is a thrilling, emotional rollercoaster that fans of *The Gray Man* series will find impossible to put down. Mark Greaney has crafted a perfect blend of heart-pounding action, intricate plotting, and a character-driven narrative that elevates this book above the typical action thriller.

Mark Greaney’s “Midnight Black” is an absolute must-read! It’s got all the action and suspense you could ever want, and it’s a great addition to the Gray Man series. I can’t wait to read the next book!

This book features the gray man who's name is Court. He knows in his heart that his girlfriend Zoya is alive. He works at trying to find a way to save her by somehow getting into Russia when everyone knows Russia doesn't want his there. He gets help along the way and this makes for a great read! Highly recommend!

This was a different Gray Man than we have seen in the past. Long time readers - and fans (which would include me in this category) have seen Courtland Gentry deal with ALL kinds of issues. He has dealt with the betrayal from his own government, the red notice going out worldwide that put a bullseye on his back, heck, I'm not even sure how in the world he has been able to stay sane with all of the double crosses that he has endured. BUT.....in the last book, we began to see a different Court (Gray Man, Violator, Sierra Six...choose the name). For the first time we saw him slowly wondering if there might actually be a life beyond his current life. For the first time, he was happy. He had found a person that actually could understand his lifestyle and his....well, his issues. I don't think that unless you have been a long-time reader, honestly, a reader from the very beginning, that you would understand what a GIGANTIC step that was for Court. And what an unbelievable punch in the gut it was for the events that happened at the end of the last book.

This book starts with Court pretty much losing it. He seems to be the only one that seems to believe that Anthem is still alive. Everyone else is giving him platitudes (and you don't think that Court realizes this?) So for the first time, we see a very messy and sloppy Gray Man. He is moving across Eastern Europe without caring about ANYTHING. Fallout? Who tf cares? At this point he doesn't care about anything but finding a way to get into Russia to find and to rescue Anthem. My heart just kept breaking into a million pieces because he was holding on by a thread with his belief, to hear him constantly say to himself..."she's not dead"......broke my heart.

Then, we also get to have the POV's from Anthem and several other new people who come to the party that in the beginning, just muddy up the waters because things do not make sense. This new guy Baronov, I had a hard time understanding what was going on with him in the beginning because it felt like he was able to know things that he should not have been able to know. In absolute amazing, yet Greaney style, in the end, the explanations made sense and the issues that I thought I might have with this book fell into place.

Without spoilers, let me just say that this was...again...an amazing Gray Man story. We are now dealing with a current world situation - the Ukraine war with Russia. It was very interesting to learn about the real life things that are happening in Russia - the new police state, the new resistance groups being built. Are they 100% accurate? I honestly do not know but I DO know that Mr. Greaney spends quite a bit of time with the research that he does before each book. This information - at least to me - was new and unexpected, but VERY intriguing.

Back to the book. If you are a fan of this series- this is another winner. This book will not disappoint. Once we get past the point of the Gray Man's impulsiveness and seeming disregard for his own life, things get even more complex. We also get to see characters from the past become VERY involved in what is going on now. Hightower, Hanley....I do not need to say more.

If you are already a fan - this is going to take you on another incredible journey.

If you have never read this series- stop. Go back and begin from the beginning. You will NOT be disappointed. I read A LOT... I've read thousands of books, yet for some reason, this series has a hold on my heart that even I cannot explain. All I know is that Court Gentry has a hold on me - and that, more than anything is an absolute fact of life.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication February 18, 2025.

I thought this book was fantastic. Court seems more desperate here than he has in a while and he must go into arguably the most dangerous place in the world. The tension is excellent and I think Gray Man and thriller fans will really enjoy this entry. Thank you to Penguin House for early access to this novel.

Another great read by the author. The story continues where The Chaos Agent left off. The story starts with Court trying to find a way into Russia searching for Anthem (Zoya). No one else believes she is still alive following her capture and being traded back to the Russians. A well developed plot with lots of action. All of the old Grey Man characters make appearances and are part of his effort to rescue Zoya. Great action along with the story.

A great continuation of the Grey Man series. Reading the previous books in the series helps with understanding the plot. I can't wait to reading more books in the series. Mark is one of the best authors in the thriller genre!

To enjoy this kind of troglodyte hogwash, you have to be able to put up with the general right-wing ideology. But this novel crosses the line: much of it is propaganda for the Freedom of Russia Legion, a far-right paramilitary organization whose leaders are Neo-Nazis and white supremacists, as are many of the rank & file. I enjoyed the Gray Man series until this entry, & of course Russia is a police state run by an authoritarian thug, but that doesn't excuse whitewashing Nazism. I'll never read another word Greaney writes.

Review: "Oh no, the Gray Man!!!" Why he just takes out multiple threats in the span of an hour while muttering "SHE IS NOT DEAD!" (x32). Let's see. Six armed toughs in a bar, plus the bartender. Ten minutes later another 5-6 armed dudes on a rooftop garage and while leaving those for dead, another bunch of bad dudes with AKs. The insurmountable odds shtick repeats itself over and over. If it is not a convenient plot vehicle then it is Super Grayman (reluctant and tired) wiping everyone out. Can the bs get any deeper?

Sometimes entertainment needs an infusion of reality. Reality in the form of a tired and beatup CIA guy performing miraculous deeds does not endear the reader... at least not this one. First thing to do is make the fight scenes believable and more clandestine than overt. Ease the reader into your world so that we can identify more easily with the reluctant hero (K. Costner).

As it was, this novel just kept trying to outdo the previous scenes. By the end this was comical in presentation. I hate it that I had a great time.

4.4/5

This eARC was provided by NEtgalley.com and I giving an unbiased review.

This is the fourteenth novel in the 'Gray Man' series by this author, and continues the story a short time after the last novel. Zoya has been "traded" off to the Russians, and is in a prison facility, and Court wants to get her out, but has no idea where in Russia she is. Original reports were that she was killed, but he holds out with hope. Not knowing where she might be (if she lives) Court is trying anyway he can to get into the country, often making some messes while doing so. Finally, proof is found by the US Gov't, that Zoya is alive, and where she is being held, which happens to be near yet another prison facility that is holding a Russian that can help overthrow the current regime. With the help of the US, and the renegades that stand for a free Russia, Court is able to get in-country.

During all this, Matt Hanley, our lowly CIA guy that was delegated from his lofty position, now in Brazil, gets involved, and brings in Hightower. With a large favor owed to his higher-up replacement, Matt and Hightower end up in the Ukraine, who is launching an attack to cover, and rescue the Russian delegate in the prison. The trick is to get him out, but Court, Zoya, and the delegates wife have to escape the women's prison 17 kilos away, and get to their location before they, too, are able to leave.

Written in the classic 'Gray Man' style, there is plenty of killing going on, and espionage-type things happening at every corner. Greaney brings back into play three of the main characters that have lasted these several novels, and makes it sound convincing. Not sure how much further this series will go, but Greaney does have another series starting that looks pretty good as well.

MIDNIGHT BLACK is the 14th in the Gray Man series featuring Court Gentry, our ultra-competent protagonist, created by a black ops program and disavowed by every alphabet government entity the US creates. If he’s not currently running for his life from previous employers, he’s committing untraceable deeds for them in one-offs that will soon have him on the run again. He’s the employee they can never get rid of or need often enough. And he is always a loner. In this book, he is desperately trying to rescue his lover and frequent co-worker, kidnapped by the Chinese and spirited back to Russia for crimes against her country. Because, yes, she’s a Russian spy and Court is working against the clock and everyone else’s belief that she has already been executed. Several of my favorite characters from Gray Man World appear in this book and it is a joy to see them loose and running ops. Author Mark Greaney has been offering a new book annually and the end of this book suggests the set-up for the next. I can’t wait. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Court Gentry, known as Gray Man to his friends, has long been a favorite thriller character of mine. He is a flawed Superman disavowed by his handlers who can do just about anything he sets his mind to, especially if that includes righting wrongs and doing the impossible. In Midnight Black, Book 14 in Mark Greaney's Gray Man series (Berkley 2025), Court's girlfriend, Zoya Zakharova, has been imprisoned by the Russians in Penal Colony IK22, a prison for the worst of the worst. Everyone in American intelligence says she's dead, but Court knows inside she lives and spends all of his time trying to rescue her. When her location is finally revealed to his old boss, it is for a purpose and that is to capture or kill him. Court doesn't care about the reason. He's coming and he will succeed. Zoya knows it, too. The rescue becomes even more complicated when her gulag is the same as where the rightful Russian president and his wife have been imprisoned. To get the help he needs to free Zoya,  he must also free them.

No surprise to Gray Man fans, the action never stops. Never even slows. I heartily recommend this as one of the best of the series and respectfully beg Mark Greaney to write the next one quickly.

Wonderful Gray Man story.
Court finds out that Zoya is being held in Russia, in a penal colony, and that is all he needs to create hos own latest mission.
Throw in Zack Hightower another black ops mission specialist and they ate on their way.
Riveting suspense with non stop action and great character developments.
The story absolutely flies along with his Greaney's usual fabulous attention yo detail on locales and
historical references.
Great story.
So when is the next edition coming?

This was a strong entry in the Gray Man series, it had that overall feel that I was expecting and enjoyed in the genre. The characters were everything that I was looking for and was written well. I’m excited to read more from Mark Greaney and this series.

Midnight Black is a thriller with emotionally- bruising gut punches. I am so excited to see how Mark Greaney continues the arc of his characters from this point onwards. It has to be one of my favorite Gray Man stories yet, with a nostalgic sprinkle of the old school Gray Man but with the nuanced evolution of his foundations over the years.