Review - Mission Critical

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.  

#MissionCritical #NetGalley

Author: Mark Greaney

Copyright: Feb 2019 (Berkley) 527 pgs

Series: 8th in The Gray Man Thriller series

Sensuality: Some language and violence, off-page intimacy

Mystery Sub-genre: Spy/Action Thriller

Main Characters: Court Gentry is CIA operative Violator-nicknamed Gray Man

Setting: Modern Day- USA, London, and Scotland

Obtained Through: Netgalley for honest review

From the cover: "Court Gentry's flight on a CIA transport plane is interrupted when a security team brings a hooded man aboard. They want to kick Gentry off the flight but are overruled by CIA headquarters. The mystery man is being transported to England where a joint CIA/MI6 team will interrogate him about a mole in Langley.

When they land in an isolated airbase in the U.K., they are attacked by a hostile force who kidnaps the prisoner. Only Gentry escapes. His handlers send him after the attackers, but what can one operative do against a trained team of assassins? A lot, when that operative is the Gray Man."

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 the 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.

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The Society by C.G. Abbot

When Elizabeth Grant sees her childhood friend, she is

thrown into a world of secret societies laced with conspiracies.
     Elizabeth has been plagued with visions since the disappearance of Loralie. When she returns to the small town of her childhood, she’s unaware that she’s walking into the middle of what killed her friend.
     Unknown to the rest of the world, The Society for a Restored America has been preparing to seize control of the government through manipulation of a national crisis. The Society's membership has already infiltrated the government and military at the highest levels. The only thing between them and success is Elizabeth Grant.
     Elizabeth must accept her special gift and stay alive long enough to uncover the Society's dark plot to seize control from a nation that blindly supports them.

Reviews of The Society
"The Society was a well written book that made what could have been a crazy conspiracy theory into a thrilling plot that did not fail to grab my attention for a single moment. This book was an amazing thriller with a great cast of characters that all had their own unique backgrounds that clearly showed off the author's talent of bringing together plots and characters into one amazing story!" Sefina Hawk's Books 

"Such a strong read! I love diving into the world of secret societies and conspiracies but often find myself lost with the intricate details. C.G. Abbot kept me intrigued without getting me lost in the details. It was so real-feeling that I had goosebumps! Every page turn led to another piece of the puzzle that left me wanting more. I'm so glad I was able to start this series - definitely a keeper!" Lynchburg Mama 

"The Society was filled with plots to take over the government and the one person that could stand in their way being there at just the right time to just maybe make a difference. Elizabeth Grant was a strong female character who had no idea what she was walking into, yet with so much on the line she had to persevere. It was her perseverance that really made her such an amazing character that kept my interest for the whole book." Books for Books
 #TheSociety #SuspenseThriller

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