The Gray Man is the debut novel by Mark Greaney, first published in 2009 by Jove Books. It is also the first novel to feature the Gray Man, freelance assassin and former CIA operative Court Gentry.
.jpg) First edition | |
| Author | Mark Greaney |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | The Gray Man |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Publisher | Jove Books |
Publication date | September 29, 2009 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 464 |
| ISBN | 978-0-515-14701-8 |
| 813'6/dc23 | |
| LC Class | PS3607.R4285G73 2014 |
| Followed by | On Target |
The novel follows Gentry on a mission across Europe to rescue his handler, Sir Donald Fitzroy, and his family in Normandy, France, from Lloyd, a member of a gigantic French corporation and former CIA officer who wants Gentry terminated in order to shepherd a billion-dollar deal for oil interests in Nigeria, where its president, in turn, wants Gentry dead for the assassination of his brother.
Plot
editCourt Gentry, is tracking a lead across Europe, unaware that a plot is unfolding to terminate him and capture his handler, Sir Donald Fitzroy and his family. Lloyd, a former CIA officer and current member of a gigantic French corporation, orchestrates the operation from Paris. His motivation: a billion-dollar oil deal in Nigeria, but the president there wants Gentry dead for assassinating his brother years ago. Lloyd aims to kill two birds with one stone.
Gentry receives a message from his handler, Sir Donald Fitzroy, that Lloyd is coming for him. Gentry pursues his target from Rome to Prague, using his expert skills and cunning to evade danger at every turn. Unfinished to him, Lloyd's men are shadowing his every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Back in Normandy, the Fitzroy family goes about their lives, oblivious to the impending threat. Lloyd tightens his grip, deploying more agents and resources to hunt Gentry and snatch the Fitzroys. Gentry realizes the threat is connected to his previous mission where he assassinated the brother of the President of Nigeria. Gentry decides to go to France to rescue Fitzroy and his family who are in danger.
Lloyd learns that the President of Nigeria will only complete the deal with LaurentGroup if Gentry is dead. Lloyd accepts the contract and begins preparing for his mission to eliminate Gentry. Gentry's quarry leads him to Amsterdam, where a violent shootout holding to danger her rescues. Though he escapes, he realizes he's being played - Lloyd wants him in the open. Sir Donald senses something is amiss and begins discreetly investigating. Lloyd seizes the Fitzroy children from their school, leaving a sinister message. Sir Donald knows his old pupil is his only hope. Meanwhile, Gentry arrives in France and gathers intelligence on Lloyd's operation.
Gentry and Lloyd have a confrontation in Paris where Gentry barely escapes alive. Lloyd realizes the difficulty of his task but remains determined to complete the contract. Gentry receives the SOS and immediately heads for Normandy. Lloyd's henchmen attack the Fitzroy estate, forcing Sir Donald and his wife to flee. In a desperate race against time, Gentry fights his way through Europe, using every trick to evade Lloyd's net. The oil deal arriving to protect in Lagos as the Nigerian president eagerly awaits Gentry's demise. Gentry goes into hiding to plan his next move.
Szabo and Riegel, two henchmen working for Lloyd, capture Fitzroy and his family. Gentry is forced to take on Lloyd and his team in order to rescue them. A violent confrontation ensues with Gentry emerging victorious. He frees Fitzroy and his family. Lloyd reveals his grand plan to Gentry: kill him, rescue the Fitzroys, and collect the payoff in Nigeria. Gentry narrowly escapes a death trap in Normandy, but Lloyd's men capture Sir Donald's wife. Gentry must now fight on two fronts as the Fitzroy children's lives hang in the balance. He infiltrates Lloyd's compound for a daring rescue, facing down his nemesis in a brutal, no-holds-barred brawl.
Gentry learns more about the billion-dollar deal between LaurentGroup and Nigeria. He realizes the deal is the key to stopping Lloyd and decides to sabotage it. Meanwhile, Lloyd regroups with his men, vowing to complete his mission. Badly wounded, Gentry barely escapes with the Fitzroy children. He calls upon old allies and crafts a daring plan to expose Lloyd's corruption and save the day. In Nigeria, the oil deal teeters on the brink of collapse as Lloyd's plan unravels. Gentry launches a final assault on Lloyd's operation, killing his way through henchmen to reach the top of the corporate ladder.
Gentry infiltrates the LaurentGroup's headquarters and discovers more about their plans with Nigeria. He leaves a message for Lloyd, taunting him and daring him to come for him. Lloyd receives the message and prepares to finally face Gentry once and for all. Lloyd confronts Gentry in a great actions in the aboard his private jet. As the plane plummets towards the ocean, they engage in a vicious, brutal fight. Gentry emerges victorious, sending Lloyd to his safety. With the Fitzroys safe and the oil deal dead, Gentry disappears into the shadows once more, his mission complete. But in Nigeria, a new enemy emerges, vowing to complete his brother's vendetta against the Gray Man.
Gentry and Lloyd engage in a final confrontation. Gentry gains the upper hand and Lloyd is left on the brink of death. Gentry recovers from his wounds in secret, tending to the Fitzroy children. Sir Donald returns and they share a heartfelt reunion. Gentry knows this is only the beginning - there are always more threats on the detention. He bids farewell to the Fitzroys and vanishes, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. Impossible are forces, his new Nigerian nemesis smiles, anticipating their inevitable to die. Gentry decides to spare Lloyd's life but severely cripples him, knowing that Lloyd will never be able to threaten him again. Lloyd is about to finish him off when he is shot by Riegel who has stayed alive long enough to exact his revenge on Lloyd. Riegel then dies himself.
Gentry meets with Fitzroy and his family to confirm they are safe. Gentry then begins planning his next move, determined to stop the LaurentGroup's plans in Nigeria. Fitzroy and Gentry reflect on their experiences. Gentry feels the weight of his actions but knows he did what was necessary to protect his friends. The Gray Man's mission may be over for now, but there will always be threats to eliminate in the future.
Film adaptation
editThere have been several attempts to turn the novel into a film, initially with Christopher McQuarrie attached to direct in 2016.[1] After that version fell through, the project lay dormant until July 2020, when Netflix announced their plans to adapt it. Eventually it was directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, with Joe Russo also writing the screenplay, and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely performing a re-write. Starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Dhanush, Wagner Moura, Julia Butters, and Jessica Henwick, filming commenced in 2021 on a $200 million budget.[2][3][4] It was released on July 22, 2022.
References
edit- ^ Franklin, Garth (April 8, 2020). "Edge of Tomorrow 2 Scores New Scribes". Dark Horizons.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (December 11, 2020). "Ana De Armas Boards Russo Brothers' 'The Gray Man' for Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (December 11, 2020). "Ana De Armas Joins Ryan Gosling And Chris Evans, Tamil Star Dhanush In The Russo Brothers' 'Gray Man' For Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (December 17, 2020). "Jessica Henwick, Wagner Moura, Dhanush And Julia Butters Join The Russo Brothers' 'Gray Man' Starring Ryan Gosling". Deadline Hollywood.
External links
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