The Hard Line is the answer to every Gray Man fan’s prayer that this series continue on for a long, long time. Mark Greaney refuels the saga with a new personal story for Court Gentry and an ending that merits a follow-up as great as this one.
The intelligence gathering apparatus of the United States falls under fire when attacks spawn up across the country targeting high value individuals. With a growing feeling that this is the work of a mole placed at a strategically sensitive position, Court’s boss, Matt Hanley, sets up a team to investigate and intervene where necessary to ferret out the leak. While Court is getting into battles on the urban streets, he has a bullseye on his back as he’s pursued by a legendary assassin who has a personal vendetta against The Gray Man. With walls closing in from all sides, can The Gray Man make it out unscathed before this life of violence takes yet another chip off his soul?
One of the most resonating features about The Gray Man is his surprising relatability with us normal folks. He gets frustrated, he swears, he tries his best when the odds are stacked against him. He also inspires when he goes the impossible at times. Mark Greaney captures lightning in a bottle once more with a plethora of kinetic and energetic action sequences that stand out in the series. These combat sequences not only emphasize Court’s prowess, but also highlight his vulnerability as a human who pushes himself farther than one is comfortable with, in the name of something bigger than himself.
Greaney doesn’t shy away from highlighting the moral quandary of the ugly business that The Gray Man is such a big part of; Killing. As readers, we get caught up in the hype of the action, never batting an eye on who’s on the receiving end of our hero’s violence. That’s what Greaney subtly calls out to with a narrative that pits Court against an assassin who faced a grievous loss at the hands of The Gray Man and is now out for blood. It’s the classic moral dilemma where you can’t fully support nor denounce either side, such is the strong and powerful characterization of each side. The conflict is a raw and emotionally charged reflection of what life amounts to, a commentary on the endless cycles of revenge and violence that can only end if both sides walk away. But can they do that with the losses they faced at the hands of each other?
The Hard Line is a different breed of thrillers and it’s one that I am happy to read any given day. It’s got tons of gritty action, high stakes, and a personal touch that makes you appreciate literature in all its glory. Much like the last few Gray Man stories, this one ends on a cliffhanger, happily frustrating you that Greaney isn’t releasing two books at once.
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Purchase The Hard Line
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