Plot
On Target picks up shortly after the explosive events of The Gray Man, plunging Court Gentry into yet another globe-spanning crisis that forces him to walk a moral tightrope while being hunted from all sides. No longer just a man on the run, Gentry is recruited (or rather, coerced) by a shadowy faction of the CIA to assassinate Sudanese President Abboud—a dictator whose removal could disrupt the region but also serve a deeper political agenda. At the same time, Gentry is contracted by an old employer to extract a kidnapped American aid worker held hostage in Sudan. This dual mission forms the heart of the story, threading Court’s personal code against the agendas of governments, corporations, and mercenaries alike.
The plot strikes a fine balance between action and moral ambiguity. Court is put in increasingly complex situations where trust is scarce and options are few. What’s especially rewarding is that On Target isn’t just a shoot-’em-up sequel—it deepens the series’ core themes of betrayal, loyalty, and survival. The pacing remains sharp, and the story unfolds in a deliberate, suspenseful rhythm. Greaney escalates the tension by layering subplots—such as internal CIA politics and double-crosses from supposed allies—without losing narrative clarity.
Supporting characters play a key role once again. Ruth Ettinger, the kidnapped humanitarian, is no helpless bystander; she’s intelligent, principled, and refreshingly capable, adding a new dynamic to Gentry’s usually lone-wolf mindset. Likewise, figures like Sidorenko, a Russian crime boss with his own agenda, and various CIA operatives add political and emotional tension. The betrayals sting harder this time around, and the lines between friend and foe are increasingly blurred.
Gentry himself continues to shine as a protagonist. His tactical brilliance is matched by his growing introspection. He’s a man wrestling with a reputation that precedes him and choices that haunt him. As the stakes rise, so does our understanding of who Gentry really is—not just the Gray Man, but the reluctant hero struggling to stay on target in a world where the right path is rarely clear.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Production
Mark Greaney’s writing in On Target sharpens what worked so well in The Gray Man while expanding both narrative scope and emotional depth. His prose remains tight and action-focused, but there’s a newfound finesse in how he builds suspense, delivers quiet tension, and unveils character motivations. The Sudanese setting is particularly vivid—Greaney uses it to generate not just exotic backdrops but also cultural and political conflict that drives the story’s tension. The sense of place is palpable, and it heightens every mission, chase, and confrontation.
Action scenes are once again grounded in realism, packed with precise terminology and an eye for detail. Greaney understands how to choreograph a firefight or hand-to-hand encounter without sacrificing the stakes or emotional weight. But it’s the quieter moments—Court patching up his wounds, debating moral compromise, or even having strained conversations with reluctant allies—that lend On Target a deeper tone than its predecessor.
Dialogue remains sharp and effective. The banter between Court and his allies (or enemies) gives us character insight without feeling expository. Even in terse exchanges, Greaney knows how to say a lot with a little. Symbolism and subtle themes—like isolation, honor, and manipulation—thread through the writing in ways that reward close readers.
Jay Snyder returns as the audiobook narrator, and once again, his performance is a standout. His calm yet commanding voice suits Court Gentry perfectly, bringing out both his lethal composure and internal conflict. Snyder’s character differentiation is subtle but effective, and his pacing matches the pulse of the story beat for beat. His professionalism elevates this experience beyond a mere reading—this is an immersive performance that pulls you into the shadows of Greaney’s world. For audiobook fans, Snyder’s delivery is arguably the definitive way to experience On Target.
Rating: 4 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, On Target builds on everything that made The Gray Man a hit, delivering a deeper, more layered thriller with rich stakes and smarter moral dilemmas. Greaney ups the complexity without losing clarity, and Jay Snyder’s audiobook performance once again brings it all to life. Court Gentry remains one of the most compelling characters in modern spy fiction. If you loved The Gray Man, this sequel doesn’t just deliver more—it delivers better. On Target gets 4 out of 5.
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