Book Review: Relentless, By Mark Greaney -- A Darn Good Yarn ⋆ Politicrossing
Connect with us
Mark Greaney's Relentless Mark Greaney's Relentless

Society & Culture

Book Review: Relentless, By Mark Greaney — A Darn Good Yarn

Book Review: Mark Greaney’s Relentless is a fantastic thriller, one all Tom Clancy fans will love. Go buy it!

Published

on

Back in 1984, an insurance salesman from Maryland published a book and invented a new genre, the techno-thriller. That salesman was Tom Clancy, and his book was called The Hunt For Red October. The book was selling modestly, until one well-known fan declared in an interview that he had read it, and pronounced it “a darn good yarn.”

That fan was yours truly’s favourite President, Ronald Wilson Reagan. Sales took off, and Clancy’s career was launched. Tom Clancy became the undisputed king of the patriotic-themed techno-thriller, and sold tens of millions of copies of his books. Near the end of his life, Clancy began collaborating with some young, up-and-coming writers, whereby he would come up with the stories, and the writer would write them, and get co-credit for writing the book. One of these writers, and in my opinion the best of them, was Mark Greaney.

Mark wrote several books with Tom, and after he passed away, wrote a couple more under the Tom Clancy brand about the Jack Ryan Universe. But he also wrote some brilliant thrillers of his own, starting with the book The Gray Man. Greaney created the character of the Gray Man, a super-spy and assassin on the run from his former employers at the CIA, a man who was an assassin-for-hire with a conscience. The character is a unique one in the annals of thriller writers, and the books are very well-written, edge-of-your-seat, can’t-put-it-down type of books. I am a huge fan, and consider Greaney a worthy successor to the great Tom Clancy.

His latest instalment in the Gray Man series is called Relentless. It’s a story ripped from today’s headlines, about a shadowy private intelligence firm that is supposedly working as a deniable asset for Israeli Intelligence, but whose actions seem to be against the interests of Israel and the Unites Statesm and benefiting that of its enemies, most especially the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Courtland Gentry, aka The Gray Man, is convalescing from an infection and other serious injuries sustained during his last op, when he is called upon to get back into action.  Why? Because a former NSA operative seems to have gone rogues and the other CIA assets sent to find him are easily identified and neutralized. It seems like someone has hacked into the government intelligence personnel database and created a means of identifying any and all official assets of the CIA. Gentry is an off-books asset, and his boss at the CIA thinks that he is the only one he can send in to figure out what the heck is going on without having his cover blown

Complicating matters is that Gentry’s love interest, Zoya Zakharova, and ex-FSB assassin turned deniable CIA asset, has been tasked with penetrating the private intelligence firm on behalf of the CIA, and in such a way that her identity is blown. Her former employers at the Russian FSB are none too happy about her defection, and have found out where she is and are sending a hit team to neutralize her.

The story unfolds with Gentry fighting off his infection, doing his mission, and attempting to protect the woman he loves from the FSB killers.  The cast of characters include Gentry’s love interest, his boss the DDO Operations at the CIA, his former CIA SAB Commander, an ex-Stasi spymaster, a Russian FSB hit team, German intelligence operatives, a shadowy Intelligence chief from an allied Middle Eastern country, US special forces types gone rogue, actual Middle Eastern terrorists, and a US Ambassador to Germany who happens to be the President’s best friend.

There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the story to keep you guessing, and have you riveted to the book. The ending is both predictable and shocking, and that too, is a Greaney hallmark in the Gray Man series. I won’t give you any more details, because I don’t want to spoil the fun of the story for you. If you are a fan of techno-thrillers, you will love this one. Greaney knows his stuff.

And he does tell a darn good yarn.

 

 

We'd love to hear your thoughts about this article. Please take a minute to share them in the comment section by clicking here. Or carry the conversation over on your favorite social network by clicking one of the share buttons below.


Nicky Billou is a Christian immigrant entrepreneur from Iran, whose family left after the Islamic Revolution. A passionate supporter of President Trump, he is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Georgetown University’s Masters Of Foreign Service Program, and political commentator for the conservative website Politicrossing.com. Nicky is a committed champion for freedom and an implacable foe of tyranny and the cult of cancel culture. He is a best-selling author of 9 books, including two with co-author Wayne Allyn Root. He hosts two top-rated podcasts and has been a guest on over 300 radio and TV shows and podcasts. He is known by the moniker “THE WORLD’S GREATEST PODCAST GUEST”, for his passion, knowledge and ability to deliver an incisive message in a very compelling way. He is also the host of the #1 podcast in the world on Thought Leadership, The Thought Leader Revolution (www.TheThoughtLeaderRevolution.com), featuring guests such as Wayne Allyn Root, Roger Simon, Kurt Schlichter, Chris Widener, Scott Adams, John Maxwell, Seth Godin, Marie Forleo, Barbara Corcoran and Mark Victor Hansen. He is an in-demand and highly inspirational speaker to corporate audiences such as RBC, Lululemon, Royal LePage, and TorStar Media. He is an advisor and confidante to some of the most successful and dynamic entrepreneurs in North America. He is the co-founder of eCircle Academy (www.eCircleAcademy.com) where he runs a yearlong Mastermind & Educational program working with successful Entrepreneurs, Coaches, Consultants, Corporate Trainers, Clinic Owners, Realtors, Mortgage Brokers and other service-based Entrepreneurs, positioning them as authorities in their niche. He is the creator of the Thought Leader/Heart Leader™ Designation.



 
 
 

Join the conversation!

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.



Guns

Prepare for the Worst: Domestic Sabotage and Violence on the Horizon

The wheels of extremism are already in motion

Published

on

Leading up to this November, and beyond, it now seems inevitable that America will experience extreme turmoil, if not outright hostilities and even urban warfare. Nothing that I write here will have any impact in terms of what is likely to occur. For one, Leftists don’t tend to read articles by conservative and, two, the wheels of extremism are already in motion.

Tactics Without End

I devote at least 500 hours annually to reading about political, historical, and cultural matters, adding up to more than 5,000 hours in the last 10 years. I’ve reached the same conclusion which legions of others have: Domestically the U.S. is headed for huge trouble. We already know many of the Left’s tactics to hinder Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, which include devious hoaxes, endless lies and slander, bogus lawsuits and selective prosecution, unconstitutional fines, and much more.

As spring leads to summer, Trump’s lead over Biden could grow. As such, expect the Left to act even more desperately with reprehensible tactics. Consider that of late RINO Congressional Representatives are suspiciously retiring early on dates with no chance for a special election to occur in their districts. Hence, Democrats can retake the House. Do you smell payola? Thereafter if Trump is elected, the House could attempt to deny certification.

By June or July, invariably, the Left will seek to foment another “George Floyd” incident and blame it all on Trump. With the power of The New York Times and major networks embellishing the narrative and offering World War II level coverage, the masses will be snowed. Think about Donald Trump observing that if he’s not elected there will be a bloodbath in the auto industry, and how the mainstream media, in unison, immediately claimed that Trump was calling for nationwide violence.

The Left is Violent and Everyone Knows It

The most violent segment of our society happens to be on the Left, as even many casual observers know. If Trump is ahead in the polls in September or October, expect dissension wherever the Left can prevail. When Trump wins the election in November, expect riots in 200 cities or more, surreptitiously funded by George Soros and his kind.

The money will fuel Antifa and other groups of young men and women who do not have career level jobs but do have questionable futures. The riots will last for as long as the extremists can persist; days, weeks, even months. From there, open warfare, in the form of urban snipers, is entirely possible.

Leading up to inauguration on January 20, many key dates such as certification from Congress, approval of Electoral College votes, and so on, represent key opportunities for the Left’s planned disruptions.

Disruption and Sabotage

January 20 could be a day of extreme violence. Washington, DC will have to be put under martial law. National guards from every surrounding state will be employed. The violent Left will not allow Trump to peacefully take over the reins from the corrupt, demented Joe Biden.

Biden’s administration, ruled by Barack Obama, will not offer a smooth transition of power, unlike all other presidents since our nation was founded. This is except for Obama, who did all he could to sabotage first Trump’s administration from the get-go.

The rest of January leading into February will represent days of turmoil. The Left will attempt to disrupt Trump’s second administration 24/7. They will harass and threaten political appointees. They will form roadblocks. They will resort to antics in front of federal buildings, the Supreme Court building, and other targeted locations which they deem to be ‘in their way.’

Eventually, Trump can clean it all up but at enormous financial and social cost. Rioters and less-than-peaceful protestors can be taken off the streets and, this time, held for much more than 24 hours. They can be charged, fingerprinted, photographed, and processed by a now lawful Department of Justice . However, such major operations will result in a lot of pain and gnashing of teeth.

Sadly for our nation, the scenarios above are more likely to be true than not.

– – – – –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Life

With Representatives Like Kelly Daughtry, We Can Take Back America

Daughtry is a soft-spoken woman who gets things done

Published

on

When President Trump takes office next January 20th, he’s going to need a cadre of strong-willed Congressional representatives. It’s not enough to simply retake the White House, we need the foot soldiers with the unshakeable resolve to restore America.

In North Carolina’s 13th district, one candidate is firmly rooted in the values that made this country great, and will make it great again. Her name is Kelly Daughtry and, quite frankly, the nation needs many others like her.

Raised in rural North Carolina and the daughter of a U.S. veteran, farmer, lawyer, and entrepreneur, Daughtry has been a practicing lawyer for the past 25 years in Johnston County, where she makes her home. She’s been in the trenches and is not skittish about the slings and arrows that come with taking bold, conservative positions for what is right.

Clear Positions on Vital Issues

Daughtry is exceedingly clear on where she stands and on what will improve the lives of American citizens. She is a vigorous supporter of law enforcement and decries ‘de-fund the police’ movements wherever they arise. She understands that, by and large, the men and women in law enforcement are dedicated, hardworking individuals who, in many instances, put their lives on the line.

Similarly, Daughtry supports the U.S. military and our veterans. She knows that nations around the world with rogue leadership wish to do us great harm, and that we must maintain a strong military at all times. Not coincidentally, a strong military is the best prescription for peace.

On the border issue, Daughtry recognizes that the Biden Administration is firmly committed to swamping our country with illegal aliens. Why? Because the U.S. Census count doesn’t focus on U.S. citizenship, only the number of residents per county and state.

Hence, Democrats can gain a 20-seat advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives by continuing to flood our nation. This ploy is precisely why Biden and company have brought lawsuits against border states seeking to protect themselves.

The drugs, the crime — the murders — and the bursting budgets of towns and states trying to cope with the onslaught of illegals should never have happened in the first place. Daughtry knows what needs to be done, and done immediately.

Reversing Biden’s Reckless Agenda

Daughtry will go to work on restoring our nation, dismantling Joe Biden’s reckless agenda for America. She understands that Biden’s policies towards China in particular, and the bribes he has taken, have been nothing less than devastating for hard-working Americans and for our national security.

Most notably, she is firmly opposed to the Chinese Communist Party and their representatives who are seeking to buy farmland throughout North Carolina as well as every other place in the United States.

Biden’s out-of-control spending has particularly hurt North Carolinians. Farmers have taken the brunt of the punishment. The unending inflation that we’ve faced for 38 months also has dealt a crushing blow to North Carolina small business owners and families in general. One of Daughtry’s first agenda items will be to help steer our country back towards fiscal sanity, which in turn will have a direct impact on the cost of groceries and gasoline.

Americans First

Like President Trump, Daughtry understands the importance of putting Americans first and of safeguarding or voting procedures, elections, and indeed what it means to be an American citizen. Of note, she has no misconceptions about the differences between men and women and will work to stop the malarkey that the Left imposes on us every day, with their “56” types of genders.

Daughtry is a soft-spoken woman and in her quiet way, gets things done. If Donald Trump had an army of Kelly Daughtrys, the country would be on firm footing in relatively short order. She knows what hard-working Americans want and need, and is exactly the type of politician that North Carolina must send to Washington D.C.

It is not an exaggeration to say that in Wake, Harnett, Johnson, and Wayne counties in North Carolina, as well as the entire state and entire country, the 2024 election will be the most important in our lifetimes. This has been said about other elections at other times, but considering the damage that the Democrats have wrought on America, the time is now to reclaim our great nation and, with the likes of Kelly Daughtry, we can.

– – – – –

 

 

 

Continue Reading

 

Our Newsletter

Become a Politicrossing insider: Sign up for our free email newsletter, and we'll make sure to keep you in the loop.

Sites We Like

Jesus, Master of Influence

Chris Widener, speaker and best selling author of The Art of Influence, teaches that Jesus is the master of influence. In sixteen sessions you will learn from one of the most influential communicators how the life and teachings of Jesus Christ is the best model for how to become an effective influence that can change people’s thoughts, beliefs and actions.

LEARN MORE

Our Newsletter

Become a PolitiCrossing insider: Sign up for our free email newsletter, and we'll make sure to keep you in the loop.

Trending