Sentinel

Armored #2

by Mark Greaney

An African coup may force Josh Duffy to choose between his mission and his family in this intense thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Gray Man series. Josh Duffy and his wife Nikki are both working for the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service providing protection for diplomats in the field. They've been sent to Ghana with a team of US embassy personnel who are there to highlight American commitment to the construction of a new dam. Since Ghana is a stable democracy, the Duffy children have come along for a short vacation. But stability proves to be fleeting when a Chinese plan to embarrass the US means the destruction of the dam. Now Josh and his protectees are on the run caught between a Chinese hit squad and a rebel army.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Action, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

592 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2024

About the author

Mark Greaney has a degree in International Relations and Political Science. In researching The Gray Man series he traveled to ten countries and trained extensively in the use of firearms, battlefield medicine, and close range combative tactics.

Learn more at MARKGREANEYBOOKS.COM

Email Mark at MarkGreaneyBooks@gmail.com

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Greaney is skilled in bringing together diverse characters, a contemporary topic, and plenty of pulse-pounding exhilarating action. Sentinel, the second book in the Armored series, features Josh and Nicole Duff. Both work for the U.S. State Department. Josh is a special agent in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security while Nicole is a junior political officer. Nicole gets her first overseas assignment and they’re both sent to Ghana, a country with a stable democracy. Their children also go with them. However, a foreign nation’s plan to embarrass the United States and gain control of resources in the country makes this assignment anything but easy.

Josh is former military and a former close protection agent. He suffers from nightmares and panic attacks. He has a competent nature, and is affable, but misses the exhilaration of high-threat protection. Nicole is highly disciplined, intelligent, and diligent. There are many other characters, but there is a character list at the beginning of the book as well as an abbreviations list.
Greaney is an excellent storyteller who kept me on the edge of my seat with gripping scenes, volatile action scenes, a superb plot, and fantastic writing. In preparation for his Gray Man series, he not only traveled to multiple countries but trained extensively in the use of firearms, battlefield medicine, and close-range combative tactics. That experience has been translated into the events in this series as well.

The suspense, with its constant sense of urgency and uneasiness, kept me fully engrossed in the story. The world-building was excellent; especially for the scenes in and around the reservoir. The pace is lightning fast and the premise feels like it could easily happen. While some of the action scenes are a little excessive for one person to handle with such resilience, the story worked for me. Themes include family, power, protecting others, politics, greed, and much more. While here is some technical information on weapons, there isn’t an inordinate amount of detail. My one quibble was the beginning of the book had a few chapters that were in a different time-line and this wasn’t obvious until later.

Overall, this is a riveting, intense, and violent story that is disquieting and unsettling at times, but also has some tender moments. I recommend this series to those who like political, action, espionage, and military thrillers. The action scenes combined with great characters and a well-written plot make this novel a must read for thriller readers. While this series is best read in order, this one worked as a standalone novel for me. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Josh and Nicole.

Berkley Publishing Group and Mark Greaney provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 25, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.5 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Assigment

Josh Duffey ended up working at the same place as his wife in the U.S. Department of State and he couldn’t be happier. Nicole works with the diplomats and Josh is a special agent in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Because of his prosthetic leg, Josh spends most of his time at a desk, but is often tasked with security jobs in the field. Heck, Duff is practically a legend after some of the scrapes he’d been in and gotten out of bringing protectees with him.

This time they were going to Ghana, the largest stable republic in Africa and Josh and Nicole both had good positions and decided they could bring the kids.

Some bad actors saw the rich nation of Ghana as ripe for the taking and was already planning a reception for the American Ambassador and the President of Ghana. Somehow you just know that Duff is going to be right in the thick of this mess, because that’s just how he rolls.

Mark Greaney can really write some exciting action and believable espionage, and this was his best book yet. Josh Duffy is just a good guy who always does the right thing, but he certainly isn’t a superhero, yet somehow he’s always on top of the action.

If you like action, spys and good guys doing the right thing, you’re going to love Sentinel, and Mr. Greaney gives you some bad guys you will love to hate. I gave this an easy five star. I read between Kindle and Audible, but the Audible performance was top notch. Don’t miss it in whatever format you read it in!

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Greaney's latest thriller, Sentinel, showcases his skill at crafting page-turners. The story follows Josh Duffey and his wife, who work for the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service when they learn they are heading to Ghana and take their children with them. China is funding major investments in Africa in return for the precious metals needed for electronics, and the U.S. has decided this isn’t ideal. In a show of solidarity, the President of Ghana and diplomats from the EU and US embark on a publicity tour. And wouldn’t you know it, the delegation walks right into the beginnings of a coup. What are the odds? Duffy—with a ragtag team of allies—risks it all to keep the diplomats alive and protect Ghana’s democracy.
Greaney, known for The Gray Man, has created a diametrically different hero than Court Gentry in Josh Duffy. Gentry is a one-man killing machine whereas Duffy is just a regular dude. A man who prides himself in doing his job well, providing for his family, and doing what is right no matter the consequences, Duffy is a natural leader and is best when part of a team. He doesn’t relish violence but will dole it out when necessary.
The thread that weaves through all of Greaney’s books is how well-researched they are. Greaney excels at putting the reader into the action and delivers a visceral experience. The emotions and stresses leap off the page and keep the reader turning the pages.
Sentinel is a fun and propulsive thriller with a protagonist anyone can root for.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Sentinel.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is too long and drags until it ends.

[Teju A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Greaney is a BEAST and has officially become my best author! This man can write! Sorry former first place (I ain't kissing and telling😉). HE holds you by the collar from the beginning and never lets you go. This was so fast paced, I enjoyed every second.

Duffy finds himself in Ghana now with his whole family, with the past events from book 1 its safe to say things have never looked better! Nicole his wife now works at the embassy while he as security. The stirring of a coup begin to take shape with someone from Dufy's past well in the mix. When the Ambassador's party is ambushed at the dam during a tour with the president of Ghana and other dignitaries, time begins ticking to if the enemy's ploy for a power grab will succeed!

Greaney is awesome when it also comes to how he shapes his characters, and being African myself he definitely got the atmosphere of a fellow African country! I look forward to many more from this amazing author

SOLID 5 Stars!!

Berkley Publishing group, thanks so much for this ARC!🙏🏾😊
THE SENTINEL BY MARK GREANEY OUT JUNE 25TH!!!

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh Duffy and his wife Nikki is back, or actually they are in Africa but who cares. Mark Greaney has written an interesting book in this series called Sentinel. It is all about some of the troubles that is actually happening on that continent. Although he may take it a little further than real life I don't think he is far off the mark. The exploitation of natural resources and people that is going on is horrendous but money and power is everything for some people. I found the book well researched and full of action and twists that kept me up far to late in the morning hours. Once again Mark shows why he has been a top selling author for so many years.

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and predictable. It was a good passtime. No need to read the first to understand the second but it does put things in perspective.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Greaney keeps killing it. The second book in the Armored Series has Josh Duffy adjusting to his new life. Since the thriller conclusion of Amored, Josh has landed a job with the security arm of the State Department. His wife, Nichole also has a job with the state department now. Once she finishes her training period, her, Josh, and their two children are assigned to Ghana, one of the most stable countries in Africa. Little do they know that a Chinese Operative is making plans to support a coup to overthrow the government with the help of mercenaries including someone from Josh’s path. As the coup unfolds, Josh finds himself and his protectees right in the thick of it.

Sentinel is a fast paced fantastic plot that pulls you in from the start. The action is nonstop from about a third of a way into the book until the end. The action scenes are intense and very realistic. Bringing back a mercenary from Josh’s past makes an excellent twist and brings up the suspense and makes the stages even more personally. Josh’s wife plays a supporting role in this installment and it adds another wrinkle into the plot. I also enjoy the fact that Josh has a prosthetic leg, but it doesn’t limit hi or become a main factor in the story. It pops up from time to time, but doesn’t limit his ability to be a bad ass.

Overall this is an excellent thriller, and a very good follow up to the debut in the series. If you are a fan of action packed thrillers, his book is a must read. Thank you to Mark Greaney, NetGalley, and Berkeley Publishing Group for a free advanced copy for an honest review.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first book of the series. Josh Duffy, MC from the first book is now working diplomatic security, his wife Nicole is a State Department worker.
When her new assignment is in the embassy in Ghana Josh is able to get a diplomatic security position there and off they go, along with their 2 young children.
Ghana is known as the most stable government in western Africa. But a Chinese agent has a plan to stage a coup and install his own new president who will oust the westerners and be quite China friendly.
They didn't count on Duff

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty straightforward mercenary type story with some well written secondary characters.

[Mike Reinking · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a video game with the added feature of children in peril. Monotonous and repetitive- previous book in this series (Armored) was decent but this was a waste of time for me. Skimmed through the last 20% of the book just to see what the conclusion was.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greaney's follow-up to his Armored novel is a step up with a thoroughly enjoyable and thrilling novel.

This is well knitted plot into a rather long narrative. I would think a hundred pages might could be cut out. In this case, I'm not sure where. Most over long books is obvious where trimming could occur. Not to indicate this is a tight book. There's an onslaught of story that includes a bit of levity and the battles are cut to bone. This Greaney book reminds me most of his earliest Gray Man novels.

The book begins quietly enough and then speeds into the main point of plot rather quickly. The premise is not unimaginable. In fact, as one who keeps a bit of a tap on African politics, Greaney maps out just how the Chinese is worming in to have control of the continent... or, at least, part of it.
Greaney's effort is logical and likely true to some extent. How true will be known after the fact.

There's a series of new characters and returning ones that are well defined with appropriate dialogue. All have their own voice and used consistently. Why is this so hard for most current authors to do?

The ending is thoroughly satisfying and I look forward to #3 in the series.

Bottom line: i recommend this book. 9 out of 10 points.
This preview book was available through NetGalley.com

[Max · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this so you don't have to.

The author of the great Gray Man series has hit a foul ball here.

Josh Duffy, ex military and ex-soldier of fortune, and his wife, Nichole, work for the State Department. They are sent to Ghana, just as the Chinese government organizes a complicated coup. Josh and his wife end up in the middle of things and lots of shooting and violence erupt. In the end, things work out for them.

None of the characters was the least bit interesting. The story, at 475 pages, is way too long and predictable. The dialogue is mundane. The action sequences are typical for books of this genre.

If there is another entry in this series, I do not plan on reading it.

[Matt. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never fully got into this book. I’ll most likely pass on reading anymore of this series if it continues

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars ⭐️

I have to say that I enjoyed this book much more than I enjoyed the first book in this series. Not that I didn't like book 1, because I did, I just REALLY enjoyed this book more.

We are bringing back Josh Duffy and his wife Nicole (Nikki) as they are both now working for the State Department in different capacities. They get a new posting to Ghana, Africa. It is supposed to be the most stable government out of ALL of the places in Africa. Yep, you guessed it....not for long.

I loved how this book took off from the very start and honestly did not let up until the very end of the book. Mr. Greaney is experienced in somehow keeping the tension ratcheted up for the duration and he does this brilliantly.

I realized several times that I was holding my breath. Man, I love when that happens. I do not think that I truly was able to connect with Josh in the first book, but for some reason, I was all in for this one. Maybe it was because the entire family was a part of this - honestly, I'm not sure.

I listened to most of this on audio and I felt like Adam Gold did a great job with the narration.

I'm not sure if this is going to stop at book 2 - I hope not. But, if he is going to continue on with this series- then count me in. I would love to see what is in store next for the Duffy family.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this author. In this new series of his, two things stand out in a good way. One is the MC, Duff. He is an all-around likable character, as is his wife. I love that. While they worked well together, I'd like to see more character development in future installments.

The other thing I completely enjoyed were all the action scenes. They are well constructed and I love the tension and the flow. Mark Greaney has that mastered. So 4 stars for this one.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’ve probably heard the reviews of action novels and movies tossing around hype like “pulse pounding” and “edge of the seat.”
Then you read the book or see the movie. The best part(s) usually at the end of the book, best parts in the previews.

Then along comes novelist Mark Greaney and his black-ops action heroes.
Not much hype.
Mostly the pounding of pulses and seat’s edging.
A lot.
His best known character( ex-CIA operative on the run )“the Gray Man” has been around through over a dozen adventures
SENTINEL is the 2nd installment of the new Josh Duffy saga, first seen in 2022’s ARMORED.
Back then, Duff was an ex-army seargent with a disability , a young family and in desperate need of money.
Lying about his disability, he turned to military contractor work- a near fatal choice.
Now, he’s a State Dept. Security officer working mostly desk jobs and light personal body guard duty : read here still handicapped/ partial amputee, still married, 2 kids….. short book (yawn.)

Nuh uh……
First there has to be the background stuff and the warm and fuzzy wife and kids-stuff and a peek at the bad guys and the horrible crap they’re planning. All that before they come and personally choke you in your sleep.
You know, just to get you situated.
Then ?
All pounding and cringing and squirming your way through close quarter knife fights, shoot-outs and high body counts, raging rivers, explosions.. a lot of personal injury stuff. Everybody gets hurt……some even seriously killed .

Yes, it is formulaic. Predictable. All the good stuff usually is.
Harry Bosch, James Bond, Jack Reacher, Jack Ryan.

So its not literature. But it is good for your arteries . Pulsing.
You’re on your own with that seat-thing, though…..

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Greaney's "Gray Man" thrillers showcased his talents for crafting page-turning, spy/geopolitical thrillers...In his "Armored" thrillers, Greaney has given us a more, and I use the term advisably, "family" oriented hero, in Josh Duffey...After his heroism in Mexico, as a military contractor, Duffey is now working for the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service as his wife works in the diplomatic corps...They learn they are assigned to Ghana and take their children with them as a whole family experience, where they run afoul of a Chinese plot to gain control of the Ghanese government..."Sentinel" is just a wonderful, fast paced, fantastic story that pulls you in from the start with it's suspense and action...Loved it!

[Steven Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books



Make sure to check out the full review

[vk chompooming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banger by the great Mark Greaney! I don't know how much this guy is getting paid but it is not enough. From beginning to end Sentinel is action packed with a great story, great characters, and a "believable" protagonist. This is a great sequel to another ballpark homerun. I love this series just as much as the Gray Man series. I can't wait for the next one.

[Anschen Conradie · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Sentinel – Mark Graeney
#Sphere
#JonathanBall

Remember Court Gentry? For context: Remember the Gray Man? If not the book, the Netflix movie, then? Now that you do, you will know why the name of this author sounds familiar. He was also one of Tom Clancy’s co-authors in the Jack Ryan series, for those still in doubt.

All the aforesaid has nothing to do with the current novel, however. ‘Sentinel’ is the second novel in a series featuring Josh Duffy, a military man who lost a lower leg in action and is now a partial bionic man, dependent upon a top of the range prosthesis. The first, ‘Armored’, was published in 2022, but the reading thereof is not a prerequisite, since this novel can be read as a standalone.

Josh and his wife, Nichole (Nikki) are both attached to the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, and a secondment to Ghana results in them deciding to take their two children along for what is supposed to be a run of the mill job combined with a family holiday. Ghana boasts a stable democracy, after all.

But if that were true, this novel would not exist, of course.

Behind the scenes a diabolic plot is unfolding. Beijing is frustrated by the current Ghanese president and wishes to replace him with an ambitious member of the opposition willing to commit to a more favorable partnership with China. Subterfuge is the key word, however, and the respective players involved in the planned coup d’etat, namely a group of mercenaries under leadership of a ruthless South African, rebels under the banner of the Togoland Restoration Front with Russian assistance, and Islamic extremists are unaware of each other.

Two seemingly irrelevant incidents combine to light the fuse in this explosive combination: The weather changes, and a young father goes to work earlier than usual due to his baby’s crying during the night.

The setting is mostly in and around the Akosombo Dam and other essential infrastructure in the Volta River providing hydroelectricity to the country, with a dramatic showdown in Accra. As is the case with most novels in this genre, corpses are aplenty. There are explosions, gunfire in all possible formats, hand to hand combat, nail biting incidents involving water and heights, and car chases on terrible roads, everything that an adrenaline-loving reader desires.

At the heart of the novel, however, is a family man, desperate to save his wife and children. The intensity of the utter helplessness and despair that accompanies this desire, is described in simple, but effective terms, such as: “...she continued running, because she did not know what else to do.” (408)

Stereotyping in respect of nationality (Chinese are land grabbers, Russians are evil, South Africans are closet mercenaries, and Americans are the heroes) does become a bid annoying, but overall, the novel is a fast paced African adventure to be enjoyed by lovers of the thriller genre.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek

[L.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars

This is definitely a page turner! This is the second book in the Armored series. I suggest that new readers start with the first book (Armored) because Sentinel is a chronological continuation even though understanding the plot isn't dependent on the reader having read Armored. The lack would be in missing out on a great deal of backstory which helps define the relationships. I enjoy reading Mark Greaney's books and I've currently finished the first 8 books of The Gray Man series.

SUMMARY: Josh Duffy and his wife Nikki are both working for the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service providing protection for diplomats in the field. They've been sent to Ghana with a team of US embassy personnel who are there to highlight American commitment to the construction of a new dam. Since Ghana is a stable democracy, the Duffy children have come along for a short vacation. But stability proves to be fleeting when a Chinese plan to embarrass the US means the destruction of the dam. Now Josh and his protectees are on the run caught between a Chinese hit squad and a rebel army.

[Michael crage · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like lots of action, this is a good book for you. The main characters are Joshua "Josh" Dffy who at one time had been an enisted man in the army, then worked as a contractor for a private miltary corporation based in the United Kingdom, and now as a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Dept of State and his wife Nichole Duffy who had been a Captain in the U.S. Army, an helicopter pilot, and now was also working for the U.S. State Dept as a Foreign Service Officer. They got posted to Guana in West Africa. It was supposedly the most stable government in the area, but suddenly just two week as after the got there, the Chinese decided to overthrow the government and get ridof the American influence. This put them all in danger with Josh and Nichole both going on a helicopter tour with visiting dignities with the President of Guana. And of course they ran into trouble.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent story about geopolitical machinations in Africa, particularly the Belt and Road Chinese initiatives, use of mercenaries, and deceit. The influence of Tom Clancy is very apparent. A page turner.

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying the series. It does go over the top and it’s real intense, but overall it keeps my attention and a good read. Good characters and good story.

[Sabrina S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave it a 3 1/2 - Great narration by Adam Gold!

[Jeremy Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

I couldn’t tell you the last time I didn’t really enjoy a Mark Greaney book but this one didn’t do much for me. The first half was a bit of a bore and it did pick up towards the end but I wasn’t as interested in the setting of this one.

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I hadn’t read the first book, I would have rated this second one higher. However, the flow of who these characters were and what they were doing at the beginning of the first book doesn’t match where we’re at for the beginning of the second book. It makes me wonder if the author initially wrote the first one as a standalone and then decided later to make it into a series. And then he didn’t want to keep the characters in the situation/setting from the first book so we get an entirely new situation to carry a series that doesn’t really make sense with the first book, but let’s just pretend that’s where this was always going to go. 🤷‍♀️

[Nathaniel Delano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun adventure read.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of the gray man novels, but this series just doesn’t seem to have the character depth or storytelling that those do.