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Tom Gray #6

Gray Salvation

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Book 6, a continuation of the Tom Gray series. This book was previously published by Thomas & Mercer, an Amazon Publishing imprint. Please check your downloaded Kindle books before purchasing. When the body of an MI5 operative is found floating in the Thames, police frogmen find a significant clue Nikolai Sereyev, an MI5 informer and mid-level player in a Russian criminal organisation. Both men have been brutally murdered.Andrew Harvey is tasked with finding his colleague’s killer, and quickly uncovers a plot to assassinate a visiting dignitary on British soil. No sooner has he scraped the surface of the case than the tables are turned and he becomes a pawn in a game of international brinkmanship that leads all the way to the Kremlin.Harvey’s girlfriend, Sarah, also a secret service operative, is hot on his trail, but when she too becomes compromised, security chief Veronica Ellis knows there is only one man she can turn to. He’s a loose cannon, but she needs his help to rescue her agent and prevent a full-blown international incident.The trouble is, Tom Gray has gone to ground. Finding him is just the beginning.

344 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2016

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About the author

Alan McDermott

31 books773 followers
Alan McDermott is a full time author from the south of England, married with beautiful twin daughters. He used to write critical applications for the NHS, but now he spends his days writing action thrillers.

His debut novel, Gray Justice, has been very well received and earned him membership of http://independentauthorsinternationa.... He was subsequently picked up by Thomas & Mercer, who published his first 10 books.

Alan's 7th novel Trojan was shortlisted for an ITW thriller award.

In March 2020 he release a new standalone called Motive, and the 7th Tom Gray will be released on June 4th 2020.

The reading order of Alan's books can be found at www.alanmcdermottbooks.co.uk

You can follow Alan on Twitter through his @Jambalian account and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GrayJustice

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
Profile Image for Bettie.
9,976 reviews5 followers
March 8, 2016
Thomas & Mercer

Description: When the body of an MI5 operative is found floating in the Thames, police frogmen find a significant clue nearby: Nikolai Sereyev, an MI5 informer and mid-level player in a Russian criminal organisation. Both men have been brutally murdered.

Andrew Harvey is tasked with finding his colleague’s killer, and quickly uncovers a plot to assassinate a visiting dignitary on British soil. No sooner has he scraped the surface of the case than the tables are turned and he becomes a pawn in a game of international brinkmanship that leads all the way to the Kremlin.

Harvey’s girlfriend, Sarah, also a secret service operative, is hot on his trail, but when she too becomes compromised, security chief Veronica Ellis knows there is only one man she can turn to. He’s a loose cannon, but she needs his help to rescue her agent and prevent a full-blown international incident. The trouble is, Tom Gray has gone to ground. Finding him is just the beginning.


Opening: PROLOGUE: 15 January 2016: Nikolai tried to spit the blood from his mouth but the damage they'd done to his lips made it impossible. The best he could do was let it dribble down his chin and onto his chest, where it slowly made its way between his man breasts before coming to rest on the top of his distended beer belly.

Jason Willard was working the Russian desk when he ended up a murderee in the Thames at the Embankment, his last appointment was with an informer...

The sanctions imposed on Russia following their annexing of Crimea had hit the country's economy hard. [..] Far from learning their lesson though, the Russians had turned their eyes to Tagrilistan[*], one of the many former soviet republics bordering Russia to the south."

This is, apparently, the latest in a series about Tom Gray, yet you wouldn't realise that from looking at Goodreads site: usually series are well marked as such. However, that remiss fact is a perk in this particular instance, normally mid-series books wouldn't get requested unless the preceding installments had been read and liked.

Baseline three testost-tosh, with way too much weapon information for my taste.


* For those who are geographically challenged, 'Tagrilistan' is a fictional country. The younguns tell me that philosophy, art, history, music and geography are defunct disciplines nowadays unless one wants to 'speshulise'- talk about trying to make the informed feel like dinosaurs.
Profile Image for Kath Middleton.
Author 23 books158 followers
February 4, 2016
Tom Gray has retired. He's taken his toddler daughter Melissa off to a new life in America. He wants to see his little girl grow up peacefully but he's loyal and can't leave a friend in danger. He gets involved. Although Gray and his associates can kill ruthlessly when they have the need, they are on the side of justice. There's politics stirred into the mix and the powers in the land won't help when an MI5 agent is kidnapped and threatened with execution. Tom Gray is involved both abroad and back in Britain keeping the villains at bay and seeking to bring them to account for their crimes.

I keep thinking Alan McDermott has written his best Tom Gray novel yet and he keeps surpassing himself. The characters are written with depth and are totally believable. The story is wide ranging and covers political intrigue, corruption and potential assassination but it's tempered with comradeship, love and the desperate desire of a father to see his motherless child grow up with one parent in her life. It could have been just gung-ho adventure games but it's so much more. There are characters you will care about as well as evil you long to see brought to justice. Thoroughly enjoyable and this one is going to be hard to better.

Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
Profile Image for Nolene Driscoll.
226 reviews10 followers
April 4, 2016
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

OMG, OMG, OMG. While reading this all I wanted was for the world to stop so that I could get off and just read the book but the world kept interfering with my reading time.

What can I say, fantastic book! Absolute corker. Had me gripped from the first page and kept me in its tight hold until the end. This is fast paced, thrilling action adventure that has you dodging bullets, sneaking through buildings, and driving like mad through dangerous territory trying to avoid the tanks and armed assailants following you. My blood was pumping, the sweat was rolling and my heart was in atrial fibrillation trying to keep apace of the story.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Alan McDermott has the gift of a great thrilling storyteller and I hope he keeps producing more books because I so need the thrills and spills that he produces within the pages of his book. At the end of the book I was devastated that my action adventure had come to an end but boy did I enjoy the ride while it lasted.

A book that I would definitely recommend and will definitely be adding him to my list of favourite authors. If I could give him more than 5 stars I would.
489 reviews6 followers
July 14, 2016
Gray Salvation ( a Tom Gray book 6)

Gray is getting settled in Florida and his daughter is doing well, when Director Ellis, MI5, shows up on his doorstep with two of his old teammates, asking him for an extraction team to go rescue Steven Harvey, who was responsible for keeping Gray alive in an earlier encounter. Gray aids in getting a team together, and on the brink of departure, shows up himself to head the rescue. The action includes three countries, several means of transportation, stealthy movement, shootouts, and other twists and turns before everything comes full circle at the end. McDermott has a unique style that keeps you guessing where the action is going but keeps you glued to the pages to find out. Thanks for another great read. Wondering what happens to Tom Gray next.
Profile Image for John Purvis.
1,366 reviews26 followers
April 17, 2016
“Gray Salvation” eBook was published in 2016 and was written by Alan McDermott. Mr McDermott has published six novels, this being the sixth in his “Tom Gray” series.

I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. This Spy Thriller is set in contemporary London and in the fictitious eastern European country of Tagilistan.

Tom Gray has a checkered past, having been both a criminal and an operative for British Intelligence. He is now retired, he thinks, and has taken up new residence in the US with his young daughter.

In London the bodies of an informer as well as an MI5 agent are found in the Thames. This begins an investigation by MI5 agent Andrew Harvey. This leads to Alexi Bessonov, a Russian with criminal connections living in London.

Links are discovered to an assassination planned on a visiting head of state from Tagrilistan. Tagrilistan is fighting insurgents unofficially backed by the Russian government. As Harvey continues to investigate, he is kidnapped and secretly taken to Tagrilistan, where a story is released by the insurgents that he is a captured British spy.

Gray is approached to lead an off-the-books mission into Tagrilistan to save Harvey. In the meantime, Harvey’s girlfriend, Sarah Thompson, is taken hostage when she confronts Bessonov. While Thompson is a British Intelligence Agent, there is little MI5 can do until they get evidence that Bessonov is behind Thompson’s disappearance.

The story races forward on three fronts. In London where Thompson’s whereabout is being sought by MI5. In Tagrilistan where Gray and a small team of special operation men are trying to rescue Harvey. Then in London again where MI5 is trying to stop the assassination attempt.

I thought that the 6.5 hours I spent with this 312 page Thriller were enjoyable. While this is the sixth novel in the “tom Gray” series, this book stood well by itself. There was constant action keeping the reader’s interest, and I liked the character of Tom Gray. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
398 reviews8 followers
April 23, 2016
Gray Salvation is the sixth book in Alan McDermott's Tom Gray series. I discovered Alan through Netgalley from whom I borrowed the fifth in the series, Gray Vengeance. Book number five blew me away and I immediately bought all four previous tomes from Amazon, vowing to read the serious from the beginning. I'm still to make time to read the first four novels, due to my prolific reviewing of new titles, but I jumped at the chance to review the next instalment when offered the chance.

This book is a step down in stakes from the previous, which is hardly a surprise. Gray Vengeance had as it's centre a plot of near apocalyptic proportions and if our protagonist, Tom Gray, were to face such peril in every outing the author might well exhaust himself. This is not to say that Gray Salvation is without thrills, a brutal Russian Mafia don, a Russian invasion of a Caucasus nation clearly inspired by Putin's adventurism in the Ukraine, would all add up to a very bad day for most people, but for Tom Gray it's all in a day's work.

Like Gray Vengeance this is a well-plotted and well-paced thriller set in a contemporary setting. It bristling with geo-political tension. It's a fun read that keeps you turning the page. Tom Gray is a likeable Jason Bourne type figure and both his allies and enemies are all well-drawn. Alan McDermott is on to a winner with this series and I will definitely be reading more, both making time to read the previous instalments, and waiting for future episodes with baited breath.
17 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2017
Top Class

The contents are so up to date, and the story line keeps you turning they page's and the action is nonstop. Alan McDermott is a top class writer.
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,725 reviews12 followers
March 11, 2016
Tom Gray, former MI5 rogue, has gone to ground. He has moved his daughter to Florida to avoid the situations he always seems to find himself in. His friends at MI5 are still in the thick of it, though, and when you add the Russians to the mix, things get tense. An operative and an informant are brutally murdered, Farsi is the victim of a hit and run, and Andrew Harvey is kidnapped. This comes at a time when the PM is about to sign an agreement with Tagrilistan. Plans are made to assassinate their PM on his visit to London. Tom Gray gets his band back together to go rescue his friend Harvey. Page turning action!
Profile Image for Jay Williams.
1,718 reviews33 followers
March 4, 2016
This is a brilliantly-executed story, bringing together all the elements of a superior spy-thriller. The book is unique because Tom Gray is a strong character, but only one of many strong and appealing characters. High tech weaponry and good old-fashioned detective work combine to keep the narrative both exciting and suspenseful. The writing is clear and direct, and there are no wasted words. This book could serve as a model of how to construct a thriller. It has clear writing, realistic and likeable characters, effective villains, unsupportive politicians, exciting battles, and suspense that never lets up.
74 reviews
June 13, 2016
Thrilling!!

I do enjoy a good Tom Gray saga they are always full of twists and turns but I have to admit there was not enough Tom Gray in it unlike the other books.
All other Gray books are based around Tom but this one seemed to be about other characters first and he was just in the background, I hope that doesn't mean the end of Tom Gray stories because I really enjoy them.
Despite my concerns this was a great storyline I thoroughly enjoyed the action.
Maybe having to read the book in chapters here and there has ruined my thorough enjoyment,I'll be making sure I make the time to read my next Alan McDermott all the way through!!
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,380 reviews28 followers
March 15, 2016
Andrew Harvey who is a member of MI5 is trying to find information to the possible assignation attempt on a visiting dignitary before it happens. He gets a clue and goes out to a furniture factory associated with a Russian who might be involved. He is captured and after being beaten is moved out of the country. His boss, Veronica Ellis contacts Tom Gray to help get Andrew back. Fast moving story and keeps you on the end of your seat. Eill they find the person who has been hired to do the killing? Will they find Andrew? Read this fascinating story to find out.
8 reviews
October 3, 2016
Another Brilliant Read

As always Alan McDermott kept me on the edge of my seat with the latest installment of the Tom Gray series, (hoping its not the last). Its a gripping read as the plot of the book isnt far fetched, and just when you think the team are a few steps closer to catching the guys something happens to drag them one step back, or political red tape and reputation frustratingly get in the way. I highly recommend this book and the five before it to anyone that likes alot of action and detail in their reads x
36 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2016
OMG. I won this book as a giveaway from Goodreads. Just finished it. One of the best written fast paced books I have read in awhile. Loved it. This book has action action action. Also, suspense, intrigue & international fighting. Whew. I'm getting ready to order all the rest of the Tom Gray series. This author is on my fav list now.
Profile Image for June Finnigan.
Author 10 books10 followers
March 22, 2016
Great tense M15 thriller

Tom Gray is settling into his new home in Florida and a new life with his two year old daughter. Then an old friend and colleague in London is kidnapped by the Russians. He can't ignore the situation and helps the head of M15 to unofficially put together a rescue team.
June Finnigan -Writer
12 reviews
May 20, 2016
I like these books. They are quick reading, the main characters are like-able, and although the things that happen are at times a little far fetched - I find myself thinking - do things like this really happen? Or, how much goes on that we never hear about? I ordered this book before it came out and read it as soon as I received it. Definitely a fan. I'll be waiting for the next one...
26 reviews
June 22, 2016
Another good Gray yarn

If you have read the other books in this series then this will not disappoint. A good enough read with maybe a little more depth than previous offerings. If this is your 1st foray into the world of Tom Gray then you should enjoy this book as a standalone novel and if you like it go back and read the series.
Profile Image for Annette.
918 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2016
Tom Gray changes his name, leaves his job and takes his small daughter to live in Florida. After the death of his wife, he wants to leave his past life behind but when one of his best friend's is in grave danger he can't turn his back on him. Another brilliant book, thank you for the ARC
Profile Image for Melanie Melancon.
100 reviews4 followers
January 10, 2017
Tom Gray series

This series can be read in any order. However, they will be enjoyed more if read in order. Characters are introduced throughout the series, and then are woven into the story. The series is enjoyable from page one to the last page.
Profile Image for Sue Brooks.
13 reviews
January 29, 2017
Great read

Another Tom Gray adventure that is action packed and will keep you wanting to read the whole book as quickly as possible.
Really enjoyed it ..... Can't wait to read the next one .
Well done Alan McDermott
Profile Image for Bill Donhiser.
1,236 reviews8 followers
January 17, 2017
Another good installment in this series. I did find it interesting that Tom Gray has almost nothing to do with the first 100 pages. I did however enjoy the story. Looking forward to #7
Profile Image for Cathie.
252 reviews10 followers
February 6, 2017
Brilliant I've enjoyed binge reading these books.
Profile Image for Nancy Silk.
Author 5 books82 followers
March 22, 2017
"An Exciting Heart-Thumping Novel"

In this novel, Tom Gray has disappeared seeking a safe haven for his daughter Melissa. Meanwhile, his friend and previous partner Andrew Harvey has taken over the investigation of the murder of a MI5 operative and also that of mid-level agent Nikolai Sereyev. Harvey's girlfriend, Sarah, is also a secret agent and follows Andrew and becomes compromised when Harvey is kidnapped and will be killed in three days if the Russians don't get what they want. Oh ... where, oh where, is Tom Gray? Can he sort out all this conflict to prevent a major international incident? As usual, this well written, exciting novel has captured me. This author is definitely a great story teller!
Profile Image for DarcLibrarian .
331 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2020
A friend to die for?

Tom's retirement is interrupted by the kidnapping of old friend Andrew instigated by a Russian Mobster with a hidden agenda. Tom struggles with doing the right thing and going with his men to a war torn state to rescue Andrew or staying out of it for the sake of his daughter. His decision will have far reaching consequences. I thoroughly recommend listening to this page turning political thriller. I hope that this is not the last time I will read about Tom Gray's adventures.
Profile Image for Balthazar Lawson.
777 reviews9 followers
October 6, 2017
The latest book in the series and I was a bit disappointed. Tom Gray didn't make much of an appearance until a third of the way into the book. It was almost as if he was a secondary character and Andrew Harvey and Veronica Ellis were the stars. It was a nice mix of action and thriller but some of the story lines didn't gel with me. They were rather superficial and clichéd.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and nice conclusion to the series.
Profile Image for NarniaGirl.
181 reviews
October 19, 2017
Received through GoodReads First Reads for reviewing - thank you.

I'd not read any of McDermott's books before but found this immensely readable. The characterisation is excellent. Tom Gray is called out of retirement to help rescue an old friend and colleague though having doubts about possibly orphaning his two year old daughter if things should go wrong. Well written, I will certainly look out for more titles by McDermott.
43 reviews
August 4, 2019
An incredibly "un-put- down- able" thriller !

Oh my goodness, what incredibly strong characters and story line! Although l found the five other books in this series equally brilliant,( to the extent that l now realise that l should have reviewed them all and given each 5 stars ! ).This last story line had such powerful and daunting, jeopardy filled action,
that it was astonishing to me how feasible Alan Dermot managed to bring this series to it's conclusion.WOW👏👌
Profile Image for Trish R..
1,772 reviews58 followers
April 9, 2020

Excitingly wonderful ending to this series. With Russians acting like unfeeling torturous killers, with two of the main characters being kidnapped and beaten half to death (by the Russian) and the awesome men who were there to rescue them. Absolutely loved Tom Gray and his team.

No sex and the F-bomb was used 8 times.

As to the narration: James Langton did a fantastic job throughout the entire series.
358 reviews4 followers
June 11, 2021
5 Stars

Another great action packed story. Lots of old familiar faces make a very welcome return. The whole Tom Gray series has been first class. I have really enjoyed the journey. I am sure we have not seen the last of Tom Gray. A huge Pat on the back and a big thank you to Alan McDermott. His writing and attention to detail is excellent. My next book will be Gray Genesis, which I believe is a prequel to book 1. Well done and a well deserved 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Mike Eccles.
231 reviews3 followers
February 9, 2020
Action but not to previous standards

It’s difficult to substantiate my title without giving the game away. I don’t believe in spoilers. Let’s just say that this final Tom Gray novel seemed less joined up than the novels preceding it. I found the conclusion to be unexpected and rather sudden. Maybe others will have a different experience. I hope so.
98 reviews
September 5, 2020
Unforgettable series

Sad to say I've reached the end of the Tom Gray 6 book thriller series. It's been a real blast on this journey which was relentless throughout. So what now? I'm just about to download Trojan with Andrew Harvey and Sarah Thompson taking the lead, with some characters from the previous Gray novels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews

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