The Devil's Ransom: A Pike Logan Novel

Pike Logan #17

by Brad Taylor

A New York Times Bestseller! In the latest explosive thriller from  New York Times  bestselling author and former special forces officer Brad Taylor, Pike Logan races to stop an insidious attack orchestrated by a man who knows America’s most treasured secrets. Conducting a routine cover development trip to Tajikistan, Pike and Jennifer learn that Afghanistan has fallen, and there’s a man on the run. One that has done more for the United States in Afghanistan than anyone else. Pulled in to extract him, Pike collides headlong into a broader  his covert company, along with every other entity in the Taskforce, has been hit with a ransomware attack, and there’s some connection between the Taliban and the hack. Given the order to track down the perpetrators, he has no idea that the problem set is much, much larger and more dangerous than a simple attack on his organization. That hack was just a test-run, and the real one is coming soon, engendered by a former NSA specialist in the U.S. government.  A man who wants to return to the bipolar world of the Cold War, the turncoat has cloaked his attack behind hackers from Serbia and Russia, and if successful, his target will alter the balance of power on the global stage. So far, the specialist has remained one step ahead of the Taskforce, but he has just made one massive hitting Pike Logan. 

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Action, Espionage, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Spy Thriller

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2023

About the author

Brad Taylor served for more than twenty-one years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2010 as a Special Forces Lieutenant colonel. During that time he held numerous infantry and special operations positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operations Detachment—Delta, popularly known as the Delta Force, where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron.

He has conducted operations in support of U.S. national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations. His final military post was as Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel. He holds a master's of science in defense analysis with a concentration in irregular warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

When not writing, Brad serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats to various agencies. He currently lives in Charleston, SC, with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to their true form. I was a bit disappointed with the previous installment which felt like the Da Vinci Code. Not anymore!

August 2021, Pike and Jennifer are at Ajina Tepa, an 8th-century Buddhist monastery site in Tajikistan. They're with their cover corporation Grolier Recovery Services pretending to do archeology work. An urgent message from their boss came in and they need to assist with rescuing Afghan allies who fled Kabul after it fell once again into the hands of the Taliban.

The series always take you places and this book heads to Croatia because of some serious ransomware. What bothers me a bit is Pike is so obsessed with their Gelato. It's very distracting when I listen to this late at night.

The Devil's Ransom is book #17 but can be read as a standalone. The author did a wonderful job with the backstory and new readers will not be lost.

I highly recommend this series to fans of action, adventure, military, and espionage thrillers. Great characters that you'll grow to love and great writing to boot. Rich Orlow narrates this series and is the perfect voice for Pike Logan.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent story of espionage that hits home with all the U.S. traitors in our midst. Political and media included. 7 of 10 stars

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Brad Taylor! Hackers and their ransomware have hit The Taskforce and frozen their system . They have also targeted the first civilian spaceflight and all of its systems as well as mission control. If they are unable to regain control, the spacecraft will crash into the International Space Station. Pike and team are on the hunt for what they assume are computer nerds in a dark basement. They soon discover a plot to bring the U.S. into a war no one wants.

I really liked The Devil's Ransom but it's a hard one to judge because I used it to break out of a reading slump. Took me a while to finish but once I hit about halfway my slump was over and I flew through the remainder. I was slightly disappointed the Israelis weren't in this book. However, I do enjoy being surprised as to whether they show up or not and Taylor's willingness to mix it up. If you aren't reading Brad Taylor you are really missing out. I usually learn something new from each of his books which is never a bad thing!

Many thanks to Brad Taylor, William Morrow and Custom House, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read a galley of The Devil's Ransom.

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil's Ransom by Brad Taylor hits the store early in 2023 and it hit me in December of 2022. This is one of the best books ever in the Pike Logan series and one of two books by this author that makes me want to visit some place, I already had the hometown of Grolier recovery on my list of places to visit but now I have to add Croatia. This has nothing to do with GOT, I just want some ice cream. I love the problems and solutions in this book and it is filled with some of the best complicated situations that Pike and Jennifer faced. I really can't recommend this book enough but make sure to get a copy and enjoy the ride. Now I'm waiting for Brad to release his book on desserts. Maybe one of places to visit as well, I loved the photos from your research trip. I am very glad I got the opportuniy to read this book and thank Edelweiss, William Morrow and Harper Collins for approving me and Brad Taylor you sure wrote a great one.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Pike and his crew are always a reading treat, but Taylor's weaving of three plots together made this an especially enjoyable read. From Russians, to Afghans, the CIA and the President all taking roles, I couldn't turn the page fast enough. Big thanks to Taylor.

-Tom L.

[ElaineY · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, Brad Taylor writes great action scenes, even when they are the team executing normal moves like following a bad guy or watching them in a cafe. However, I did not enjoy this installment as much as the previous ones as the technical information about the ransomware went over my head.

One thing I like about the Pike Logan books is Jennifer. Taylor is the only action thriller writer who doesn't view his female characters through sex-object lenses, as Brad Thor does. With the latter, Harvath is always bedding some woman even when she's plays a significant role in the book and isn't just a casual date who disappears after one mention. Brad Taylor, on the other hand, has shown respect to his women readers by including Jennifer and making her a serious, kick-ass asset to the team without losing her softer side. She has developed over the series and Pike wouldn't be where he is today without her.

[Thomas Alcott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Taskforce chances people around, kills some, and cracks the case.

I’ve read everything Brad Taylor has written. This one was too formulaic for me. Taylor is running out of ideas. This was not an interesting book. I almost put it down several times. It was a chore to get through.

[Yigal Zur · Rating 3 out of 5]

so so. sometimes its looks more as a tourist guide to intetesting places like Dushanbe in Tajikistan, Croatia - which seems a favorite. but on the whole too much predicted - the good american will win, the russian is cruel, the Taliban of course are bad and Shoshana from the Mossad is great. there are some good spins in the plot which are nice.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better Musk pastiche than Glass Onion

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real world, ransomware, thriller, “computer geeks” Croatia, Afghanistan, US, Russia, Taskforce, treasure plus Joe Pike and the gang-Jennifer, Knuckles,etc with some twists and turns. Awesome read…Enjoy

[Marc Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this was a good book! 4.5 out of 5! I really liked how Brad wrote some of the scenes out of order. Very Dunkirk style but it worked very well.
....

Potential spoilers below







I do wish this book had an unhappy ending with the bad guys succeeding and felt it would have been a nice change of pace to the series

[Steven Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm finally caught up!

Brad Taylor's long-running Pike Logan series continues forward with full steam in the latest installment, The Devil's Ransom. He demonstrates his ability to stay on top of current threats, this time having Pike and the Taskforce squaring off with ransomware hackers. Additionally, it's set against the backdrop of the massively bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan and the mess that the United States left behind, as well as showcasing Taliban capabilities and demonstrating they are more than illiterate goat herders.

This book has everything. Cyber threats, gun battles, treachery, and some well-placed philosophy on killing. The action is kinetic and visceral, and Taylor's character writing is on point, as always.

If you are an action thriller junkie and haven't read the Pike Logan series yet, you owe it to yourself to start with One Rough Man and work your way up to The Devil's Ransom.

[Jarrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the best Pike Logan story. Seriously. I somehow won this through a goodreads giveaway and received an advanced copy to read and review. This story is told a little different with different threads of the story told from different characters and overlapping throughout. It's quite complex and yet intriguing to see the story told from each perspective. I really enjoyed it this way as I'd see part of the story through the bad guy's eyes, then through the protagonist. It gave me an appreciation for how the story gets told.

The plot here is pretty believable as well with cyber attacks effecting space launches and peoples' lives at stake all with Russian oligarchs, afghans, third-party hacking black market guys and an inside man turn-coat to tie it all together. The last fourth of the book, I couldn't put it down. It's that good IMO and though somewhat cliche' and predictable, it's very satisfying and told very well. I'll eat this kind of storytelling up all day long and twice on Sunday's. ;)

I'm excited about the future of this franchise base on the end of the book and some of the acknowledgements. Keep writing the good stuff.

[Kent McDougal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for another great book by Brad Taylor one of my two favorite authors who write spy special ops thrillers. “Killing a man takes something out of you. It’s like a chip in the armor of your soul each and every time. Killing in self-defense was one thing, but putting a bullet in their heads that day was something else.”….main character Pike Logan

[Mike Reinking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Exciting story and what a fantastic ending. The whole Pike Logan series has been great, but this one certainly stands out. And who knew about gelato in Croatia?

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil's Ransom by Brad Taylor is a very highly recommended action packed thriller and the 17th novel in the Pike Logan Series.

Afghanistan has fallen and Pike and Jennifer learn about it while on a routine cover development trip to Tajikistan. They need to help Jahn Azimi, who is on the run from the Taliban as well as extract Ahmad Khan, an Afghan government official who helped Azimi flee Kabul along with the Bactrian Treasure, a priceless trunk of valuables that they liberated before their escape. Complications arise when every other entity in the Taskforce is hit with a ransomware attack and it appears to be tied to the Taliban. And this is only the beginning of the much larger problem and complicated action.

The quality of the writing is excellent and the action is truly non-stop in The Devil's Ransom. The plot is an intricate tangle of deceit, danger, and nefarious plans that Pike and his team must stop. The action along with the twists and new revelations in the plot moves along swiftly and will hold your attention throughout the entire novel. Pike and his team are quickly going from one mission to another in the swiftly moving, intricate, and changing novel. As you are reading keep track of who is who and where they all are and you will be fine.

Since this is the seventeenth novel in the Pike Logan series, the characters are complex and fully realized individuals. Readers new to the series might not have some of the nuance about the characters, but they will still be able to enjoy the novel. Enough backstory and information is provided to keep all readers up to speed. All the characters are distinct and great individuals. Action/Adventure/Espionage/Thriller readers won't want to miss this one.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins via Edelweiss.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/0...

[Ryan Steck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this review and more at www.TheRealBookSpy.com

Pike Logan returns for a double dose of action in the latest nail-biting thriller from New York Times bestselling author Brad Taylor.

Following the events of End of Days (2022), Taylor’s latest offering opens after the United States’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, catching up with Pike Logan who is in Tajikistan on what’s initially thought to be a routine cover operation for Blaisdell Consulting.

Instead, Pike ends up being redirected when a man who’s played an important role in aiding America from inside Afghanistan goes on the run from the Taliban.

Meanwhile, the Taskforce, the off-the-books program that Pike works for, is hit with a devastating . . .

Read the full, spoiler-free review here: https://therealbookspy.com/2023/01/28...

[Jim Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! If you stop at chapter ends easy to pick up where you were. Moves around much of the world - different cultures, beliefs and hot buttons. Team is well described especially their individual reactions to loosing a team member. Not my first Pike Logan book and definitely will not be my last.

Discussed some of the cultures and beliefs described with others - most weren't history buffs and none had traveled beyond the US or even seen more than 2 or 3 states. Difficult discussion - they couldn't understand differences in beliefs and attitudes. Got two of them to read the book and they were amazed - despite their lack of traveling and of studying history they could understand descriptions in the book.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Pine “high adventure”…..

I love the way Taylor weaves past/prior storylines and keeps the important and salient point’s alive from book to book. The trips are fantastic and make you want to keep reading more! The action is always right there and has you on edge of your seat knowing there’s going to be another book, but always realistic and believable unfolding plot! Love it!!

[Wanda Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always with Brad Taylor books, Pike Logan, Jennifer and the other Taskforce Operators lead a detail packed, fast paced, and honestly realistic mission to stop forces set against American interests.

After the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and Pike and his team are pulled off the archeological site they are working to maintain their cover and sent to rescue an American asset who managed to evade capture with his niece but lose an old friend in the process.
Before they can grieve their lose the Taskforce’s computer system is hit with ransomware Pike and the team are pulled into a cross country manhunt in Croatia involving everything from Russian Oligarchs to Taliban special forces, the Game of Thrones castle to a private space craft headed to the ISS in crisis.
With operational details only a man with over 20 years of service in the U.S. Army and Special Forces can deliver combined with location details garnered through extensive research and well planned location tours Taylor brings the chase across Lichtenstein and Croatia to life in vivid color.

[Steve Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since ONE ROUGH MAN, Brad Taylor’s debut action/thriller, I have loved the PIKE LOGAN series. The Devil’s Ransom continues the TASKFORCE series of great storylines, great locations and super storytelling! I felt that was with Pike, Jennifer & Knuckles as they once again step into the line of fire.
Bravo Mr. Taylor - another 5 stars/must read by you!

[Joe Raimondi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping from the beginning, this was actually my fist Pike Logan novel and although there were a few lines that would’ve made more sense had I read the others first, it didn’t negatively impact the story, definitely able to be read as a standalone. Intriguing story with chapters bouncing from one story line to another and then converging like a web of rivers clashing together. Will definitely read more from this series.

[Steven Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books



Make sure to check out the full review

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Pike Logan books. It opens with the chaos in Kabul at the American departure from Afghanistan. Ancient Bactrian treasure is stolen from Afghanistan and an Afghan CIA operative, Jahn, is trying to get out of the country before the Taliban catch him and torture him. Pike and the team are in Tajikistan working a dig to keep their archeological bona fides current for their cover. The Taliban sends members of Badr 313, an elite Taliban battalion, after the treasure and Jahn. Pike and the team are dispatched to secure Jahn. And it is off and running. There is a Russian Oligarch, ransomware, a capsule headed the Space Station, a hacker with Keys, and hacker trying to start a war. Twist and turns abound as Pike’s team tries to save the day.

[Marcus Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the Pike Logan series. Page turning action, a believable plot. Books from this series deserve some kind of Hollywood treatment.

[Chris Perrelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. Couldn’t put it down

[Alex Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pike Logan is always a bad mamba Jamba but this book was old school type Pike- where it was like reading the first see real books in the series. It was clever, double and triple crossing and a didn’t know double cross. Pike’s team could go toe to toe with any of the master spy novels today. Read this. *****

[James Winchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read anything Brad Taylor does. He knows his subject and I feel as he and his DCOE does his research they act like Pike and Jennifer out there. Just another great book to read. The pace and action with good suspense keep me engaged throughout the book. 14 of the 17 he has written I have read. Never a disappointment.

[Dwight Thompson]

another great adventure.
Hope letting the Afgan's go
doesn't lead to further problems
for Taskforce.

[Christian Darby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.