Gut Instinct

Pike Logan #3.5

by Brad Taylor

Fresh off of a brutal mission with the Taskforce—a top secret counter-terrorist unit that operates outside the bounds of U.S. law—Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill are still dealing with its aftereffects. With his injuries on the mend, Pike is forced to let Jennifer take the lead when another Taskforce team asks for her help. But when her stint spying on two women suspected of involvement in a terrorist plot leads her in another direction, the team leader won’t take her seriously. Butting heads with him costs them credibility, but Jennifer won’t let it go. Determined to uncover the true target, Pike must trust Jennifer’s instincts more than ever. Being wrong means risking their reputations and future with the Taskforce, but being right means averting a threat that nobody else can see. A threat that may be bigger than they can handle.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Action, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Spy Thriller

85 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2013

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]

Honey Badger don't quit

A focus on Jennifer in this fun little book. Gut Instinct has two storylines with the first being an unwanted visit from Jennifer's abusive ex-husband and the second a bomb threat. The audio is great with two narrators.

[Pierre (Enjoying Books)]

Good one and has all the great flavour for a short story

[Chetan]

Yeah, not the biggest fan of this one. The sexist disrespect is unappealing.

[Richard Guerrero]

One of my favorite series, this short story did not let me down. Good characters, good story and very suspenseful.

[Scott A. Miller]

Another .5 novella by Taylor. Filled in a few more blanks on Pike and Jennifer. Solid little adventure for them.

[Joshua]

Nice. The fight I was looking forward to. Like the line from the original story line, "As you wish." A shout out to a classic comedy. Thanks @BradTaylorBooks

[Steven Jr.]

"Gut Instinct" is a short story that bridges the time gap between book #3 (ENEMY OF MINE) and book #4 (THE WIDOW STRIKE). With Pike Logan convalescing from wounds sustained in ENEMY OF MINE, he and Jennifer Cahill (his professional and intimate partner) are tasked to assist a Taskforce mission tracking a female person of interest in a terrorism investigation. Things rapidly escalate when Logan and Cahill go off-book and reach an explosive conclusion.

"Gut Instinct" is a short story that is easily read in a couple of hours. Those familiar to the series will enjoy seeing familiar characters engaged in a short yet thrilling escapade. Brad Taylor does an excellent job of capturing the excitement, realism, and banter of his full-length work in this compact package. I definitely enjoy supplements to the main series like this, and I look forward to reading more.

[Artie O’Brien]

Brad Taylor's novella '3.5' is a concise and engaging read. When the Task Force requests Jennifer's assistance, excluding Pike, for a specific mission, both Jennifer and Pike insist on collaborating on this brief assignment. However, upon discovering the Task Force's erroneous lead, Jennifer is removed from the operation. Undeterred, Jennifer's determination propels her to continue investigating, ultimately uncovering crucial intelligence that saves the day. Further details will remain undisclosed to preserve the reader's experience.

[Jo-Ann Fitzgerald]

This was another short but good storyline. It clears up where one of the previous longer stories ends. Further, it covers a mission with Jen as the main driver of a mission and Pike is along for the ride. Of course this is after he’s still recovering from their previous mission.

This one might be short but it packs a punch!

[Bill Hooten]

This was a really short novella, that featured Jennifer working with another Taskforce team (because Pike was nursing injuries). During this time, she had to overcome their natural inclination not to listen to female operatives; and their prejudice as her being there just because of Pike. It make for a quick, good story.

[wally]

started finished 4th october 2023 good read three stars i liked it kindle library loan have read many from taylor brad enjoyed them all this one pike logan #3.5 and have not read them in order and don't believe it matters. this one a short story...jennifer and pike called on to get the goods on some people in the philipines prevent a tragedy.

[Tracy Stackhouse]

Another great one

Brad Taylor does it again . Pike and Jennifer are back again , fighting for the US . Aiding a full team that needs a female to enter a locker room , they end up opening a can of worms and solving the problem .

[Andrew]

Another good short Taskforce story that deals with the male operators learning to trust Jennifer's gut instincts as they go after a terrorist group intent on killing hundreds of Americans. Nice to see Jennifer take lead over Pike, even if it's only in a short story.

[Cyndi]

Pure Jennifer

This was another fantastic read. I'm crazy in love with Pike and wish Jennifer was my best friend. I'm a woman and read these thriller books for hours every day . Brad Taylor is one of the top authors out there. Intelligent, great characters and plenty of action.

[Glen Leavens]

This book features the talents of Jennifer, Pike's partner in the task-force. She solves the initial situation making it possible to focus the team on the right bad guys. Climbing skills required and made the most of in this book.

[rick incremona]

Honey Badger Don't Quit

I loved this inbetween. It starts at the end of "all necessary force" and ends just before book 4 and talks about the program mentioned at the tail end of "enemy of mine". Loved every minute of it!

[Joseph T]

Good short story with recurring characters Pile Logan and Jennifer. Major twist in that Jennifer is brought more to the front in this episode.

Language is not a bad as many, but not really necessary to carry story line.

[Debbie Cooke]

Very Short

I appreciate these little stories, and I like how it ties things up in character development. What I don’t like is having to paying for them. I’d rather they be added to the previous novel or offer discounts to fans. I’m trying not to sound cheap, but it gets expensive

[Linda]

Honey badger don't quit. Quick adventure with Jennifer and Pike. Jennifer tells the team leader they are looking at the wrong targets, they don't listen, so Jennifer sets out to prove her point and save innocent lives in the process.

Narrators were good, listened at 2.5 speed.

[Tommy]

Honey badger don't quit.

[Corey Baltzer]

This is not as good as the first novella in the series 'The Dig', but still a great story.

[David Smith]

If you like this series, you will enjoy this short story

I do think Jennifer has proved herself already. The trouble with short stories it, leaves you wanting more.

[Bruce Capron]

Verry Emtertaining

I enjoy the relationship between Like and Jennifer.
Always plenty of action.
Jennifer is one kickass chick.
Recommend to Vince Flynn fans.

[Jerry King]

2013

[Edward Berwager]

Great. Story

Another good one from Brad Taylor enjoy this short story in this series of Pike Logan an the task force

[Barry Perkel]

Passed time

Lacked the detail & character development common to Taylor's full books. Will try one more story v full book to see if they're all lightweight.

[Robert Berry]

A short story with Jennifer and z Pike going to the Philippines and finding a couple of bomb on a plane

[Darcy C. Knight]

Just fun

This short starts with action and does not stop pure fun from begging to end. Keeps the romantic tension and action upfront and in your face, you will want more.

[Bernie]

Gut Instinct review

Gut Instinct is a very short story ( # 3.5 ) in the Taskforce series written by author Brad Taylor.

[Mike Reinking]

Fun Taskforce Story

Nice to see Jennifer in the lead. A light short story but a nice mix of set-up and action. Definitely helps add depth to the two main characters in this series.