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Pike Logan #7.5
The Recruit
Retired Delta Force officer Brad Taylor’s exciting new short story features Taskforce operators Knuckles and Decoy, as the two stumble upon an audacious plot when they least expect it.Includes an exclusive preview of Brad Taylor’s eighth Pike Logan thriller, The Insider Threat, coming June 30, 2015.
When Taskforce operator Knuckles brings his old friend Decoy, a former teammate from the Navy SEALs, to Lima, Peru, he wonders if he’s made a mistake. Knuckles’ only objective is to assess Decoy’s covert surveillance skills on an orientation deployment, the final step before any recruit is accepted into the extralegal counterterrorist organization known as the Taskforce. Just when Decoy’s wild side threatens to expose their cover as technicians working for the embassy—and derail his chances of becoming a full member of the Taskforce—the two uncover an unexpected piece of intelligence involving the terrorist group, the Shining Path, that causes their mission to go from evaluation to operational. With no backup and a flimsy cover story, Knuckles and Decoy find themselves in murky territory, relying on the help of an untried asset to prevent a devastating attack on countless innocents.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2015
125 people are currently reading
949 people want to read
About the author
Brad Taylor
48 books2,552 followersBrad 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 12, 2022
In Brad Taylor The Recruit to we get know about Decoy backstory and meet Carly at the Brazilian embassy. I like really this one Brad Taylor too. The audiobook was superb!!!
May 5, 2015
I believe Brad Taylor’s Taskforce stories are among the best “shorts” on the market by a noted author – and certainly in the thriller/espionage/action genre there is none better right now. Taylor is on the same level as Dean Koontz and Lee Child in terms of knowing what readers want and delivering it in a fast, exhilarating read.
THE RECRUIT is a fantastic story that takes place in Peru and features Knuckles and Decoy in the early stages of Decoy’s training/career with the Taskforce. It’s not necessary to have read anything in the series to enjoy this standalone short – but returning readers will certainly appreciate the backstory and added insights into the relationship between Knuckles and Decoy and their careers as SEALs and Taskforce members.
As for the plot, again, Taylor does a wonderful job here – it’s a fast read, but it’s a fully developed story with page-turning action. Knuckles has taken Decoy to Peru for a real-world training mission. They’re practicing developing and maintaining covers – and in this case they are posing as contractors at the American embassy doing work with cellular communications. And of course, they manage to stumble onto something that quickly turns a training mission into a seriously dangerous covert act.
No spoilers, but Taylor actually manages to create a seriously great ending for this short. A lot of authors are accused of looking for a quick buck with minimal effort when they release kindle stories in the build-up to the release date for a new novel – but no one will be able to say that with a straight face about THE RECRUIT. This is a very satisfying short read and I’d highly recommend it to thriller/espionage/action fans: 5/5 stars.
THE RECRUIT is a fantastic story that takes place in Peru and features Knuckles and Decoy in the early stages of Decoy’s training/career with the Taskforce. It’s not necessary to have read anything in the series to enjoy this standalone short – but returning readers will certainly appreciate the backstory and added insights into the relationship between Knuckles and Decoy and their careers as SEALs and Taskforce members.
As for the plot, again, Taylor does a wonderful job here – it’s a fast read, but it’s a fully developed story with page-turning action. Knuckles has taken Decoy to Peru for a real-world training mission. They’re practicing developing and maintaining covers – and in this case they are posing as contractors at the American embassy doing work with cellular communications. And of course, they manage to stumble onto something that quickly turns a training mission into a seriously dangerous covert act.
No spoilers, but Taylor actually manages to create a seriously great ending for this short. A lot of authors are accused of looking for a quick buck with minimal effort when they release kindle stories in the build-up to the release date for a new novel – but no one will be able to say that with a straight face about THE RECRUIT. This is a very satisfying short read and I’d highly recommend it to thriller/espionage/action fans: 5/5 stars.
May 20, 2019
A short story from Brad Taylor showcasing some of his 'other' characters from his Pike Logan series. A decent taster and a nice 'filler in' for the fans. Well worth a read if you enjoy the main series.
December 22, 2017
This review contains spoilers so proceed with caution - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!
This was a great story about Decoy's first foray into the TaskForce. Given the shocking and untimely death of the character, it was nice to see how he started. The ending is also quite sad, given his demise. But it's a well-written and fitting tribute to the legendary manwhore :)
This was a great story about Decoy's first foray into the TaskForce. Given the shocking and untimely death of the character, it was nice to see how he started. The ending is also quite sad, given his demise. But it's a well-written and fitting tribute to the legendary manwhore :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2019
For a short story this was an excellent read and a good insight into two of the characters. Thanks Brad Taylor for a great story and an unfortunate sad ending.
August 26, 2020
I really love these short stories!!
February 3, 2021
RIP Decoy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2024
Audiobook Review - The Recruit - Brad Taylor
Retired US Army Delta Force officer turn author Brad Taylor writes another exciting short story but this time without main protagonist Pike Logan. This short story audiobook features Taskforce operators Knuckles and Decoy as they accidentally stumble upon an audacious terrorist plot in Lima, Peru. Knuckles recruits his old friend Decoy, a former Navy SEAL teammate to assess Decoy's covert surveillance skills on an orientation deployment, the final step before any recruit is accepted into the Taskforce, the secret government counterterrorist organization. The two uncover an unexpected piece of intelligence involving a terrorist group, plotting a devastating attack on countless innocents. Their discovery causes their evaluation mission to go “Hot” - operational and this is where the story takes off. With no backup and a flimsy cover story, Knuckles and Decoy find themselves in murky territory trying to prevent a deadly terrorist attack. Fast pace, paramilitary savvy, and expertly written and told, Brad Taylor’s The Recruit is a definite ‘must listen’ audiobook short story.
Retired US Army Delta Force officer turn author Brad Taylor writes another exciting short story but this time without main protagonist Pike Logan. This short story audiobook features Taskforce operators Knuckles and Decoy as they accidentally stumble upon an audacious terrorist plot in Lima, Peru. Knuckles recruits his old friend Decoy, a former Navy SEAL teammate to assess Decoy's covert surveillance skills on an orientation deployment, the final step before any recruit is accepted into the Taskforce, the secret government counterterrorist organization. The two uncover an unexpected piece of intelligence involving a terrorist group, plotting a devastating attack on countless innocents. Their discovery causes their evaluation mission to go “Hot” - operational and this is where the story takes off. With no backup and a flimsy cover story, Knuckles and Decoy find themselves in murky territory trying to prevent a deadly terrorist attack. Fast pace, paramilitary savvy, and expertly written and told, Brad Taylor’s The Recruit is a definite ‘must listen’ audiobook short story.
July 26, 2023
Another winner
Another wonderful short story about a couple of Taskforce operators. Knuckles and Decoy. I don't want to give anything away but as I finished the epilogue and went to write my review , I was looking out of tear filled eyes as I was overcome with sadness. I had already read the book where about what happens to one of the operators and I was just sad all over again. Thank you Brad Taylor for your wonderful, exciting and sexy characters. Oh, and not to leave out Jennifer, who I'd like as a best friend.
Another wonderful short story about a couple of Taskforce operators. Knuckles and Decoy. I don't want to give anything away but as I finished the epilogue and went to write my review , I was looking out of tear filled eyes as I was overcome with sadness. I had already read the book where about what happens to one of the operators and I was just sad all over again. Thank you Brad Taylor for your wonderful, exciting and sexy characters. Oh, and not to leave out Jennifer, who I'd like as a best friend.
May 31, 2024
Great short story about Decoy's backstory. Very poignant ending. My only complain is Carly who is described as speaking fluent Spanish to a bunch of Brazilian Embassy employees. I would expect Brazilian's to speak Portugese, not Spanish. But, the fluent Spanish does come in handy later in the story. I'll have to ask Brad about that the next time he's on book tour.
November 5, 2019
The Recruit Brad Taylor.
This story is in the early days of the formation of an elite covert taskforce comprised of highly skilled operatives. One, codenamed Decoy is on his first mission. He almost blows it because of his womanizing habits. This is a fast paced action novella. Enjoyed immensely
This story is in the early days of the formation of an elite covert taskforce comprised of highly skilled operatives. One, codenamed Decoy is on his first mission. He almost blows it because of his womanizing habits. This is a fast paced action novella. Enjoyed immensely
May 1, 2019
Another good one
Brad Taylor is amazing, his books with Pike Logan really keep you in suspense till the very end. I have read them all in order so far and look forward to his new ones.
Brad Taylor is amazing, his books with Pike Logan really keep you in suspense till the very end. I have read them all in order so far and look forward to his new ones.
December 17, 2024
IMO this story should be number 6.5. This is the story of Decoy's pre-selection mission. We get insight into him and the end of the story brought tears to my eyes.
July 30, 2015
A short quick read. I am assuming it is a lead in for the next book
October 7, 2016
I enjoy everything Brad Taylor writes... Matter of fact, he's my favorite "Brad" author!!!
Good to have some more backstory to help fill in with the free-standing books... Keep 'em coming!!!
Good to have some more backstory to help fill in with the free-standing books... Keep 'em coming!!!
May 29, 2022
While I appreciate this story and its background, the version of history is incorrect iirc. Knuckles and Jennifer weren't friendly when went into the Task Force's Audit and Selection program. If I recall, Knuckles felt the same as Decoy when he learned that Jennifer was attempting to join the team.
While this does answer some of the questions that book 7 left off with regarding Decoy's storyline, it feels a little out of place and "forced" just to tie up loose ends.
Overall, it was a decent origin story, but ... maybe if everyone on the team got their origin story it would be worth the circling back.
While this does answer some of the questions that book 7 left off with regarding Decoy's storyline, it feels a little out of place and "forced" just to tie up loose ends.
Overall, it was a decent origin story, but ... maybe if everyone on the team got their origin story it would be worth the circling back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series I read. I checked out this shortie, and it was good to a point. But at the end, he threw in something that was irrelevant to the rest (previous) portion of the short story. And then he dumped me on my rear. No more shorties for me. I’ll stick to the full-length books. Dumping me at the end, and adding in the other unrelated scene was why I gave it 3 stars.
August 4, 2021
All along I thought 5his book should have been earlier in the series. It was great to get to know the relationship between knuckles and decoy. This made you really get to know decoy.
The last page and a half was the reason why I gave the book the rating I did as it takes your breath and fits this book into the series at this spot.
The last page and a half was the reason why I gave the book the rating I did as it takes your breath and fits this book into the series at this spot.
August 26, 2018
Introducing Carly
I do enjoy these short stories. They answer some of the questions that exist between novels. They are a lot to the series. The spill would. Not have made sense if you had not read the series.
I do enjoy these short stories. They answer some of the questions that exist between novels. They are a lot to the series. The spill would. Not have made sense if you had not read the series.
June 11, 2021
Another great Brad Taylor novel! This one is the backstory of the character Demo. Definitely worth the read if you’d like this series. It’s not necessary to read the series in order, however it will be a better experience if you do.
April 28, 2023
I have really enjoyed this short novellas from Brad Taylor, and this one was no exception. I didn't how they were going to end it, but it ended the best that it could. If you are following the order in the Brad Taylor "Pike Logan" series, be sure and don't skip these.
June 15, 2017
Short but Sweet!
December 3, 2017
Great Short Story
A nice short story about Knuckles and Decoy. One mission, undercover and working in a foreign country, welcome to the task force life.
A nice short story about Knuckles and Decoy. One mission, undercover and working in a foreign country, welcome to the task force life.
February 10, 2018
Slow start. Decent insight into Knuckles and Decoy.
April 23, 2018
A very quick read giving a brief background of a couple of our favorite characters; Knuckles and Decoy! Great story within a story!
February 12, 2020
Didn't see the ending coming!!!
July 28, 2021
Good little back story on Decoy
September 11, 2021
Knuckles and Decoy
Once again against all odds despite overwhelming challenges the good guys saved the free world. So easy to read and so fun
Once again against all odds despite overwhelming challenges the good guys saved the free world. So easy to read and so fun
October 20, 2021
Excellent Read
It was nice tribute to Decoy that fleshed out a character you new little about! It makes the character more real in a sense.
It was nice tribute to Decoy that fleshed out a character you new little about! It makes the character more real in a sense.
April 30, 2022
Short story at an embassy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews