What do you think?
Rate this book
Pike Logan #12.5
The Ruins: A Taskforce Story
Retired Special Forces officer Brad Taylor's thrilling new short story sets Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill on a hunt for an ancient Mayan temple and reveals the origin of their archaeological company, the cover for their clandestine work with the Taskforce.
Deep in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, a huge protected tract of rain forest in northern Guatemala, lies the mythical Temple of Priests. Only one man knew of the temple's location, but he was killed before he could relay the coordinates. Now, newly reinstated Taskforce operator Pike Logan has the grid location of the ruins, and he's convinced Jennifer Cahill to travel to Guatemala in search of the Mayan temple her uncle died trying to find.
But Pike and Jennifer are not the only ones heading into the rain forest in search of hidden treasure. A Canadian mining company is determined to explore the Biosphere for rare earth metals, even if it means destroying the way of life for local villagers. When they learn that Pike and Jennifer's impending historical discovery might thwart their plans, it sets the newly minted team on a crash course with a group of men hellbent on getting their hands on the prize, no matter the cost.
Includes an excerpt from Brad Taylor's latest Pike Logan thriller, Daughter of War.
Deep in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, a huge protected tract of rain forest in northern Guatemala, lies the mythical Temple of Priests. Only one man knew of the temple's location, but he was killed before he could relay the coordinates. Now, newly reinstated Taskforce operator Pike Logan has the grid location of the ruins, and he's convinced Jennifer Cahill to travel to Guatemala in search of the Mayan temple her uncle died trying to find.
But Pike and Jennifer are not the only ones heading into the rain forest in search of hidden treasure. A Canadian mining company is determined to explore the Biosphere for rare earth metals, even if it means destroying the way of life for local villagers. When they learn that Pike and Jennifer's impending historical discovery might thwart their plans, it sets the newly minted team on a crash course with a group of men hellbent on getting their hands on the prize, no matter the cost.
Includes an excerpt from Brad Taylor's latest Pike Logan thriller, Daughter of War.
Audible Audio
First published November 20, 2018
698 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Brad Taylor
48 books2,555 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 4, 2021
In Brad Taylor audiobook The RuinsPike and Jennifer are on the hunt for Mayan temple and reveals the origins of the company they used to clandestine work for the Taskforce. I really enjoyed listening to the narrator voice of Pike and Jennifer .
June 22, 2025
Another good shorty.
November 29, 2018
The Ruins is a novella from Brad Taylor’s Pike Logan and Taskforce series. This thriller answers the question of how Pike and his partner Jennifer started their business. It also solves the mystery of a Mayan temple, first searched for by Jennifer’s uncle.
Jennifer Cahill has just graduated with a degree in anthropology. Pike Logan is working for the US government clandestinely. Pike’s graduation gift to Jennifer is a partnership in a new business, Grolier Recovery Services, which is a camouflage for his secret, government funded missions. Jennifer’s initial reluctance to the partnership is overcome by Pike’s declaration that their first assignment will be to locate an ancient Mayan temple, The Temple of Priests, that Jennifer’s uncle died trying to locate.
Pike and Jennifer travel to the Maya Biosphere Preserve in the Guatemalan rainforest, the supposed location of the temple. They encounter resistance from Leopold de Gaulle, head of a mining company that’s searching for rare-earth minerals. This is where the adventure really begins.
I am a fan of Brad Taylor, and he has again delivered an expertly written thriller. Pike, Jennifer and the supporting cast are realistic and relatable, even the bad guys. The plot is riveting. I was pleased by the accurate rendering of the scenery. The beauty and danger of the rainforest are readily apparent. The action and adventure held my attention throughout the book. The touch of romance between Pike and Jennifer added to the mystique without detracting from the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this snippet of Pike Logan’s world. Though it’s #12.5 in the series, it’s a perfect place to start if you haven’t read any of the other novels. The Ruins takes the reader back to the beginning of the collaboration between Pike and Jennifer. I rate it 5 out of 5. If you crave action and adventure, this is the book and the series for you. If you’re not a fan of violence, you might want to take a pass on this one.
Jennifer Cahill has just graduated with a degree in anthropology. Pike Logan is working for the US government clandestinely. Pike’s graduation gift to Jennifer is a partnership in a new business, Grolier Recovery Services, which is a camouflage for his secret, government funded missions. Jennifer’s initial reluctance to the partnership is overcome by Pike’s declaration that their first assignment will be to locate an ancient Mayan temple, The Temple of Priests, that Jennifer’s uncle died trying to locate.
Pike and Jennifer travel to the Maya Biosphere Preserve in the Guatemalan rainforest, the supposed location of the temple. They encounter resistance from Leopold de Gaulle, head of a mining company that’s searching for rare-earth minerals. This is where the adventure really begins.
I am a fan of Brad Taylor, and he has again delivered an expertly written thriller. Pike, Jennifer and the supporting cast are realistic and relatable, even the bad guys. The plot is riveting. I was pleased by the accurate rendering of the scenery. The beauty and danger of the rainforest are readily apparent. The action and adventure held my attention throughout the book. The touch of romance between Pike and Jennifer added to the mystique without detracting from the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this snippet of Pike Logan’s world. Though it’s #12.5 in the series, it’s a perfect place to start if you haven’t read any of the other novels. The Ruins takes the reader back to the beginning of the collaboration between Pike and Jennifer. I rate it 5 out of 5. If you crave action and adventure, this is the book and the series for you. If you’re not a fan of violence, you might want to take a pass on this one.
June 19, 2019
Being a competist I'm doing the binge read of these books, including the short story promotional issues to get people ready for the next in the series. Here we go back to the period between the first and second book, and I have to say that Taylor does a heck of a job of filling in the blanks. Also, the 'short story' is actually relatively long, and it is satisfying.
We see the development of the relationship between Pike and Jennifer, the development of Jennifer's skills and the genesis of Grolier Recovery Services, the company used by Pike to act uncer the radar for the taskforce.
Genuinely excellent, particularly for a filler, largely promotional item.
We see the development of the relationship between Pike and Jennifer, the development of Jennifer's skills and the genesis of Grolier Recovery Services, the company used by Pike to act uncer the radar for the taskforce.
Genuinely excellent, particularly for a filler, largely promotional item.
November 23, 2018
Good fill in from 8 years or so ago at the end of One Tough Man about what happened with the looking for the old ruins. Also has a sneak peak at the next book which may serve to tide you over until the new book arrives early in 2019. While this is listed as Pike Logan #12.5, it is more reasonably classified as Pike Logan #1.5.
November 24, 2018
Pike and Koko are back!
Great short story with all the action of a full blown Pike Logan adventure. Long standing questions are answered, and we get to see Pike and Jennifer at the very beginnings of Grolier (we learn where that name is from!!), and the beginnings of their relationship together. Must read for any Pike and Koko fans!!
Great short story with all the action of a full blown Pike Logan adventure. Long standing questions are answered, and we get to see Pike and Jennifer at the very beginnings of Grolier (we learn where that name is from!!), and the beginnings of their relationship together. Must read for any Pike and Koko fans!!
December 3, 2018
Excellent story. So much drama, and action. We get some background on Pike and Jennifer and how they began their covert archeology business going. We see some pretty good sniper shooting from Jennifer on this mission and of course Pike is just doing his thing, coming up with plans of action and taking down bad guys. It's a good fast enjoyable read.
November 6, 2020
I accidentally read this instead of another book of the same name on my way to visit Mayan ruins. It was a silly way to pass the flight fitting for the travel plans, but wow, this book and I were clearly not meant for each other in every way 😂 I can see how people might like it, but it really wasn’t my thing and was almost comically bad to the point of being enjoyable
September 8, 2021
This is a story to follow up on Pike and Jen’s story after the first full story of how they met.
This covers them going back to where Jen’s uncle was before he died, how they started their business and how Jen started her history with the taskforce. Also, it gives you insight to their personal relationship.
This covers them going back to where Jen’s uncle was before he died, how they started their business and how Jen started her history with the taskforce. Also, it gives you insight to their personal relationship.
May 23, 2023
Interesting short story about the first "mission" for Pike and Jennifer, that paved the way for their company to be a cover for the Taskforce operations. That searched for the temple ruins that her uncle had died trying to discover -- all the way book in the first book. Always wondered what had happened.
December 1, 2018
The Ruins. Brad Taylor
This novel back tracks to Pike and Jennifer's archeological companies origins. Actually unbeknownst to Jennifer it's a front for the clandestine agency Pike works for. This is a fast paced thriller bursting with action. Enjoyed immensely!
This novel back tracks to Pike and Jennifer's archeological companies origins. Actually unbeknownst to Jennifer it's a front for the clandestine agency Pike works for. This is a fast paced thriller bursting with action. Enjoyed immensely!
December 16, 2018
A short novella that brings Jennifer onto the team.
Taskforce is going to be a series that I think I am looking forward to reading. It has me somewhat hooked, and I am interested in seeing how this all turns out.
Taskforce is going to be a series that I think I am looking forward to reading. It has me somewhat hooked, and I am interested in seeing how this all turns out.
January 18, 2021
Short story
Enjoyable description how Pike got Jennifer started with the task force! It also describes how they got their cover company started that allows them to get into Places they would never dream of to go after their target.
Enjoyable description how Pike got Jennifer started with the task force! It also describes how they got their cover company started that allows them to get into Places they would never dream of to go after their target.
July 31, 2022
The Ruins: A Taskforce Story
This is the Pike Logan we have come to love. Steps back and gIves us all a little more background. Thank you, Bed Taylor! I can't wait for th next episode.
This is the Pike Logan we have come to love. Steps back and gIves us all a little more background. Thank you, Bed Taylor! I can't wait for th next episode.
March 20, 2024
really good story
I have really liked these short stories. They are quick and to the point. Pike doesn’t drone on about all his accomplishments in these stories. I’m going to read all his books, just wish they were about 2 short stories long, not 3.
I have really liked these short stories. They are quick and to the point. Pike doesn’t drone on about all his accomplishments in these stories. I’m going to read all his books, just wish they were about 2 short stories long, not 3.
July 13, 2024
Another great read
I honestly don't know how he keeps writing such great books. I have read all his regular novels, now almost through his short stories or prequels and they are never disappointing
I honestly don't know how he keeps writing such great books. I have read all his regular novels, now almost through his short stories or prequels and they are never disappointing
July 17, 2025
Pike and Jennifer travel to South America to find the temple her grandfather had said he found many years before. Unfortunately it’s located in the jungle where unscrupulous men want the land for illegal purposes.
November 27, 2025
Wish I had read this sooner!
A decent story providing context for how things had cone about in the Pike/Jennifer relationship. I highly recommend reading this sooner, rather than reading chronologically by publication date.
A decent story providing context for how things had cone about in the Pike/Jennifer relationship. I highly recommend reading this sooner, rather than reading chronologically by publication date.
December 3, 2018
I enjoy the short stories too. Thanks.
December 13, 2018
A fun "novelette" from Brad Taylor. It goes back and fills in the blanks between two earlier novels.
December 29, 2018
Great "fill in" story
This tale finally fills in the missing pieces of how Jennifer and Pike came to be. This story is fast paced and a great read.
This tale finally fills in the missing pieces of how Jennifer and Pike came to be. This story is fast paced and a great read.
December 31, 2018
4*, good one... not much of action though
January 27, 2019
Good story
Would have been great to read after book 1, but it is nice to know how the Company was formed.
Would have been great to read after book 1, but it is nice to know how the Company was formed.
February 26, 2019
The Ruins
A other excellent book. Brad Taylor has me hooked on his characters and story telling. As usual I'll be preordering his next book as soon as it's available
A other excellent book. Brad Taylor has me hooked on his characters and story telling. As usual I'll be preordering his next book as soon as it's available
February 28, 2019
Short story; another Pike Logan adventure; quite excellent.
March 2, 2019
Interesting Pike and Jennifer story where it tells how their company Grolier Recoverycame into being searching for a long lost temple in the Guatemelan jungle.
Read
February 6, 2020Good action, adventure, travel and partnership/romance.
March 12, 2020
I actually knew where this was going for n the title - wish it was alot earlier in the series!! But excellent all the same
July 10, 2020
And so it begins
It’s nice to see Jennifer go back to where her nightmare began, avenge her honor, and her uncle’s death. This is the perfect ‘backstory’ for the Taskforce.
It’s nice to see Jennifer go back to where her nightmare began, avenge her honor, and her uncle’s death. This is the perfect ‘backstory’ for the Taskforce.
February 23, 2021
This book should have been published after "One Rough Man". Other than that, great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews