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Pike Logan #4.5
Black Flag
It was meant to be a simple mission...
The Taskforce – a highly clandestine Special Forces unit – is deployed on a maritime mission. They must locate the precious contraband of an infamous pirate, Edward Teach.
Soon the Taskforce team find themselves at the mercy of an enemy unlike any other. These modern-day pirates have an insidious plan. One that leaves the Taskforce fighting for their very survival.
The Taskforce – a highly clandestine Special Forces unit – is deployed on a maritime mission. They must locate the precious contraband of an infamous pirate, Edward Teach.
Soon the Taskforce team find themselves at the mercy of an enemy unlike any other. These modern-day pirates have an insidious plan. One that leaves the Taskforce fighting for their very survival.
67 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2020
About the author
Brad Taylor
55 books2,642 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 57 reviews
May 27, 2025
Pirates
Pike, Jennifer, Brett and Knuckles are off on a Caribbean adventure set in motion by Knuckles, who really wanted to go scuba diving. Two men come into Pike and Jennifer’s cover company, Groilier Recovery Service while Knuckles and Brett are there alone, asking to help with recovery of Blackbeard’s treasure.
Too late to get out of the expedition, Jennifer explained why there couldn’t be a treasure. Oh well, paying customers, right?
The Task Force has found themselves dealing with dangerous people, and separated into two groups. Lots of actions and a tie-in from the last book. Four stars, because I can’t believe real operators would get themselves into something this stupid.
Pike, Jennifer, Brett and Knuckles are off on a Caribbean adventure set in motion by Knuckles, who really wanted to go scuba diving. Two men come into Pike and Jennifer’s cover company, Groilier Recovery Service while Knuckles and Brett are there alone, asking to help with recovery of Blackbeard’s treasure.
Too late to get out of the expedition, Jennifer explained why there couldn’t be a treasure. Oh well, paying customers, right?
The Task Force has found themselves dealing with dangerous people, and separated into two groups. Lots of actions and a tie-in from the last book. Four stars, because I can’t believe real operators would get themselves into something this stupid.
May 2, 2021
Typical .5 novella.
September 6, 2014
Another exciting Brad Taylor short. After meeting with some Irish dude Knuckles agrees with his bright idea to going after Blackbeard's 'treasure' off the coast of Jamaica... and then the real fun begins. Who uses the Black Flag? Why pirates of course! So guess who Grolier Recovery Services team run into? A fast fun read. Another thumbs up for Brad Taylor.
December 3, 2013
It’s become pretty standard for high profile authors like Brad Taylor to release these short eBooks in the weeks prior to releasing a major new novel. My experience has been pretty mixed – some are good, most are average, a few have been awful – but the Taskforce stories released by Taylor are among the ones I’ve enjoyed the most and BLACK FLAG is no exception.
In BLACK FLAG, Taylor wastes no time placing Logan, Jennifer, Knuckles and Brett in harm’s way – and of course the thrill is reading how they dispense their own brand of justice (read: retaliation) in return.
You don’t need to have read previous books in the Pike Logan series to enjoy this – just don’t go looking for a lot of character development or deep philosophical discussions. Pike Logan’s world is very black and white – there’s right and wrong, good guys and bad guys, and then there’s Logan, the good guy willing to do bad things because sometimes it’s necessary.
If you enjoy reading thrillers with protagonists with that worldview then you should be reading Brad Taylor – or said another way: if you’re a fan of fictional heroes Mitch Rapp, Scot Harvath or Gabriel Allon then you should be a fan of Pike Logan as well.
In BLACK FLAG, Taylor wastes no time placing Logan, Jennifer, Knuckles and Brett in harm’s way – and of course the thrill is reading how they dispense their own brand of justice (read: retaliation) in return.
You don’t need to have read previous books in the Pike Logan series to enjoy this – just don’t go looking for a lot of character development or deep philosophical discussions. Pike Logan’s world is very black and white – there’s right and wrong, good guys and bad guys, and then there’s Logan, the good guy willing to do bad things because sometimes it’s necessary.
If you enjoy reading thrillers with protagonists with that worldview then you should be reading Brad Taylor – or said another way: if you’re a fan of fictional heroes Mitch Rapp, Scot Harvath or Gabriel Allon then you should be a fan of Pike Logan as well.
May 27, 2017
Audiobook Review - Black Flag - Brad Taylor
Author Brad Taylor’s short story novella, “Black Flag” Book 4.5 is about Taskforce team members Knuckles and Brett joining Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill in Charleston, South Carolina to learn more about Grolier Recovery Services, the archaeological research agency that the Taskforce team uses as sophisticated cover for their work. But when Knuckles accepts a job to find missing treasure from the notorious pirate known as Blackbeard, the whole team is put to the test, because their new employers have a very different agenda, one that leaves the Taskforce members at the mercy of real modern day pirates who are determined to get their hands on a mysterious shipment of contraband at any cost. An intense ‘high seas’ short story that I completed in one sitting. The action sequences in this novella (2 hours, 20 minutes) are well written and edge-of-the seat exciting. Taylor wastes no time in getting to it in this highly recommended read. Great series!
Author Brad Taylor’s short story novella, “Black Flag” Book 4.5 is about Taskforce team members Knuckles and Brett joining Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill in Charleston, South Carolina to learn more about Grolier Recovery Services, the archaeological research agency that the Taskforce team uses as sophisticated cover for their work. But when Knuckles accepts a job to find missing treasure from the notorious pirate known as Blackbeard, the whole team is put to the test, because their new employers have a very different agenda, one that leaves the Taskforce members at the mercy of real modern day pirates who are determined to get their hands on a mysterious shipment of contraband at any cost. An intense ‘high seas’ short story that I completed in one sitting. The action sequences in this novella (2 hours, 20 minutes) are well written and edge-of-the seat exciting. Taylor wastes no time in getting to it in this highly recommended read. Great series!
December 4, 2019
Fun book showing different aspects and bringing a smile to the reader who has been keeping pace with Pike and friends
December 4, 2019
An entertaining tale from veteran author Brad Taylor, taking place between THE WIDOW'S STRIKE and THE POLARIS PROTOCOL, "Black Flag" finds Pike Logan, Jennifer Cahill, Knuckles, and Blood roped into an adventure. What appears to be a simple maritime archaeological job meant to solidify the cover of the Taskforce's primary field shell company--Grolier Recovery Services--rapidly turns into a bloodbath that requires all four Taskforce shooters to operate in-extremis.
My only real gripe about the story is that it seemed to end super suddenly after a gradual build-up. I particularly would have liked to see how Pike and the gang managed to get let off the hook by the locals when it was all said and done.
All in all, though, it was an action-packed tale full of character development, intrigue, and derring-do in a compact package. Definitely recommended for genre aficionados and fans of the Pike Logan series.
My only real gripe about the story is that it seemed to end super suddenly after a gradual build-up. I particularly would have liked to see how Pike and the gang managed to get let off the hook by the locals when it was all said and done.
All in all, though, it was an action-packed tale full of character development, intrigue, and derring-do in a compact package. Definitely recommended for genre aficionados and fans of the Pike Logan series.
April 25, 2023
A really fun, good, easy, and SHORT read. Pike, Jennifer, Knuckles, and Brett somehow get conned into helping some Irish dude search for Blackbeard's treasure off the coast of Jamaica. Of course, things are never what they appear to be, and the crew gets dragged into an unexpected venture. Of course, the Irish dude and his crew think they are hiring some "academics;" so they didn't get what they expected. Just a fun read!
September 15, 2019
A fun and sad story.
I got to enjoy not only Pike and Jennifer, but good old Knuckles and Brett . Bad guys will be bad guys and it's always satisfying when they get killed. It was too bad the officers on the ship met their doom. I love the banter between all the characters . Everything Brad Taylor writes is excellent. Highly reccomend.
I got to enjoy not only Pike and Jennifer, but good old Knuckles and Brett . Bad guys will be bad guys and it's always satisfying when they get killed. It was too bad the officers on the ship met their doom. I love the banter between all the characters . Everything Brad Taylor writes is excellent. Highly reccomend.
May 18, 2024
This novella had decent action and a fairly basic plot. I haven't read but one other Pike Logan book so I can't compare it to the rest of the series. It was an okay short story that filled the time until the next Harlan Coben book drops later this month. Glad it was free.
I was not a fan of the two-narrator approach. Neither one impressed me.
I was not a fan of the two-narrator approach. Neither one impressed me.
September 30, 2020
A short story about a black flag or pirate Chase with Pike Logan leading the way with Jennifer. I like the short stories as they add a little depth to the stories and provide a single focus for the reader. The accidental hiring of the good guys by the bad guys is a good plot twist.
May 4, 2022
good intro
An easy read with a good result and all the right things happening. Definitely just the tip of the iceberg in watching what’s possible for pike and Jennifer! So much more reading from Brad Taylor to do
An easy read with a good result and all the right things happening. Definitely just the tip of the iceberg in watching what’s possible for pike and Jennifer! So much more reading from Brad Taylor to do
February 1, 2018
ttTruly a Short Story
Quick in, quick out. Brad Taylor's tight plotting, usual characters. Jennifer gets her due and proves her worth once again.
Quick in, quick out. Brad Taylor's tight plotting, usual characters. Jennifer gets her due and proves her worth once again.
February 3, 2018
Typical of Brad Taylor's work, there's very few pages in this short story that aren't action-packed. In this short story, Pike Logan and the Taskforce encounter real-life pirates.
February 21, 2018
A Quick page turning short story from Brad Taylor.
March 16, 2018
Entertaining
I quick, fast paced read. The story in entertaining and has action on several fronts. I’ve enjoyed all the task force books I’ve read.
I quick, fast paced read. The story in entertaining and has action on several fronts. I’ve enjoyed all the task force books I’ve read.
May 26, 2018
Another fantastic read!
A Taskforce story that is fun to read and laugh at. I enjoy these extra glimpse into the series. A fan!
A Taskforce story that is fun to read and laugh at. I enjoy these extra glimpse into the series. A fan!
December 11, 2018
Good short story, it was easy to listen to when I exercised. If you like the other Pike novels, you will like this short story.
December 27, 2018
Another short... Thanks BT. Enjoyed.
January 5, 2020
A short story about the recovery company getting hired to help find a prirate treasure in the Caribbean
March 18, 2020
Definitely entertaining.
April 16, 2020
Great novella!
May 4, 2020
Good read
September 19, 2020
Another thriller
Great thriller from Brad Taylor. Short but full of action and plot. Taylor knocks it out of the park again. Or in this case blows it out of the water.
Great thriller from Brad Taylor. Short but full of action and plot. Taylor knocks it out of the park again. Or in this case blows it out of the water.
October 12, 2020
Black Flag review
Black Flag is a very short novella in the Taskforce series written by author Brad Taylor. It's fast paced and action packed.
Black Flag is a very short novella in the Taskforce series written by author Brad Taylor. It's fast paced and action packed.
July 21, 2021
A very short but sweet book. Knuckles gets the group into more trouble that they have to get out of.
September 15, 2021
finished yesterday 14th september 2021 good read four stars really liked it kindle owned short story
November 22, 2021
Good guys, bad guys, lots of plotting and shooting. Just what I enjoy.
July 26, 2022
I love your books. Pike Logan and Jennifer are great.
September 1, 2022
I'd like this if it were a little longer
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews