Brad Taylor continues to tackle one of the pressing fears of todayterrorism. The plots and the characters are fictional but Taylor's meticulous research brings that sense of chilling believability to his Pike Logan thrillers...Taylor delivers a high-energy thriller inRing of Fire.Oline Cogdill,South Florida Sun-SentinelWith Taylors latest Taskforce novel featuring Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill, he has further established himself as an elite military-thriller author. At this point, nobody is better at tackling hardcore action mixed with timely themes...Fine work from a thriller writer at the very top of his game.Booklist(starred review)Bestseller Taylors 11th Pike Logan thriller serves as a chilling primer for an all-too-feasible terrorist strike...the ever-escalating chaos will leave fans breathless for the next installment.Publishers WeeklyThose looking only for action-filled suspense won't be disappointed, but Taylor does expand his story with brief and intriguing discourses on the role of women in combat and whether violence is an intrinsic element of the Islamic faith. A page-turner that's enriched by the author's obvious familiarity with the intricacies of combating 21st-century terrorism.Kirkus sBrad Taylor's aptly titledRing of Firecontinues his ambitious evolution from master of the military thriller to more of an American John le Carr, with just enough Robert Ludlum sprinkled in for good measure...Ring of Fire dispenses once and for all with the notion that action and more thoughtful political thrillers are mutually exclusive, as Taylor weaves a complex, twist-laden tale that's as wondrously executed as it is beautifully conceived. Another surefire winner from a writer at the absolute top of his game.Providence JournalMore Praise for Brad Taylor and the Pike Logan series Pike ranks right up there with Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and Jack Bauer.John Lescroart,New York Timesbestselling author Fresh plot, great action and Taylor clearly knows what he is writing about....When it comes to tactics and hardware he is spot on.Vince Flynn, #1New York Timesbestselling author Logan is a tough, appealing hero youre sure to root for.Joseph Finder,New York Timesbestselling author [Pike Logan is a] feisty, devil-may-care hero.Steve Berry,New York Timesbestselling author Taylor has become one of the very best writers of thrillers with a military and special-ops background...Comparisons to Vince Flynn and Brad Thor are expected and not inaccurate, but Taylor is now in a class by himself.Booklist Slick, exciting action and credible complexity are the hallmarks of Taylors high-caliber thrillers.Library Journal Few authors write about espionage, terrorism, and clandestine hit squads as well as Taylor does.Houston Press Action packed....Those who prize authentic military action will be rewarded.Publishers WeeklyAbout the AuthorBRAD TAYLORis the author of theNew York Timesbestselling Pike Logan series. He served for more than twenty years in the U.S. Army, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational DetachmentDelta, commonly known as Delta Force. He retired as a Special Forces lieutenant colonel and now lives in Charleston, South Carolina.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.***This excerpt is from an advance uncorrected copy proof*** Copyright 2016 Brad TaylorOne day in September 2001Dexter Worthington didnt set out to murder anyone. Nobody in his position would. He was an up-and-coming small businessman, and killing another human being would definitely be counterproductive to his goals. All he was doing was trying to ensure the growth of his company.But he killed nonetheless.Holding the positions of president, CEO, CFO, and every other slot on the board of his firmwhich is to say it was barely large enough to be called a firmhe hoped today was the day when he finally broke out. When he caught the whale of a contract that would allow him to quit groveling for scraps at the military industrial complexs table and start throwing out scraps of his ownThe owner of a small aircraft maintenance firm called Icarus Solutionsa name Dexter thought incredibly cleverhe had struggled to survive for years, barely earning enough to pay the rent for his hangar at the Sarasota airport. He had lived hand to mouth for so long he was no longer sure what the opposite would be, his privileged upbringing a thing of the past. The pressure had destroyed his marriagealthough that had probably been preordained with his choice of bride, who was used to the better things in life. He cursed the misfortune that arrived time and time again, convinced it wasnt his abilities but unseen forces conspiring to drive him into the grave.That all changed the day he met the prince.Seven months earlier, an aircraft from Saudi Arabia had landed in Sarasota, Florida, and a pompous delegation had exited, running through a spring shower to a caravan of limousines. Theyd raced out of the airport without talking to anyone, and then one of the pilots had approached his hangar. He was an Aussie or Kiwi from his accent, and Dexter could tell he was upset, even if he tried not to show it. It turned out the aircraft had a maintenance issue, and nobody within the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority was willing to help him in the timeline required. The pilot said the prince would be in the area for only about four hours, and he wouldnt be pleased if his plane wasnt airworthy when he returned.Dexter had agreed to help, and one thing led to another, until a crown prince of the house of al-Saud was personally thanking him. The entourage then left in the same flurry in which it had arrived, and Dexter found himself standing next to the one Saudi Arabian whod remained behind. His name was Tariq bin Abdul-Aziz, and he was the reason for the princes visit. The son of an incredibly influential Saudi financier, he lived in Sarasota and wanted to learn to fly.Strangely enough, theyd bonded through that mutual love of aviation, with Tariq showing up for coffee each morning just to watch the airplanes come and go. Somewhere in the conversations, Dexter had mentioned that he had failed to secure a single government contract in the entire time hed been in business and that Icarus Solutions was on its last legs. Tariq had smiled knowingly, explaining that Dexter didnt understand how such things worked, and taking the time to show in detail the slimy underbelly of government deal making.And now Dexter was committed. Driving up to the access control point for Tariqs neighborhood, he wondered if hed made a mistake. Didnt matter, because it was too late to do anything about it now. He gave his name and identification to the guard manning the gate. The guard looked at it, compared it to a board in the shack, then handed him a pass. Dexter put it on the dash, then drove his Honda Civic through the gates of Tariqs posh neighborhood, hoping the darkness would hide the dents and gouges on the Civics battered frame.Ogling the ostentatious McMansions that lined the road, most garishly illuminated with lighting that should be reserved for the Vegas strip, he felt giddy and more than a little scared.Either the prince had come through, or he hadnt. If he had, Dexter would build a McMansion of his own, perhaps in this same neighborhood. If he hadnt, well, Dexter was finished. His entire businessnot to mention every other asset he ownedwould be forfeited for the two million dollars hed borrowed to make the donation.At least hed never have to pay another blood cent to his shrew of an ex-wife.Small consolations.Two blocks from Tariq bin Abdul-Azizs house, he unconsciously slowed, not wanting to hear the decision. Reflecting on what had brought him to this point. Without even realizing it, he drove past the house, seeing one of the four garage doors open, an SUV with the rear hatch raised in front of it, the lights on inside.He backed up and swung into the driveway, his headlights sweeping across someone with a suitcase. He squinted and saw it was Tariq.He parked and got out, now considerably worried. Tariq, hey, whats up?Startled, Tariq whirled around, then grinned sheepishly. Dexter, you scared the shit out of me. No sooner had the curse word slipped from his mouth than he was glancing around, looking for his wife.A small man with an olive complexion and a pencil-thin black mustache, Tariq had initially surprised Dexter with his Western habits, but Dexter had learned hed spent the majority of his life outside of Saudi Arabia, having attended boarding school in England before college in America. His wife, on the other hand, was devoutly religious and didnt take kindly to his Western affectations.When she didnt appear, Tariq loaded the suitcase into the rear of the SUV. Dexter noticed it was crammed to the windows with all manner of items, increasing his alarm.He said, Whats all this? Whats happening?Tariq smiled, saying, I received some wonderful news. I made it into a prestigious graduate program in my home country, but I have to be there the day after tomorrow. Were flying home.Dexter saw Tariqs wife coming toward them from inside the garage, carrying a baby and wearing a black abaya, her head covered in a colorful hijab.Confused, Dexter said, Youre all leaving? For good?Yes. We have tickets for tonight, but I hope to come back in a year or two.What about the house? Your cars? The furniture?Its my fathers house, actually, and he will deal with it. Its nothing.Finally, Dexter asked the question that mattered the most: What about me?He saw confusion flit across Tariqs face and realized that two million dollars to this man was the same as a five-dollar bill to Dexter. Something that didnt really matter.Dexter said, We had a deal, right? I created the shell company and provided the required donation. I know its already been withdrawn. Dont tell me you guys screwed me over two million dollars. Its nothing to you, but everything to me.Dexter finally saw recognition. Tariq said, Yes, yes, Im sorry. Ive been so preoccupied with packing I forgot. He placed another suitcase in the back, then turned around, formally straightening up and extending his right hand. Dexter hesitantly took it, waiting.Tariq said, Congratulations. After fierce competition and extensive vetting, you beat out thirteen other international companies. He winked, then said, Based on my fathers recommendation, the royal family has selected you for the maintenance contract.And like that, all the fear was washed away. Once a beggar of scraps, Dexter was now a player. The owner of a multimillion-dollar contract that would guarantee his rise.Dazed, he started to reply when Tariq said, Im happy for you, my friend, but were late for our flight. Im sorry, but I have to go.He reached into the SUV and retrieved a briefcase. He pulled out a folder and said, All of your contacts are in there. Remember, you cant mention either my father or me. Just contact the people in there and they will do the rest.Dexter nodded dumbly. Tariq hugged him, kissing both of his cheeks, then climbed into the drivers seat. He checked to ensure his wife and baby were settled, then gave Dexter a two-finger salute before driving away.Dexter turned to watch him go, slowly winding in a circle as the cars taillights receded around a corner. Dexter was left reflecting on his new fortune. He gripped the folder hard enough to bend it, thinking one thought: Need a new shell company.He drove his old Civic out of the land of milk and honey, pulling out his cell phone as he did so. He clicked on the speed dial for a contact labeled chip savoy.There was no way he would let his money-grubbing ex-wife know about his newfound largesse, and to make that happen, he needed Chip.A fraternity brother from college, Chip had done much, much better than Dexter up until now. Currently a hedge-fund manager on Wall Street, Chip had been the one to walk him through the establishment of the shell company in the Bahamas for the Saudis, and also the one who had fronted the donation inside that shell company.They had been as close as brothers in school, and whenever they were together, the income disparity between the two men disappeared. Chip treated Dexter like he always hadas his own bloodbut Dexter knew that at the end of the day, money mattered. Chip was smart and had done the research on the contract. When hed seen the companies vying for itall of them the biggest names in the industryhed realized the potential for massive profits, given Dexters light footprint. Hed fronted Dexter the means for success because he expected a return. And Dexter had no illusions about what would have happened if it had gone south: His brother would have taken everything he owned.But that was water under the proverbial bridge, because it had worked. Now all Dexter needed to do was protect his investment.The phone rang and rang, then went to voice mail. He left a message, fantasizing about the Playboy Bunny Chip was probably sleeping with at that very moment.He turned onto Highway 41, going home, and was hit with a logjam of cars. Traffic was always a pain, but not at nine oclock at night. And then he remembered: The president was visiting Sarasota, doing some goodwill thing at a local elementary school the next day. Hed arrived thirty minutes ago, and his security team had jammed up every major artery.Dexter muttered in aggravation, then settled in to wait, his twenty-minute drive to a beer now drawn out to at least an hour. what is the best book to read 2019 Ring of Fire (A Pike Logan Thriller)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Another home runBy J. ThompsonI've read all of the novels and short stories by Brad Taylor. I think that 'Ghosts of War' was probably one of the best and this book comes in right after. The initial chapters building up to the introduction of the usual team of Pike, Jennifer, and Knuckles which is a little slower than some of Taylor's earlier books. However, he ties all of the parts together before he leads the reader through the non-stop sequences of action and suspense for which Taylor is know. He re-introduces us to Carly who has appeared in one short story then another novel but now as a potential team member. She has not been through their selection and assessment course which places her in a support role where her skills as a CIA Case Officer are used by the team. During the course of pursuing terrorist, Taylor also introduces a Moroccan CT officer Ahmed al-Raffiki which results in some interesting and with the recent presidential election in the US, rather profound conversations. Taylor's research into the subject of maritime terrorism and the geography of the Mediterranean countries is exceptional. Having read all of Brad Taylor's books and short stories, this books stands up well while expanding and deepening the characters. This is well worth the time to read!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Plausible prediction of terrorBy Ronaele WhittingtonFascinating views of Morocco, Spain and specific communities enrich the portraits of religion, poverty, culture, and history. These become the backdrop for serious intentions by a hateful Saudi family to destroy the USA. Pike, Jennifer, Knuckles, and Kurt's task force carry over their work from previous novels by Brad Taylor. This time sea ports and drones, along with off shore bank accounts and drug dealers, become integral to the plot. The bad guys almost assassinate the President of the USA. Linking all of this to the original 9/11 bad guys, Taylor creates a plausible prediction of terrorism. Pike, et. al. discuss Islam in detail with Ahmed, a DGST- trained and articulate counterpart in Morocco. The lively discussions expose stereotypes, attitudes, and facts about Islam, Who, then, is a terrorist if not a true Muslim?3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A moving tribute to 9/11By AndronikeThrilling and terrifying at the same time. All of Brad Taylor's thrillers are excellent, but "Ring of Fire" reaches the Gold Standard, likeTom Clancy's "Hunt for Red October". "Ring of Fire" has all the elements that I love in a thriller - action, deep character portrayal,technical accuracy, historical relevance, and frightening realism- and none of the elements that ruin a thriller - 2 dimensional comic strip-type action, superhuman heroes, and melodrama. Taylor's portrayal of secondary characters is particularly engaging. Anwar, the teenage terroristand Johan, the South African head of security, come to life in just a few well chosen words. All around, "Ring of Fire" is a moving tributeto the tragedy of September 11, 2001.