Thank you to critic Oline Cogdill for sharing her review of Brad Taylor’s Shadow Strike. It originally appeared in the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Because Taylor recently appeared at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, there are signed copies of the book available in the Webstore. https://tinyurl.com/4w45bt7c
Book review: Brad Taylor brings back favorite villain in ‘Shadow Strike: A Pike Logan Novel’
‘Shadow Strike: A Pike Logan Novel’ by Brad Taylor; Morrow; 448 pages; $32
Some villains are too good to let go. One is Abdul Rahman. Longtime readers of Brad Taylor’s uber-action-packed Pike Logan thrillers will remember that Abdul also goes by “The Ghost.”
Abdul had been in a secret U.S. prison for the past 10 years — out of sight and, for the most part, out of mind. But transferring him to another facility puts the high-octane plot of “Shadow Strike” in play. Abdul escapes with the help of a motorcycle gang. The aim is for Abdul to cause havoc in the United States, the West Bank and Iran.
This is the kind of elaborate plot that Taylor relishes for his perennial hero, Pike Logan, leader of the shadowy Taskforce. Pike and his team work for the government, but they and their department are deep undercover.
“Shadow Strike” is vintage Taylor, with extreme action, top-notch weaponry and a solid global plot. Pike and his team will chase the Ghost to Mexico, Argentina and the Antarctic, as well as hopscotching other spots.
“Shadow Strike” also taps into one of Taylor’s ongoing themes: a thoughtful look at terrorism, a timely subject, as usual. His plots have a chilling authenticity due to his meticulous research and sense of place.
Taylor’s novels are plot heavy with more emphasis on action than nuance. But he also infuses his characters with a sense of humanity. Pike is a hero to root for; he also has a sense of compassion and concern for his team and others.
Taylor is among authors such as Gregg Hurwitz and Mark Greaney who have reinvented the thriller genre. “Shadow Strike” continues Taylor’s high standards.
You can watch the video from The Poisoned Pen as Jack Stewart hosts Brad Taylor.