This was yet another good adventure with Pike Logan and the Taskforce. I'm really a fan of how the author shows the tail end of a scene from one perspective, then follows up but showing the same scene from the perspective of other characters. This really gives us as readers a 360 degree view of what's going on. I also liked how the battle Pike faces with his inner demons was focused on more in this book. It's something I imagine he will always deal with and he's lucky to have found Jennifer to help him deal with it. Overall, a great read and I would HIGHLY recommend.

Thanks to William Morrow and Net Galley for the ARC #IntotheGrayZone #NetGalley

What begins as a simple assignment for Pike Logan and his team as security for a meeting between the CIA and India's intelligence service becomes sinister and deadly after an attempted attack deemed to have been conducted by terrorists followed by a second attack at the Taj Mahal.
Logan, a former Delta Force officer, his wife Jennifer Cahill. "Nuckles." a former Navy Seal, Brett, second in command and a former Force Recon Marine now in the paramilitary branch of the CIA, and Veep. aka Nicholas Seacrest. Air force Combat Controller and son of the current US president. are all operators of Grolier Recovery Services (GRS), a archeological company working in dangerous places globally. GRS is a cover for a covert government program called the Taskforce and is lead by George Wolfe, Commander, a paramilitary officer in the CIA.
Into the Gray Zone is the 19th book in the Pike Logan series.
The setting of the story takes the reader to several areas of India from the wealthiest to the poorest, from a glamorous pre-wedding at a luxurious hotel to the street markets and slums. The gray zone is defined and explained in the Cambridge English dictionary as "activities by a state are sometimes considered to be acts of war but are not legally acts of war." It is "the area between war and peace." Just so you know.
Kidnapping, hostage taking, political violence, corrupt politicians, terror organizations, and the interests of the US, India and China all play a part in the plot. The CIA, India's research and analysis wing called RAW, which answers to India's Prime Minister, and the Chinese Ministry of State Security are all involved and organizations such as the ISI, Pakistan's Interservice Intelligence Agency are also part of the plot and dialogue. It all makes for a dynamic political thriller set against the competition between countries for rare earth materials as well as conflicts within India among the Muslim sometimes considered to be acts of war but are not legally acts of war." It is "the area between war and peace." Just so you know.
Kidnapping, hostage taking. political violence, corrupt politicians, terror organizations, and the interests of the US, India and China all play a part in the plot. The CIA, India's research and analysis wing called RAW, which answers to India's Prime Minister, and the Chinese Ministry of State Security are all involved and organizations such as the ISI, Pakistan's Interservice Intelligence Agency are also part of the plot and dialogue. It all makes for a dynamic political thriller set against the competition between countries for rare earth materials as well as conflicts within India among the Muslim and Sikh populations. If all that sounds like too much policy-making intrigue for you, be assured that there is plenty of fast moving action and
Brad Taylor's acknowledgements at the conclusion of the book include so much more than just his thanks to those assisting him. It is a great backdrop to the events and places in the story and I urge the reader to take the time to read the section.
The narrative was engaging, the basis for the action believable and the characters, including Logan, who is rough around the edges, capable and steadfast. There is a likeable ending and it is appealingly conclusive. My usual genre is mystery but I will go on to other Pike Logan novels to get my quota of high adventure, political corruption, espionage, and characters who are clearly on the side of right or wrong I would like to thank. William Morrow and NetGalley for an advance copy of Into the Gray Zone and the opportunity to write an honest review of Brad Taylor’s novel.

I am beginning to feel like this series has hit is peak and is on its way back down. same story different location this time India with some Chinese linkages. Pike is getting out of control but then it is glossed over and moved on from. So why even bring it up?

For fans of the series this may be great but I found it a bit tired overall.

Despite the fact that this novel had several exciting elements, I felt that this book was not particularly interesting. The book takes place in India and has groups of Americans, Chinese and Indians pitted against each other. There is a plethora of action and a good portion is not believable. It would be hard for me to recommend this book to others and I thank NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Amazing book. I love this series, but this book was unique with a different plot than most spy action type books. I loved it.

The task force thinks they are going for a vacation and instead are shipped to India. When they get to India they are making due with what they could bring into the country. Things go sideways quickly and the mission changes mid-book. Another great read in this series!

I have read every Pike Logan book and the latest installment from Brad Taylor is another fantastic addition to the collection. Everything you would want in a Pike Logan story but now Pike is pushing closer to his demons. Loved that dimension to the story. Loved the spy craft and action sequences. Overall fantastic read!

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to receive an advance copy from NetGalley! I could not wait to get back into the world of the Taskforce with Pike and Jennifer. This time they headed to India and once again, I felt like the author gave me a personal tour of the country. Taylor gives you enough detail you can picture the scene he is creating. We follow Pike and crew through India, pulling threads on an alleged terrorist plot that turns into a hostage situation. I would love to see this series turned into a show for Netflix or Prime!

4.75 Stars

Well, I think it's safe to say that I really, really enjoy this series. Watching the team grow together over the last several years, through their personal losses and the team wins, has been what makes this series so compelling. Pike and Jennifer's relationship makes this a unique entry in this particular genre because we have an FMC who actually pulls her weight and is considered an equal on the team. This is in a usual all male category. Plus, I love the way she adds to the team dynamic.

Why mention any of that? Well, because we have been delving into a story arc recently concerning Pike and his ability to deal with what he calls "the beast" and it is basically when he loses it and lets the rage take over. It is also something Shoshana has mentioned to him in the past. We have watched how he deals with people challenging his leadership - or at least when he takes constructive criticism and honest care and concern as a challenge and tends to get defensive - but he is growing as a character and is realizing that he has to be able to pull the rage back on his own. Anyway, I just like the way we are getting to see the team deal with some real life PTSD and emotional issues that arise from the things they do in the "day job"..

So this book takes us to India and a pretty unique situation dealing with some rare element mining operations and of course, China and the MSS. I enjoyed getting to see this new theater and the info on the social structure in India was definitely interesting.

In complete Pike style, things take off and as much as everyone begs Pike not to go "apes**t" things still go from 0 to 100 immediately and we find ourselves in a crazy climax.

As usual, I enjoyed this and once I started, I ended up finishing it in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on Apr 22, 2025.

Another great read by Brad Taylor. The story continues the Pike Logan series as Pike and his team go to India in what should be any easy mission. Lots of action and a fast paced read. The story has China using local Indian's to try and prevent rare earth materials from being mined in India. Trouble continues to find Pike and the Task force.

A fun read especially if you like Brad Taylor. Look forward to more books in the series.

“Into the Gray Zone” by Brad Taylor is a complex Pike Logan thriller. A terrorist attack happens at the Taj Mahal where India and the US are convinced its minor local terrorists at play. After a massive slaughter at a pre-Indian wedding party and the kidnapping of hostages Pike begins to believes that outside powers may be attacking India because of its potential to become a major source for Rare Earth elements taking the power away from China who is the world leader. This book is filled with information on this topic as well as information on how the Gray Zone operates. It is very character driven where there is extensive dialog describing the diverse terrorist groups who operate in India and China. If you have interest in these topics you are going to love this book.
For me personally, the topic was just one that didn’t speak to me, but if you are a fan of the Pike Logan series you will enjoy this well researched book.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An action packed adventure. I liked contrast in main characters personalities. Plot was interesting but a little predictable. Entertaining read

Taylor never disappoints.
Pike Logan is called back into action with his team.
Only this time their mission is not as clearly focused as in the past.
They are in India to prevent the kidnapping of a millionaire investor
at his daughter's wedding needed to promote India's tech advancement but keep encountering
Chinese thugs who seem to be there for a more nefarious reason.
Non stop action and suspense.
Same well defined team characters from the past and a very twisty and s bit complicated,
plot.
Just a little "too".

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Pike Logan and the Taskforce gang are one of my favorites and annual must reads. As a front to back, action military thriller this is a very entertaining book. However, as a huge fan, I feel that Mr Taylor has invested a lot in building up these characters and their stories to the point that I suppose I wish this book was more than just an action thriller. Certainly a very entertaining read but I feel the author can do and has done so much better and returns to adding more story telling elements. 3.5 stars