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Pike Logan #1
One Rough Man
Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, move over: introducing a pulse-pounding new international thriller series by a former Delta Force commander.They call it the Taskforce. Their existence is as essential as it is illegal. Commissioned at the highest level of the U.S. government. Protected from the prying eyes of Congress and the media. Built around the top operators from across the clandestine, intelligence, and special forces landscape. Designed to operate outside the bounds of U.S. law. Trained to exist on the ragged edge of human capability.
Pike Logan was the most successful operator on the Taskforce, his instincts and talents unrivaled-until personal tragedy permanently altered his outlook on the world. Pike knows what the rest of the country might not want to admit: The real threat isn't from any nation, any government, any terrorist group. The real threat is one or two men, controlled by ideology, operating independently, in possession of a powerful weapon.
Buried in a stack of intercepted chatter is evidence of two such men. The transcripts are scheduled for analysis in three months. The attack is mere days away. It is their bad luck that they're about to cross paths with Pike Logan. And Pike Logan has nothing left to lose.
576 pages, ebook
First published February 17, 2011
3113 people are currently reading
11382 people want to read
About the author
Brad Taylor
48 books2,551 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 889 reviews
January 5, 2020
A fine debut by Brad Taylor. I've read this series out of order and will say that his books get better.
One Rough Man is a great introduction to Pike Logan. I get a better background for Pike and how he operates along with other supporting characters. However, the book felt long especially where the bad guys obtained WMD. The final act was exciting and will put you on the edge of your seat. 3.5 stars
One Rough Man is a great introduction to Pike Logan. I get a better background for Pike and how he operates along with other supporting characters. However, the book felt long especially where the bad guys obtained WMD. The final act was exciting and will put you on the edge of your seat. 3.5 stars
August 24, 2021
This was superb first class action novel nonstop action
August 29, 2013
One Rough Man sounds like a strange title on first glance, but it fits the character of Pike very well. Pike is a tough guy who went through a very horrible personal tragedy that made him even more rough around the edges. He's kind of like John McClane, with added military training. He's the guy who's there at the right time (although not exactly your first choice), and the one who has to save the day.
Initially, this was a slow start. The author gave us a lot of intel into running surveillance operations and some inner operational lingo and dynamics that were a bit sluggish to read, and one might be tempted to think this was going to be a military/spy procedural. But once you keep reading, you realize there is plenty of action. I think that's par for the course when you read a new author and learn their way of telling a story.
We get an inside look at terrorists and their methodology, which I appreciated, because it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. However, in their mind, there is a twisted method behind what they do, and at least I got a glimpse into that. And it seemed plausible. It gives me shivers that folks like that are walking around planning to unleash chaos all around us.
Reading the afterward was enlightening. Apparently Taylor took some ribbing from friends in the military over this book, but at least they read it and told him what he had gotten wrong, which was good. Since I have no military background, I don't know enough to catch errors, so it's good to know that an author does his best not to make them. And better yet, no military secrets were exposed in the making of this book! I hate when I see stuff on tv that could affect US operational security and I always worry if terrorists are taking notes!
As far as Pike, he isn't always likable. Well, he's grumpy. I like grumpy heroes, but I know that doesn't work for everyone. He had lots of reasons to be surly and unfriendly, considering what he was suffering. I like that Jennifer kept it real with him and told him he was a jerk when he needed to hear it. Pike is a bad@$$, a man with a well-deserved reputation, and seeing him in action was great. I had some good laughs and some fist pumping moments. Yet despite his tough guy nature, he had moments of doubt and fear, believing he was a dead man a time or two. But at least he kept his cool. He was able to handle his fear and work through it. His sense of honor might be shaky, but it never abandoned him, and that made me love him even more.
I really liked Jennifer. She was pretty well-developed, with her own inner turmoil and angst. Boy was she brave. I liked that she was a companion that more than held her weight with Pike, even after she had met her obligations to him and vice versa. They made a good team, communicating well and looking out for each other's back. I liked how they had a meeting of minds and while there was a connection, their actions made sense for their situations.
The villains were interesting. Not just the expected villain, but someone who should have been doing the right thing. I was kind of shocked at some of the things the villains did. I can't imagine turning off one's morality like that and doing something so awful as was done in this book, especially when you were part of a group that had such high moral expectations. Maybe I am just naive.
The action was great. Not just shooting, but some good hand to hand combat, and a good sense of risk along the way. While Pike is definitely all over it, and Jennifer turns out to be a budding action heroine, they didn't have it easy. There were some moments I was on the edge of my seat, reading as fast as I can.
All in all, a very good read. I would definitely like some more Pike and Jennifer adventures. Not to mention the mega loose end. I can't wait to see Pike rip open a can of you know what on that person.
Recommended to fans of tough guys with the training, smarts and attitude to get the job done.
Initially, this was a slow start. The author gave us a lot of intel into running surveillance operations and some inner operational lingo and dynamics that were a bit sluggish to read, and one might be tempted to think this was going to be a military/spy procedural. But once you keep reading, you realize there is plenty of action. I think that's par for the course when you read a new author and learn their way of telling a story.
We get an inside look at terrorists and their methodology, which I appreciated, because it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. However, in their mind, there is a twisted method behind what they do, and at least I got a glimpse into that. And it seemed plausible. It gives me shivers that folks like that are walking around planning to unleash chaos all around us.
Reading the afterward was enlightening. Apparently Taylor took some ribbing from friends in the military over this book, but at least they read it and told him what he had gotten wrong, which was good. Since I have no military background, I don't know enough to catch errors, so it's good to know that an author does his best not to make them. And better yet, no military secrets were exposed in the making of this book! I hate when I see stuff on tv that could affect US operational security and I always worry if terrorists are taking notes!
As far as Pike, he isn't always likable. Well, he's grumpy. I like grumpy heroes, but I know that doesn't work for everyone. He had lots of reasons to be surly and unfriendly, considering what he was suffering. I like that Jennifer kept it real with him and told him he was a jerk when he needed to hear it. Pike is a bad@$$, a man with a well-deserved reputation, and seeing him in action was great. I had some good laughs and some fist pumping moments. Yet despite his tough guy nature, he had moments of doubt and fear, believing he was a dead man a time or two. But at least he kept his cool. He was able to handle his fear and work through it. His sense of honor might be shaky, but it never abandoned him, and that made me love him even more.
I really liked Jennifer. She was pretty well-developed, with her own inner turmoil and angst. Boy was she brave. I liked that she was a companion that more than held her weight with Pike, even after she had met her obligations to him and vice versa. They made a good team, communicating well and looking out for each other's back. I liked how they had a meeting of minds and while there was a connection, their actions made sense for their situations.
The villains were interesting. Not just the expected villain, but someone who should have been doing the right thing. I was kind of shocked at some of the things the villains did. I can't imagine turning off one's morality like that and doing something so awful as was done in this book, especially when you were part of a group that had such high moral expectations. Maybe I am just naive.
The action was great. Not just shooting, but some good hand to hand combat, and a good sense of risk along the way. While Pike is definitely all over it, and Jennifer turns out to be a budding action heroine, they didn't have it easy. There were some moments I was on the edge of my seat, reading as fast as I can.
All in all, a very good read. I would definitely like some more Pike and Jennifer adventures. Not to mention the mega loose end. I can't wait to see Pike rip open a can of you know what on that person.
Recommended to fans of tough guys with the training, smarts and attitude to get the job done.
January 29, 2012
A new warrior has just ridden into town. If you like John D. McDonald's Travis McGee (I know, I'm dating myself), Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, Gregg Hurwitz's Tim Rackley, Brad Thor's Scot Horvath, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (Sr. or Jr.), or anything at all by Nelson B. DeMille - AND I DO! - then I think you're going to like Brad Taylor's debut novel "One Rough Man" featuring Pike Logan. In Pike we have the ultimate hero - a highly trained combat veteran with a big heart and a conscience to match. Pike's reluctant sidekick, Jennifer Cahill, is both smart and sassy - and a talented gymnast, too, which turns out to be a handy ability. The author may be new to the writing game, but as a former Special Forces commander, he certainly has earned the chops to write a novel about a super-secret team of commandos. Yes, "One Rough Man" covers familiar ground for those of us who enjoy reading thrillers from the safety of our living rooms. Yes, some of the plot seems pretty implausible. Yes, the big strong hero is once again teamed up with a sexy (but smart) heroine. But let's face it - I don't read novels like this for any reason other than pure entertainment. And "One Rough Man" surely entertained me! I'm looking forward to reading Pike's next adventure!
June 9, 2017
While I am on a run with my favourite type of books, action packed thrillers!
Again reading one of the many authors who specialise in these great books.
Brad Taylor, is the right man to write this type of books, why you ask?
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry. Brad served for more than 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. During that time he held numerous Infantry and Special Forces positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron. He has conducted operations in support of US national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations.
The first Pike Logan novel from New York Times bestselling author Brad Taylor.
They call it the Taskforce. Commissioned at the highest level of the U.S. government. Protected from the prying eyes of Congress and the media. Designed to operate outside the bounds of U.S. law. Trained to exist on the ragged edge of human capability.
Pike Logan was the most successful operator on the Taskforce, his instincts and talents unrivaled—until personal tragedy permanently altered his outlook on the world. Pike knows what the rest of the country might not want to admit: The real threat isn't from any nation, any government, any terrorist group. The real threat is one or two men, controlled by ideology, operating independently, in possession of a powerful weapon.
Buried in a stack of intercepted chatter is evidence of two such men. The transcripts are scheduled for analysis in three months. The attack is mere days away. It is their bad luck that they're about to cross paths with Pike Logan. Because Pike Logan has nothing left to lose.
In this book we follow Pike across Central America, Norway, Bosnia as well as America. Along with Pike is a great character Jennifer Cahill, who really add to the story as well as adding humour to the fast paced, action story.
Pike Logan is a tough, appealing hero and I look forward to reading more. Just maybe one star below Brad Thor , Ben Coes and Tom Wood.
But a strong four star.
Again reading one of the many authors who specialise in these great books.
Brad Taylor, is the right man to write this type of books, why you ask?
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry. Brad served for more than 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. During that time he held numerous Infantry and Special Forces positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron. He has conducted operations in support of US national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations.
The first Pike Logan novel from New York Times bestselling author Brad Taylor.
They call it the Taskforce. Commissioned at the highest level of the U.S. government. Protected from the prying eyes of Congress and the media. Designed to operate outside the bounds of U.S. law. Trained to exist on the ragged edge of human capability.
Pike Logan was the most successful operator on the Taskforce, his instincts and talents unrivaled—until personal tragedy permanently altered his outlook on the world. Pike knows what the rest of the country might not want to admit: The real threat isn't from any nation, any government, any terrorist group. The real threat is one or two men, controlled by ideology, operating independently, in possession of a powerful weapon.
Buried in a stack of intercepted chatter is evidence of two such men. The transcripts are scheduled for analysis in three months. The attack is mere days away. It is their bad luck that they're about to cross paths with Pike Logan. Because Pike Logan has nothing left to lose.
In this book we follow Pike across Central America, Norway, Bosnia as well as America. Along with Pike is a great character Jennifer Cahill, who really add to the story as well as adding humour to the fast paced, action story.
Pike Logan is a tough, appealing hero and I look forward to reading more. Just maybe one star below Brad Thor , Ben Coes and Tom Wood.
But a strong four star.
March 1, 2024
What to say about this book ….. Well, it started out a bit on the slow side with a few minor bursts of excitement, such as finding a temple and a WMD. Enter all sorts of people that would like to use it or benefit from its dispersement. Then enter Pike, stage Left. Tragedy strikes, converting him from a warrior to a husk of a man. Just when he is at his lowest, he bumps into his salvation which comes in the shape of a college student named Jennifer. From this point on there is no stopping the rollercoaster of energy and excitement. There relationship contains fear, distrust, danger, confusion, sarcasm, compassion, dependence and eventually, a great respect for each other. Now you throw in a high level government plot into the mix which results in a good read and a itch that needs scratching. This is my first experience with Brad Taylor. I can guarantee my GR friends that this will not be my last.
August 31, 2014
This book had been on my radar for some time before I finally got around to it. I'd seen the glowing reviews the comparisons to other well know action writers so I kept "meaning to get to it".
At first my take on it was, "just another angst ridden super soldier". Some the opening scenes (and this isn't a spoiler) will be familiar to a lot of action, thriller and techno-thriller readers. Without giving details we have a "retired" special ops guy who was "the best in the business" now whiskey soaked and at a loss. He's a jerk, a danger to society etc., etc., etc.
And I thought this took too long to set up. The writer took his time laying out the characters, the situation and the multilayered plot before the book actually seems to launch. Maybe the first quarter of the book is all set up.
That said once he gets his chess pieces set out the way he wants the book does take off and we get an excellent thriller. There were still odd moments when the characters seemed to me to stumble (for a while) and the voice of our protagonist (well male protagonist) Pike can get very grating as he's sorting out his "issues" still it's a good book. As the action progresses the writer takes a plot that could well have gotten tangled up and bogged down and weaves us a good story of violence and intrigue. Our two protagonists (Pike and Jennifer) change significantly throughout the book. Jennifer is apparently a healing influence on Pike but the way she changes is going to be the more "straining" to "swallow". Also you'll note that during the course of the adventure sometimes it's Jennifer being fatalistic and "we're gonna' die" while Pike is doing the "buck-up we'll come out of this okay" stuff. then they change positions....
However if I've left the impression I don't like the book then let me correct that. Like so many other things in life that are actually great no matter their failings this book is to. Once it gets rolling it draws you in and gives the ever popular proverbial "thrill ride". As soon as I make a little room on my currently reading list to move something off the "to be read" list i intend to get the next Pike Logan thriller.
I'm looking forward to it.
So hang in through the surveillance, the plotting and the introductions and get to the meat of this one. It's great. Recommended.
At first my take on it was, "just another angst ridden super soldier". Some the opening scenes (and this isn't a spoiler) will be familiar to a lot of action, thriller and techno-thriller readers. Without giving details we have a "retired" special ops guy who was "the best in the business" now whiskey soaked and at a loss. He's a jerk, a danger to society etc., etc., etc.
And I thought this took too long to set up. The writer took his time laying out the characters, the situation and the multilayered plot before the book actually seems to launch. Maybe the first quarter of the book is all set up.
That said once he gets his chess pieces set out the way he wants the book does take off and we get an excellent thriller. There were still odd moments when the characters seemed to me to stumble (for a while) and the voice of our protagonist (well male protagonist) Pike can get very grating as he's sorting out his "issues" still it's a good book. As the action progresses the writer takes a plot that could well have gotten tangled up and bogged down and weaves us a good story of violence and intrigue. Our two protagonists (Pike and Jennifer) change significantly throughout the book. Jennifer is apparently a healing influence on Pike but the way she changes is going to be the more "straining" to "swallow". Also you'll note that during the course of the adventure sometimes it's Jennifer being fatalistic and "we're gonna' die" while Pike is doing the "buck-up we'll come out of this okay" stuff. then they change positions....
However if I've left the impression I don't like the book then let me correct that. Like so many other things in life that are actually great no matter their failings this book is to. Once it gets rolling it draws you in and gives the ever popular proverbial "thrill ride". As soon as I make a little room on my currently reading list to move something off the "to be read" list i intend to get the next Pike Logan thriller.
I'm looking forward to it.
So hang in through the surveillance, the plotting and the introductions and get to the meat of this one. It's great. Recommended.
February 8, 2012
I've long been a fan of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, 2 of the best thriller writers in recent years, and was optimistic that Brad Taylor could deliver along the same lines. Taylor has a background in the military and should have brought a unique insider perspective to the fight against terror. I couldn't have been more disappointed with his first effort, "One Rough Man". The primary character, Pike Logan, is on the Taskforce, a secret organization working outside the boundaries of the US government, so not to be hampered by the law. The book starts with a tactical practice mission that is probably some of the best and most exciting reading in the book...as it goes downhill from there. Logan is the typical Alpha male (badass, smart, best operator on the team, etc.). He has a wife and daughter (and I immediately thought, this is not going to work out with his lifestyle and time away from home). Spoiler alert...Taylor remedies this in the first 100 pages by killing off the wife and kids (yawn) - enter One Rough Man. Logan in his despair leaves the team unceremoniously and turns into a life of drinking. Cue 6 months later and a new terrorist plot that he is thrown into by happenstance. Enter Jennifer Cahill, the every-woman and college student who joins Logan to thwart the attack. She has no formal training, however is immediately a tactical expert and handles herself against a supposed well trained adversary. The villains in the book conveniently make bonehead decisions, leaving a blatant trail of their plans and end game. The writing and overall storyline are not nearly as smart as all Flynn novels, and the most recent (past 4 or 5) Thor novels. I was thoroughly disappointed, bored and would not recommend.
November 28, 2021
Decent thriller, will look for the next in the series. I find it strange that an author with his experience and military background would have so many ex-SOF guys as amoral, criminal killers. I understand the left-wing authors painting former (or active duty) military as evil but not a member of that exclusive club. Non-stop action from start to finish. 3 Stars.
March 27, 2014
This book had been on my radar for some time before I finally got around to it. I'd seen the glowing reviews the comparisons to other well know action writers so I kept "meaning to get to it".
At first my take on it was, "just another angst ridden super soldier". Some the opening scenes (and this isn't a spoiler) will be familiar to a lot of action, thriller and techno-thriller readers. Without giving details we have a "retired" special ops guy who was "the best in the business" now whiskey soaked and at a loss. He's a jerk, a danger to society etc., etc., etc.
And I thought this took too long to set up. The writer took his time laying out the characters, the situation and the multilayered plot before the book actually seems to launch. Maybe the first quarter of the book is all set up.
That said once he gets his chess pieces set out the way he wants the book does take off and we get an excellent thriller. There were still odd moments when the characters seemed to me to stumble (for a while) and the voice of our protagonist (well male protagonist) Pike can get very grating as he's sorting out his "issues" still it's a good book. As the action progresses the writer takes a plot that could well have gotten tangled up and bogged down and weaves us a good story of violence and intrigue. Our two protagonists (Pike and Jennifer) change significantly throughout the book. Jennifer is apparently a healing influence on Pike but the way she changes is going to be the more "straining" to "swallow". Also you'll note that during the course of the adventure sometimes it's Jennifer being fatalistic and "we're gonna' die" while Pike is doing the "buck-up we'll come out of this okay" stuff. then they change positions....
However if I've left the impression i don't like the book then let me correct that. Like so many other things in life that are actually great no matter their failings this book is to. Once it gets rolling it draws you in and gives the ever popular proverbial "thrill ride". As soon as I make a little room on my currently reading list to move something off the "to be read" list i intend to get the next Pike Logan thriller.
I'm looking forward to it.
So hang in through the surveillance, the plotting and the introductions and get to the meat of this one. It's great. Recommended.
At first my take on it was, "just another angst ridden super soldier". Some the opening scenes (and this isn't a spoiler) will be familiar to a lot of action, thriller and techno-thriller readers. Without giving details we have a "retired" special ops guy who was "the best in the business" now whiskey soaked and at a loss. He's a jerk, a danger to society etc., etc., etc.
And I thought this took too long to set up. The writer took his time laying out the characters, the situation and the multilayered plot before the book actually seems to launch. Maybe the first quarter of the book is all set up.
That said once he gets his chess pieces set out the way he wants the book does take off and we get an excellent thriller. There were still odd moments when the characters seemed to me to stumble (for a while) and the voice of our protagonist (well male protagonist) Pike can get very grating as he's sorting out his "issues" still it's a good book. As the action progresses the writer takes a plot that could well have gotten tangled up and bogged down and weaves us a good story of violence and intrigue. Our two protagonists (Pike and Jennifer) change significantly throughout the book. Jennifer is apparently a healing influence on Pike but the way she changes is going to be the more "straining" to "swallow". Also you'll note that during the course of the adventure sometimes it's Jennifer being fatalistic and "we're gonna' die" while Pike is doing the "buck-up we'll come out of this okay" stuff. then they change positions....
However if I've left the impression i don't like the book then let me correct that. Like so many other things in life that are actually great no matter their failings this book is to. Once it gets rolling it draws you in and gives the ever popular proverbial "thrill ride". As soon as I make a little room on my currently reading list to move something off the "to be read" list i intend to get the next Pike Logan thriller.
I'm looking forward to it.
So hang in through the surveillance, the plotting and the introductions and get to the meat of this one. It's great. Recommended.
November 2, 2023
A 4-star rating whereas this book got me hooked on Brad Taylor's "Pike Logan" and his 'task force' series.
June 5, 2011
As a devotee of thriller writers such as Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, the arrival of a new talent is cause fOR celebration. Brad Taylor and his Pike Logan character has now joined the ranks of Mitch Rapp and Scott Horvath, no small feat! One Rough Man: A Pike Logan Thriller serves up all the drama, thrills and finely drawn characters discerning thriller readers crave, but so often do not get. Mr. Taylor certainly knows about what he is writing about, and it is this authenticity, along with the skills of a very talented author, that make it a given that the Pike Logan series is one to not only look foward to, but to savor!!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
January 8, 2023
A Good One
Fast Paced, high energy book that is full of suspense.
Good characters and a rich plot line.
Overall, a winner!
Fast Paced, high energy book that is full of suspense.
Good characters and a rich plot line.
Overall, a winner!
December 2, 2014
DNF.
Read as an audiobook. Which probably skewed my opinion of this book because the main narrator (there were two) made our female protagonist a whiner who questioned everything, despite the fact that a total stranger was busy saving her ass.
To say I detested this book would be a fairly accurate review.
Character-wise I liked 'Pike' Logan. I could have done with out Jennifer. Then the plot went down hill for any kind of plausibility - and I say this KNOWING I read scifi and fantasy. The book lost credibility when Jennifer scampers up and down the side of a building three times, then tells Pike she trained with Cirque de Soliel for three months. Um...no. Just because you trained as a performer does NOT give you the ability to climb up and down a two story building three times.
The whole premise that Pike and Jennifer needed to be "terminated" was utterly contrived and well. stupid.
I could also make the argument that this was a romance disguised as a political thriller. Damsel in distress, down on his luck Hero turns into a shining knight. We have abduction, fleeing, little tremors of realization that "ooo, she likes me!". Romance.
The book also jumps around fairly frequently - like in paragraphs - from point of view to point of view. A little jarring, but I could see the author was trying to keep the timeline cohesive and all the characters moving forward at the same rate.
The only part of this book I liked were the terrorists.
Can't recommend this one. Unless you like political thrillers, then maybe you'll have better luck than I. I'm going back to police procedurals.
Read as an audiobook. Which probably skewed my opinion of this book because the main narrator (there were two) made our female protagonist a whiner who questioned everything, despite the fact that a total stranger was busy saving her ass.
To say I detested this book would be a fairly accurate review.
Character-wise I liked 'Pike' Logan. I could have done with out Jennifer. Then the plot went down hill for any kind of plausibility - and I say this KNOWING I read scifi and fantasy. The book lost credibility when Jennifer scampers up and down the side of a building three times, then tells Pike she trained with Cirque de Soliel for three months. Um...no. Just because you trained as a performer does NOT give you the ability to climb up and down a two story building three times.
The whole premise that Pike and Jennifer needed to be "terminated" was utterly contrived and well. stupid.
I could also make the argument that this was a romance disguised as a political thriller. Damsel in distress, down on his luck Hero turns into a shining knight. We have abduction, fleeing, little tremors of realization that "ooo, she likes me!". Romance.
The book also jumps around fairly frequently - like in paragraphs - from point of view to point of view. A little jarring, but I could see the author was trying to keep the timeline cohesive and all the characters moving forward at the same rate.
The only part of this book I liked were the terrorists.
Can't recommend this one. Unless you like political thrillers, then maybe you'll have better luck than I. I'm going back to police procedurals.
August 23, 2012
Good effort for a debut offering. Reading his bio leads me to hope that it will improve. ANd we know there will be another one coming because the baddie got away and the goodie still has to realise he has a big score to settle with him
As it is now, the author does not stand out from the huge crowd in this genre. His writing inexperience may be the problem here, and hopefully his personal experiences in the armed forces/services will start showing more than his writing inexperience??
I enjoyed the book enough to finish it, but found the co-incidents far-fetched. Even the characters commented on them - and this alone should have warned the editor that a bit more thought was required. Seriously - the only 'bumming around international terror buster' just happens to be in the same pub as an about to be very needy student?? And suddenly when it is needed, she just happens to have skills that are useful when chasing baddies??
It also took a fair while for all the threads to start merging into one story.
I would give the author a second go with the hope that there is improvement that will turn OK to outstanding.
As it is now, the author does not stand out from the huge crowd in this genre. His writing inexperience may be the problem here, and hopefully his personal experiences in the armed forces/services will start showing more than his writing inexperience??
I enjoyed the book enough to finish it, but found the co-incidents far-fetched. Even the characters commented on them - and this alone should have warned the editor that a bit more thought was required. Seriously - the only 'bumming around international terror buster' just happens to be in the same pub as an about to be very needy student?? And suddenly when it is needed, she just happens to have skills that are useful when chasing baddies??
It also took a fair while for all the threads to start merging into one story.
I would give the author a second go with the hope that there is improvement that will turn OK to outstanding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
Book Review - Brad Taylor's first installment in the action thriller genre, One Bad Man is much better than most other action/suspense/espionage books from other thriller authors that I've come across. Strong character development and believable story lines made this first book successful. Main character Pike Logan is a definite member of the "Badass Club" and one man you definitely want on your side when things go 'south', thus "One Rough Man." Glad I read this book first before reading all the others - I believe there's a total of 15 now. Great series by a former Delta Force operator turned great action thriller writer!
November 7, 2016
Written by former Delta Force operator Brad Taylor who spent 21 years hunting bad men down for the US military, the Pike Logan thrillers have won numerous accolades from cynical book critics and fans alike. “One Rough Man” is the first book in the series. At the start, we’re introduced to “Pike” Logan, one of the lead agents of a government “Taskforce”. Like the Orion Team from the Mitch Rapp saga, only larger and with superior resources, the “Taskforce” is used to eliminate Islamist terrorists and other undesirables while leaping over pesky red tape.
The novel kicks off with a kidnapping in Tbilisi Georgia where the Taskforce team led by Pike make Al Qaeda operative, shopping for nuclear material disappear off the face of the earth. At the same time back in the States, Pike’s wife is preparing for their daughter’s birthday when she, a family friend and the daughter are brutally murdered by two mysterious men. Pike’s devastated, leaves the “Taskforce” and sinks into the embrace of depression and alcohol as a result of this trauma. One day, while he’s attempting to drink himself to death, he meets a graduate student named Jennifer Cahill, gets beaten up in a bar fight and ends up killing two employees of a wealthy human smuggler to protect her. Learning that the smuggler has kidnapped her archaeologist uncle and is looking for a very precious package, Pike and Jennifer fly down to Guatemala and get caught up in a series of unfortunate events. What starts out as a simple mission to stay alive quickly turns into a continent hopping race to stop the mother of all suicide bombings with a sadistic twist.
Plot wise “One Rough Man” is very good if a little strange. While officially a military thriller, in the Guatemala section of the book, there are some shades of science fiction and Indiana Jones style adventure. But soon, it turns into a modern day conspiracy thriller with Pike and Jennifer hunting two Islamist terrorists across Europe while at the same time trying to evade a vile team of contract killers led by the man who thoroughly ruined Pike’s life. The action scenes are very realistic but not melodramatic like in the Dewey Andreas Series, a particular standout being Pike and Jennifer elegantly escape from the authorities at Atlanta airport. The technology and tradecraft in the novel has an authentic ring, from the tips Pike gives to the reader before pulling off a “one man army” and an awesome little gadget known as the “Remington ball”. He also tries to break some of the misconceptions about America’s counter terrorists showing that their job is far more complex with severe repercussions and psychological costs if things go wrong
But it’s not the threat, technology or plot which is the star of “One Rough Man”, those take a back seat. Instead, it’s the characters and their interactions which each other which make “One Rough Man” a good book. Surprisingly for a debt military thriller, a genre not known for three dimensional protagonists, Brad Taylor has created some of the most complex protagonists to grace the genre to date. Take Pike for example who despite being a badass, is played realistically, unlike the 2-d cardboard cut-outs in other novels. Starting as an extremely formidable if not slightly arrogant operative, fate decides to kick him in the face and throw him down a deep dark hole. Suffering guilt, depression and self-doubt, his journey of redemption from a washed up has-been to the person he used to be, is simply fantastic to watch. But even at his psychological worst, he’s still knowledgeable and ruthless enough to destroy the best laid plans of the forces trying to kill him, leaving many bodies in his wake. His companion Jennifer Cahill is also great. She’s “the audience surrogate”, representing us humble civilians who do not have the training or experience Pike has. Initially you may grate at how she moans and wines about the former soldier who’s belatedly offered to help her get her uncle back. However, after a nightmarish experience, she wises up to the situation, learns from Pike and performs extremely admirably under the circumstances. Pike’s sometime humorous observations, especially his darkly deadpan elimination of one of the antagonists and his banter with Jennifer are a treat to watch. The villains are also very devious, and put up quite a fight against the main characters, a standout being Lucas Kane, the contract killer hunting Pike at the behest of a corrupt Taskforce leader. He’s a sociopath but an extremely dangerous one who happily tortures and shoots his way through multiple innocents just to nail Pike.
Despite the excellent research, stellar plot and fantastic character development, I had 2 problems with the book. Firstly, the main threat of the novel, the suicide bombing with a destructive twist may not seem realistic to some of you. Read to find out why. Secondly the plot threads, along with Pike and Jennifer take a while to come together and initially, early on in the book its a bit jarring, waiting for them to connect as they seem to rely on coincidences. But overall, Brad Taylor’s One Rough Man is a good start to a terrific thriller series. Taylor knows his strengths and plays them well, creating a lovely cocktail of political backstabbing, gunfire, fistfights and two protagonists who aren’t 2-D shooting targets but people who you’ll laugh, cry and cheer with throughout their troubles. In the next Review, I’ll talk about the second book in the series, All Necessary Force, in which Taylor blows the roof off in quality terms, and crafts a story packed with sometimes jaw dropping surprises.
The novel kicks off with a kidnapping in Tbilisi Georgia where the Taskforce team led by Pike make Al Qaeda operative, shopping for nuclear material disappear off the face of the earth. At the same time back in the States, Pike’s wife is preparing for their daughter’s birthday when she, a family friend and the daughter are brutally murdered by two mysterious men. Pike’s devastated, leaves the “Taskforce” and sinks into the embrace of depression and alcohol as a result of this trauma. One day, while he’s attempting to drink himself to death, he meets a graduate student named Jennifer Cahill, gets beaten up in a bar fight and ends up killing two employees of a wealthy human smuggler to protect her. Learning that the smuggler has kidnapped her archaeologist uncle and is looking for a very precious package, Pike and Jennifer fly down to Guatemala and get caught up in a series of unfortunate events. What starts out as a simple mission to stay alive quickly turns into a continent hopping race to stop the mother of all suicide bombings with a sadistic twist.
Plot wise “One Rough Man” is very good if a little strange. While officially a military thriller, in the Guatemala section of the book, there are some shades of science fiction and Indiana Jones style adventure. But soon, it turns into a modern day conspiracy thriller with Pike and Jennifer hunting two Islamist terrorists across Europe while at the same time trying to evade a vile team of contract killers led by the man who thoroughly ruined Pike’s life. The action scenes are very realistic but not melodramatic like in the Dewey Andreas Series, a particular standout being Pike and Jennifer elegantly escape from the authorities at Atlanta airport. The technology and tradecraft in the novel has an authentic ring, from the tips Pike gives to the reader before pulling off a “one man army” and an awesome little gadget known as the “Remington ball”. He also tries to break some of the misconceptions about America’s counter terrorists showing that their job is far more complex with severe repercussions and psychological costs if things go wrong
But it’s not the threat, technology or plot which is the star of “One Rough Man”, those take a back seat. Instead, it’s the characters and their interactions which each other which make “One Rough Man” a good book. Surprisingly for a debt military thriller, a genre not known for three dimensional protagonists, Brad Taylor has created some of the most complex protagonists to grace the genre to date. Take Pike for example who despite being a badass, is played realistically, unlike the 2-d cardboard cut-outs in other novels. Starting as an extremely formidable if not slightly arrogant operative, fate decides to kick him in the face and throw him down a deep dark hole. Suffering guilt, depression and self-doubt, his journey of redemption from a washed up has-been to the person he used to be, is simply fantastic to watch. But even at his psychological worst, he’s still knowledgeable and ruthless enough to destroy the best laid plans of the forces trying to kill him, leaving many bodies in his wake. His companion Jennifer Cahill is also great. She’s “the audience surrogate”, representing us humble civilians who do not have the training or experience Pike has. Initially you may grate at how she moans and wines about the former soldier who’s belatedly offered to help her get her uncle back. However, after a nightmarish experience, she wises up to the situation, learns from Pike and performs extremely admirably under the circumstances. Pike’s sometime humorous observations, especially his darkly deadpan elimination of one of the antagonists and his banter with Jennifer are a treat to watch. The villains are also very devious, and put up quite a fight against the main characters, a standout being Lucas Kane, the contract killer hunting Pike at the behest of a corrupt Taskforce leader. He’s a sociopath but an extremely dangerous one who happily tortures and shoots his way through multiple innocents just to nail Pike.
Despite the excellent research, stellar plot and fantastic character development, I had 2 problems with the book. Firstly, the main threat of the novel, the suicide bombing with a destructive twist may not seem realistic to some of you. Read to find out why. Secondly the plot threads, along with Pike and Jennifer take a while to come together and initially, early on in the book its a bit jarring, waiting for them to connect as they seem to rely on coincidences. But overall, Brad Taylor’s One Rough Man is a good start to a terrific thriller series. Taylor knows his strengths and plays them well, creating a lovely cocktail of political backstabbing, gunfire, fistfights and two protagonists who aren’t 2-D shooting targets but people who you’ll laugh, cry and cheer with throughout their troubles. In the next Review, I’ll talk about the second book in the series, All Necessary Force, in which Taylor blows the roof off in quality terms, and crafts a story packed with sometimes jaw dropping surprises.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2011
Brad Taylor’s One Rough Man follows the well-trodden trail blazed by such thriller luminaries as Vince Flynn and Brad Thor. Taylor has impressive bona fides serving his country for twenty-one years with distinction as both a soldier and as a commander of Special Forces and Delta. His debut novel shows an intimate knowledge of fighting and weapons.
After the violent death of his wife and young child, Pike Logan leaves the ultra secret Taskforce, a special black ops military force organized by the President to pursue and terminate terrorists. The Taskforce commander is Kurt Hale. Its missions, however, are overseen by an Oversight Counsel at the NSC, of which Harold Standish is a member. Standish views the Taskforce as a means to solidify his power base in Washington, and employs the services of some ex military killers to do so.
Meanwhile, in Guatemala, Professor Cahill, while searching for a lost temple, stumbles upon a deadly virus in the jungle. Unknown to him, Miguel, a drug kingpin, is at the same time negotiating a deal to smuggle Arab terrorists into the USA. When Miguel and the terrorists learn about the temple and the virus, both plan how get their hands on the map to the Temple. Miguel wants the temple so he can grab the ancient artifacts and takes the direct approach by kidnapping Cahill, but not before Cahill has emailed a pictograph of the temple coordinates to his niece in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, Logan is living on a boat, wallowing in self pity and blaming himself for his wife’s death. Typically he goes to bars and lets untrained schoolboys and other riff raff beat on his face as penance. After taking his nightly punishment from a group of frat boys, he is saved from further damage by Jennifer Cahill, who takes him home to his boat. Somehow she has been followed by Miguel’s men who want some package that the Professor said he sent to her. Logan intervenes and they end up joining forces. Before you know it, Logan and Jennifer are in Guatemala trying to trade the map coordinates to Miguel for the Professor.
Unfortunately the terrorists mug Logan and somehow steal the map coordinates from him. Logan only knows that the muggers were Arabs. The terrorists are able to locate the deadly virus in the jungle and escape to Europe. Just to be certain of the virus effects, they diabolically test the virus on a hapless bus full of innocents. Jennifer and Logan raid Miguel’s compound to rescue the Professor and Logan gets a chance to use his expert weapon skills to thwart Miguel’s plans. Jennifer discovers a room in the fortress containing Arab clothing and a couple of email addresses on a small piece of paper. Jennifer is suspicious that Arabs stole the coordinates and that Arabs were also at Miguel’s fortress and convinces Logan to check the email websites, which reveals that the terrorists have a deadly virus and plan to use it.
Standish also learns about the virus and decides that he can use a disaster like that to enhance his standing in the NSC. He acts to quash any mention of the bus attack in the intelligence community files and sends Lucas Kane, a nasty ex soldier in his employ to kill Logan and Jennifer. Kane will stop at nothing to get to Logan and Jennifer and does not care how many innocent school girls he has to torture or kill to succeed on his mission. So Logan and Jennifer have to try to stop the terrorists while evading the efforts of Standish’s trained killers.
The action moves from the jungles of Guatemala, to the shores of the USA, the power corridors of Washington, and to Europe, where innocent people at a peace conference could be the target of a deadly virus attack. Logan and Jennifer have convincing chemistry on the page, and Taylor allows Jennifer to also be helpful so its not all Logan. Plus she is able to use skills she learned as a performer for Cirque du Soleil to help Logan in the investigation.
The first person narrative, however, is a little confusing. In addition, Taylor jumps around from character to character in very short, often times little more than 3 or 4 page chapters. Finally the ending was a little poorly described.
If Taylor can fix up some of the foregoing issues, his next few books could be the real deal. It’s too early to say that Pike Logan is the next Scott Harvath (Brad Thor) or Mitch Rapp (Vince Flynn) but Taylor could be on his way. A similar review will be published in www.examiner.com
After the violent death of his wife and young child, Pike Logan leaves the ultra secret Taskforce, a special black ops military force organized by the President to pursue and terminate terrorists. The Taskforce commander is Kurt Hale. Its missions, however, are overseen by an Oversight Counsel at the NSC, of which Harold Standish is a member. Standish views the Taskforce as a means to solidify his power base in Washington, and employs the services of some ex military killers to do so.
Meanwhile, in Guatemala, Professor Cahill, while searching for a lost temple, stumbles upon a deadly virus in the jungle. Unknown to him, Miguel, a drug kingpin, is at the same time negotiating a deal to smuggle Arab terrorists into the USA. When Miguel and the terrorists learn about the temple and the virus, both plan how get their hands on the map to the Temple. Miguel wants the temple so he can grab the ancient artifacts and takes the direct approach by kidnapping Cahill, but not before Cahill has emailed a pictograph of the temple coordinates to his niece in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, Logan is living on a boat, wallowing in self pity and blaming himself for his wife’s death. Typically he goes to bars and lets untrained schoolboys and other riff raff beat on his face as penance. After taking his nightly punishment from a group of frat boys, he is saved from further damage by Jennifer Cahill, who takes him home to his boat. Somehow she has been followed by Miguel’s men who want some package that the Professor said he sent to her. Logan intervenes and they end up joining forces. Before you know it, Logan and Jennifer are in Guatemala trying to trade the map coordinates to Miguel for the Professor.
Unfortunately the terrorists mug Logan and somehow steal the map coordinates from him. Logan only knows that the muggers were Arabs. The terrorists are able to locate the deadly virus in the jungle and escape to Europe. Just to be certain of the virus effects, they diabolically test the virus on a hapless bus full of innocents. Jennifer and Logan raid Miguel’s compound to rescue the Professor and Logan gets a chance to use his expert weapon skills to thwart Miguel’s plans. Jennifer discovers a room in the fortress containing Arab clothing and a couple of email addresses on a small piece of paper. Jennifer is suspicious that Arabs stole the coordinates and that Arabs were also at Miguel’s fortress and convinces Logan to check the email websites, which reveals that the terrorists have a deadly virus and plan to use it.
Standish also learns about the virus and decides that he can use a disaster like that to enhance his standing in the NSC. He acts to quash any mention of the bus attack in the intelligence community files and sends Lucas Kane, a nasty ex soldier in his employ to kill Logan and Jennifer. Kane will stop at nothing to get to Logan and Jennifer and does not care how many innocent school girls he has to torture or kill to succeed on his mission. So Logan and Jennifer have to try to stop the terrorists while evading the efforts of Standish’s trained killers.
The action moves from the jungles of Guatemala, to the shores of the USA, the power corridors of Washington, and to Europe, where innocent people at a peace conference could be the target of a deadly virus attack. Logan and Jennifer have convincing chemistry on the page, and Taylor allows Jennifer to also be helpful so its not all Logan. Plus she is able to use skills she learned as a performer for Cirque du Soleil to help Logan in the investigation.
The first person narrative, however, is a little confusing. In addition, Taylor jumps around from character to character in very short, often times little more than 3 or 4 page chapters. Finally the ending was a little poorly described.
If Taylor can fix up some of the foregoing issues, his next few books could be the real deal. It’s too early to say that Pike Logan is the next Scott Harvath (Brad Thor) or Mitch Rapp (Vince Flynn) but Taylor could be on his way. A similar review will be published in www.examiner.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2020
Damn! This Brad Taylor really has something going here! There are a couple of things that I need to emphasize about this author and this series. Brad Taylor first. Holy crap I love the way he writes! Every page has action. No words wasted. No fluff. 3 Taylor books and each literal page turners. I absolutely love the way he writes such that all he gives you is what you need to understand what is happening.
"I was glad for my choice of attire. Jennifer always complained that I dressed like I was going to get shot at on a daily basis, but today it had paid off. Had I been wearing some fashionable spandex jeans and a froo-froo shirt, I’d have been caught dead to rights. I would have to remember to tell her that."
... perfect!! I could imagine the helo moving out overhead, thought about his khakis, then about a foo foo shirt, realized they couldn't see him....Perfect imagery and succinct, next page. Again, as stated in my previous review of a BT novel, the secondary characters are soooo well developed. Bad guys and good are developed so meticulously and for lack of a better term "warmly" that you know them, you feel for them, you like them. Their personalities and circumstances are crafted such that you simply understand them. You are compelled to want to understand their plight, which inevitably you do. You just do! It adds so much depth to the reading. You are invested in all parts of the story and it is an amazing way to read. Highly enjoyable. Just an aside, I am reading the next in the series, All Necessary Force, and this skill of Taylor's is reinforced, literally bringing a teeny tiny tear to my eye as I literally fist pumped, closed the cover, and decided to write this review. Can't remember the last time I teared up reading a fiction novel. Maybe The Martian several years ago...maybe.
On to the Pike Logan series. It is just damn good. So clever. I'll be vague as to not give anything away. Pike Logan's circumstances are difficult. His saving grace is an amazing character. Skilled, humble, strong of character, skilled, smart, skilled, compassionate, skilled. You get the point. The character's background is super smart and super cool. A perfectly concocted, obscure skill set that adds yet another layer of smart. Another layer of cool. Weaved in amongst the other traits that are certainly elevating said character to quite literally ....one of my all time favorites. I totally love her.....oops. ;) . Another clever plot by Taylor. Another terror plot? Sort of... but not quite! It's just different. It's interesting. It's curious. It's plausible. It's well done!
Anyways, I have been totally sucked in to Pike Logan's world. 2 weeks and onto my third and a half Brad Taylor\Pike Logan. The half was interestingly enough a short story that falls between book 1 and 2. Another cool concept that it appears Taylor uses. End of "One Rough Man" there was a "I wish I knew what happened" moment and bam... Taylor writes an 85 page short story. Again, perfect. It appears there are several of the short stories in the Pike Logan series. Love, love, love it. Hope you like the review. Read on!
"I was glad for my choice of attire. Jennifer always complained that I dressed like I was going to get shot at on a daily basis, but today it had paid off. Had I been wearing some fashionable spandex jeans and a froo-froo shirt, I’d have been caught dead to rights. I would have to remember to tell her that."
... perfect!! I could imagine the helo moving out overhead, thought about his khakis, then about a foo foo shirt, realized they couldn't see him....Perfect imagery and succinct, next page. Again, as stated in my previous review of a BT novel, the secondary characters are soooo well developed. Bad guys and good are developed so meticulously and for lack of a better term "warmly" that you know them, you feel for them, you like them. Their personalities and circumstances are crafted such that you simply understand them. You are compelled to want to understand their plight, which inevitably you do. You just do! It adds so much depth to the reading. You are invested in all parts of the story and it is an amazing way to read. Highly enjoyable. Just an aside, I am reading the next in the series, All Necessary Force, and this skill of Taylor's is reinforced, literally bringing a teeny tiny tear to my eye as I literally fist pumped, closed the cover, and decided to write this review. Can't remember the last time I teared up reading a fiction novel. Maybe The Martian several years ago...maybe.
On to the Pike Logan series. It is just damn good. So clever. I'll be vague as to not give anything away. Pike Logan's circumstances are difficult. His saving grace is an amazing character. Skilled, humble, strong of character, skilled, smart, skilled, compassionate, skilled. You get the point. The character's background is super smart and super cool. A perfectly concocted, obscure skill set that adds yet another layer of smart. Another layer of cool. Weaved in amongst the other traits that are certainly elevating said character to quite literally ....one of my all time favorites. I totally love her.....oops. ;) . Another clever plot by Taylor. Another terror plot? Sort of... but not quite! It's just different. It's interesting. It's curious. It's plausible. It's well done!
Anyways, I have been totally sucked in to Pike Logan's world. 2 weeks and onto my third and a half Brad Taylor\Pike Logan. The half was interestingly enough a short story that falls between book 1 and 2. Another cool concept that it appears Taylor uses. End of "One Rough Man" there was a "I wish I knew what happened" moment and bam... Taylor writes an 85 page short story. Again, perfect. It appears there are several of the short stories in the Pike Logan series. Love, love, love it. Hope you like the review. Read on!
December 25, 2022
This book just doesn't make sense from a technological standpoint, AND the plot is also pretty bad too.
The main character thinks they can detect steganography (hiding data in files, so that the data can be extracted but can't be seen without technical expertise) by looking at the file size. An mp3 file can be any size, especially depending on the length of it. (The average size of an mp3 might be 5mb, but that doesn't mean a 9mb file has hidden data.) Also steganography does not drastically increase a file size (in this case by 2x), ESPECIALLY IF the data is only some coordinates. (These coordinates are at max 50 digits, and 50 digits definitely cannot take up more than 1 kb (and that's a conservative estimate), and definitely not 5mb).
(I know that sounds nitpicky, but maybe the author should've done some research before incorporating these elements in to his story?)
Generally, the plot is also pretty bad-- it's a generic "Bad guys catch good guys" that the author has done no work to improve on.
The main character thinks they can detect steganography (hiding data in files, so that the data can be extracted but can't be seen without technical expertise) by looking at the file size. An mp3 file can be any size, especially depending on the length of it. (The average size of an mp3 might be 5mb, but that doesn't mean a 9mb file has hidden data.) Also steganography does not drastically increase a file size (in this case by 2x), ESPECIALLY IF the data is only some coordinates. (These coordinates are at max 50 digits, and 50 digits definitely cannot take up more than 1 kb (and that's a conservative estimate), and definitely not 5mb).
(I know that sounds nitpicky, but maybe the author should've done some research before incorporating these elements in to his story?)
Generally, the plot is also pretty bad-- it's a generic "Bad guys catch good guys" that the author has done no work to improve on.
April 16, 2021
One Rough Man is Brad Taylor's first book in the Pike Logan series. The writing is amateurish, simplistic, cliché-ridden and even silly at times but it is fun from start to end.
I left books by David Baldacci and Mark Greaney unfinished for the exact same reasons but One Rough Man does something right that those books did not: It never ceases to be fun and it never requires too much effort on the reader's part. It never feels like Taylor takes himself too seriously, and it always feels like he's giving it all he's got. For a beginner author he seems very eager and he tries his best, which makes all the difference.
The end result is nothing spectacular, but perfectly acceptable. One Rough Man reads like a Netflix action movie and if you're in the mood for that, it might just be what you need.
I left books by David Baldacci and Mark Greaney unfinished for the exact same reasons but One Rough Man does something right that those books did not: It never ceases to be fun and it never requires too much effort on the reader's part. It never feels like Taylor takes himself too seriously, and it always feels like he's giving it all he's got. For a beginner author he seems very eager and he tries his best, which makes all the difference.
The end result is nothing spectacular, but perfectly acceptable. One Rough Man reads like a Netflix action movie and if you're in the mood for that, it might just be what you need.
April 26, 2013
giving up after two hundred pages, I just can't be bothered with it now. The main character's presented as the ultimate hero but for someone running black ops he's got the standard dick Marine personality, all his team do - from what I could tell that was the standard for all the good guys, who're hindered by grasping, weak subhuman men who're not soldiers.
Add in a whole lot of talking at the reader and the default reason for a soldier man to be angry - dead wife and child - and clearly this isn't going to surprise anywhere. Looks like we're getting a bioweapon based on some ancient Mayan disease and presumably many chances for Pike to kill people in a gritty and manly way, but I'm not sticking around to find out when I've got a to-read pile as long as my puny liberal/commie arm.
Add in a whole lot of talking at the reader and the default reason for a soldier man to be angry - dead wife and child - and clearly this isn't going to surprise anywhere. Looks like we're getting a bioweapon based on some ancient Mayan disease and presumably many chances for Pike to kill people in a gritty and manly way, but I'm not sticking around to find out when I've got a to-read pile as long as my puny liberal/commie arm.
May 3, 2012
I have read them out-of-order...this is the 1st of the series...I like the genre and Taylor has now given me the sufficient background for continuing the series...I now have the backstory for Pike, Jennifer and the Taskforce...as well as the Taskforce's uneasy relationship with Pike...very Mitch Rappish, in that they must stop a terrorist plot while enemies within provide the roadblocks...I love the Title's reference to my favorite George Orwell quote, "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf"
March 24, 2013
This high body count novel was an alright read. The excessive human toll and the petty U.S. security department squabbles to the detriment of American lives does little to endear this reader to enjoy this story. The ending, while better is not strong enough to mask all the misery and deaths. 4 of 10 stars
July 18, 2019
A great new series for thriller readers. Written by someone who knows what they're writing about, having lived the life.
He served in Special Forces and in Delta Force and speaking from experience, his writing has the extra ring of truth of having "been there and done that."
He served in Special Forces and in Delta Force and speaking from experience, his writing has the extra ring of truth of having "been there and done that."
November 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The author knows his stuff. An entertaining ride.
March 18, 2024
This one started a little slow, but I'm glad I stuck with it.
July 23, 2025
An entertaining read with a lot of horrendous deaths but ultimately hope springs eternal. I really liked Jennifer and Pike. Looking forward to see where they go next.
March 3, 2011
This is a debut novel from a man who has an impressive biography; I am enclosing it with the post. Is this novel the real deal like Brad Taylor American hero is? I am going to be nice and say it makes it some hay in a very crowded genre; read on and decide if you want to grab this thriller. Here is what is between the covers and his bio:
“They call it the Taskforce. Their existence is as essential as it is illegal. Commissioned at the highest level of the U.S. government. Protected from the prying eyes of Congress and the media. Built around the top operators from across the clandestine, intelligence, and special forces landscape. Designed to operate outside the bounds of U.S. law. Trained to exist on the ragged edge of human capability.
Pike Logan was the most successful operator on the Taskforce, his instincts and talents unrivaled-until personal tragedy permanently altered his outlook on the world. Pike knows what the rest of the country might not want to admit: The real threat isn't from any nation, any government, any terrorist group. The real threat is one or two men, controlled by ideology, operating independently, in possession of a powerful weapon.
Buried in a stack of intercepted chatter is evidence of two such men. The transcripts are scheduled for analysis in three months. The attack is mere days away. It is their bad luck that they're about to cross paths with Pike Logan. And Pike Logan has nothing left to lose. “
Brad Taylor biography:
“Brad was born on Okinawa, Japan, but grew up on 40-acres in rural Texas. Graduating from the University of Texas, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry. Brad served for more than 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. During that time he held numerous Infantry and Special Forces positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron. He has conducted operations in support of US national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations.
His final assignment was as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He holds a Master's of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, with a concentration in Irregular Warfare. When not writing, he serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats for various agencies. He lives in Charleston, SC with his wife and two daughters.”
Okay all that out of the way and I think you can see that doing hard research for this project was a no brainer for the author. I have read many a thriller, posted on plenty of them over the past year, and for a debut it was fun. I would definitely give this author a second read. The characters grew on me as the novel progressed and I enjoyed the look at life he gave us from inside the mind of an operator. I think it is nice to read what is in the heart and mind of the warrior from a real one. A real narrative given by someone that has been there done that per say. Wait, what was that? Hey G-Man, what about the action? There is plenty of that: the pages just about ooze with blood and explode in your hand as there is plenty of death, explosions, and car chases for even the most hardcore thriller/action fan. If you want go to the website and read a little bit of it to get a flav: http://www.bradtaylorbooks.com
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“They call it the Taskforce. Their existence is as essential as it is illegal. Commissioned at the highest level of the U.S. government. Protected from the prying eyes of Congress and the media. Built around the top operators from across the clandestine, intelligence, and special forces landscape. Designed to operate outside the bounds of U.S. law. Trained to exist on the ragged edge of human capability.
Pike Logan was the most successful operator on the Taskforce, his instincts and talents unrivaled-until personal tragedy permanently altered his outlook on the world. Pike knows what the rest of the country might not want to admit: The real threat isn't from any nation, any government, any terrorist group. The real threat is one or two men, controlled by ideology, operating independently, in possession of a powerful weapon.
Buried in a stack of intercepted chatter is evidence of two such men. The transcripts are scheduled for analysis in three months. The attack is mere days away. It is their bad luck that they're about to cross paths with Pike Logan. And Pike Logan has nothing left to lose. “
Brad Taylor biography:
“Brad was born on Okinawa, Japan, but grew up on 40-acres in rural Texas. Graduating from the University of Texas, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry. Brad served for more than 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. During that time he held numerous Infantry and Special Forces positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron. He has conducted operations in support of US national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations.
His final assignment was as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He holds a Master's of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, with a concentration in Irregular Warfare. When not writing, he serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats for various agencies. He lives in Charleston, SC with his wife and two daughters.”
Okay all that out of the way and I think you can see that doing hard research for this project was a no brainer for the author. I have read many a thriller, posted on plenty of them over the past year, and for a debut it was fun. I would definitely give this author a second read. The characters grew on me as the novel progressed and I enjoyed the look at life he gave us from inside the mind of an operator. I think it is nice to read what is in the heart and mind of the warrior from a real one. A real narrative given by someone that has been there done that per say. Wait, what was that? Hey G-Man, what about the action? There is plenty of that: the pages just about ooze with blood and explode in your hand as there is plenty of death, explosions, and car chases for even the most hardcore thriller/action fan. If you want go to the website and read a little bit of it to get a flav: http://www.bradtaylorbooks.com
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February 4, 2014
The protagonist, Pike Logan, is intriguing although quite reminiscent of Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp. Logan is another in an expanding cast of "flawed heroes" found in several best selling authors' crime thriller/counter terrorism novels. Personally, I found the plot line a bit stretched and the violence, particularly at the hands of Pike Logan, somewhat gratuitous. For a first novel in this genre, the page count at 533 is rather long. I will, most likely, read a second installment in hopes of finding a more polished and, possibly, "believable" lead character.
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