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