by Brad Taylor
Part of Pike Logan, book 13
First published 2019
Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill begin tracking a North Korean operative attempting to sell classified American intelligence to Syrian forces. Their investigation reveals something far worse: the transfer of Red Mercury, a deadly weapon. The Syrians intend to deploy this substance against American and Kurdish troops, then blame terrorists for the assault. This false flag operation aims to force Western nations to withdraw from the Syrian conflict. North Korea orchestrates an even larger betrayal behind the scenes. The regime plans to frame Syria while using Red Mercury to cripple Western financial systems housed in Swiss military bunkers converted for private wealth storage. A young refugee fleeing across Europe becomes the unexpected key to exposing the entire conspiracy. She carries crucial information without understanding its significance. Both sides hunt her relentlessly as Pike and Jennifer race to locate her first. The woman represents the only chance to prevent the attacks, but she must survive long enough for the Taskforce operators to reach her.
Genres: military-fiction, adventure, suspense, action, espionage, political-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, race-against-time
Setting: Europe, North Korea, Syria, Switzerland
Period: Contemporary
Audio CD · Penguin Audio
Content warnings: violence