Days of Rage by Brad Taylor

By Don Helin

In his thriller, DAYS OF RAGE, Brad Taylor unleashes a plot so exciting that a Kirkus starred review raves, “A Pike Logan thriller filled with heart-thumping action and insane heroics…A fun, satisfying adventure.” The Taskforce is used to being the hunter, but this time they’re the hunted.

Intent on embroiling the U.S. in a quagmire that will sap its economy and drain its legitimacy, Russia passes a potential weapon of mass destruction to Boko Haram, an extreme Islamic sect in Nigeria. The Russian FSB believes the weapon, a relic of the Cold War, has deteriorated and is no longer effective, but they are wrong. Boko Haram has the means for mass destruction, which will be set loose upon a multitude of unsuspecting innocents on one of the world’s grandest stages.

Trying to solve the riddle of who might be stalking them, Pike Logan and the Taskforce have no idea what’s been set in motion; but there’s another secret from the Cold War buried in the Russian FSB, and exposing it will mean the difference between life and death—not only for Pike and his partner, Jennifer, but for perhaps millions more around the globe.

Brad Taylor served for more than twenty-one years in the U.S. Army, 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 U.S. national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations. He holds a master of science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. When not writing, Brad serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

I had the opportunity to catch up with the acclaimed author to ask him a few questions.

Is there anything special you’d like to tell us about DAYS OF RAGE?

I always get asked if the Taskforce is real, and it is not. While my fictional creation doesn’t exist in the United States, there are organizations like it in other countries that do exist. I thought it would be interesting to pit those real organizations—like Sayeret Shimson and the Wrath of God teams in Israel, and the Vympel inside the Russian FSB (successor to the KGB)—against the Taskforce.

Did any particular event inspire the plot?

Yes. The 1972 Munich Olympic Massacre. I like weaving history into my stories, and, after 9/11, while I was still in the Army, I’d done quite a bit of research on the Wrath of God teams that Israel sent out to extract revenge. I decided to use that bit of history as a basis for a story that has repercussions today.

What are you doing to promote your book?

I’m starting my book tour on July 15th; I also do quite a bit on social media, with contests and other incentives. The tour schedule can be found on my website, along with the ability to sign up for my newsletter which provides quarterly updates.

What’s next?

I’m close to finishing NO FORTUNATE SON, which, believe it or not, was inspired by Bowe Bergdahl. Months ago, before he was released, the U.S. was going through a lot of machinations to get him back, and I wondered what we would do if someone more important in uniform were kidnapped. VP Biden, Senator McCain, and others have sons in the military. What would happen if they, instead of just an average soldier, were taken?

When you’re not writing, what are you doing (hobbies, family, etc)?

Honestly, with a schedule of two books a year, to include the research trips, the writing and promotion, and my ongoing security contracts, I don’t have a lot of time to do anything else. If I’m not working, I’m with my family, most likely playing volley ball in the front yard with my daughter.

DAYS OF RAGE looks like another terrific read from an author who never disappoints. Thanks to Brad Taylor for speaking with THE BIG THRILL.

*****

Brad Taylor served for more than twenty-one years in the U.S. Army, 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 U.S. national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations. He holds a master of science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. When not writing, Brad serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

To learn more about Brad, please visit his website.