This is the first book I have read by Brad Taylor. Even though it is #8 in his Pike Logan series, it can be enjoyed without having read any of the previous books in the series. It is full of action – reminded me of Tom Young and Vince Flynn. Short chapters, easy flow of writing. Pulls you right in. This one is very current using the threat of ISIS. The characters are developed enough so you can enjoy their personalities, especially when they are bantering back and forth.

Pike Logan is the leader of a covert counterterrorism team. Little does he know the hornet’s nest he is stepping into when he is called to a meeting of the Oversight Council in DC. The CIA has managed to insert three assets into an ISIS cell. Now, one of those three has been identified as one of the victims of a beheading by ISIS. He had infiltrated a group known as the Lost Boys. He didn’t know what they were, only that they existed, and that they were Americans. Now these radicalized young men may be returning to the US.

The Lost Boys were severely abused while in a detention center in the US. Upon their release they are disillusioned and angry, thus making perfect targets for recruitment by ISIS. The author slowly reveals the nature of their true assignment – an act that will strike to the very core of the Western world’s Christianity.

Logan’s team must now track their target from country to country, all along having to negotiate their way into and out of countries, as they try to figure out the next move and the motive of their target. With the action building with each chapter, Taylor rewards the reader with a breath-taking conclusion.

I received a copy of the book via GoodReads’ First Read program for an honest review. ( )

Pike Logan and his Taskforce are sent on a mission as in all the previous stories. But I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous outings. Although it deals with issues that are current; American teenagers (The Lost Boys) recruited by the Islamic State for a missions that will rock the world. Pike's relationship with Jennifer is there and Mossad agent Shoshana creates some conflicts. Some say it is action packed, but I felt it was worldly and dragged at spots. I was hoping the ending would make up for it. Not one of his best, but okay. ( )

This is my first exposure to Pike Logan. Like Daniel Silva's Gabriel Alon series, Pike works with an ensemble cast of characters; I like Gabriel's crew better. Having said that, I found the writing very engaging, the action well paced and, this plot at any rate, the plot seemed very plausible. I'd like to read more of this series.

I'm going a little above average on this because while the story line is good, I did not find the plot that original. Worth reading at three and a half stars. ( )

Intelligence activities, terrorism, espionage and military actions can usually catch my interest quickly. That was not true of The Insider Threat. The issue of disenfranchised American youth, Islamic threats and particular ISIS terrorism is on the thoughts of most of us these days. However, in this particular novel it did not strike a chord of truth or fear. I don’t know whether I was influenced because of the time of year, busy with activities, celebrations of faith and my own personal thoughts, but the book did not come together for me. I listen to audio books a great deal but for me this book became more of an assignment than an entertainment or enjoyment. The narration was well done, the characters (Pike Logan series) well developed, but I did not care for the chapters focusing upon different characters as it seemed to separate the overall storyline. Thus, it did not flow together well enough for me to be the quality of the usual Brad Taylor novel. I may try listening to it agin in a couple of months and will revise my review if it seems necessary. I will give it a 4 rating due to the narration and writing but 3.5 in continuity and interest level. ( )

This maybe my first Pike Logan story, put it will not be may last. I see that this is the eighth of a serial. Its my mission to start with the first one and get caught up with the story line. The story stand lone with out know the history, but I love it so much...WANT MORE...Thank you Library Thing for introduce to a new author that I might over look. ( )