Review: Early character development in the Pike Logan series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 4, 2014
Set between the novelsOne Rough ManandAll Necessary Forcein the Pike Logan series, "The Dig" takes place before Jennifer formally joins the Taskforce, just after Pike has formed Grolier Recovery Services as a front for Taskforce operations. The story involves the first job for which Grolier is hired, checking out an archeological site near Roswell, New Mexico. Of course, the job is not as straightforward as it seems.The setting gives Pike a chance to make X-Files jokes but the plot does not involve aliens. That doesn't mean it isn't farfetched -- it hinges on the improbable coincidence that Grolier's first legitimate assignment would lead Pike and Jennifer to a conspiracy that indirectly threatens national security -- but the story is clever and such coincidences are common in modern thrillers. As Brad Taylor fans have come to expect, the story moves quickly and builds to some exciting action scenes.While "The Dig" is peppered with action, it is primarily notable for its character development. Pike and Jennifer are still at an early stage of their relationship -- they barely have a friendship -- and Pike is all thumbs when it comes to handling women. The banter between Pike and Jennifer (with Jennifer firmly in control and Pike fumbling to say the right thing) is something that fans of the series will recognize and enjoy."The Dig" is a promotional story that is meant to entice readers to readDays of Rage, the next Taskforce novel. An excerpt from that novel (which I won't review since it is only an excerpt) is included with the story. Promotional stories are a recent trend made possible by the advent of digital publishing. They aren't always good, but this one is.