DEAD MAN'S HAND: A Pike Logan Novel (William Morrow; January 23, 2024; $32.00), the eighteenth entry into New York Times bestselling author Brad Taylor's longstanding Pike Logan series, features authentic operational details that will stun even the most prolific military thriller reader. Leaning on his over two decades of service in the Army, Taylor delivers his most timely and prescient thriller to date, pitting Pike Logan and the Taskforce against Putin and his henchman in an all-too-real scenario that could be ripped from today's headlines. To finally end the war between their nations, a rogue band of Ukranian partisans known as the Wolves teams up with members of Russia's military intelligence to assassinate Vladimir Putin. But Putin is aware of the traitors in his midst and assigns the loyal commander of the Russian national guard to root them out. It's a mission Victor Petrov is expected to undertake after he prevents Sweden from joining NATO-by assassinating a deputy minister of foreign affairs. After receiving intelligence about the threat in Sweden, the United States sends Pike Logan to identify Petrov's target-only for him to get caught in the crossfire between Putin's agents and the Wolves. When the smoke clears, Pike makes no effort to stop the Wolves on their ultimate mission, believing it just, until he discovers that their operation has unimaginable consequences. For Putin is preparing a devastating endgame: activating the Dead Man's Hand nuclear response that will launch Russia's missiles in the event of his death. . . This riveting new novel delivers top notch action with each turn of the page. Taylor incorporates current events involving the US military complex to deliver one of the most prophetic thrillers of 2024. This authoritative blend of ripped from the headlines action complemented by authentic characters allows for praise that proclaims with each new entry into his bestselling series, Brad Taylor is "laying claim to being the American John le Carre." (Providence Journal).