Hidden in Plain Sight follows on from Nothing Ventured and continues with Turn a Blind Eye, but can be read as a standalone story. I mentioned in my review of Nothing Ventured that I wanted to know more about some of the characters and Hidden in Plain Sight delivered. I enjoyed learning more about Grace and her relationship with her father. It was lovely to see them working together and the pride he had for both of his kids; even though he didn’t initially approve of William’s career choice. My opinion of Sir Julian definitely shifted during this book; I felt like I saw a much softer side to him. I was not as fond of this one as other reviewers were. I found the writing to be choppy and abrupt. You would be reading one section and all of a sudden, with no warning, you were in another scene of action. I didn't like it and it wasn't smooth. While away on his honeymoon, the case to bring down the Viper continues to build. Not only that, Faulkner continues his brazen flaunting of his ill-gotten wealth and, in so doing, provides the Major Drug Squad a possible link to the Viper, with the help of an informant nurtured by William, that could finally be his undoing. As William’s team closes the net around a criminal network like none they have ever faced before, he devises a trap they would never expect, one that is hidden in plain sight . . .

In the other continuing thread from the earlier book, Miles Faulkner, is now serving a suspended four year sentence for Art theft and fighting a divorce suit with his wife Christina. He settles on giving up all his Artwork, his estate and the Flat in Eaton Square in his divorce settlement. But, unbeknownst to Christina, he plans to part with none of his wealth. In collusion with his counsel and sometimes without his knowledge, he plans a daring move – one designed to remove the paintings from Christina’s grasp and wrest control of his mansion too, by bankrupting Christina. These SIO meetings are held every Monday morning, DC Adaja,’ said the commander, ‘to bring us all up to date on how any major investigations are progressing.’The man the investigation focuses on, who runs this drug trade, is known only as the Viper and he’s particularly careful when it comes to his movements. Infiltrating the Viper’s nest is going to be an all-consuming and difficult job. As the investigation progresses, William runs into enemies old and new: Adrian Heath, from his school days, now a street dealer who he convinces to turn informer; and financier Miles Faulkner, who makes a mistake that could finally see him put behind bars. Meanwhile, William and his fiancée Beth enjoy making preparations for their upcoming wedding, though an unpleasant surprise awaits them at the altar. Rather you than me,’ said Lamont with a sigh. ‘However,’ continued the commander, ‘the commissioner, in his wisdom, felt a winning team shouldn’t be broken up, so you two will be joining him as part of an elite drugs unit on the first of the month.’ I also love that the series definitely feels like it’s developing. I sense that Jeffrey Archer had an outline for where this series would go and as readers we’re gradually being drawn further into the lives of the characters; William especially. I feel like I’m progressing through his career and his life with him. And also knows our weaknesses,’ said the commander, as he took out a box of Montecristo cigars and placed them on the table in front of him. ‘Your turn, DC Roycroft,’ he added, as he rolled one of the Cuban cigars between his fingers.

As the team start to close in on the huge drug operation that is run by Ahmed Rashidi, they only have one option for how they can secure his arrest. It’s a risky plan as it truly involves being hidden in plain sight. Will William and the team come out successful? The first criminal they go after is their old enemy, Faulkner, who is serving a suspended sentence from the the last book. He is undergoing a divorce which takes up a lot of the book. Faulkner is implicated in a cocaine scheme and Faulkner uses an old school chum as an informant. Neither would I,’ said Hawksby. ‘But if I had to choose between Faulkner and his wife, I consider her the lesser of two evils. But only by half an inch.’Well, you won’t have to wait long. He’ll be joining us in a few minutes. He has an outstanding CV, having read law at Cambridge where he was awarded a blue in the Boat Race.’ You were about to tell us, sir, before DC Adaja joined us, how the new unit will differ from any other existing drugs squads.’

Kudos, Lord Archer, for another success. I can't get enough of your books and look forward to the next publication. I loved that the team got to stay together even though they moved departments. I definitely felt that their bonds had grown the longer that they had worked together, including the odd bit of banter between them which made me smile. There’s still more I’d like to know about some members of the team and there was definitely a teaser at the end of the book that leads me to believe that I will get that from the third book. The bookend on some very steep cliffhanger and makes this series even more interesting. I’m waiting eagerly for the 3rd part, ‘Turn a Blind Eye‘ which will be releasing of April 1st 2021. And I think I can guess why is the title of 3rd book in the series so. You too can find out why by reading ‘Hidden in Plain Sight‘. First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Jeffrey Archer, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.Worse than that, I’m afraid. They didn’t even turn up, and neither did the shipment of diamonds. I spent an evening with twenty of my men armed to the teeth, staring out to sea. So do tell me the good news, sir.’ The door opened and a tall, handsome young man entered the room. He looked as if he’d stepped straight off the set of a popular television police drama, rather than just arrived from the Regional Crime Squad. Book Genre: British Literature, European Literature, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Thriller Nothing would give me greater pleasure,’ said Hawksby. ‘But if the painting turns out to be the original, Faulkner will have made a fool of us a second time, and in the most public of arenas.’