"The Hidden Assassins" by Robert Wilson

Book 3 in the Javier Falcon series

The story explores cultural tensions and provides insights into the world of today. Different characters give us their points of view in the hope of helping us understand why the world has seen a resurgence of horrific events against mankind in recent years.

Through great writing and excellent plotting, Mr Wilson has taken his protagonist Javier Falcon on multiple cases, one of a man found brutally murdered, whose body was mutilated to prevent identification, another case, an explosion of a building leaving the area in total devastation. Leading the police investigation and working along side other agencies Javier Falcon needs to develop and bring to the forefront all evidential facts, a challenge complicated by the number of agencies involved.

There are also several sub-plots that are crucial to the story: We continue the saga of his ex-wife and her second husband and his lover, Falcon’s ex-girlfriend and her therapist, his sister’s partner and friend from Morocco. This all adds colour to the story.

This long story (642 pages) is layered with absorbing details, a rich tapestry of characters drawing an enchanting picture of life in Spain, its food and people. This is a crime fiction at its best interlacing crime, police procedure and current events producing an excellent thriller.

Although this 3rd installment stands by itself, reading the previous novels will give a better understanding of the recurrent characters, enhancing the experience.