By: Terry Cornell

I didn’t know I missed Conspiracy in Kiev’s Special Agent Alex LaDuca and her exploits until I started reading Midnight in Madrid. Once again, Noel Hynd manages to craft a fun read that’s a combination action novel, mystery and travel guide…with a touch of history on the side. Mr. Hynd’s descriptions of historical Madrid place the reader inside the intriguing plot. His nutshell presentation of Spain’s recent past makes complicated national conflicts and relationships both clear and interesting.

While enjoying a well-deserved vacation in Barcelona after her previous assignment, LaDuca becomes involved in the investigation of an art theft from Madrid’s national museum. She’s reacquainted with characters from the first book, and meets others as she delves into the mystery and tries to recover the stolen item. Most of the story takes place in Madrid, but some time is spent in Geneva and various locales in Italy. Government agents, killers, terrorists and art thieves abound. The reader must decipher where their allegiances lie.

As in the first book, the religious theme is a subtle thread but an important aspect of LaDuca’s character. In this case, the biggest controversy is whether “bad” people simply need to be killed as the most secure and expedient method to thwart them, or whether more morally just action should be taken. Does every individual’s life have value regardless what evil plots and activities they pursue? Hynd doesn’t lecture or give an answer – readers must draw their own conclusion.

Hynd artfully reconnects to the first book so new readers know enough to understand this one without hammering Conspiracy in Kiev readers with much repetition. LaDuca doesn’t appear quite as superhuman as before. I found her more believable and likeable. Although this book is not as shocking as the previous one, overall I enjoyed Midnight in Madrid better. A more traditional storyline, LaDuca’s toned down character and her mysterious new partner contributed to this. I look forward to reading the third book in the trilogy, Countdown in Cairo, but I hope it isn’t the last I read about the travails of Alex LaDuca.