Hidden in Plain Sight

Set in 1986, bestseller Archer’s disappointing sequel to 2019’s Nothing Ventured finds London police officer William Warwick promoted to detective sergeant and transferred to a new specialized unit, “whose sole purpose will be to track down one particular drug baron and take him out.” Though this drug lord, known as the Viper, controls half of the city’s narcotics trade, the police know almost nothing about him, including what he looks like. Warwick’s new assignment coincides with the trial of Miles Faulkner, who was previously convicted of fraud, for possessing cocaine with the intent to sell. As it happens, the Crown’s court case is led by Warwick’s father, Sir Julian, an eminent attorney, aided by Warwick’s sister, Grace. Meanwhile, Warwick is preparing to get married. Faulkner shows up at the wedding and interrupts the ceremony to allege that Warwick slept with his wife, Christina. Fortunately, Christina is on hand to explain that Warwick actually rejected her advances. More contrivances follow. Paper-thin characters do nothing to redeem an implausible plot, and a cliffhanger ending doesn’t help. This won’t go down as one of Archer’s better works. (Nov.)