Alex Rider Mission 13: Nightshade

Alex Rider thought he had finally left his spying life behind him and was enjoying reconnecting with school and the best mate he had really missed while fighting organised crime.

But when bodies start piling up and a dangerous band of ‘terrorists for hire’ emerges onto the world stage, Alex is dragged into yet another risky undercover op. And this time it’s personal. Even as the adults in charge disregard his safety when they think they can use him, Alex is as fearless as ever and puts the greater good before his own chances of survival.

This is the 13^th slick and sophisticated adventure for the 15-year-old undercover agent and has all the tropes you would expect from a classic spy thriller; hidden safe houses, deadly weapons disguised as harmless toys, an impregnable high-security fortress and escape plans that stretch credibility to breaking point - whilst also touching on serious themes of radicalisation and chemical warfare. Nightshade is an exhilarating page-turner that will thrill existing Alex Rider fans and convert new ones.