Nightshade

After Alex enjoyed a brief vacation with Jack, Mrs. Jones once again calls on him to help MI6 in a way that no other agent can. A boy about Alex's age was captured in the middle of an assassination of one of MI6's agents. The agent had been investigating an organization called Nightshade. The boy is placed in a maximum security facility located under Gibraltar. Alex's job is to pose as his double from Point Blank, Julius Grief, and try to get information about Nightshade and an imminent attack that this organization is planning on London. Alex is unsuccessful until he and the boy escape from Gibraltar when Alex finds himself on his own. Nightshade starts with the intriguing premise of having Alex replace his double, Julius Grief. This turns out to be extremely interesting, even after the escape from Gibraltar. However, this story take a step backward, when nothing about Alex or his recent adventures seems to have had any effect on him. The story, though, is full of action and adventure as well as a dandy plot about they way young children have been taken from parents and brainwashed into service for an evil organization. We also learn more about Mrs. Jones and her background. Overall, Nightshade is a very enjoyable entry in the Alex Rider series.