This is the third book in the Joe Mason series! It certainly lived up to the reputation built around the first two books and it was great to be back with a familiar character again. A fast-paced, adventure filled story that will have you quickly turning the pages to find out what happens next. You will want to have read the first two books prior to reading this one, just to gather as much character background as you can. However, the detail is strong and you won't feel like you have been left behind. I highly recommend this series!

This was a good action adventure thriller that is perfect for Rollins or Cussler fans.
Great story pacing with plenty of action, I found that I devoured it one weekend. Highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐.5

The Midnight Conspiracy by David Leadbeater

When Joe Mason agrees to transport a priceless gold basin to its new owner, he arrives only to discover that the recipient has been brutally murdered. To catch the killer and unravel the secrets of the relic, Mason must act swiftly.

However, he soon realizes that he is not the only one interested in the basin. The Guild of Night, a dangerous and vengeful cult, is determined to undermine the Church’s power using the basin’s hidden abilities.

In a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across the country, Mason races against time to uncover the conspiracy before the devastating power falls into the wrong hands. The Guild of Night will stop at nothing to protect itself, and its members have secrets worth killing for.

First off, the cover of this book, as well as the entire series, is visually appealing, and it perfectly captures the essence of the story. Moving on to my review, I must say that I am a huge fan of this series. It ticks all the right boxes for me. I particularly enjoy its Dan Brown-esque elements, the incorporation of historical details, and the well-executed action scenes (although I do have a minor criticism in this regard).

The settings in the book are engaging, and the characters are consistently entertaining. The pacing is fast-paced throughout, keeping readers hooked. However, I deducted half a star from my rating for a specific reason. Personally, I have a pet peeve when it comes to action sequences, which is mainly applicable to action movies but also made an impact in this book. I find excessively long action scenes tedious and tend to lose interest quickly. Unfortunately, this book felt like it consisted of approximately 70% fight scenes, which became repetitive after a while. The pattern of searching for clues, encountering bad guys, engaging in lengthy car chases or fight scenes, escaping, and moving on to the next clue was repeated throughout the entire book. Additionally, the ending felt abrupt and somewhat unfinished, which contributed to this book becoming my least favorite in the series.

Despite these minor flaws, I am still highly invested in the series and eagerly anticipate delving into book 4, “The Babylon Plot.”

**ARC Via NetGalley**

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

I've read several books by David Leadbeater and have always found them to be fast paced, interesting and hard to put down. This one was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Action, adventure, mysteries, secret societies: a fast pace and adrenaline fuelled story that I thorughly enjoyed.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Enjoyed reading. Great for a weekend read. Probably will benefit the reader to have some interest in Christian relics. The story revolves around this theme.

I wasn't sure what to expect as a first read of David but I can tell you it most definitely will not be the last. From the beginning to the end it was a page turner and so well written. I don't compare many to Mr Baldacci but could definitely give one David to another David a run for his writing.

A fantastic tale of intrigue !! I was kept wondering and guessing right to the end .
This is a fantastic series of books and I can’t wait until the next in the series

Joe Mason and the team are back for their third instalment. This time just when they thought they have left the dangerous life behind them and started a straightforward security company the team is once again involved in a high-stakes game.

Their easy security job was to deliver an important artifact to a professor but when they arrive the professor is being attacked and left for dead by a group of thugs. Turns out the item is priceless and someone wants it and others that are out there and they are willing to kill for them.

Joe and the team can’t stand by whilst valuable, historical, and religious relics are stolen and people killed for them so they need to work together and fast, working out the clues as to where the other items are and who wants them so badly.

It was fantastic to be back with the team. I loved the two previous books, The Vatican Secret and The Demon Code and so eagerly jumped at the chance to read book three.

Just like the others, The Midnight Conspiracy is fast-paced, pure adrenaline, and adventurous the whole way through. Sometimes it feels like the action will never stop which I loved. I also love how well the characters work together and know one another. This is a team not to be messed with, though this time they are certainly up against it.

Overall, if you are looking for a book that will keep you on edge and clawing at the pages then this is the one to pick up. It is just non-stop action from beginning to end.

The Midnight Conspiracy by David Leadbeater is the third book in the Joe Mason series. In this book, Leadbeater takes readers on a wild ride as Joe and his team embark on their first security job.

What was supposed to be a simple delivery turns into a dangerous mission when they find the professor they are supposed to meet has been attacked by unknown mercenaries. The book is full of thrilling action and intricate clues that keep readers engaged throughout.

What stands out about The Midnight Conspiracy is the way Leadbeater blends history and fiction seamlessly. The story is not only exciting but educational as well. Especially if you’re into artefacts and the unseen scene of the art and billionaires who owns it.

The characters are well-developed, and readers get to learn more about their past adding depth to the story. The only negative is that the ending felt rushed, leaving some unanswered questions but knowing that there will be a next story coming up soon, I hope those will be answered.

Overall, The Midnight Conspiracy is a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I first of all have to say that I enjoyed the historical parts of the story as the Freemasons and Knights Templar hold a special interest for me and I have done a lot of research. However although this was a fast paced story I found that it was more in the realm of being way to far fetched in the events. I struggled to read this as it was such short parts where the team did the actual solving but tons more of ritual gun shooting without anyone discovering it going on or no after comebacks. The ending was suddenly there but it needed to have more explanation of what happened to the characters, good and bad, to close the story in a relatively real manner

This book will really appeal to those who like a fast paced, action packed story, similar to the The DaVinci Code. This is the third book in the Joe Mason series, I have read book one or not book two.
In this book, Joe and his team are hired for the secure transfer of an invaluable, historical relic. In transferring this object they discover that there are people desperate to get their hands on it. It triggers a 'treasure hunt' with Joe and the team following clues and trying to stay in front of a ruthless enemy in a quest for an artefact of significant religious value.
While being engaging, I think, I am personally a little weary of this style of story where a group constantly get themselves out of unbelievable situations where the odds appear to be stacked way against them.
For me this is 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to review this digital ARC.

I absolutely love this series! Book 3 didn’t disappointment. The story was fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat.I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone series.

Action packed doesn’t do it justice! A delivery job of something precious leads Joe, Roxy and the team into a hunt for one of the most sought after artefacts of all, courtesy of the Knights Templar and it’s subsequent roots in Scotland. Of course a hidden evil faction, The Guild of the Night, already has eyes on it and nothing will stop them as they seek the leads that will find them the ultimate treasure. The story bounds along with no let up as each party pursues the clues and the elimination of Joe Mason becomes a top priority for the Guilds sadistic leader. Enjoy the ride.

Joe, Roxy and crew are back for another thrilling adventure.

This time around the gang are contained to good old Blighty. That meant my geography could cope - I knew where they were, what was nearby and best of all - didn't have to look up how to pronounce place names! Action, history, legendary secretive organisations and artifact hunting all mingle together into an absorbing action thriller. I read this in one fell swoop and could not put it down.

I loved they way that the team just works on the fly - doesn't matter what you throw at them, they just roll with it. I've always been interested in religion from an interested outsider perspective and add in history and I'm a goner!

Their simple drop off job just grew arms and legs and before they know it they're fighting off mercenaries left and right and the archvillain is a complete nutbag! I was a wee bit disappointed the baddie was Scottish but we do lend ourselves well to being the big bad lol!

I did find it ended just a bit suddenly and I could have done with a bit more... fleshing out. I kinda went from 100mph to 0mph in 0 seconds.

I'm only a little sorry that Quest Investigations isn't real - I'd happily apply for a job there tomorrow. They've got to need an administrator, right?

If you like books with non-stop action, The Midnight Conspiracy is the one for you. Seriously, the action literally never takes a break. An ominous organization steps out of the shadows in their quest to attain one of histories most famous artifacts. Only Joe Mason and his team stands in their way. In many ways this series is a throwback to the legendary pulp novels of the 30's and 40's. A talented team trying to deal with the personification of evil. Along the way. Leadbeater gives us a few more glimpses behind the curtain of each character. The Midnight Conspiracy may not be my personal favorite in the series but, like the others, it is an entertaining page turner. Thank you to Avon Books UK for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

You get what you expect from David Leadbeater, plenty of action. Mason and his team deliver an artifact only to disturb some men beating the professor, which leads to a race to find ancient artifacts.
I received this book from Avon book UK and Netgalley for a review.

Joe Mason series book three

paws from my reading buddy, Perry the pug: 3


Keywords: Acton, history, artifacts, religious, secret groups, military, trauma, PSTD, death, killings, clues, puzzles, treasure

In short- An action packed, fast paced journey across the UK seeking history and treasure.

Full review:

Thank you Netgalley fro giving me the chance to read and review this book.

The midnight conspiracy b David Leadbeater is book three on his Joe Mason series. In this installment we follow Joe and the team as they take on their very first security job, where they are to delivery an artifact between research professors.
Unfortunately this simple job turns out to be anything but simple when they find at the drop off point the professor being beaten up by unknown mercenaries.
This sudden violence sends Joe and his team on fast paced journey filled with confusing clues, deadly foes and history’s truths.

I really enjoyed learning about this type of history and figuring out the clues alongside everyone else. Along side all the history we learn a lot more about each of the teams personal history and how their own mental states is after the traumas they experienced in book one and two, which created more depth to the characters and added more life to the story.

If I did have one negative is that I felt that the book did wrap up the ending a little bit to quickly, I would have like just a few more pages explaining what happened to what they discovered and what happened to the main villain but this might get recapped in the next book, The Babylon plot, coming out in October.

I fond this book intriguing, fast, thrilling and educational but in no way boring or textbook like. I can’t wait to learn more about Joe, the team and the lost and rare artifacts of the world.

The author knows how to write a good thriller as he once again demonstrates in this entry into an excellent series. With the added benefit of the historical research obvious in preparing this novel, the background for the story gets even better.