Sometimes, the going is slow for a while, but the people carry it through. There is humor, culture, and lots of great people who are all outstanding in their fields.
Ari Shamron, the semi-retired head of Israeli intelligence, is always good for some humor, and he seems like he will never fully retire even though he's lived forever, it seems. As a team, it seems like the characters in these stories can do anything. So, if you can forgive the overly political parts of the stories, give them a try if you like this type of book - they have a lot to offer. Jun 07, Sue rated it really liked it Shelves: library-book , read-in , crime-thriller. Another reliable entry in the multi book story of Gabriel Allon, spy and assassin, originally recruited by the Israeli agency known as "the Office" to help with retaliation after the murder of Israeli athletes at the Olympics.
He was recruited out of art school and this is a field to which he returns after each assignment, having developed skills as an art restorer over many years.
As this new episode begins, Gabriel has left that spy's life behind and once again retired to Cornwall to paint Another reliable entry in the multi book story of Gabriel Allon, spy and assassin, originally recruited by the Israeli agency known as "the Office" to help with retaliation after the murder of Israeli athletes at the Olympics. As this new episode begins, Gabriel has left that spy's life behind and once again retired to Cornwall to paint and lead a quiet life.
But global acts of terror appear to implicate a new Islamic Jihadist terrorist group that is gaining strength and once again he is pulled back into the fight. As always, the novel is highly readable. Occasionally I have a little difficulty with the Middle East politics of the book, but Silva does introduce a few moderate Muslims into the mix along with the right wing fundamentalist Islamic types who can cause so much problem.
The perfect companion for a quick cross-country hour round trip with, of course, some work, a nice dinner, and a little sleep squeezed in too I continue to find that Silva's Gabriel Allon series meets my needs - convenient, voluminous serial fiction that keeps me interested and entertained without over-taxing my concentration - when I travel.
As for this installment, a few random observations: I enjoyed the title - I admit I didn't see it coming, and that, as a result, I found it somewh The perfect companion for a quick cross-country hour round trip with, of course, some work, a nice dinner, and a little sleep squeezed in too As for this installment, a few random observations: I enjoyed the title - I admit I didn't see it coming, and that, as a result, I found it somewhere between amusing and gratifying.
This is not a series that I would recommend reading out of order, but I know plenty of other folks who just grab whichever one is on the library shelf or the airport bookstore shelf when they're ready for the next one. This one wasn't my most or least favorite - I'd say it was par for the course, that's just fine with me.
Mar 17, Pamela Small rated it it was amazing Shelves: 5-star-highly-recommend , series , thriller-political-espionage , historical-fic. I read it again! First time, March ! So complex and so much depth! I think I only comprehend a fraction of the political machinations. I was clueless as to the one who betrayed Nadia and Gabriel Obviously, one can not skim or scan! My bad. Even so, Mr. Human rights of women, even educated ones, is extremely abhorrent and eye-opening.
He does a fine job of explaining the fictional parts and their basis in truth. Excellent historical fiction! View 1 comment. Sep 11, N. Europe is in an economic recession and it is flooded with refugees who cannot speak the language of their new nations and who have difficulty finding work that will pay enough to support their families, or even a single person.
Portrait of a Spy Gabriel Allon Series, Book 11 by Daniel Silva deals with an environment we r Europe is in an economic recession and it is flooded with refugees who cannot speak the language of their new nations and who have difficulty finding work that will pay enough to support their families, or even a single person. Portrait of a Spy Gabriel Allon Series, Book 11 by Daniel Silva deals with an environment we recognize from our very recent past, a set of circumstances that could easily flare up again in the future.
Gabriel is a talented art restorer who often restores damaged paintings, sometimes for Isherwood. As they are walking near Covent Garden Gabriel spots a suicide bomber.
Bombs have been used in the past few days in Paris and in Copenhagen, and a bomb is about to detonate in Central London. Gabriel is almost on time to stop the killing. Gabriel has his gun out to shoot the bomber when two London policemen arrest him. The bomber detonates. He even has a fair idea of who is running this group of terrorists.
Chiara is on board and eventually his team joins him in the new high tech national security center in DC. The man Gabriel is seeking has been out of view for years and is believed dead.
But Gabriel does not believe it. Word is that the terrorist group is running out of money which means these guys will go to ground for a while. Gabriel visits a young and wealthy Arab business woman he met when she was a young girl in the South of France Book 6, The Messenger. Nadia al-Bakari was with her father a wealthy funder of terrorists when Gabriel killed him.
She is also a philanthropist, helping especially Arab women. Nadia forgives Gabriel and agrees to buy a recently restored painting to create a pool of invisible money that will go to tempt the terrorist and his group into the open. As usual with Gabriel Allon spy thrillers the plan unfolds in great detail before we get to the actual op and the usually violent end game. Terrorists and other bad actors who stay hidden are well-guarded and very paranoid. They are hard to kill. Gabriel does not usually get off without injury.
We always wonder what will happen to him this time. He also does not like to put others in danger, although he will do what he must to take out someone whose intent is to harm many.
How do things turn out for Nadia? And yet we remain tied to Saudi Arabia, probably for oil more than loyalty. A fiction author, such as Daniel Silva, writing a spy thriller like Portrait of a Spy , is freer than others to speak candidly about his world view and these spy thrillers always connect to events in the real world. This one upped my heart rate. A most strange coincidence. Jul 30, Shawn Davis rated it liked it. Gabriel Allon, Mossad Officer extraordinaire, has decided to retire from the espionage business.
He and his wife, Chiara, nestle into a faintly reclusive life in a small British community. Allon, however, cannot get away from his past. No matter how many paintings he restores, restoring normalcy in his own life escapes him and he finds himself again at the center of terrorism's storm. I love Silva's novels. They were my introduction into the thriller genre, and I look forward to them so eagerly t Gabriel Allon, Mossad Officer extraordinaire, has decided to retire from the espionage business.
They were my introduction into the thriller genre, and I look forward to them so eagerly that I willingly shell out the ridiculous prices charged for the e-book version. I'm not complaining, I could refuse to pay it and check the book out of the library. But the truth is, I love coming back to Allon's stories again and again. Silva has created a tremendous, strong character; multi-faceted and complex. That being said, there was less story in this story than process.
I happen to be fascinated by the intelligence and espionage process, so this doesn't bother me in the least. If it had been the first book in the Allon series, though, I probably wouldn't have picked up another. Not at the prices the legacy publisher e-books are selling for.
For those who do pick up the book, I can only say that no matter how you feel reading about espionage process - you must read this through to the end. It is the end of this book that will stay with you, haunting your thoughts from time to time until Silva's next book is released. Apr 12, J. Penn rated it really liked it Shelves: thrillers. I am a Gabriel Allon fan and love to read these books.
As ever, Silva doesn't disappoint as the book opens to bombings across Europe with the threat of violence moving towards the US. Recruiting billionaire business woman Nadia al-Bakari means Gabriel must confront his past and try to protect Nadia from discovery. I particularly enjoyed the detailed expo I am a Gabriel Allon fan and love to read these books.
I particularly enjoyed the detailed exposition and information about the political situation, espionage and terror networks. These were incredibly well researched and made the book seem possible, which is the key to a great thriller. I also like the strong female characters and the vulnerable edge to the protagonist.
Sep 14, L. This was a strong addition to the series. I'm reading these in order and suggest that other readers do the same. The characters have layers and histories that build and mature over the books. I already own the next book The Fallen Angel and will start it later this year. Dec 12, John Carter McKnight rated it really liked it. Daniel Silva is a man of strong opinions: he clearly believes that the West is locked in an existential struggle with Islam, that Arab culture is violent and backward generally and that its treatment of women is absolutely intolerable, and is no fan of those in the West including a nameless US President who ran on a campaign of "Hope" who practice appeasement.
So, if that perspective's intolerable, don't even try. If you can run with Silva's ideology, you'll find a taut, well-crafted thriller o Daniel Silva is a man of strong opinions: he clearly believes that the West is locked in an existential struggle with Islam, that Arab culture is violent and backward generally and that its treatment of women is absolutely intolerable, and is no fan of those in the West including a nameless US President who ran on a campaign of "Hope" who practice appeasement.
If you can run with Silva's ideology, you'll find a taut, well-crafted thriller of espionage in the age of financial intelligence, involving money-laundering through high-end art sales. The central question of the book regards the loyalties of a Saudi heiress: is she the daughter of her deceased father, who financed violent extremists, or a New Arab Woman dedicated to equality and tolerance?
The pacing is excellent, the tradecraft interesting, and the outcome entirely satisfying. One quibble is the introduction of someone supplying intelligence to the Other Side: we saw too much of him for the minor role played in the plot, and too little for an actual subplot. I kept expecting more. I particularly liked the art restoration business in this story, so I'll go back and pick up some of the earlier volumes. Apr 12, Eric Wright rated it it was amazing Shelves: thriller-suspense , fiction.
One of the most interesting and informative spy stories I have read in a long time. The main character, Gabriel Allon is unique: an art restorer extraordinaire and a retired international operative from Israel's spy agency.
Gabriel and his wife Chiara are in London as an outing from their isolated cottage in Cornwall where he has retired. Suddenly he spies a man whom he is sure is a suicide bomber. What to do? Kill him? But what if he is mistaken? He follows the bomber into a crowded place in Lon One of the most interesting and informative spy stories I have read in a long time.
He follows the bomber into a crowded place in London draws his weapon only to be taken down by a UK policeman. Moments later, the bomber explodes his bomb to devastating effect. This is the third mysterious and deadly bombing after Paris and Copenhagen. Gabriel is questioned then drawn back into the game because a new terrorist mastermind has obviously arisen to take over from the Old guard Al Qaeda.
Throughout it all there are many allusions to the art world. A the story develops we gain insights into the role of Israeli intelligence, the compromised and cumbersome US agencies, the hypocrisy of Saudi Arabia and much more. This is the world we live in. A world of double agents, Islamic hatred, and desperation to cut off the head of this new threat before it mutates.
Jul 21, Caroline Bock rated it it was amazing. I read through this in one day -- a mini vacation! Another captivating, intelligent thriller by Daniel Silva. What I love about his work is that it feels so current, so real and provocative about extremism and the men and women who fight it.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, but Saudi Arabia is prominent in this novel. His main character, Gabriel Allon, remains emotionally deep and thoughtful almost too much, but then he's sharing exposition with us in the least cumbersome way possible I read through this in one day -- a mini vacation!
His main character, Gabriel Allon, remains emotionally deep and thoughtful almost too much, but then he's sharing exposition with us in the least cumbersome way possible. I did feel a certain tiredness to the character, though. I would love for him to introduce another major emotional complexity in the life of Gabriel Allon -- what would this spy do if he did have another son??
Ah, but that's what makes the next book so sweet to wait for! A great summer read!! Martin's Press --about teens and an explosive hate crime -- more at www. Aug 04, Sharyn rated it really liked it. Was listening to this one, but by the end I had to get the book and finish!!
I don't drive very much and just couldn't wait for the ending!! These books are just terrific, but scary too in the real world sense. I hope the Israeli's really do a lot of the things that happen in these books! I am now about to start "Fallen Angel" Fortunately my library has all the audio books, but I will read the most recent when I get there, as my brother got me a signed copy when Silva was in Houston. I came to S Was listening to this one, but by the end I had to get the book and finish!!
I came to Silva quite recently and am listening to them almost one after the other. How long until Shamron finally dies. Don't tell me!! If you haven't read these, you should start today!!
Mar 28, Heather rated it it was amazing Shelves: spy , daniel-siva. Another fast paced, "don't want to put down" Silva thriller! I honestly thought about giving this book a 4 star rating instead of a 5 star because, at this point, all of the Gabriel Allon books are a bit similar.
Then I realized why should I penalize Silva for that? His well developed characters, Allon, Isherwood, Shamron The action is nonstop. The story flows while incorporating fact into it. If Silva changed the formula, I'm sure we'd all be disappointed. Recommend Another fast paced, "don't want to put down" Silva thriller! Recommend it! Oct 05, Elwood D Pennypacker rated it did not like it. This is not excellent. But with a hawkish tint to the War on Terror that could read as if Silva has it in for Obama as a soft pacifist who would let all the baddies get away if not for the badasses of Israel.
So history is proving him wrong right through today read the news. Shelves: biography , novel-romance-revealing-historica , thrillers-suspence-adventure , travel-adventures. Once more I was delighted by a book which has everything to please the reader: fast moving action, strong and compelling characters, the virtues of loyalty and friendship It had been some time without reading a Gabriel Allon adventure, and meeting him, Chiara, Shamron and all others in this new book felt like a family reunion Maria Carmo, Lisbon 15 December Jan 08, Dick Reynolds rated it really liked it.
Gabriel Allon is having a nice weekend vacation in London with his wife, Chiara, when he finds himself in Covent Garden with a terrorist massacre in progress. Carter wants him to avenge this crime by locating the supposed mastermind of the massacre, one Rashid al-Husseini, and make it the la Gabriel Allon is having a nice weekend vacation in London with his wife, Chiara, when he finds himself in Covent Garden with a terrorist massacre in progress.
Carter wants him to avenge this crime by locating the supposed mastermind of the massacre, one Rashid al-Husseini, and make it the last attack he carries out. Carter also has one additional mandate: keep the operation a secret from the U. Not trust the American president? Sacre Bleu! A meeting is arranged with a Saudi woman named Nadia al-Bakari who is quite beautiful, wealthy and shuns the traditional veil. However, in a masterful bit of salesmanship, Nadia agrees to work with Gabriel and his team despite the risks involved.
The story moves ahead, slowly but surely to a dramatic conclusion. Along the way we meet a dog named Lucy who participates in a bit of spycraft. Author Silva also regales us with an intriguing description of a drawing room with book-lined walls and overstuffed furnishings arranged before a large fireplace.
He imagines the room being a place where kisses had been stolen, sins had been confessed, and secret alliances had been forged. Legendary and sometimes retired Israeli Intelligence officer Gabriel Allon lives a quiet life in Cornwall. Suicide bombings in Paris and Copenhagen leave everyone in a state of shock. Soon after, a trip to London takes an unexpected turn for Gabriel when he spots a third bomber, but ultimately fails to stop him.
After a sudden act of disappearance, however, he has now reemerged on their radar. The new Bin Laden wants to go global and seems to be responsible for the recent attacks. Will Gabriel let himself be drawn back into the world he has left behind and do the dirty work for the Americans?
A risky plan is the only way to succeed. Daniel Silva is one of my favourite authors. Thank god this one like all the others I might add met - even exceeded — my expectations. This read was a real treat. I devoured it with great relish. The first page set the tone for the rest of the book, and already I cannot begin to tell you just how good Silva is at what he does.
No one has research mastered like him. I savoured every word. You should really take your time reading Portrait of a Spy.
He put a lot of effort into the small things that make a book big, and it was well worth it. Great settings - I felt like I was watching a movie. Expect to be entertained, but also to learn more than just a few tidbits about politics, different cultures, and of course, art.
Portrait of a Spy is the 11th book in the series. I recommend reading all of them in order of release. Yes, he is that good. Gabriel was shaped by the life he lead. It made him restless, and yet he was very precise in everything he did. His wife Chiara was like a breeze of fresh air. Every time a new character got introduced the writing changed ever so slightly. It was no problem to get a feel for what made those people the individuals, who happened to fight for the same cause.
For fans of the series, it will be a reunion — for first time readers, it will be like an adventurous journey of discovery. Who is friend, and who is enemy? Who can be trusted, and who cannot? I was intrigued by all the characters - good and bad. That seldom happens. Having read this thriller I was left with a faint idea of how things might be done in reality. Hard work was what helped them achieve… nope, not saying.
Portrait of a Spy had a terrifyingly plausible and realistic storyline. As I already said, the book may not have been overflowing with action, but it certainly was suspenseful in its own, very special right. It kept me on edge. I would give 10 if it were possible. Beware of Spoilers!
The other could be driven into a murderous frenzy by a doodle in a Danish newspaper. Peel them away, and we might find ourselves staring directly at the truth. The terrorists could hide there […] organizing their forces, but they could not come or go without leaving footprints in the snow. How eloquent, said Gabriel. Words sometimes fail me. It has its peaks and valleys, its good seasons and bad, but it never goes away.
Readers also enjoyed. About Daniel Silva. Daniel Silva. In he began work on his first novel, The Unlikely Spy , a surprise best seller that won critical acclaim. And sometimes evil comes to him. In a dangerous world, one extraordinary woman can mean the difference between life and death.
For Gabriel and his beautiful Venetian-born wife, Chiara, a pleasant weekend in London turns deadly when the newly retired operative spots a man exhibiting traits common to suicide bombers. But before Gabriel can prevent the attack, he is knocked to the pavement and can only watch as a scene from his nightmares unfolds.
Haunted by his failure to stop the massacre of innocents, Gabriel returns to his isolated cottage on the cliffs of Cornwall, until a summons brings him to Washington and he is drawn into a confrontation with the new face of global terror. Gabriel and his team devise a daring plan to destroy the network of death—from the inside—a gambit fraught with risk, both personal and professional.
To succeed, Gabriel must reach into his violent past. A woman waits there—a reclusive Saudi heiress and art collector who can traverse the murky divide between Islam and the West.
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