Book Review - The Order by Daniel Silva

Daniel Silva's 20th book, The Order, featuring Gabriel Allon (Israeli spy, art restorer, reluctant hero) is another winner thriller. Silva is spot-on with world events, issues, and crises, all with the splendid back-drop of Italy. I enjoyed re-living Venice, Rome, and Assisi  and the mysteries of the Vatican and the Catholic Church.

Gabriel and family are on a much needed vacation. Alas, duty calls. His friend Archbishop Luigi Donati summons him. A favorite pope is dead (a heart attack? Hmm). More likely murder. The Swiss Guard at the papal apartment is missing. And so is a fateful letter and book that could change history. Plus there's a shadowy Catholic society with ties to the far right - The Order hopes to seize control of the papacy with paid votes at the conclave.

Secret Archives. Sistine Chapel. A little murder. Some mayhem. Silva's strength is Gabriel Allon, always world weary, collected, burdened with Jewish history, seeking to protect what's good in the world. He's backed by his amazing team of tech wizards operating out of Israel, and always appearing when the time is right. Plot twists galore keep the The Order's pages turning. And when you finish reading, you ask...what's next for Gabriel Allon? No doubt,  Daniel Silva is brewing up number twenty-one. Whew!