Whatever Wednesday - An Inside Job by Daniel Silva

 Daniel Silva's An Inside Job continues the brilliant legacy of Gabriel Allon. He's a brilliant art restorer. He's also a lethal warrior.  He has a commission to restore a lost masterpiece of Leonardo Da Vinci. 

But a dead girl is found in the Venetian Lagoon. 

She's a mysterious key to a lost painting, ruthless mobsters, Vatican theft. 

cover blurb - The action moves at breakneck speed from the galleries and auction houses of London to an enclave of unimaginable wealth on the French Riviera - and finally, to a shocking climax in St. Peter's Square where the life of a pope hangs in the balance.   Whew!!! 

Silva knows how to write and his hero, Gabriel Allon, is intriguing.  This is a page turner.

Very entertaining.  Very current. Very on point.   and I say again - Whoa!  and  Whew!

Finally Friday - Let's go random

 I like this quote. I've always liked Anna Quindlen's writing. Alas, I believe there is one grandchild who likes to read...Obviously I've failed!

Moving on...

Quick book review - The Cellist by Daniel Silva is almost scary in how straight from headlines is this novel.  Apparently he re-wrote the ending in six weeks due to fast changes in the world situation. 

We have Viktor Orlov, a Russian exile, who is killed, in his London mansion, by documents contaminated by deadly nerve gas. An investigative reporter had delivered the papers and now she's gone. 

Who do you call?  The intrepid Israeli super spy extraordinaire - Gabriel Allon, Silva's hero in his thriller series. 

London, Amsterdam, Geneva. Gabriel's group of spies must  work fast to stop Russia's rich from dividing America into further chaos. 

cover blurb - Elegant and sophisticated, provocative and daring, The Cellist explores one of the preeminent threats facing the West  today - the corrupting influence of dirty money wielded by a revanchist and reckless Russia.  

Whew!  This book is a page turner and Gabriel Allon is SO cool. Silva is on top of his game. 

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!

Book Review - The New Girl by Daniel Silva

The New Girl by Daniel Silva is another in his long line of Gabriel Allon international thrillers.  Gabriel never disappoints – Israeli spy extraordinaire, devoted family man, skilled art restorer, and  famous for his emerald green eyes.

This time he’s called by Khalid bin Mohammed, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia – a man celebrated  for some  reforms and reviled for his role in the murder of a journalist. Now his only daughter is missing from an exclusive Swiss boarding school. While Gabriel has fought terrorists, jihadists, and regards Khalid as a flawed leader, he respects Khalid’s love for his daughter.  The stakes are high and this is far more than a kidnapping.  Gabriel will fight any in the secret war for control of the Middle East.

From the back blurb – Both men have made their share of enemies. And both have everything to lose.

Daniel Silva knows how to write a page turner – a book with strong characters, ripped from the headlines plot lines, and a solid knowledge of the Middle East and  politics. Silva has done research and analysis of issues.  At times his books are almost too ahead of the news cycle – it’s rather scary.  But, as a reader, we count on Gabriel Allon and his  wily crew  of Israeli spies to save the day. The New Girl  is a work of fiction and an entertaining read.

Book Review - The Other Woman

The Other Woman by Daniel Silva

(cover blurb) She was his best kept secret – a mysterious Frenchwoman begins work on a dangerous memoir. It is a story of a man she once loved in the Beirut of old, and a child taken from her in treason’s name. The woman is the keeper of the Kremlin’s most closely guarded secret. Long ago, the KGB inserted a mole into the heart of the West – a mole who stands on the doorstep of ultimate power.

And of course who shall come to the rescue of civilization?  Gabriel Allon -  art restorer, assassin, chief of Israel secret intelligence – is back to reluctantly join in a quest to thwart treason, restore global order, and of course, arrive home safe to the arms of his lovely Italian wife, Chiara, and their twins. Gabriel is getting older, more world weary, and yet those deep green eyes burn when there are wrongs to be righted.

Daniel Silva knows how to keep pages turning. Double crosses. Twists. World travel locations. Whirlwind espionage with the strongest cast of characters around. I’ve written plenty of Silva reviews on this blog. Add The Other Woman to my list of compelling reads. Silva is scary current with a pulse on our fragile world situation. Reading his work is like having the key to our future. Now, who’s our Gabriel Allon? He can conquer the bad guys…gotta love fiction. (or scary truth?)  Enjoy!

Book Review - House of Spies by Daniel Silva

Count on Daniel Silva to raise the summer alert to must read suspense thriller. House of Spies is his latest with our favorite reluctant hero, Gabriel Allon.  From the cover blurb – Allon is back and out for revenge, determined to hunt down the world’s most dangerous terrorist, a shadowy ISIS mastermind known only as Saladin.  There’s a trail of carnage in London’s West End. The attack is brilliant except for one loose thread: the French-Moroccan street criminal and ISIS operative who supplied the combat assault rifles.

Threads lead Allon and his team to Jean Luc Martel. From Saint-Tropez to Casablanca, a trail of money and connections are pieced together. Roles are played. British, American, and Israeli forces work together to fight the global war on terror. Our favorite heroine from the previous book, The Black Widow, is back. Altogether, Gabriel is the skilled hand with the vision to take the time to do it right.

From the cover blurb: House of Spies is more than just riveting entertainment: it is a dazzling tale of avarice and redemption, set against the backdrop of our times.

Daniel Silva obviously does his research. He has an awesome character with Allon and I enjoy our battle tested Israeli leader, art restorer, calm influence, and concerned world citizen. Good writing, interesting world settings, and well-paced tension will keep you turning pages. Silva has another winner.

Book Review - The Black Widow by Daniel Silva

Daniel Silva’s The Black Widow is one of the best, I think, in his Gabriel Allon series. From start to finish it will keep you turning pages and also marveling at the author’s skill in capturing our dangerous world today. It’s almost ripped from the headlines authentic or will be soon. Silva definitely does his research and must talk to folks in high places. Very impressive.

Gabriel Allon is an art restorer by trade, but also a legendary spy for “The Office”, Israel’s premier group. As Allon is about to become the new chief, he’s back into the field for an operation. ISIS detonated a bomb in Paris, and one man’s name keeps appearing – Saladin. How to find him? How to get into the network? Gabriel taps an extraordinary woman – a doctor, a Jew, and a woman willing to take the risk to don the clothes and persona of a “black widow” – females willing to work for the caliphate, willing to die for ISIS.

As the mission crosses borders into dangerous territory, Natalie must maintain her poise and conviction to fool Saladin and lead Allon and crew to a fateful night. This is tick-tock watch the clock on your bomb vest nerves on edge writing. Forget your nightly news. Delve into The Black Widow as an alternative. The world is scary. We have to root and support the good guys. Enjoy a gutsy read.

Book Review: The English Spy by Daniel Silva

A bomb explodes. Unfortunately it kills a very famous woman. British intelligence must turn to Gabriel Allon – legendary spy and assassin – to find Eamon Quinn. He’s a mercenary bomb maker and elusive lead to a higher power. Fortunately, Gabriel has the help of Christopher Keller, a British commando turned assassin. There’s a lot of killing ahead. Exotic locations. Elite spies. Only author Daniel Silva can thread the needle, pulling together a scattered set of clues, to tighten the noose. In The English Spy, he succeeds in looking to the past to find reasons for today’s incidents that help predict the future.  

As per the cover blurb: And though he does not realize it, Gabriel Allon is stalking an old enemy – a cabal of evil that wants nothing more than to see him dead. Gabriel will find it necessary to oblige them, for when a man is out for vengeance, death has its distinct advantages.  

And to heighten the tension timetable, Gabriel’s beloved wife, Chiara, is expecting twins. 

Twists and turns abound. I thought the book started a tad slow, but it soon ratcheted to a new level and I was enthralled. Silva knows how to spin a tale and make the pages turn. The English Spy is not one of his bests, but it’s worthy of a read. In these politically fraught days, Silva has his pulse on the world and has developed a very fine hero to save the day.

 

Book Review: The Heist

Daniel Silva knows how to write a thriller and The Heist does not disappoint. If you are a fan of Gabriel Allon – super Israeli spy/art restorer – then get set for quite a ride. Our favorite art dealer, Julian Isherwood, stumbled upon a dead body in Lake Como. He thought he was working an art deal, but the dead man is a fallen British spy. Uh-oh – he’s been trafficking stolen art for a collector. The most famous “lost” piece is Caravaggio’s Nativity with St.Francis and St.Lawrence.  

Gabriel tries to recover the Nativity. His forays to Paris, London, Corsica, and Austria dig deep into the underworld. The wealth of a brutal dictator (Syria) lead him and his crew (the best spies ever from Israeli intelligence) give him a chance to amass millions from this evil dynasty. But there’s a young woman’s life at stake. She works for the banker who moves the big bucks. She helps Gabriel, but through no fault of her own, is put in jeopardy. What is the resolution?  

The Heist is a page turner – art history guide, current events commentary, and just plain exciting. Gabriel’s wife, Chiara, is pregnant with twins so he has so many reasons to live. Daniel Silva’s writing is smooth, exciting, and exhilarating. You can pick up with Gabriel Allon on The Heist or start at the beginning. No matter what, you’ll be rooting for the good guys to win in a crazy world.

 

July Junque: Day 19 Reflect on a Fri Night

Friday afternoon led to Friday evening at the Dallas Museum of Art. Here on a balcony overlooking the sculpture garden.  Inside, enjoyed "The Mind's Eye" featuring masterwork drawings. Very nice charcoals, pastels, etc - Degas, Manet, Delacroix, David, Renoir - all the biggies.

Chowed a sandwich in the café, then strolled over to Klyde Warren Park to people watch. Balmy temps for Texas - 80s. That's crazy talk.  Back inside to enjoy a new author talk with Daniel Silva. His book The Heist features the intrepid Gabriel Allon - art restorer and master Israeli spy. Looking forward to a great read.  Came out and the museum was going strong with their Late Night program. Folks were everywhere enjoying art, music, and other entertainment for families. Open until midnight. Yawn - we headed home, but were impressed.

July Junque - stay up late on a Friday night. Things are jumping.

Book Review: The English Girl

The English Girl by Daniel Silva is another in the Gabriel Allon series. The brooding Israeli spy, who's master skill is art restoration, is reluctantly pulled back into service when an up and coming English girl is kidnapped. She's not just any young lady - she's the mistress of the Prime Minister. That throws a monkey wrench into the proceedings, not to mention other complications from Russian oil contracts. The story appears convoluted, but Silva leads us from the Corsican criminal underworld to the mountains of Provence, and then to Moscow with masterful writing, strong characters, and foreign intrigue.

What were the true motives behind Madeline Hart's disappearance? As per the cover blurb - "It is a timely reminder that, in today's world, money often matters more than ideology."

Technology and Daniel Silva

This is a quick post today, but I read a Word Craft article in the Wall Street Journal that caught my eye. In it, author Daniel Silva discusses his research. He's fortunate to be able to actually travel to The Vatican, to Jerusalem, and across the Golan Heights to write authentic scenes. However, he acknowledges how easy it is to click on the Internet and capture a lot of atmosphere from pictures and travel commentary.

In his actual stories, "I find myself trying to keep technology at bay ...whenever possible, I focus on the human being using the technology rather than on the technology itself."

He goes on to find electronic marvels "intrusive to real-life human interactions."  Mr.Silva writes in longhand on yellow legal pads. Only after sentences are fully formed does he transfer his work to the computer. He appreciates his ebook sales, but "in the back of my mind, I wonder whether a book is still a book, if it is not a book."

Food for thought, as he laughs that he's "receding in time. Perhaps quill and ink soon."

Author Talk: Daniel Silva

 Saturday July 21st, the Dallas Museum of Art hosted a special Arts & Letters Live event with author Daniel Silva. I have not read his new novel The Fallen Angel yet, but I'm a follower of lead character Gabriel Allon's adventures and I look forward to an exciting thriller. However, the talk delved much deeper - Silva's research, travels, world economic and political chat, and his view of publishing today were all on the evening's menu. We enjoyed appetizing plot teasers as well as deep dish opinions.

Mr. Silva began writing as a Middle East correspondent. After returning to Washington and working for CNN, he began his first novel, The Unlikely Spy. It wasn't until his fourth, The Kill Artist, that he created Gabriel Allon - an art restorer and Israeli secret agent. Now with his fifteenth book, Silva still doesn't bore us. He blends art, smuggling, danger, and world threatening secrets. Espionage, intrigue, and fascinating characters are the hallmarks of Silva's novels.

When asked, "Which is harder - writing the book or doing the book tour?" Mr. Silva laughed, paused, and said, "Well......I like meeting the readers, but the actual travel is a beating." He proceeded to tell some funny travel horror stories from his current tour. It's not glamorous.

Because the publishing industry is demanding, he'll return after Labor Day and hunker down to work on the next novel with the expectation that it will be completed by March 2013. He writes seven days a week, full work hours. His research is thorough and his editing precise.

He personally is not keen on social network expectations and prefers paper to e-books.  He works alone and doesn't "understand the idea of writer critique groups. I'm not reading my work to a bunch of people." Silva does run words by his wife, but otherwise, he relies on his own ability as a writer to produce product.

Daniel Silva was a delightful interview. His sense of humor and his obvious intelligence gave the audience a well-rounded sense of a quiet talented man. If you haven't read any of Silva's books, seek one out now and you'll be hooked.

Book Review: Portrait of a Spy

Daniel Silva is back with Gabriel Allon and crew, in another exciting thriller, Portrait of a Spy, that spans the globe.

Just when Gabriel thinks his life is calm again, restoring a rare painting, walking the Italian coastline near his home, and loving his beautiful wife, terrorist attacks occur. The old team of top Israeli agents is reassembled, and this time Gabriel recruits a billionaire Saudi woman to penetrate the terrorist organization. Her money is the lure, but her beauty and negotiation skills prove resourceful. One more kicker, Gabriel assassinated her father years ago.

Layers of intrigue abound. Silva's writing heightens the pace and tension. You'll turn the pages, eager to root for Gabriel's crew of world weary richly drawn characters.

Portrait of a Spy captures today's world. Fortunately, the good guys (and gals) can still win.

Snow Read: The Rembrandt Affair

2011 Resolutions (WSJ 12/31/10) Author David Wroblewski (The Story of Edgar Sawtelle) says "FTFN. You're familiar with the acronym RTFM (read the f - ing manual). Same idea, it's Finish the F - ing Novel instead."

He's talking about writing and finishing, of course, which is on my list of things to do. However, on our first snowy January Sunday (white death predicted by weathermen up to six inches, actual Bedford weather occurrence - a light dusting), I hunkered under an afghan determined to finish Daniel Silva's latest thriller The Rembrandt Affair.


Mission accomplished and the book is a doozy. Once again, Gabriel Allon - art restorer/Israeli super agent - retires, determined to enjoy his wife and a peaceful life. Unfortunately there's been a murder and a Rembrandt stolen, and only Gabriel can uncover the full mysterious connection between a Holocaust surviver and a Swiss industrialist selling parts to Iran. The book covers a wide territory - Amsterdam, Argentina, Israel, and Switzerland - and includes Silva's usual heroes, Gabriel's team of ragtag brilliant Israeli agents. Fast paced, well researched, The Rembrandt Affair is an exciting read for a gray hot chocolate day.

Bundled up for a few icy photos. We had almost two inches of rain, a few sleet pellets, snowflakes, and now bitter cold temperatures. Hooray for living in the sunbelt.

Then again, I never need an excuse to read, but blustery January weather begs for book sessions and a nap. No guilt necessary.