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Gabriel Allon #11
Portrait of a Spy
From the streets of New York and London, to the unforgiving landscape of the Saudi desert, Portrait Of A Spy is the latest race-to-the-death thriller from Daniel Silva.
For Gabriel Alton and his wife Chiara, it was supposed to be the start of a romantic weekend in London. But nothing is ever that simple when you're an off-duty spy.
A pair of bombings in Paris and Copenhagen has put Gabriel on edge, and when he notices a man behaving suspiciously, he follows him into Covent Garden. Determined to prevent the carnage he fears is about to take place, he goes to draw his firearm and is knocked to the ground by two plain-clothes police officers. And a moment later he sees a scene from his worst nightmares ...
For Gabriel Alton and his wife Chiara, it was supposed to be the start of a romantic weekend in London. But nothing is ever that simple when you're an off-duty spy.
A pair of bombings in Paris and Copenhagen has put Gabriel on edge, and when he notices a man behaving suspiciously, he follows him into Covent Garden. Determined to prevent the carnage he fears is about to take place, he goes to draw his firearm and is knocked to the ground by two plain-clothes police officers. And a moment later he sees a scene from his worst nightmares ...
455 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2011
3370 people are currently reading
7971 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Silva
192 books9,532 followersDaniel Silva was born in Michigan in 1960 and raised in California where he received his BA from Fresno State. Silva began his writing career as a journalist for United Press International (UPI), traveling in the Middle East and covering the Iran-Iraq war, terrorism and political conflicts. From UPI he moved to CNN, where he eventually became executive producer of its Washington-based public policy programming. In 1994 he began work on his first novel, The Unlikely Spy, a surprise best seller that won critical acclaim. He turned to writing full time in 1997 and all of his books have been New York Times/national best sellers, translated into 25 languages and published across Europe and the world. He lives in Washington, D.C.
Series:
* Michael Osbourne
* Gabriel Allon
Series:
* Michael Osbourne
* Gabriel Allon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,498 reviews
April 25, 2020
“A very wise man once told me that hope is not an acceptable strategy when lives are at stake.”
This is the 11th novel in Mr. Silva’s Gabriel Allon series, and although some of the books are formulaic, I find if I read one every so often I don’t get too annoyed with it.
In “Portrait of a Spy” Silva has strong words for a Europe that he clearly thinks has been foolish in its handling of Islamic terrorism. I have noticed calling out of Europe pops up in a couple of his book thus far. This book was published in 2011 and Silva also takes obvious swipes at President Obama’s foreign policy, which was decidedly limp wristed during his first term. A character says, “There was a time when novelists wrote narrative, and journalists were content to report facts. And the facts are quite simple. There exists in the world today an organized force that seeks to weaken, or even destroy the West through acts of indiscriminate violence. This force is a part of a broader radical movement to impose sharia law and restore the Islamic Caliphate. And no amount of wishful thinking will make it go away.” Silva, through his characters, finds such people perhaps well intentioned, but ultimately foolish. The author does give the president a redemptive moment in the text however, when behind the scenes he makes a decision that does lead to terrorist threats being diminished.
I should say that Silva never mentions the politicians in his books by name, they are not characters per se. At least he didn’t with Presidents Bush and Obama or the other foreign leaders who make appearances in his texts. These fictional tales he weaves are set in and amongst real life events of the early 21st century, but they are also somewhat apart from them.
Elements of the text I really enjoyed:
I enjoy how Silva incorporates the high dollar art world in this series, and in this novel and its predecessor particularly.
I appreciate how evenhanded the Allon series is. Silva does not whitewash over the sins of the West or of Israel. What he does not do is excuse murderous action towards innocents, regardless of who is perpetrating it.
“Portrait of a Spy” also has a character from Saudi Arabia, named Nadia that I just fell in love with. If there are more folks like her in the world there is hope for the Middle East yet.
My adventures with Mr. Allon will continue. The series remains solid.
This is the 11th novel in Mr. Silva’s Gabriel Allon series, and although some of the books are formulaic, I find if I read one every so often I don’t get too annoyed with it.
In “Portrait of a Spy” Silva has strong words for a Europe that he clearly thinks has been foolish in its handling of Islamic terrorism. I have noticed calling out of Europe pops up in a couple of his book thus far. This book was published in 2011 and Silva also takes obvious swipes at President Obama’s foreign policy, which was decidedly limp wristed during his first term. A character says, “There was a time when novelists wrote narrative, and journalists were content to report facts. And the facts are quite simple. There exists in the world today an organized force that seeks to weaken, or even destroy the West through acts of indiscriminate violence. This force is a part of a broader radical movement to impose sharia law and restore the Islamic Caliphate. And no amount of wishful thinking will make it go away.” Silva, through his characters, finds such people perhaps well intentioned, but ultimately foolish. The author does give the president a redemptive moment in the text however, when behind the scenes he makes a decision that does lead to terrorist threats being diminished.
I should say that Silva never mentions the politicians in his books by name, they are not characters per se. At least he didn’t with Presidents Bush and Obama or the other foreign leaders who make appearances in his texts. These fictional tales he weaves are set in and amongst real life events of the early 21st century, but they are also somewhat apart from them.
Elements of the text I really enjoyed:
I enjoy how Silva incorporates the high dollar art world in this series, and in this novel and its predecessor particularly.
I appreciate how evenhanded the Allon series is. Silva does not whitewash over the sins of the West or of Israel. What he does not do is excuse murderous action towards innocents, regardless of who is perpetrating it.
“Portrait of a Spy” also has a character from Saudi Arabia, named Nadia that I just fell in love with. If there are more folks like her in the world there is hope for the Middle East yet.
My adventures with Mr. Allon will continue. The series remains solid.
September 3, 2018
This is another spy novel in the Gabriel Allon series. It is excellent, like all the others in the series. My only complaint is that it is starting to feel a little repetitious. Here again, Allon sends a willing female into the lion's den of a known terrorist. The purpose is to make an identification of the terrorist mastermind, in order to ensure that the correct person is assassinated. Here, the terrorist uses some of the same confusion-causing tactics as in at least one of the other books.
One of the most attractive aspects of this book, as in the others in the series, is Gabriel Allon's skill in restoring old paintings. He is a master at this, and there are scenes in which he interacts with art dealers, art auctions, and the canvas. Another interesting aspect is the spy's interactions with the spy agencies of the U.S. and the U.K. They depend on one another, and a great deal of bargaining goes into their cooperation. Moreover, bigger is not always better.
The action is slow in this book, but that should not deter anyone from reading it. The characters are true to life. The story is engaging, and the story-telling is top-notch.
One of the most attractive aspects of this book, as in the others in the series, is Gabriel Allon's skill in restoring old paintings. He is a master at this, and there are scenes in which he interacts with art dealers, art auctions, and the canvas. Another interesting aspect is the spy's interactions with the spy agencies of the U.S. and the U.K. They depend on one another, and a great deal of bargaining goes into their cooperation. Moreover, bigger is not always better.
The action is slow in this book, but that should not deter anyone from reading it. The characters are true to life. The story is engaging, and the story-telling is top-notch.
August 10, 2011
Silva again justifies my claim that he is today's best writer of international intrigue. He is to our world of jihad what Ludlum and Le Carre were to the cold war -- unrivaled. Not only does he write "ahead of the headlines" but imbues this struggle with courage and character in the face of unspeakable evil. Unlike Clancy and Flynn, Daniel Silva writes of a world which is more complex and nuanced than a testosterone tempest.
His lead is Gabriel Allon, an art restorer and at-large agent of Israeli Intelligence. By setting his stories against the disparate worlds of art and intelligence, Silva constantly reminds us of the humanity at the core of any effort worth fighting for. His most recent -- "The Rembrandt Affair" -- was a tour de force. This "portrait" is not of Gabriel, but rather by Gabriel of Nadia, a reclusive Arab heiress and mogul, who is trapped and revealed at the juncture between Islam and the West. This portrait of cultural conflict and resurrection is one of the strongest contemporary feminine characterizations in literature, today.
To learn more of our world and to feel more humanly for our collective future, read "Portrait of a Spy." T.S. Elliot would feel this is a worthy piece of literature to share a conceit with his other famous "portrait."
His lead is Gabriel Allon, an art restorer and at-large agent of Israeli Intelligence. By setting his stories against the disparate worlds of art and intelligence, Silva constantly reminds us of the humanity at the core of any effort worth fighting for. His most recent -- "The Rembrandt Affair" -- was a tour de force. This "portrait" is not of Gabriel, but rather by Gabriel of Nadia, a reclusive Arab heiress and mogul, who is trapped and revealed at the juncture between Islam and the West. This portrait of cultural conflict and resurrection is one of the strongest contemporary feminine characterizations in literature, today.
To learn more of our world and to feel more humanly for our collective future, read "Portrait of a Spy." T.S. Elliot would feel this is a worthy piece of literature to share a conceit with his other famous "portrait."
September 11, 2011
Is it my imagination or have I read this book before. Actually, I have not, but the plot is nothing to write home about. Its not that I am tired of Silva's ability to write because he still remains a great read, but the plots are a tad tired, and the characters are looking a little frayed around the edges.
I liked the book, but its too similar. Formulaic in the extreme.
Silva may be a master of espionage, but his stories are depressingly the same.
I liked the book, but its too similar. Formulaic in the extreme.
Silva may be a master of espionage, but his stories are depressingly the same.
August 30, 2019
I read the first Gabriel Allon installment over a decade ago and maybe one other since then, so I was familiar with the main characters and their professions. Book #11 is post 911 and its plot is pertinent to our times. It is a sturdy and thoughtful book about spy recruitment and one in which characters are studied and exposed through the author’s writing. The pace is steady, the characters are fully developed and the plot gives insight into the world wide cooperation of combating terrorist activity. I immensely enjoyed this audible book.
August 21, 2018
I started reading this current book in the Gabriel Allon series while vacating in the beautiful beaches of Santorini on my mini-honeymoon. Soon enough, I was taken away from the clear water and the mesmerizing view and thrown into the mayhem of suicide bombings executed by a new terror organization in the middle east.
If you read my former reviews about Silva’s books, you know I have a soft spot for Gabriel Allon. Silva’s writing is always gradual, thorough, and intriguing. The immortal characters he had created – Gabriel Allon, the legendary spy; Ari Shamron, the former head of the “office”; the guilty-hearted Adrian Carter from the CIA; Ciara, who sings in Italian when she’s happy and when she’s sad; Uzi Navot, who’s on an eternal diet while trying to adapt to his new position as new head of the office – are witty and captivating.
Silva’s books always carry additional value, whether in anecdotes about the art world or sharp and accurate reading of the jihad culture evolving in the middle east.
This time we meet Nadia al Bakari, the beautiful heiress who watched her father, the jihadist Zizi al Bakari, being assassinated before her very eyes by the Israelis. Can she overcome her need for revenge or is she, in fact, a double spy?
Everything felt so vivid that I had to choose between magical Greece and terrible jihad, so I chose my Greek fantasy. But as soon as I got back home, to my own reality, I finished the book within several hours. Now, that’s what I call a compelling reading!
If you read my former reviews about Silva’s books, you know I have a soft spot for Gabriel Allon. Silva’s writing is always gradual, thorough, and intriguing. The immortal characters he had created – Gabriel Allon, the legendary spy; Ari Shamron, the former head of the “office”; the guilty-hearted Adrian Carter from the CIA; Ciara, who sings in Italian when she’s happy and when she’s sad; Uzi Navot, who’s on an eternal diet while trying to adapt to his new position as new head of the office – are witty and captivating.
Silva’s books always carry additional value, whether in anecdotes about the art world or sharp and accurate reading of the jihad culture evolving in the middle east.
This time we meet Nadia al Bakari, the beautiful heiress who watched her father, the jihadist Zizi al Bakari, being assassinated before her very eyes by the Israelis. Can she overcome her need for revenge or is she, in fact, a double spy?
Everything felt so vivid that I had to choose between magical Greece and terrible jihad, so I chose my Greek fantasy. But as soon as I got back home, to my own reality, I finished the book within several hours. Now, that’s what I call a compelling reading!
August 20, 2012
This is the 11th Gabriel Allon novel from Silva, and it is very good. At the same time, when you've done ten previous titles in a series, then it's easy for things to start to seem repetitive and derivative of previous outings, and that's once again the problem here. The last time around, the problem was surmounted by a particularly good plot line, but this one takes a bit of a step back on the plot front, making the more formulaic aspects of things more noticeable. Perhaps some of it is because I've read several of the titles in the past six months or so in an attempt to get caught up on the series, but I've treated other series authors in similar ways in the past and not had this same sense of having been there and done that. Oh, well. The bottom line is that, for whatever the reason, things did not seem particularly fresh here. For starters, Gabriel, an art restorer when he's not helping out Israeli intelligence, has been given a new restoration commission, which can only mean that he's about to get drawn back into his old life once again, just as washing your car can only mean that it's going to rain tomorrow. And so Gabriel and his old antiterrorism team are reunited once again and set about to put down the bad guys by employing their usual methods, including the use of some tactics that are tied to Allon's knowledge of art and the art world. And they more or less succeed (as always), but not without cost and not without (as always) a lot of angst and suffering and guilt for Allon.
And perhaps it is this last point that is beginning to get tedious for me, because everyone involved in this story would have been upset and disappointed by the things that went wrong here, but once again it is Allon who needs the time to recover mentally; it is Allon who has everyone worried; it is Allon who needs delicate handling by people tiptoeing around his damaged psyche, etc. Yes, he's the one who took some physical abuse as things played out, but they *all* failed when failure happened, not just Allon, and this willingness of his to take on the weight of the world is admirable, but tedious. Yes, I'm repeating that word because it fits so well here. And the whole thing just doesn't speak highly of the rest of the team who, if the lack of any mention is at all indicative, just went back to their "regular" lives with no scars of any kind, or something.
Beyond that, two particular oddities stood out for me in this one. The first was the choice of artwork for the hardback cover, which I realize isn't exactly something that is entirely within the control of the author. But here we get an image of the Louvre, which I would think would lead most readers to think that this particular museum is going to play a role in the story, and probably a significant one. But in reality, it plays no role at all, other than to have its windows rattled at one point. So anyone who picks up this book as a Louvre fan is going to be quite disappointed. I can only assume that the cover was meant to speak to both the art side of the story and to its European elements, but it still seems like a deceptive choice to me. The second oddity was one that definitely fell into Silva's purview, on the other hand. Near the end of the book, one of Allon's team is working with a group of Israeli commandos, and they are making their way to Allon's location to lend him a hand when ... well, nothing. That's it. They're on their way, and then we never hear anything more about them. We hear another character mention this team member later on, indicating that he is alive and well and all of that, but there's a huge hole in his narrative and we hear nothing from him at all about this missing time. Did he and the commando team just give up? Were they, in reality, the "Saudi military patrol" that Silva mentions? And if so, why misidentify them to the reader?
In any case, and in spite of these issues, Silva continues to be a darn good writer who does his homework and who doesn't give in to the sort of over-the-top nonsense that so many thriller writers can't seem to resist. And it is because of the overall quality of Silva's work that I expect so much from him and am disappointed when something falls short, and it's why I believe that a review of one of his books deserves far more than an "I liked it" or an "I didn't like it." As for this one, and in spite of some disappointments and unanswered questions over it, I will still be reading the next and most recent outing in the series sooner, rather than later. And I will try to remember to blame myself at least in part for any sense of déjà vu that I experience.
And perhaps it is this last point that is beginning to get tedious for me, because everyone involved in this story would have been upset and disappointed by the things that went wrong here, but once again it is Allon who needs the time to recover mentally; it is Allon who has everyone worried; it is Allon who needs delicate handling by people tiptoeing around his damaged psyche, etc. Yes, he's the one who took some physical abuse as things played out, but they *all* failed when failure happened, not just Allon, and this willingness of his to take on the weight of the world is admirable, but tedious. Yes, I'm repeating that word because it fits so well here. And the whole thing just doesn't speak highly of the rest of the team who, if the lack of any mention is at all indicative, just went back to their "regular" lives with no scars of any kind, or something.
Beyond that, two particular oddities stood out for me in this one. The first was the choice of artwork for the hardback cover, which I realize isn't exactly something that is entirely within the control of the author. But here we get an image of the Louvre, which I would think would lead most readers to think that this particular museum is going to play a role in the story, and probably a significant one. But in reality, it plays no role at all, other than to have its windows rattled at one point. So anyone who picks up this book as a Louvre fan is going to be quite disappointed. I can only assume that the cover was meant to speak to both the art side of the story and to its European elements, but it still seems like a deceptive choice to me. The second oddity was one that definitely fell into Silva's purview, on the other hand. Near the end of the book, one of Allon's team is working with a group of Israeli commandos, and they are making their way to Allon's location to lend him a hand when ... well, nothing. That's it. They're on their way, and then we never hear anything more about them. We hear another character mention this team member later on, indicating that he is alive and well and all of that, but there's a huge hole in his narrative and we hear nothing from him at all about this missing time. Did he and the commando team just give up? Were they, in reality, the "Saudi military patrol" that Silva mentions? And if so, why misidentify them to the reader?
In any case, and in spite of these issues, Silva continues to be a darn good writer who does his homework and who doesn't give in to the sort of over-the-top nonsense that so many thriller writers can't seem to resist. And it is because of the overall quality of Silva's work that I expect so much from him and am disappointed when something falls short, and it's why I believe that a review of one of his books deserves far more than an "I liked it" or an "I didn't like it." As for this one, and in spite of some disappointments and unanswered questions over it, I will still be reading the next and most recent outing in the series sooner, rather than later. And I will try to remember to blame myself at least in part for any sense of déjà vu that I experience.
August 1, 2013
Not exactly a page-turner. There is action in the beginning and end. In between you have endless dialogue, interior monologue, chapters that plod along until you're ready to scream. Characters are paper-thin. I mean that literally since they are little more than names on a page.
It's clear from the outset that American intelligence agencies are inept and naive. Thankfully the Israelis come to the rescue and take over a huge CIA anti-terrorist effort. Hero Gabriel Allon, an Israeli agent, gets a one-on-one audience with the President of the United States (happens all the time, no?) during which he appears to give the chief executive a tongue lashing. He wags a finger in the President's face and tells him what to do.
You have to hand it to the Israelis. Mercy, what would we do without them?
It's clear from the outset that American intelligence agencies are inept and naive. Thankfully the Israelis come to the rescue and take over a huge CIA anti-terrorist effort. Hero Gabriel Allon, an Israeli agent, gets a one-on-one audience with the President of the United States (happens all the time, no?) during which he appears to give the chief executive a tongue lashing. He wags a finger in the President's face and tells him what to do.
You have to hand it to the Israelis. Mercy, what would we do without them?
August 6, 2012
Another good Silva thriller. So far, he seems able to keep adding new wrinkles to his set of characters and issues. Silva has a unique way of building tension even when you suspect what is about to happen. This one had some plot surprises. Silva's descriptions of places and great art is also as excellent as always.
October 5, 2024
Hide only us. Adhere to the truth when possible. Lie as a last resort.
The mantra of Israeli’s intelligence service (the Office). “Portrait of a Spy”, the 11th book in Gabriel Allon series and the 14th I have read, was a bit of a let down. The semi-retired spy and art restorer is living in Cornwall with his wife Chiarra, and about to restore a Titian acquired by his old friend Julian Isherwood in London, when he is drawn back into the milieu by a spate of jihadi suicide bombings across Western Europe – one in London he tries to prevent. His small but devoted team heads to Washington and soon outshines the CIA in identifying the mastermind behind the bombings.
A cunning plan is devised, to enlist the help of wealthy Saudi businesswoman Nadia al-Bakari, daughter and heir of Abdul Aziz al-Bakari, who Gabriel popped in an earlier book, for her to “avenge” the death of her father by “financially” backing terrorism, in such a way that the money trail can be followed. A plan so devious that the POTUS and his close adviser see political mileage and seize upon it, leaving an embarrassed Adrian Carter dealing with an infuriated Gabriel Allon.
That’s about the gist of it. The story behind the story here is a) 10 years on from 9/11, the apparent lack of will by Saudi Arabia to cull financial backing of terrorists, and b) the overblown bureaucracy that is American security agencies - 880,000 employees and counting - which easily hides a cuckoo in the nest.
First the good bits. English reporter Zoe Reed, who has her own talk show in the US, is a standout as Gabriel enlists her to approach the famously unapproachable Nadia al-Bakari for an interview and delivers some of the best lines.
“You can take me to the Pierre for a drink. I’ve been on the air since six this morning.”
“I’m afraid your face is far too well known for that. You’ve become quite the star since coming to America.”
“I was always a star,” she replied playfully. “It just doesn’t count unless you’re on television.”
It gets better when interviewer and interviewee finally meet in Paris, the treatment of women under Saudi Wahhabi Islam comes under scrutiny, Nadia offers an inducement. Zoe demures.
“It could create the appearance that I’m accepting something of value in return for a favorable news piece. My company forbids it. Most journalistic enterprises do, at least the reputable ones.”
“I didn’t realize there was such a thing.”
After that, everything proceeds at a slow pace, enlivened by the money trail and POTUS seeking to capitalise instead of it reaching its intended target to allow the spooks to move in. The Dubai and Saudi segments are very good: especially when the action shifts to the Empty Quarter and a showdown with the main villains.
Why the disappointment? Apart from Zoe Reed, it is more of the same as in previous books, almost to the point of repetitiveness. Shamron hovering like a bad smell. Sarah Bancroft, bland as ever, there for her CIA connection and as an art consultant who once worked for Nadia’s father. Even crowd-pleaser, the glacial-eyed Russian-born assassin Mikhail Abramov, is there for a cameo only. Briefly seen scaling a fence at the Saudi border, with a team of members of the elite Sayeret Matkal, his former combat group. Not heard of again.
Of the cuckoo in Langley’s nest, we learn his identity and motivation early in the piece, and little more before the handcuffs are applied. I would have liked to have learned how he was unmasked. Ah well.
The mantra of Israeli’s intelligence service (the Office). “Portrait of a Spy”, the 11th book in Gabriel Allon series and the 14th I have read, was a bit of a let down. The semi-retired spy and art restorer is living in Cornwall with his wife Chiarra, and about to restore a Titian acquired by his old friend Julian Isherwood in London, when he is drawn back into the milieu by a spate of jihadi suicide bombings across Western Europe – one in London he tries to prevent. His small but devoted team heads to Washington and soon outshines the CIA in identifying the mastermind behind the bombings.
A cunning plan is devised, to enlist the help of wealthy Saudi businesswoman Nadia al-Bakari, daughter and heir of Abdul Aziz al-Bakari, who Gabriel popped in an earlier book, for her to “avenge” the death of her father by “financially” backing terrorism, in such a way that the money trail can be followed. A plan so devious that the POTUS and his close adviser see political mileage and seize upon it, leaving an embarrassed Adrian Carter dealing with an infuriated Gabriel Allon.
That’s about the gist of it. The story behind the story here is a) 10 years on from 9/11, the apparent lack of will by Saudi Arabia to cull financial backing of terrorists, and b) the overblown bureaucracy that is American security agencies - 880,000 employees and counting - which easily hides a cuckoo in the nest.
First the good bits. English reporter Zoe Reed, who has her own talk show in the US, is a standout as Gabriel enlists her to approach the famously unapproachable Nadia al-Bakari for an interview and delivers some of the best lines.
“You can take me to the Pierre for a drink. I’ve been on the air since six this morning.”
“I’m afraid your face is far too well known for that. You’ve become quite the star since coming to America.”
“I was always a star,” she replied playfully. “It just doesn’t count unless you’re on television.”
It gets better when interviewer and interviewee finally meet in Paris, the treatment of women under Saudi Wahhabi Islam comes under scrutiny, Nadia offers an inducement. Zoe demures.
“It could create the appearance that I’m accepting something of value in return for a favorable news piece. My company forbids it. Most journalistic enterprises do, at least the reputable ones.”
“I didn’t realize there was such a thing.”
After that, everything proceeds at a slow pace, enlivened by the money trail and POTUS seeking to capitalise instead of it reaching its intended target to allow the spooks to move in. The Dubai and Saudi segments are very good: especially when the action shifts to the Empty Quarter and a showdown with the main villains.
Why the disappointment? Apart from Zoe Reed, it is more of the same as in previous books, almost to the point of repetitiveness. Shamron hovering like a bad smell. Sarah Bancroft, bland as ever, there for her CIA connection and as an art consultant who once worked for Nadia’s father. Even crowd-pleaser, the glacial-eyed Russian-born assassin Mikhail Abramov, is there for a cameo only. Briefly seen scaling a fence at the Saudi border, with a team of members of the elite Sayeret Matkal, his former combat group. Not heard of again.
Of the cuckoo in Langley’s nest, we learn his identity and motivation early in the piece, and little more before the handcuffs are applied. I would have liked to have learned how he was unmasked. Ah well.
July 31, 2025
Rating: 5.75
I began the journey of the Gabriel Allon series nearly a year ago, though my primary preference is literary fiction. That said, an author that's able to immerse readers through plot, premise, characters and pacing will find their books in my list. Such is the case with Daniel Silva, who in my opinion is a master of the genre and then some. Not ONLY is his research into plot elements and locations profound, it gives the reader the sense that they're along side the characters, similar to a film script.
In the previous 'episode', The Rembrandt Affair we were introduced to Zoe Reed, a formidable investigative reporter who's intimate relationship with a billionaire schemer was integral in Allon's plan to eliminate the terrorist leader, Saladin.
When the story opens, we learn Allon has retired from 'spy work' and dwells in his home on Cornwall with his wife, Chiara, who like him, was a member of The Office. His regimen of hiking the Lizard peninsula is interrupted when Graham Seymour, head of MI5, shows up due to a series of terrorist attacks around Europe. Seymour feels the type of attacks was similar to those funded by Zizi al-Bakari, whom Allon assassinated years previous. His massive empire was inherited by his daughter Nadia whom Zoe had targeted for an exclusive TV interview but met resistance. Allon decides to approach Zoe with a request she aggressively seeks the interview with hopes for an introduction to NAB using an art masterpiece as bait.
Introductions made, Allon meets with Nadia who during the session agrees to go along with the plan of reverting to her father's terrorist funding with hopes of finding the leader. As the plot unfolds, we learn the the US president wants the leader as much or more due to 9/11 and will fund it providing they're in control. With the UK and Israeli team in place, Allon designs and innovative approach using Nadia as an agent. But Allon and the team aren't happy about loss of control, and it becomes evident as the narrative unfolds.
When compared to Silva's formulaic plot, 'billionaire girlfriend upends the money/art work laundering scheme', this is in a category of its own where spy mystery is concerned. Nadia proves to be formidable as a 'spy', her money the cheese for the mouse trap. What's unique is her ability to remain calm in the jaws of 'the lion' and remains so when the pot begins to boil.
It's not often I read a nearly 500 page book in four days, but the narrative is so unique and immersive, I was compelled to continue. Silva's talent at pacing, character development and premise are untouchable, as is the attention to details other authors ignore. I've decided to 'hunt' for other installments providing they differ from the 'formula' used in most. As mentioned previously, this book is a league of its own and highly recommended.
I began the journey of the Gabriel Allon series nearly a year ago, though my primary preference is literary fiction. That said, an author that's able to immerse readers through plot, premise, characters and pacing will find their books in my list. Such is the case with Daniel Silva, who in my opinion is a master of the genre and then some. Not ONLY is his research into plot elements and locations profound, it gives the reader the sense that they're along side the characters, similar to a film script.
In the previous 'episode', The Rembrandt Affair we were introduced to Zoe Reed, a formidable investigative reporter who's intimate relationship with a billionaire schemer was integral in Allon's plan to eliminate the terrorist leader, Saladin.
When the story opens, we learn Allon has retired from 'spy work' and dwells in his home on Cornwall with his wife, Chiara, who like him, was a member of The Office. His regimen of hiking the Lizard peninsula is interrupted when Graham Seymour, head of MI5, shows up due to a series of terrorist attacks around Europe. Seymour feels the type of attacks was similar to those funded by Zizi al-Bakari, whom Allon assassinated years previous. His massive empire was inherited by his daughter Nadia whom Zoe had targeted for an exclusive TV interview but met resistance. Allon decides to approach Zoe with a request she aggressively seeks the interview with hopes for an introduction to NAB using an art masterpiece as bait.
Introductions made, Allon meets with Nadia who during the session agrees to go along with the plan of reverting to her father's terrorist funding with hopes of finding the leader. As the plot unfolds, we learn the the US president wants the leader as much or more due to 9/11 and will fund it providing they're in control. With the UK and Israeli team in place, Allon designs and innovative approach using Nadia as an agent. But Allon and the team aren't happy about loss of control, and it becomes evident as the narrative unfolds.
When compared to Silva's formulaic plot, 'billionaire girlfriend upends the money/art work laundering scheme', this is in a category of its own where spy mystery is concerned. Nadia proves to be formidable as a 'spy', her money the cheese for the mouse trap. What's unique is her ability to remain calm in the jaws of 'the lion' and remains so when the pot begins to boil.
It's not often I read a nearly 500 page book in four days, but the narrative is so unique and immersive, I was compelled to continue. Silva's talent at pacing, character development and premise are untouchable, as is the attention to details other authors ignore. I've decided to 'hunt' for other installments providing they differ from the 'formula' used in most. As mentioned previously, this book is a league of its own and highly recommended.
June 1, 2019
I am resuming reading Gabriel Allon after a break where I was reading only indie authors for a month. What a relief to come back to something familiar and well written. The story is similar to its predecessors and the beats are the same. But, the book is so much fun that you never get bored.
July 31, 2011
Yesssssss! Another Gabriel Allon book.
I wonder how Silva will top himself this time. The last two were the best in the series. Untoppable?
I wonder how Silva will top himself this time. The last two were the best in the series. Untoppable?
November 8, 2018
A pretty typical Gabriel Allon story. He starts out minding his own business, then something triggers a reaction or a situation comes up that needs his expertise, he organizes an almost perfect operation that seems infallible, something goes wrong, he almost dies, but comes through in the end. Then there's the strong bias against the terrorists who cause all the problems for no reason other than historic hatred of Israel, a purely innocent country who does nothing to provoke them.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't know enough about what really goes on to say this is not totally true, and I do sympathize with Israel and the Jews in general (I'm Jewish myself), but I also have some sympathies for the Palestinians and Muslim people (though not the terrorists), and I feel that Israel is often too heavy-handed and unyielding. But to be honest, these stories have helped me understand why Israel is the way it is, and through these stories, I tend to forgive them more for their behavior. Basically, Israel is the only country where Jews are not second-class citizens, so they tend to be very protective.
So, in spite of these shortcomings, I always end up enjoying the stories and not being able to put it down once it gets going. 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. Gabriel is an artist both as a painter/restorer and a killer, and it's interesting to hear his thoughts and read about his actions. 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.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't know enough about what really goes on to say this is not totally true, and I do sympathize with Israel and the Jews in general (I'm Jewish myself), but I also have some sympathies for the Palestinians and Muslim people (though not the terrorists), and I feel that Israel is often too heavy-handed and unyielding. But to be honest, these stories have helped me understand why Israel is the way it is, and through these stories, I tend to forgive them more for their behavior. Basically, Israel is the only country where Jews are not second-class citizens, so they tend to be very protective.
So, in spite of these shortcomings, I always end up enjoying the stories and not being able to put it down once it gets going. 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. Gabriel is an artist both as a painter/restorer and a killer, and it's interesting to hear his thoughts and read about his actions. 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.
October 12, 2017
I have enjoyed all of the Gabriel Allon books but this is one of my favorites. I like that the main character uses the restoration of famous art to atone for the things that he has to do for his country. The events in Daniel Silva's books are very relevant to current affairs which makes his books very believable.
BTW - I have read the series out of order and I still enjoyed it.
BTW - I have read the series out of order and I still enjoyed it.
August 13, 2011
*Rating* 4
*Genre* Thriller
*Review*
Gabriel Allon is known around the world as the angel of vengeance, and an international operative who has worked for the Israeli Intelligence machine called the Office, since 1972. He is a man who will stop at nothing to see justice done even if it puts his own life at risk.
After the events that occurred during The Rembrandt Affair, Allon has finally decided to retire from the Office. He is living the quiet life in Cornwall, England as an art restorer along with his wife Chiara Allon who still believes there’s time to start a family.
Allon, who now works for Julian Isherwood’s Fine Arts, is given a new project to restore; one that could be worth millions to the right buyer when it’s completed. Naturally, all that changes in a blink of an eye after Gabriel makes a pivotal decision to follow a suicide bomber, instead of walking away and letting others handle it.
Thanks to two idiotic members of the British police special firearms division, and a silly law that prevents police from shooting first and asking questions later, they tackle Gabriel, and watch as the bomber keys the trigger that kills over a dozen innocent people including one of the police officers. All while blaming Gabriel for raising a gun in a public square.
Gabriel is thrust yet again, back into the spotlight when he is asked if he would like a chance to redeem his mistake in not taking the shot sooner rather than following the bomber to the point of no return. His former boss Uzi Navot and CIA National Clandestine Service director Adrian Carter, have a mission that he is more than qualified to handle--go after the mastermind of the attacks and eliminate the threat he poses once and for all.
Portrait Of A Spy is the Eleventh novel in the Gabriel Allon series and if anyone was expecting a letdown after The Rembrandt Affair, you won’t find it here. If anything, this book continues the tradition of a well-documented, researched, and written thriller novel that will leave you guessing at what happens next.
Gabriel is the main protagonist of this story that is true. But, Silva also brings back several female characters he introduced in previous books, and who play pivotal roles in the outcome of the storyline.
Sarah Bancroft has a PHD in Art History and currently works as an analysis for the CIA. She was instrumental in helping bring down Abdul Aziz Al-Bakari who was a terrorist financier at the time of his death.
She became close to Nadia Al-Bakari, his daughter who eventually inherited his business and became the richest woman in the world as well as one who doesn’t always follow sharia law while living in the west. Nadia’s role is the key to ending the terrorist threat posed and maybe changing things for the better if she can survive to see them happen. You really have to feel for her plight and how her story plays itself out.
Zoe Reed, who played a huge part in the Rembrandt Affair, is now living in the states an investigative reporter for CNBC. She returns as well but in a less important role. She is more of an intermediary in getting Gabriel and Nadia to work together.
This could be considered a political commentary and a call for change in allowing women in the Middle East to have more rights, including in Saudi Arabia where the Sunni society believes goats are more important than women are. I’ve been to Saudi and was forced into wearing traditional female clothing and covering my face, all while not being able to drive myself, or be allowed to go out in public by myself with a male besides me.
I appreciate the research and time that Silva takes to put into his work before releasing these books. He definitely has a character we can all relate to if we are actually paying attention to the world around us. He doesn’t throw any punches either. He knows that Gabriel is in a tenuous situation being a Jew in a world that wants to see the destruction of his homeland. We know that Gabriel is a fictious character, but there are men and women around the world fighting to keep our way of life alive and not katowing to fundamentalist who want to install an Arab Caliphate around the globe and subject women to sharia law.
It’s also somewhat of a political statement towards the current US administration as well in their handling of the Arab spring which they encouraged and then did nothing to support.
It’s interesting in that Silva continues to have the intelligence communities of Israel, the United Kingdom and the US working so close together, when in reality, they so far apart in trusting each other since the Americans have become so unreliable these days and untrusting as well. Even in this book, the so called President interferes and probably costs Nadia her life because certain facts are leaked out.
Overall, an enjoyable series but wonder in what direction this series is now heading.
*Genre* Thriller
*Review*
Gabriel Allon is known around the world as the angel of vengeance, and an international operative who has worked for the Israeli Intelligence machine called the Office, since 1972. He is a man who will stop at nothing to see justice done even if it puts his own life at risk.
After the events that occurred during The Rembrandt Affair, Allon has finally decided to retire from the Office. He is living the quiet life in Cornwall, England as an art restorer along with his wife Chiara Allon who still believes there’s time to start a family.
Allon, who now works for Julian Isherwood’s Fine Arts, is given a new project to restore; one that could be worth millions to the right buyer when it’s completed. Naturally, all that changes in a blink of an eye after Gabriel makes a pivotal decision to follow a suicide bomber, instead of walking away and letting others handle it.
Thanks to two idiotic members of the British police special firearms division, and a silly law that prevents police from shooting first and asking questions later, they tackle Gabriel, and watch as the bomber keys the trigger that kills over a dozen innocent people including one of the police officers. All while blaming Gabriel for raising a gun in a public square.
Gabriel is thrust yet again, back into the spotlight when he is asked if he would like a chance to redeem his mistake in not taking the shot sooner rather than following the bomber to the point of no return. His former boss Uzi Navot and CIA National Clandestine Service director Adrian Carter, have a mission that he is more than qualified to handle--go after the mastermind of the attacks and eliminate the threat he poses once and for all.
Portrait Of A Spy is the Eleventh novel in the Gabriel Allon series and if anyone was expecting a letdown after The Rembrandt Affair, you won’t find it here. If anything, this book continues the tradition of a well-documented, researched, and written thriller novel that will leave you guessing at what happens next.
Gabriel is the main protagonist of this story that is true. But, Silva also brings back several female characters he introduced in previous books, and who play pivotal roles in the outcome of the storyline.
Sarah Bancroft has a PHD in Art History and currently works as an analysis for the CIA. She was instrumental in helping bring down Abdul Aziz Al-Bakari who was a terrorist financier at the time of his death.
She became close to Nadia Al-Bakari, his daughter who eventually inherited his business and became the richest woman in the world as well as one who doesn’t always follow sharia law while living in the west. Nadia’s role is the key to ending the terrorist threat posed and maybe changing things for the better if she can survive to see them happen. You really have to feel for her plight and how her story plays itself out.
Zoe Reed, who played a huge part in the Rembrandt Affair, is now living in the states an investigative reporter for CNBC. She returns as well but in a less important role. She is more of an intermediary in getting Gabriel and Nadia to work together.
This could be considered a political commentary and a call for change in allowing women in the Middle East to have more rights, including in Saudi Arabia where the Sunni society believes goats are more important than women are. I’ve been to Saudi and was forced into wearing traditional female clothing and covering my face, all while not being able to drive myself, or be allowed to go out in public by myself with a male besides me.
I appreciate the research and time that Silva takes to put into his work before releasing these books. He definitely has a character we can all relate to if we are actually paying attention to the world around us. He doesn’t throw any punches either. He knows that Gabriel is in a tenuous situation being a Jew in a world that wants to see the destruction of his homeland. We know that Gabriel is a fictious character, but there are men and women around the world fighting to keep our way of life alive and not katowing to fundamentalist who want to install an Arab Caliphate around the globe and subject women to sharia law.
It’s also somewhat of a political statement towards the current US administration as well in their handling of the Arab spring which they encouraged and then did nothing to support.
It’s interesting in that Silva continues to have the intelligence communities of Israel, the United Kingdom and the US working so close together, when in reality, they so far apart in trusting each other since the Americans have become so unreliable these days and untrusting as well. Even in this book, the so called President interferes and probably costs Nadia her life because certain facts are leaked out.
Overall, an enjoyable series but wonder in what direction this series is now heading.
August 25, 2011
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 1972 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 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.
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.
March 4, 2020
I read it again! First time, March 2018! 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.... quite a lot of cast of characters to keep straight. And, I couldn’t grasp how art played into this one... other than the donations of Nadia’s collection revealed at the end of the book. Hmmm. Obviously, one can not skim or scan! My bad.
Even so, Mr. Silva’s writing is politically enlightening however fictionalized the story. More importantly, his writing has raised my awareness of Saudi jihadists and their involvement in terrorists activity as well as the governments’ financial complicity. Human rights of women, even educated ones, is extremely abhorrent and eye-opening.
Mr. Silva’s research is impeccable. He does a fine job of explaining the fictional parts and their basis in truth. Excellent historical fiction!
Even so, Mr. Silva’s writing is politically enlightening however fictionalized the story. More importantly, his writing has raised my awareness of Saudi jihadists and their involvement in terrorists activity as well as the governments’ financial complicity. Human rights of women, even educated ones, is extremely abhorrent and eye-opening.
Mr. Silva’s research is impeccable. He does a fine job of explaining the fictional parts and their basis in truth. Excellent historical fiction!
October 27, 2018
The perfect companion for a quick cross-country 32-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 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. (I don't get it, but to each his/her own.) This one wasn't my most or least favorite - I'd say it was par for the course, that's just fine with me.
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. (I don't get it, but to each his/her own.) This one wasn't my most or least favorite - I'd say it was par for the course, that's just fine with me.
December 19, 2021
3.5 stars
RTC
RTC
August 8, 2024
Nothing new in this chapter of the Gabriel Allon adventures. Gabe and the team need an inside person in order to thwart terrorism and take down a bad guy...the inside man/woman's life is in jeopardy...the team must rescue her. Can they do it AND accomplish the mission?
For this reader, this one included too many recaps and too much recycling of previous installments.
Hoping one of the main characters gets bumped off or suffers a bad paper cut in the upcoming books. We will see...
For this reader, this one included too many recaps and too much recycling of previous installments.
Hoping one of the main characters gets bumped off or suffers a bad paper cut in the upcoming books. We will see...
September 16, 2018
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. In this post 9/11 world refugees inhabit areas around Europe’s cities and some mosques are centers of religious radicalism where young men are recruited to terrorize the West. 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 Allon, now a retired Israeli spy, leaves his cottage in Cornwall to visit Isherwood Studios in London, run by Julian Isherwood, friend of Gabriel and of Israel. Gabriel is a talented art restorer who often restores damaged paintings, sometimes for Isherwood. Gabriel’s wife Chiara is with him. 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.
No one else identifies this man as a terrorist but Gabriel’s experiences set off warning signals. He even knows what time the bomber will trigger the detonator because it is timed to when a plane hit a target on 9/11. 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. Gabriel’s guilt calls him back to duty as a spy. He even has a fair idea of who is running this group of terrorists. When he is vouched for by Graham Seymour, head of MI5 he joins forces with Adrian Carter of the CIA in Washington, DC and a cohort he has hunted down bad actors with on the world stage many times. 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?
It is Silva’s contention that Saudi Wahhabism has led to a good deal of the terrorism unleashed on Europe and America. He also feels that America’s supposed Allies, the Saudi’s, are responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the intended attack on Washington that shocked America and the world. 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.
Equally bizarre, as I am writing this it is 9/11, seventeen years later, and they are reading the names of those killed in the attack on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center on my TV news. A most strange coincidence.
Gabriel Allon, now a retired Israeli spy, leaves his cottage in Cornwall to visit Isherwood Studios in London, run by Julian Isherwood, friend of Gabriel and of Israel. Gabriel is a talented art restorer who often restores damaged paintings, sometimes for Isherwood. Gabriel’s wife Chiara is with him. 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.
No one else identifies this man as a terrorist but Gabriel’s experiences set off warning signals. He even knows what time the bomber will trigger the detonator because it is timed to when a plane hit a target on 9/11. 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. Gabriel’s guilt calls him back to duty as a spy. He even has a fair idea of who is running this group of terrorists. When he is vouched for by Graham Seymour, head of MI5 he joins forces with Adrian Carter of the CIA in Washington, DC and a cohort he has hunted down bad actors with on the world stage many times. 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?
It is Silva’s contention that Saudi Wahhabism has led to a good deal of the terrorism unleashed on Europe and America. He also feels that America’s supposed Allies, the Saudi’s, are responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the intended attack on Washington that shocked America and the world. 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.
Equally bizarre, as I am writing this it is 9/11, seventeen years later, and they are reading the names of those killed in the attack on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center on my TV news. A most strange coincidence.
August 1, 2011
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 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.
I love Silva's novels. 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.
April 12, 2012
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. A new wave of terrorists has emerged and Israeli assassin/ art restorer Gabriel Allon must step in with his team to find the people responsible. 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 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.
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.
September 14, 2021
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.
Reading this book during the coverage of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 remembrance was meaningful to me.
Reading this book during the coverage of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 remembrance was meaningful to me.
July 23, 2011
Legendary and sometimes retired Israeli Intelligence officer Gabriel Allon lives a quiet life in Cornwall. The residents of Gunwalloe Cove don’t quite know what to make of the mysterious art restorer “Giovanni Rossi” and his wife Chiara.
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. It isn’t long before Adrian Carter the Director of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service sends for him. Rashid al-Husseini, a charismatic preacher, has deceived the CIA into believing he’s praying for peace. 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. Carter wants for Gabriel and his team to smash the terrorist’s network. 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.
I’ve been waiting for the release of three books by three different authors since the beginning of the year and was a bit disappointed when two of them didn’t live up to the hype.
Daniel Silva is one of my favourite authors. I’ve read every single one of his books and especially love the Gabriel Allon series. 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...it blew me away. 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. Fascinating! Portrait of a Spy is the 11th book in the series. I recommend reading all of them in order of release. Then again, Silva definitely knows how to give the reader all the background that is needed to feel like they’re reading a stand alone. Yes, he is that good. Enjoy it like you’d taste an expensive wine: without haste, but with attention to detail.
Gabriel doesn’t take on other peoples identities; he becomes the person he needs to be instead. Even though the Cornish didn’t know much about him – certainly not who he really was – they felt a sense of protectiveness over him and Chiara.
Gabriel has left espionage and assassinations to others, but instantly feels like it’s his duty to stop the terrorists from planning and executing more attacks. It’s in his blood; clearly both curse and gift.
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. She’s a strong woman with her fair share of experience. I would’ve hated for her to be just a pretty face.
I came to realize that there are many similarities between the work of an art restorer and espionage / counterterrorism.
The character-development didn’t leave anything to be desired. 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. As I paid close attention, it became clear that the devotion these operatives felt for their mission, was due to the fact that in their world, there’s no dividing between job and private life. Neither was this book about nonstop action, nor about a big victory in the end (not saying there won’t be a victory). Hard work was what helped them achieve…(nope, not saying). There’s no such thing as an easy win, except for the occasional lucky break. Portrait of a Spy had a terrifyingly plausible and realistic storyline. However great the distance between the various dots, Silva didn’t fail to connect them.
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 don’t want to give away too much and therefore will just share some quotes with you - a few more than usual. Here’s to hoping they’ll draw you in. 5 stars to Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva. I would give 10 if it were possible.
Beware of Spoilers!
A few quotes for those of you who are interested:
° “One side was old, tired, and largely content with itself. The other could be driven into a murderous frenzy by a doodle in a Danish newspaper.”
° “The living always sought to find some connection, however tenuous, to the dead.”
° “Only the watchfulness remained – the instinctive, gnawing vigilance that made it impossible for him to ever feel at peace in public.”
° “…those lies are like layers of paint on a canvas. Peel them away, and we might find ourselves staring directly at the truth.”
° "Cyberspace was like a forest in winter. The terrorists could hide there […] organizing their forces, but they could not come or go without leaving footprints in the snow.”
° “…purposely blew smoke in Gabriel’s direction. How eloquent, said Gabriel. Words sometimes fail me.”
° “…seems to me the terrorism game is a bit like the art trade. It has its peaks and valleys, its good seasons and bad, but it never goes away.”
° “You tell the president of the United States to fire one of his closest aides but you acquiesce to an ultimatum from your wife?”
° “Only the poor and suicidal walk in Dubai.”
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. It isn’t long before Adrian Carter the Director of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service sends for him. Rashid al-Husseini, a charismatic preacher, has deceived the CIA into believing he’s praying for peace. 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. Carter wants for Gabriel and his team to smash the terrorist’s network. 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.
I’ve been waiting for the release of three books by three different authors since the beginning of the year and was a bit disappointed when two of them didn’t live up to the hype.
Daniel Silva is one of my favourite authors. I’ve read every single one of his books and especially love the Gabriel Allon series. 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...it blew me away. 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. Fascinating! Portrait of a Spy is the 11th book in the series. I recommend reading all of them in order of release. Then again, Silva definitely knows how to give the reader all the background that is needed to feel like they’re reading a stand alone. Yes, he is that good. Enjoy it like you’d taste an expensive wine: without haste, but with attention to detail.
Gabriel doesn’t take on other peoples identities; he becomes the person he needs to be instead. Even though the Cornish didn’t know much about him – certainly not who he really was – they felt a sense of protectiveness over him and Chiara.
Gabriel has left espionage and assassinations to others, but instantly feels like it’s his duty to stop the terrorists from planning and executing more attacks. It’s in his blood; clearly both curse and gift.
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. She’s a strong woman with her fair share of experience. I would’ve hated for her to be just a pretty face.
I came to realize that there are many similarities between the work of an art restorer and espionage / counterterrorism.
The character-development didn’t leave anything to be desired. 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. As I paid close attention, it became clear that the devotion these operatives felt for their mission, was due to the fact that in their world, there’s no dividing between job and private life. Neither was this book about nonstop action, nor about a big victory in the end (not saying there won’t be a victory). Hard work was what helped them achieve…(nope, not saying). There’s no such thing as an easy win, except for the occasional lucky break. Portrait of a Spy had a terrifyingly plausible and realistic storyline. However great the distance between the various dots, Silva didn’t fail to connect them.
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 don’t want to give away too much and therefore will just share some quotes with you - a few more than usual. Here’s to hoping they’ll draw you in. 5 stars to Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva. I would give 10 if it were possible.
Beware of Spoilers!
A few quotes for those of you who are interested:
° “One side was old, tired, and largely content with itself. The other could be driven into a murderous frenzy by a doodle in a Danish newspaper.”
° “The living always sought to find some connection, however tenuous, to the dead.”
° “Only the watchfulness remained – the instinctive, gnawing vigilance that made it impossible for him to ever feel at peace in public.”
° “…those lies are like layers of paint on a canvas. Peel them away, and we might find ourselves staring directly at the truth.”
° "Cyberspace was like a forest in winter. The terrorists could hide there […] organizing their forces, but they could not come or go without leaving footprints in the snow.”
° “…purposely blew smoke in Gabriel’s direction. How eloquent, said Gabriel. Words sometimes fail me.”
° “…seems to me the terrorism game is a bit like the art trade. It has its peaks and valleys, its good seasons and bad, but it never goes away.”
° “You tell the president of the United States to fire one of his closest aides but you acquiesce to an ultimatum from your wife?”
° “Only the poor and suicidal walk in Dubai.”
Read
March 7, 2021DNF - página 311/534
Adoro esta série de livros. No entanto, todos os livros que já li, focaram-se na personagem principal e na sua equipa. Neste aqui, eles aparecem como personagens secundárias e mal se focam nos mesmos.
Para além disso, este livro é demasiado extenso para a história que o autor quer contar.
Irei tentar outra vez quando ler a coleção toda de seguida
Adoro esta série de livros. No entanto, todos os livros que já li, focaram-se na personagem principal e na sua equipa. Neste aqui, eles aparecem como personagens secundárias e mal se focam nos mesmos.
Para além disso, este livro é demasiado extenso para a história que o autor quer contar.
Irei tentar outra vez quando ler a coleção toda de seguida
September 11, 2025
Rated 3.89
This book had so many characters and twists and turns that it was difficult to keep up at times. The Saudi Arabia group is too harsh and has so many allies. Allon sends a willing female into the lion's den of a known terrorist. The purpose is to make an identification of the terrorist mastermind, in order to ensure that the correct person is assassinated. Making a new spy of Nadia is quite a challenge.
For Gabriel Allon and his wife, Chiara, it was supposed to be the start of a romantic weekend in London. But nothing is ever that simple when you're an off-duty spy and assassin. And when he fails to prevent a suicide bombing attack on Covent Garden, Gabriel is drawn once again into the world of international espionage and intrigue. From the streets of New York and London, to the unforgiving landscape of the Saudi desert, Gabriel Allon is in a race to the death against a calculating mass-murderer that he dare not lose ...
This book had so many characters and twists and turns that it was difficult to keep up at times. The Saudi Arabia group is too harsh and has so many allies. Allon sends a willing female into the lion's den of a known terrorist. The purpose is to make an identification of the terrorist mastermind, in order to ensure that the correct person is assassinated. Making a new spy of Nadia is quite a challenge.
For Gabriel Allon and his wife, Chiara, it was supposed to be the start of a romantic weekend in London. But nothing is ever that simple when you're an off-duty spy and assassin. And when he fails to prevent a suicide bombing attack on Covent Garden, Gabriel is drawn once again into the world of international espionage and intrigue. From the streets of New York and London, to the unforgiving landscape of the Saudi desert, Gabriel Allon is in a race to the death against a calculating mass-murderer that he dare not lose ...
June 16, 2018
Mais um grande livro da saga Gabriel Allon
July 27, 2015
In many ways, Daniel Silva has taken up the mantle of John LeCarre in the "realistic espionage" genre. He's often praised by intel professionals for "getting it right", both in his depiction of tradecraft and his emphasis on the primacy of analysis and information. Though marketed as thrillers, his novels are dominated by scenes of two to four people sitting in a room or car, talking; what action there is comes in short, highly contained bursts and occupies a tiny fraction of each book's pages.
Portrait of a Spy is no exception to this. Incorporating ripped-from-the-headlines pieces of Anwar al-Awlaki's CV, the 2010 Mabhouh hit in Dubai and art-as-money-laundry, this story brings series hero Gabriel Allon back out of retirement (again) to lead a typically continent-hopping campaign against a partly-new, partly-old terrorist threat. Old alliances and rivalries are renewed, new alliances formed, and additional tragedies are heaped on characters who have already suffered much.
This outline -- common to most installments of the series -- doesn't give you the flavor of what the reading experience is like. The paperback of Portrait is 500 pages long, and I finished it in a single day; that alone should tell you that Silva can keep things moving even when the subject is geopolitics or art restoration. The dialog and settings have a ring of authenticity missing in many conventional spy thrillers (there are few if any "oh, come on" moments). While the recurring supporting cast is drawn lightly here (having been introduced over multiple previous novels), the characters in general are people, and as such aren't omniscient, omnicompetent or immortal -- a nice change. Silva's voice is cool and, at times, distant, which may or may not work for you depending on how hot you like your prose.
The demands of a series lead to my only real cavil about this book. Allon has already seen more action than any five of his peers put together; he's been pulled out of retirement at least twice (I haven't read all the books in the series yet) and it appears that every intelligence agency in the world knows who he is and what he looks like. This would seem to limit his usefulness for covert action, yet still he soldiers on. Is the Office's recruitment program really so ineffective? Isn't it time for the poor man to be left in peace and for someone else to take up the Office's dirty work? Perhaps Silva should give in to Shamron's urging and have Allon become head of the Office, and use that promotion to introduce us to new field operatives who can continue the series without allowing it to devolve into self-parody or repetition.
Portrait of a Spy is no exception to this. Incorporating ripped-from-the-headlines pieces of Anwar al-Awlaki's CV, the 2010 Mabhouh hit in Dubai and art-as-money-laundry, this story brings series hero Gabriel Allon back out of retirement (again) to lead a typically continent-hopping campaign against a partly-new, partly-old terrorist threat. Old alliances and rivalries are renewed, new alliances formed, and additional tragedies are heaped on characters who have already suffered much.
This outline -- common to most installments of the series -- doesn't give you the flavor of what the reading experience is like. The paperback of Portrait is 500 pages long, and I finished it in a single day; that alone should tell you that Silva can keep things moving even when the subject is geopolitics or art restoration. The dialog and settings have a ring of authenticity missing in many conventional spy thrillers (there are few if any "oh, come on" moments). While the recurring supporting cast is drawn lightly here (having been introduced over multiple previous novels), the characters in general are people, and as such aren't omniscient, omnicompetent or immortal -- a nice change. Silva's voice is cool and, at times, distant, which may or may not work for you depending on how hot you like your prose.
The demands of a series lead to my only real cavil about this book. Allon has already seen more action than any five of his peers put together; he's been pulled out of retirement at least twice (I haven't read all the books in the series yet) and it appears that every intelligence agency in the world knows who he is and what he looks like. This would seem to limit his usefulness for covert action, yet still he soldiers on. Is the Office's recruitment program really so ineffective? Isn't it time for the poor man to be left in peace and for someone else to take up the Office's dirty work? Perhaps Silva should give in to Shamron's urging and have Allon become head of the Office, and use that promotion to introduce us to new field operatives who can continue the series without allowing it to devolve into self-parody or repetition.
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