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Gabriel Allon #26
Ransom
Gabriel Allon will return for another thriller espionage adventure in 2026. Pre-order now!
'Allon is the 21st century Bond' – DAILY MAIL
'A world-class practitioner of spy fiction' – WASHINGTON POST
'Sexily brooding Allon… must be the most famous superspy not played by Daniel Craig' – DAILY TELEGRAPH
'Allon is the 21st century Bond' – DAILY MAIL
'A world-class practitioner of spy fiction' – WASHINGTON POST
'Sexily brooding Allon… must be the most famous superspy not played by Daniel Craig' – DAILY TELEGRAPH
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2026
About the author
Daniel Silva
107 books9,818 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 337 reviews
July 19, 2026
Another year and another Gabriel Allon novel sees the daylight. Once the boss of the Israeli intelligence service now retired and a director in an art restoration company based in Venice. Gabriel now does what hé prefers art, wife and children.
While enjoying their Kids summer holidays in their house in Cornwall Gabriel does the art world a pleasure by being part of a benefit that is meant to finance an artshow that would otherwise not happen.
It is there that he meets the man who is about to be responsible for taking Gabriel away from wife and children.
Edward Knight his wife has dissapeared and he want the former spymaster to actively take part in her return. When Gabriel Allon does so he finds she is abducted and will be returned for a steep RANSOM. So Gabriel gets caught up in the negotiations.
And from then we get caught in a traditional spy story with peace at stake in the European mainland.
This time art does take a backseat to the Europa of today which is trying to stop Russia from taking Ukraine. And taking cyberwar to a whole new level.
Gabriel Allon is once again back into the dark places he wanted to leave and shows a scary place and time in Europa.
A bloody great spy thriller as only Daniel Silva can deliver.
For obvious reasons there is no Israëli involvement whatsoever. That is living up to realistik politics and expectations.
Still an excellent thriller.
While enjoying their Kids summer holidays in their house in Cornwall Gabriel does the art world a pleasure by being part of a benefit that is meant to finance an artshow that would otherwise not happen.
It is there that he meets the man who is about to be responsible for taking Gabriel away from wife and children.
Edward Knight his wife has dissapeared and he want the former spymaster to actively take part in her return. When Gabriel Allon does so he finds she is abducted and will be returned for a steep RANSOM. So Gabriel gets caught up in the negotiations.
And from then we get caught in a traditional spy story with peace at stake in the European mainland.
This time art does take a backseat to the Europa of today which is trying to stop Russia from taking Ukraine. And taking cyberwar to a whole new level.
Gabriel Allon is once again back into the dark places he wanted to leave and shows a scary place and time in Europa.
A bloody great spy thriller as only Daniel Silva can deliver.
For obvious reasons there is no Israëli involvement whatsoever. That is living up to realistik politics and expectations.
Still an excellent thriller.
Read
July 29, 2026I can give only the "story plot" a 4*.
But
Not yet ready to write a review. Many variables I need to consider in order to be fair.
But
Not yet ready to write a review. Many variables I need to consider in order to be fair.
July 15, 2026
3.8 stars! As always Daniel Silva is my most anticipated thriller read of the year. His iconic character Gabriel Allon is my all time favorite literary thriller character. He is a an Israeli intelligence officer who is also a world class art restorer! His spy espionage thrillers have wonderful characters and usually a ton of art history woven throughout for an outstanding read everytime. This book felt very light on the art history element this time so it is no where near my favorite. Honestly it felt a little “rinse and repeat” ish as the plot felt similar to some others. It is still an excellent read that I recommend! However -if you are new to the series, I would suggest you start much early in the series as this one is not his best work.
July 18, 2026
As someone who has preordered every Daniel Silva novel for years, this one pains me to write.
Gabriel Allon books are comfort reads for me. When a new one comes out, I usually clear my schedule because I know I’ll devour it in a single day. I’ve reread many of the earlier books a dozen times or more.
Ransom was the first Silva novel that felt like a chore.
The familiar cast is here: Timothy, Julian, Iris, Sarah, Chiara, and the family, but they felt less than the heart of the story. What has always made the Gabriel Allon series so compelling is that the stakes are personal yet universal: art, history, terrorism, intelligence, and, ultimately, the idea that Gabriel is trying to save something larger than himself.
This time, the central plot revolves around searching for a wealthy woman simply because Gabriel was hired to do so. By the second section, I wasn’t turning pages because I couldn’t wait to see what happened, I was turning them because I kept hoping the book would become the Daniel Silva novel I expected.
Every long-running series has books that are stronger than others. For me, this is the weakest Gabriel Allon novel Silva has written. It isn’t poorly written—Silva remains a gifted storyteller—but the emotional core that has always made this series exceptional was missing.
I never thought I’d say this about a Daniel Silva book, but I was relieved when I reached the last page rather than sorry it was over.
2 out of 5 stars.
Gabriel Allon books are comfort reads for me. When a new one comes out, I usually clear my schedule because I know I’ll devour it in a single day. I’ve reread many of the earlier books a dozen times or more.
Ransom was the first Silva novel that felt like a chore.
The familiar cast is here: Timothy, Julian, Iris, Sarah, Chiara, and the family, but they felt less than the heart of the story. What has always made the Gabriel Allon series so compelling is that the stakes are personal yet universal: art, history, terrorism, intelligence, and, ultimately, the idea that Gabriel is trying to save something larger than himself.
This time, the central plot revolves around searching for a wealthy woman simply because Gabriel was hired to do so. By the second section, I wasn’t turning pages because I couldn’t wait to see what happened, I was turning them because I kept hoping the book would become the Daniel Silva novel I expected.
Every long-running series has books that are stronger than others. For me, this is the weakest Gabriel Allon novel Silva has written. It isn’t poorly written—Silva remains a gifted storyteller—but the emotional core that has always made this series exceptional was missing.
I never thought I’d say this about a Daniel Silva book, but I was relieved when I reached the last page rather than sorry it was over.
2 out of 5 stars.
August 4, 2026
★★★★★
Daniel Silva has done it again.
Ransom is one of my favorite books of the year and reminded me why the Gabriel Allon series remains my favorite in the espionage genre.
Gabriel Allon is such a refreshing protagonist. He’s every bit as intelligent and capable as the classic spy heroes, yet he is also compassionate, devoted to his family, and one of the world’s premier restorers of priceless works of art. That unique combination gives the series a depth that sets it apart.
Silva doesn’t rely on constant action. Instead, he gradually builds suspense through believable characters, fascinating international settings, and an intricate plot that kept me completely engaged from beginning to end.
I also highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator delivers an outstanding performance that perfectly captures the sophisticated tone of the novel. I was blessed with an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
When I finished, my first thought was that I wanted to start the entire Gabriel Allon series over from the beginning. That’s about the highest compliment I can give any author.
Highly recommended. Five stars.
Daniel Silva has done it again.
Ransom is one of my favorite books of the year and reminded me why the Gabriel Allon series remains my favorite in the espionage genre.
Gabriel Allon is such a refreshing protagonist. He’s every bit as intelligent and capable as the classic spy heroes, yet he is also compassionate, devoted to his family, and one of the world’s premier restorers of priceless works of art. That unique combination gives the series a depth that sets it apart.
Silva doesn’t rely on constant action. Instead, he gradually builds suspense through believable characters, fascinating international settings, and an intricate plot that kept me completely engaged from beginning to end.
I also highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator delivers an outstanding performance that perfectly captures the sophisticated tone of the novel. I was blessed with an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
When I finished, my first thought was that I wanted to start the entire Gabriel Allon series over from the beginning. That’s about the highest compliment I can give any author.
Highly recommended. Five stars.
July 21, 2026
Disappointed
The unnecessary political digs are tiresome. The anti American sentiment thrown in to take shots at the American president ruin this work.
The unnecessary political digs are tiresome. The anti American sentiment thrown in to take shots at the American president ruin this work.
July 21, 2026
Ridiculous
The only thing I gained from Daniel Silva's latest book is how much he hates the current administration of the United States. I gave it one star because I finished it.
The only thing I gained from Daniel Silva's latest book is how much he hates the current administration of the United States. I gave it one star because I finished it.
July 18, 2026
Review of Daniel Silva's Ransom – Disappointment After Years of Enjoyment
For years, I have read Daniel Silva's novels with great pleasure, but Ransom was a true ordeal for me. What was once a sophisticated spy thriller with depth and authenticity has now turned into a confusing and ideologically burdened text.
The biggest issue lies in the transformation of the main character – Gabriel Allon, formerly an Israeli intelligence officer with a clear identity and moral compass, has now been erased and replaced with a "new James Bond." With this move, Silva has sadly discarded everything that made his hero unique: his Jewish identity, his connection to Israeli intelligence, and the inner dilemmas that arose from that background.
Instead of a tense thriller, we get a political pamphlet in which the narrative is sacrificed on the altar of current messages. Personally, I feel let down – as if the writer had to make this shift to keep selling books, but at the cost of the integrity of the world he built.
It's sad to see one of my favorite authors lose what made him authentic. Ransom is not a novel for old fans of Gabriel Allon – it's an attempt to create something entirely different, which unfortunately fails both as a thriller and as social commentary.
For years, I have read Daniel Silva's novels with great pleasure, but Ransom was a true ordeal for me. What was once a sophisticated spy thriller with depth and authenticity has now turned into a confusing and ideologically burdened text.
The biggest issue lies in the transformation of the main character – Gabriel Allon, formerly an Israeli intelligence officer with a clear identity and moral compass, has now been erased and replaced with a "new James Bond." With this move, Silva has sadly discarded everything that made his hero unique: his Jewish identity, his connection to Israeli intelligence, and the inner dilemmas that arose from that background.
Instead of a tense thriller, we get a political pamphlet in which the narrative is sacrificed on the altar of current messages. Personally, I feel let down – as if the writer had to make this shift to keep selling books, but at the cost of the integrity of the world he built.
It's sad to see one of my favorite authors lose what made him authentic. Ransom is not a novel for old fans of Gabriel Allon – it's an attempt to create something entirely different, which unfortunately fails both as a thriller and as social commentary.
July 21, 2026
This was a miss. The plot was a mess from the start - beginning with a kidnapping “who done it” that evolved into a James Bond level farce. Silva’s continuous display of anti-Trump rhetoric is front and center and his admiration of European countries and their leaders - as they quickly lead their respective countries into existence as third world nations - is misplaced. And so much of the story and action is told through exposition. Here’s an exciting part, now let me just tell you what happened rather than describe it through the characters in the story. Lazy writing.
Have read all the Gabriel Allon books and many of them multiple times. It might be time to let Gabriel retire happily with his family and focus solely on art restoration and the appreciation of life in Venice.
How about a few new stories about Christopher Keller? Or Ingrid? Let Gabriel rest.
Have read all the Gabriel Allon books and many of them multiple times. It might be time to let Gabriel retire happily with his family and focus solely on art restoration and the appreciation of life in Venice.
How about a few new stories about Christopher Keller? Or Ingrid? Let Gabriel rest.
July 22, 2026
Very good but where is Gabriel's passion
So glad to read that Graham's wife's cooking hasn’t improved.
But something in Gabriel's manner just feels off. His passion is missing. It’s hard to put into words but Gabriel has been living in me since he lost his son on that snowy night in Vienna. The writing is as great as ever but Gabriel is not.
Why has Gabriel completely abandoned Israel and his Jewish identity especially now as an another wave antisemitism and ignorance threatens all of our children again?
Thank you.
So glad to read that Graham's wife's cooking hasn’t improved.
But something in Gabriel's manner just feels off. His passion is missing. It’s hard to put into words but Gabriel has been living in me since he lost his son on that snowy night in Vienna. The writing is as great as ever but Gabriel is not.
Why has Gabriel completely abandoned Israel and his Jewish identity especially now as an another wave antisemitism and ignorance threatens all of our children again?
Thank you.
July 17, 2026
This is the 25th book in the Gabriel Allon series that Daniel Silva somehow manages to have published around my birthday (7/16). If I didn’t know better I think he writes these exciting thrillers just to make sure I have a great birthday present. LOL!
In this novel, Gabriel is called into help a wealthy businessman, Edward Knight, find his wife, Alice. When a ransom call is made, Gabriel handles it but it looks like they maybe able to stop the ransom transfer things go awry. The plot thickens and twists and it turns out Knight is in deep with the Russians financially so maybe he arranged the kidnapping. It’s hard to write a synopsis without giving too much away so suffice it to say you have to read the book to find out more. You won’t be disappointed.
This was a great romp into international intrigue as only Silva can write. His pithy use of the omniscient narrator interspersed between the action parts and often a segue to tie things together is my favorite parts of his books. Plus he takes you to exotic places which are beautifully described - some of which I’ve been to bringing back great memories for me. But Gabriel’s decency as a character and his love for wife, Chiara, and children, Rafael and Irene, restore my faith in human kind.
The Author’s Note at the end is always the best. There Silva gets to tell you the themes that underlie his book and what if any historical context there may for his book. Don’t forget to read that.
Loved the book. My favorite series.
In this novel, Gabriel is called into help a wealthy businessman, Edward Knight, find his wife, Alice. When a ransom call is made, Gabriel handles it but it looks like they maybe able to stop the ransom transfer things go awry. The plot thickens and twists and it turns out Knight is in deep with the Russians financially so maybe he arranged the kidnapping. It’s hard to write a synopsis without giving too much away so suffice it to say you have to read the book to find out more. You won’t be disappointed.
This was a great romp into international intrigue as only Silva can write. His pithy use of the omniscient narrator interspersed between the action parts and often a segue to tie things together is my favorite parts of his books. Plus he takes you to exotic places which are beautifully described - some of which I’ve been to bringing back great memories for me. But Gabriel’s decency as a character and his love for wife, Chiara, and children, Rafael and Irene, restore my faith in human kind.
The Author’s Note at the end is always the best. There Silva gets to tell you the themes that underlie his book and what if any historical context there may for his book. Don’t forget to read that.
Loved the book. My favorite series.
July 23, 2026
This is the 25th book by Daniel Silvia, featuring Israeli espionage agent Gabriel Allon. Gabriel has retired from the Office and is now fully engaged in art restoration and time with his family. They attend a gala at the home of a wealthy businessman, who is interested in acquiring a painting Gabriel is restoring; however; it is an unusual dinner as the hostess never makes an appearance at the lavish gala. We soon learn that she has been kidnapped and Gabriel is approached to attempt to locate her, pay the ransom, or whatever else might be required. He refuses but relents, reluctantly, to take on this venture. Gabriel is pulled into a web of intrigue, dark secrets, hidden agendas, and other twisty unexpected surprises, as we have come to expect from this author. This book brings back many of the readers favorite characters from both the art world and those from Gabriel’s dark past life. There are also the art related sections that are always fascinating.
The book is unusual, as it is almost two books in one. The second half of the book takes an entirely different direction than expected. Although built from the plot line of the first half, it differs significantly from the original story. The early part of the book is necessary to set the foundation for what is to come but feels somewhat slow. The second half of the book pulls you along as the plot becomes darker, faster paced, and increasing complex.
The setting for this book is the present and there are subtle, and not so subtle, references to the global situation we now find ourselves living with in 2026. After resolving all the mysteries and intrigue of the book, Gabriel finally returns home to the family and the peace that he has been seeking since retiring. . However, this book doesn’t leave the reader with a sense of contentment. This book raises a number of disturbing scenarios, many of which are currently occurring, and others that are possibilities in the near future. It hints at a world that may be headed into a darker and very disturbing direction. Questions about AI and other technologies growing without constraint or oversight, political positions that may be unable to be resolved, and motivations behind current and future actions are all indicators of a turbulent future.
The book is unusual, as it is almost two books in one. The second half of the book takes an entirely different direction than expected. Although built from the plot line of the first half, it differs significantly from the original story. The early part of the book is necessary to set the foundation for what is to come but feels somewhat slow. The second half of the book pulls you along as the plot becomes darker, faster paced, and increasing complex.
The setting for this book is the present and there are subtle, and not so subtle, references to the global situation we now find ourselves living with in 2026. After resolving all the mysteries and intrigue of the book, Gabriel finally returns home to the family and the peace that he has been seeking since retiring. . However, this book doesn’t leave the reader with a sense of contentment. This book raises a number of disturbing scenarios, many of which are currently occurring, and others that are possibilities in the near future. It hints at a world that may be headed into a darker and very disturbing direction. Questions about AI and other technologies growing without constraint or oversight, political positions that may be unable to be resolved, and motivations behind current and future actions are all indicators of a turbulent future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2026
Mr. Silva has been losing his touch. Every year I preorder these novels and have been increasingly disappointed. The writing is lazy and his anti American rhetoric is clear in every novel. Odd for a man who lives in Florida and D.C. And despite being Jewish, his anti-Semitism is wild. This novel is no exception, although rates slightly above the worst one - The Cellist. His earlier novels were so fun to read, filled with tension and a good slow build. This one, not at all. The last several chapters do not unfold - he tells us through various characters what has happened behind the scenes, we are not privy to them. Almost as if he, too, just wanted to be finished and move on. I know the feeling, Mr. Silva. I did, too. I think he’s lost his passion for writing and it’s being expressed through changes in Gabriel. He’s tired. This is definitely not a novel I’d place in the “thriller” genre. Just general fiction. And one final note: I also noticed that many of the 4-5 starred reviews came from people who received an advanced copy of the book to review. I trust those as far as I can spit.
July 21, 2026
Audiobook narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. Gabriel is supposed to be enjoying summer with his family at their summer home….but there is a missing person and he is hired to find her. Solid addition to the series.
August 2, 2026
Excellent!
July 28, 2026
Nice holiday read.
July 20, 2026
En habil Silva, så fint up to date med det nya säkerhetsläget i världen. Tänker alltid, att det här skulle bli en bra film
July 20, 2026
Eh, not one of my favorite Gabriel Allon novels. It was 85% predictable by page 65. I will not spoil the story by giving details of what was obvious at that point, Still, I was glad to read the next installment in preparation for #27.
August 5, 2026
As far as I know, I’ve read all 25 in this series that preceded this one, though I can’t be positive because I’ve only recorded the 13 most recent in my book blog. That track record does give some idea of how invested I am in the series; still another one is that the main man, now former Israeli intelligence officer and art restoration expert Gabriel Allon, has held the No. 1 spot on my list of Top 10 All-Time Favorite book heroes ever since I started it.
He’s still there for sure, but I do have to say this isn’t close to my favorite book in the series. Somehow, it just feels, well, lackluster; Gabriel just seems to want to be anywhere except in the middle of another mess that’s really not near or dear to his heart (though readers will find he’s still got enough energy to get in the occasional political jab we all know will be in the book somewhere).
Actually, I don’t blame him a bit; he is retired, after all – living with his beautiful wife Chiara and their twin son and daughter and working for Chiara’s very successful Venice-based art restoration company. And obviously, he’s getting a bit long in the tooth, shall we say, at least when it comes to getting involved with life-threatening activities that used to be his norm. And of course, there are those kids…
This time out, the family is enjoying summer holidays at their home in Cornwall, where Gabriel has just acquired a new sailboat and is about to begin restoring a painting by Bernardo Bellotto. All that is going along swimmingly until he’s asked for help by rich-as-sin businessman Edward Knight, whose wife Alice has gone missing since her recent annual getaway with some female friends on the Ibiza coast of Spain. He begs Gabriel to go to Ibiza, where Alice was last seen with her group of friends.
Reluctantly, Gabriel and Cornwall Police detective Timothy Peel head there to meet with local police, who take them to the place where Alice’s car was found at the bottom of a ravine. It’s a strange scene with no blood, so the suspicion is that she’s been kidnapped, but there’s been no ransom demand – until suddenly there is. Speaking with the kidnappers, Gabriel puts his best negotiating skills to the test, whittling the original amount down to something a low-end billionaire can afford.
And it’s here I’ll stop, except to say of course there’s many a slip – and a twist – between cup and lip. The rest of the book focuses on efforts to determine if Alice is really alive and, if so, get the money to the kidnappers and Alice back to her husband. There’s a bit of intrigue, a bit of suspense and a surprise or two, but I never worried that Gabriel might not make it home to his wife and kids as I’ve done in most of the other books (well, there was that one incident…) Still, it’s well-written and held my attention – it just isn’t at the top of my favorites of the series.
He’s still there for sure, but I do have to say this isn’t close to my favorite book in the series. Somehow, it just feels, well, lackluster; Gabriel just seems to want to be anywhere except in the middle of another mess that’s really not near or dear to his heart (though readers will find he’s still got enough energy to get in the occasional political jab we all know will be in the book somewhere).
Actually, I don’t blame him a bit; he is retired, after all – living with his beautiful wife Chiara and their twin son and daughter and working for Chiara’s very successful Venice-based art restoration company. And obviously, he’s getting a bit long in the tooth, shall we say, at least when it comes to getting involved with life-threatening activities that used to be his norm. And of course, there are those kids…
This time out, the family is enjoying summer holidays at their home in Cornwall, where Gabriel has just acquired a new sailboat and is about to begin restoring a painting by Bernardo Bellotto. All that is going along swimmingly until he’s asked for help by rich-as-sin businessman Edward Knight, whose wife Alice has gone missing since her recent annual getaway with some female friends on the Ibiza coast of Spain. He begs Gabriel to go to Ibiza, where Alice was last seen with her group of friends.
Reluctantly, Gabriel and Cornwall Police detective Timothy Peel head there to meet with local police, who take them to the place where Alice’s car was found at the bottom of a ravine. It’s a strange scene with no blood, so the suspicion is that she’s been kidnapped, but there’s been no ransom demand – until suddenly there is. Speaking with the kidnappers, Gabriel puts his best negotiating skills to the test, whittling the original amount down to something a low-end billionaire can afford.
And it’s here I’ll stop, except to say of course there’s many a slip – and a twist – between cup and lip. The rest of the book focuses on efforts to determine if Alice is really alive and, if so, get the money to the kidnappers and Alice back to her husband. There’s a bit of intrigue, a bit of suspense and a surprise or two, but I never worried that Gabriel might not make it home to his wife and kids as I’ve done in most of the other books (well, there was that one incident…) Still, it’s well-written and held my attention – it just isn’t at the top of my favorites of the series.
July 26, 2026
Another great adventure delivered by Daniel Silva of Gabriel Allon and friends. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page until the last.
This is the third book that I have read of Daniel Silva’s the others are The Order and The New Girl.
This is the third book that I have read of Daniel Silva’s the others are The Order and The New Girl.
July 29, 2026
The latest installment in one of my favorite spy series. Not profound or particularly moving, but a gripping ride with a well constructed and paced plot. One of the better post retirement Allon stories imo
August 2, 2026
This year's Gabriel Allon book was good and came with an intricate plot. Silva's writing style doesn't change and is predictably fun. Readers of this light spy/thriller type novel should find it enjoyable.
July 20, 2026
Simply outstanding!
July 25, 2026
3.5. That said, I will read every book Daniel Silva writes - Unlikely Spy is the gold standard for WWII historical fiction (totally unrelated to this/the Gabriel Allon series, just a friendly FYI)
July 24, 2026
"He was a restorer of all things..." One of the truest sentences I've ever read. This is why I love Gabriel.
It is now officially summer. I spent a few days with Gabriel Allon and Daniel Silva.
It is now officially summer. I spent a few days with Gabriel Allon and Daniel Silva.
July 29, 2026
Standard plot.
Like that the drone issue was incorporated.
Free lance Allon not as interesting when not involved with Israel.
Maybe silva will tie in the Gaza war in the next book.
Like that the drone issue was incorporated.
Free lance Allon not as interesting when not involved with Israel.
Maybe silva will tie in the Gaza war in the next book.
July 19, 2026
The retired version of Allon is rather boring and yet another anti Russian plot. I miss the action and depth of the earlier books of the series, this feels like the beginning of the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2026
Ransom, Daniel Silva, author; Edoardo Ballerini, narrator
When four old friends travel to their reunion, they get far more than they bargained for; Phoebe Chadwick, Ella Burns, Sophie Maxwell and Alice Winter have been meeting yearly since their days at Cambridge. Although their lives have diverged in different directions, it has been a consistent part of their lives. Alice is married to a very wealthy British man, Edward Knight, and she has decided to foot the entire bill for their latest trip. Because she was not happy with Phoebe’s choice of Iceland for their gathering, she has chosen a beautiful mansion on the island of Ibiza for all of them. It just happens to be owned by her husband. Phoebe feels put out by Alice’s apparent arrogance. Phoebe is the least financially successful of the group, and she resents Alice’s behavior and assumption of command. They have an angry row that sends Phoebe home earlier than planned.
Alice never returns home from their reunion. The two remaining female friends did not report her missing immediately, because Alice was a little unpredictable. When she does not reappear, however, it is assumed that she had been robbed, kidnapped, and/or has perhaps been murdered. One of the friends notified Phoebe about her disappearance. Phoebe worked for a non-profit that had recently received a huge bequest, and so she was now cast under a cloud of suspicion.
Because of his notoriety, Alice’s husband, Edward, thought it was best to keep the investigation of her disappearance quiet. He wanted a private investigator to protect his and Alice’s identity. Gabriel Allon, the former chief of Israeli security, now a renowned art restorer, was a guest at an art world fundraiser at the Knight home on the very night Edward was notified of Alice’s disappearance. Edward approached Allon and asked him to search for her without attracting any undue attention or publicity. Gabriel was there at the behest of his friend Julian Isherwood. He had also been engaged to restore a Bernardo Bellotto painting. At first, he refused to take on the assignment for Edward; he was no longer an investigator. When Edward purchased the Bellotto painting for an outrageous sum, to convince Allon to help him, the deal was made.
The search for Alice exposes a scandalous crime involving traitors and espionage, the financial world and oligarchs, danger and violence. It will involve many countries and leaders, some of whom will sound very familiar, and those that don’t sound familiar will surely resemble someone or another that is in a high position in a country, government, or security organization that you might recognize. The investigation and search for the missing Alice Winter, who is also a prominent influencer, as well as the wealthy wife of an important man, will take Gabriel and those he calls upon to assist him to several places in the world; among them will be cities in Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Great Britain.
Although the incidents in the novel are largely fictional, the times, some of the leaders. the places and the politics will not seem so. We are living in dangerous times. The subtle below the belt comments about the United States and its leader surprised me, but I guess it was pretty much to be expected when the novel is placed in the venue of world events today, especially with the Ukraine war and the Middle East tension. In this novel, Russia has resorted to its usual modus operandi of clandestine spying that it continues to deny, and to the use of drones, both miniscule and larger in size, that in addition to poisons and other weapons, have become another source for our enemies to deliver chaos, death and destruction. Drone and deadly injectables are very much in evidence in our current day political and controversial environment, especially as countries vie for dominance and power.
Allon will face great danger as he is joined by familiar characters, like Ingrid Johansen who can make things disappear in a flash, and Phillip Marlowe, aka Christopher Keller, who pollutes the air around him with his apparent inability to give up his smoking habit. Others also appear and the dialogue they share, conversational and witty, will sound like old friends. The banter between the characters, as usual, makes this a really delightful, as well as a thrilling read. There is lots of action as Sarah Bancroft, Christopher Keller, Chiarra Zolli, Detective Inspector Peel, the twins, Irene and Raphael, etc., reconnect with the readers to make this a friendly reunion for them as well. When the safe house and its staff is introduced, once again, the reader will feel right at home with Parish and Miss Coventry and their British ways. I truly hate when one of these books ends, because the next one is always too far off. The wait feels interminable.
When four old friends travel to their reunion, they get far more than they bargained for; Phoebe Chadwick, Ella Burns, Sophie Maxwell and Alice Winter have been meeting yearly since their days at Cambridge. Although their lives have diverged in different directions, it has been a consistent part of their lives. Alice is married to a very wealthy British man, Edward Knight, and she has decided to foot the entire bill for their latest trip. Because she was not happy with Phoebe’s choice of Iceland for their gathering, she has chosen a beautiful mansion on the island of Ibiza for all of them. It just happens to be owned by her husband. Phoebe feels put out by Alice’s apparent arrogance. Phoebe is the least financially successful of the group, and she resents Alice’s behavior and assumption of command. They have an angry row that sends Phoebe home earlier than planned.
Alice never returns home from their reunion. The two remaining female friends did not report her missing immediately, because Alice was a little unpredictable. When she does not reappear, however, it is assumed that she had been robbed, kidnapped, and/or has perhaps been murdered. One of the friends notified Phoebe about her disappearance. Phoebe worked for a non-profit that had recently received a huge bequest, and so she was now cast under a cloud of suspicion.
Because of his notoriety, Alice’s husband, Edward, thought it was best to keep the investigation of her disappearance quiet. He wanted a private investigator to protect his and Alice’s identity. Gabriel Allon, the former chief of Israeli security, now a renowned art restorer, was a guest at an art world fundraiser at the Knight home on the very night Edward was notified of Alice’s disappearance. Edward approached Allon and asked him to search for her without attracting any undue attention or publicity. Gabriel was there at the behest of his friend Julian Isherwood. He had also been engaged to restore a Bernardo Bellotto painting. At first, he refused to take on the assignment for Edward; he was no longer an investigator. When Edward purchased the Bellotto painting for an outrageous sum, to convince Allon to help him, the deal was made.
The search for Alice exposes a scandalous crime involving traitors and espionage, the financial world and oligarchs, danger and violence. It will involve many countries and leaders, some of whom will sound very familiar, and those that don’t sound familiar will surely resemble someone or another that is in a high position in a country, government, or security organization that you might recognize. The investigation and search for the missing Alice Winter, who is also a prominent influencer, as well as the wealthy wife of an important man, will take Gabriel and those he calls upon to assist him to several places in the world; among them will be cities in Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Great Britain.
Although the incidents in the novel are largely fictional, the times, some of the leaders. the places and the politics will not seem so. We are living in dangerous times. The subtle below the belt comments about the United States and its leader surprised me, but I guess it was pretty much to be expected when the novel is placed in the venue of world events today, especially with the Ukraine war and the Middle East tension. In this novel, Russia has resorted to its usual modus operandi of clandestine spying that it continues to deny, and to the use of drones, both miniscule and larger in size, that in addition to poisons and other weapons, have become another source for our enemies to deliver chaos, death and destruction. Drone and deadly injectables are very much in evidence in our current day political and controversial environment, especially as countries vie for dominance and power.
Allon will face great danger as he is joined by familiar characters, like Ingrid Johansen who can make things disappear in a flash, and Phillip Marlowe, aka Christopher Keller, who pollutes the air around him with his apparent inability to give up his smoking habit. Others also appear and the dialogue they share, conversational and witty, will sound like old friends. The banter between the characters, as usual, makes this a really delightful, as well as a thrilling read. There is lots of action as Sarah Bancroft, Christopher Keller, Chiarra Zolli, Detective Inspector Peel, the twins, Irene and Raphael, etc., reconnect with the readers to make this a friendly reunion for them as well. When the safe house and its staff is introduced, once again, the reader will feel right at home with Parish and Miss Coventry and their British ways. I truly hate when one of these books ends, because the next one is always too far off. The wait feels interminable.
July 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Ransom before publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Ransom is another sophisticated and absorbing thriller from Daniel Silva, bringing Gabriel Allon back for a tense investigation involving the disappearance of Alice Winter, the glamorous wife of British billionaire Edward Knight. Alice appears to have an extraordinary life, complete with beautiful homes, enormous wealth and millions of social-media followers. However, when she vanishes while on holiday with three old university friends, it soon becomes clear that the polished public image surrounding her life is concealing something far darker.
Gabriel is drawn into the search at Edward’s request, but what initially appears to be a straightforward kidnapping quickly develops into a much wider and more complicated investigation. As Gabriel begins looking beyond the obvious suspects, he uncovers layers of secrecy, corruption and betrayal. The mystery is carefully constructed, with new information constantly changing the direction of the investigation and raising questions about Alice, her marriage and the people closest to her. I particularly enjoyed the contrast between the outward glamour of extreme wealth and the uglier reality hidden beneath it.
Daniel Silva is excellent at creating a strong sense of place, and the novel moves confidently through a world of London privilege, European wealth and international intrigue. The luxurious settings are vividly described without distracting from the story, and they add to the atmosphere of danger and deception. Silva also explores the influence that wealthy and powerful individuals can exercise over institutions and other people, making the story feel larger than a conventional missing-person investigation.
Gabriel remains a compelling central character. He is intelligent, observant and highly experienced, but he never feels completely invulnerable. Although he has supposedly stepped away from his former life in intelligence, his instincts and sense of responsibility make it impossible for him to ignore a situation when he believes someone may be in danger. Long-standing readers will appreciate the familiar characters and references to Gabriel’s past, but the central mystery is explained clearly enough that the book can still be enjoyed by someone who has not read every previous instalment.
The pacing is measured at the beginning while the characters and circumstances surrounding Alice’s disappearance are established, but the tension steadily builds. Once the different parts of the investigation begin to connect, the story becomes extremely difficult to put down. The later chapters are particularly gripping, with several revelations and changes of direction that kept me questioning who could be trusted. Silva manages to combine an intricate plot with action and suspense without making the story feel unnecessarily confusing.
One of the strongest aspects of Ransom is that it is not simply about discovering where Alice has gone. It is also about the secrets people protect, the stories they create about themselves and the lengths to which they will go to preserve power, reputation and wealth. The title becomes increasingly meaningful as the story develops, both in the literal sense and in relation to the personal price demanded from several of the characters.
Overall, Ransom is an intelligent, polished and thoroughly entertaining international thriller. It offers an intriguing mystery, glamorous settings, political and financial corruption, well-developed characters and a satisfying level of suspense. Daniel Silva once again demonstrates why the Gabriel Allon series has remained so popular. This will undoubtedly appeal to existing fans, but it would also be a strong introduction for readers who enjoy complex mysteries, espionage thrillers and stories involving the secretive world of the extremely wealthy.
Ransom is another sophisticated and absorbing thriller from Daniel Silva, bringing Gabriel Allon back for a tense investigation involving the disappearance of Alice Winter, the glamorous wife of British billionaire Edward Knight. Alice appears to have an extraordinary life, complete with beautiful homes, enormous wealth and millions of social-media followers. However, when she vanishes while on holiday with three old university friends, it soon becomes clear that the polished public image surrounding her life is concealing something far darker.
Gabriel is drawn into the search at Edward’s request, but what initially appears to be a straightforward kidnapping quickly develops into a much wider and more complicated investigation. As Gabriel begins looking beyond the obvious suspects, he uncovers layers of secrecy, corruption and betrayal. The mystery is carefully constructed, with new information constantly changing the direction of the investigation and raising questions about Alice, her marriage and the people closest to her. I particularly enjoyed the contrast between the outward glamour of extreme wealth and the uglier reality hidden beneath it.
Daniel Silva is excellent at creating a strong sense of place, and the novel moves confidently through a world of London privilege, European wealth and international intrigue. The luxurious settings are vividly described without distracting from the story, and they add to the atmosphere of danger and deception. Silva also explores the influence that wealthy and powerful individuals can exercise over institutions and other people, making the story feel larger than a conventional missing-person investigation.
Gabriel remains a compelling central character. He is intelligent, observant and highly experienced, but he never feels completely invulnerable. Although he has supposedly stepped away from his former life in intelligence, his instincts and sense of responsibility make it impossible for him to ignore a situation when he believes someone may be in danger. Long-standing readers will appreciate the familiar characters and references to Gabriel’s past, but the central mystery is explained clearly enough that the book can still be enjoyed by someone who has not read every previous instalment.
The pacing is measured at the beginning while the characters and circumstances surrounding Alice’s disappearance are established, but the tension steadily builds. Once the different parts of the investigation begin to connect, the story becomes extremely difficult to put down. The later chapters are particularly gripping, with several revelations and changes of direction that kept me questioning who could be trusted. Silva manages to combine an intricate plot with action and suspense without making the story feel unnecessarily confusing.
One of the strongest aspects of Ransom is that it is not simply about discovering where Alice has gone. It is also about the secrets people protect, the stories they create about themselves and the lengths to which they will go to preserve power, reputation and wealth. The title becomes increasingly meaningful as the story develops, both in the literal sense and in relation to the personal price demanded from several of the characters.
Overall, Ransom is an intelligent, polished and thoroughly entertaining international thriller. It offers an intriguing mystery, glamorous settings, political and financial corruption, well-developed characters and a satisfying level of suspense. Daniel Silva once again demonstrates why the Gabriel Allon series has remained so popular. This will undoubtedly appeal to existing fans, but it would also be a strong introduction for readers who enjoy complex mysteries, espionage thrillers and stories involving the secretive world of the extremely wealthy.
July 20, 2026
ANSOM begins with a fundraiser for the arts at Edward Knight’s grand estate. Finances are tight in Britain at this point, and the arts don’t rate high in the budget. Restoration expert Gabriel Allon, the retired head of an Israeli secret spy service known as the Office, is set to speak at the gathering. He’s a big draw for the event.
Naturally, there is a lot of mingling and rubbing of shoulders among Britain’s rich and famous, plus collectors from other countries. The party seems to be going well except that the host and hostess are conspicuously absent. Finally, Knight arrives and sits at a table, only to leave moments later after receiving a phone call. His wife, Alice Winter, does not make an appearance.
Knight explains to Gabriel that Alice has vanished. She went on her annual girls’ trip (this year they chose Ibiza), and she never returned. Knight lays this out to Gabriel in confidence and begs him to find Alice and bring her home. He assures Gabriel that he will make it worth his while. It’s the last thing Gabriel is looking for right now. He doesn’t care about Knight’s money. He just wants the peaceful retirement he’d imagined for himself. Wasn’t all of the intrigue supposed to be behind him?
Reluctantly, Gabriel agrees to spend some time searching for Alice. Using all of his usual resources, including professional thief and hacker Ingrid Johansen, he discovers unsurprisingly that Alice has been kidnapped. His wife, Chiara, gave him strict orders not to act as the bagman. He promised her that he had no intention of doing anything like that. But as they say, things go sideways, and Gabriel ends up in a very bad place. He tries to negotiate his way out only to find himself dumped on the side of a road.
So Gabriel found Alice but lost her again. Why did the kidnappers set him free? As he works to make sense of all of this and uncover more clues, he realizes that finding Alice may be the least of their problems. Knight didn’t come fully clean about his personal situation. In reality, he got caught up with some bad actors during the real estate slump when his investments and holdings took a beating. He saw a lifeline when a man approached him with a very large check. Of course, it was an instant fix that created a self-perpetuating problem. And now, the way to extricate himself doesn’t involve money. For his “partners,” Knight can be very useful.
Formulating a plan, Gabriel suggests that they set up an art auction at the Knight estate. This time, though, the money they raise is a side benefit. The true target is a very specific person. His identity is unknown to them, but the hope is that the auction will expose him. As the snare continues to close, Secret Intelligence Service Director General Graham Seymour has joined the gang, plus field agent Christopher Keller and Nigel Whitcombe of the SIS. The players get to work doing what they do best. Whatever is about to happen will be catastrophic, and they all know it.
What started as a missing-person case becomes a deadly race against the clock to save thousands of people from rogue foreign attacks. How they do it is, as always with Gabriel, masterful. The truly frightening part, though, is how plausible their scheme is. They used drones that can be controlled from anywhere --- which, of course, includes Russia. And stopping them won’t be easy. They first have to find them.
Don’t take your eyes off of Gabriel Allon; he’s not hanging around restoring paintings. Daniel Silva has many more challenges for him. As for how he’ll top this one, we’ll have to wait and see (but hopefully not too long).
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
Naturally, there is a lot of mingling and rubbing of shoulders among Britain’s rich and famous, plus collectors from other countries. The party seems to be going well except that the host and hostess are conspicuously absent. Finally, Knight arrives and sits at a table, only to leave moments later after receiving a phone call. His wife, Alice Winter, does not make an appearance.
Knight explains to Gabriel that Alice has vanished. She went on her annual girls’ trip (this year they chose Ibiza), and she never returned. Knight lays this out to Gabriel in confidence and begs him to find Alice and bring her home. He assures Gabriel that he will make it worth his while. It’s the last thing Gabriel is looking for right now. He doesn’t care about Knight’s money. He just wants the peaceful retirement he’d imagined for himself. Wasn’t all of the intrigue supposed to be behind him?
Reluctantly, Gabriel agrees to spend some time searching for Alice. Using all of his usual resources, including professional thief and hacker Ingrid Johansen, he discovers unsurprisingly that Alice has been kidnapped. His wife, Chiara, gave him strict orders not to act as the bagman. He promised her that he had no intention of doing anything like that. But as they say, things go sideways, and Gabriel ends up in a very bad place. He tries to negotiate his way out only to find himself dumped on the side of a road.
So Gabriel found Alice but lost her again. Why did the kidnappers set him free? As he works to make sense of all of this and uncover more clues, he realizes that finding Alice may be the least of their problems. Knight didn’t come fully clean about his personal situation. In reality, he got caught up with some bad actors during the real estate slump when his investments and holdings took a beating. He saw a lifeline when a man approached him with a very large check. Of course, it was an instant fix that created a self-perpetuating problem. And now, the way to extricate himself doesn’t involve money. For his “partners,” Knight can be very useful.
Formulating a plan, Gabriel suggests that they set up an art auction at the Knight estate. This time, though, the money they raise is a side benefit. The true target is a very specific person. His identity is unknown to them, but the hope is that the auction will expose him. As the snare continues to close, Secret Intelligence Service Director General Graham Seymour has joined the gang, plus field agent Christopher Keller and Nigel Whitcombe of the SIS. The players get to work doing what they do best. Whatever is about to happen will be catastrophic, and they all know it.
What started as a missing-person case becomes a deadly race against the clock to save thousands of people from rogue foreign attacks. How they do it is, as always with Gabriel, masterful. The truly frightening part, though, is how plausible their scheme is. They used drones that can be controlled from anywhere --- which, of course, includes Russia. And stopping them won’t be easy. They first have to find them.
Don’t take your eyes off of Gabriel Allon; he’s not hanging around restoring paintings. Daniel Silva has many more challenges for him. As for how he’ll top this one, we’ll have to wait and see (but hopefully not too long).
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
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