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O Espião Israelita
A foto circula nas redes sociais: um informático israelita de 25 anos desapareceu no aeroporto Charles de Gaulle. Foi visto pela última vez no Terminal 2, acompanhado por uma mulher vestida de vermelho. Poucas horas depois já os telejornais franceses abrem com a notícia. E os serviços secretos israelitas reúnem-se de emergência.
O rapto – porque é de um rapto que se trata – vai desencadear uma série de acontecimentos nos dois lados do Mediterrâneo. Em Paris, um coronel israelita da Unidade 8200, que por acaso vinha no mesmo avião da vítima, começa a investigar. Em Telavive, uma bela e inexperiente oficial tenta perceber porque é que um informático irrelevante se tornou de repente uma ameaça à segurança nacional. Sem nunca se encontrarem, os dois agentes vão tornar-se aliados numa corrida contra o tempo: têm apenas 24 horas para descobrir o paradeiro do jovem – que é perseguido também por um misterioso comando chinês.
O Espião Israelita é o thriller mais vendido em Israel nos últimos anos. A um ritmo frenético, pontuado por capítulos breves que alternam diferentes pontos de vista, Dov Alfon põe no papel tudo o que ele próprio aprendeu nos serviços de segurança israelita. O antigo editor do mais prestigiado jornal de Israel – sabe-se hoje – serviu durante anos na célebre Unidade 8200 e, segundo consta, terá mesmo participado na Operação Ópera, que levou à destruição dos reatores nucleares iranianos.
O rapto – porque é de um rapto que se trata – vai desencadear uma série de acontecimentos nos dois lados do Mediterrâneo. Em Paris, um coronel israelita da Unidade 8200, que por acaso vinha no mesmo avião da vítima, começa a investigar. Em Telavive, uma bela e inexperiente oficial tenta perceber porque é que um informático irrelevante se tornou de repente uma ameaça à segurança nacional. Sem nunca se encontrarem, os dois agentes vão tornar-se aliados numa corrida contra o tempo: têm apenas 24 horas para descobrir o paradeiro do jovem – que é perseguido também por um misterioso comando chinês.
O Espião Israelita é o thriller mais vendido em Israel nos últimos anos. A um ritmo frenético, pontuado por capítulos breves que alternam diferentes pontos de vista, Dov Alfon põe no papel tudo o que ele próprio aprendeu nos serviços de segurança israelita. O antigo editor do mais prestigiado jornal de Israel – sabe-se hoje – serviu durante anos na célebre Unidade 8200 e, segundo consta, terá mesmo participado na Operação Ópera, que levou à destruição dos reatores nucleares iranianos.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
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About the author
Dov Alfon
3 books47 followersDov Alfon é jornalista e escritor israelense. Ele foi o editor-chefe da Kinneret Zmora-Bitan Dvir, a maior editora de Israel. De 2008 a 2011, foi editor-chefe do Haaretz, um dos jornais mais respeitados do mundo.
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December 26, 2025
CASINO ROYALE
Il titolo originale fa capire subito che il set principale della storia è la capitale francese: “Una lunga notte a Parigi”.
La bandella informa che l’autore, Dov Alfon, è cresciuto tra Parigi e Tel Aviv, e questo romanzo si svolge per la maggior parte a Parigi e in Israele.
La bandella dice anche che Dov Alfon è un ex ufficiale dell’unità 8200 dell’intelligence militare israeliana: i personaggi principali del romanzo sono in posizione di rilievo proprio nella stessa unità dell’intelligence militare israeliana.
La bandella mostra una foto di Dov Alfon in cui si notano capelli tendenti al grigio, occhi forse chiari, cicatrice sul mento: caratteristiche che corrispondono al vero protagonista di questa storia, il colonnello Zeev Abadi – solo che Abadi è descritto come somigliante a George Clooney, invece Dov Alfon, mi spiace molto per lui, non ha proprio nulla della star americana, se non condividere lo stesso sesso maschile.
Altre notizie ricavate dalla bandella: Dov Alfon lasciato lo spionaggio militare, s’è dedicato al giornalismo e all’editoria. Questo è il suo esordio narrativo.
E secondo me dimostra uno strabiliante artigianato.
A Parigi una location clou è l’aeroporto Charles de Gaulle, da dove prende avvio tutta l’azione.
Alfon dimostra di conoscere le regole del genere spy story e del thriller, le rispetta, ma sa modellarle con gusto personale.
Per esempio, l’unità di tempo: 24 ore, dalla mattina di lunedì 16 aprile alla mattina dopo, martedì 17 aprile.
Il tempo è scandito dai 121 brevi capitoli nei quali è suddivisa la storia spalmata sulle cinquecento pagine.
Ogni breve capitolo salta da un personaggio all’altro, da un luogo all’altro, da Parigi a Israele, con brevi incursioni in Australia e Macao.
Il che avviene con montaggio parallelo, ma senza l’effetto “coito interrotto” che spesso questa tecnica narrativa genera: ogni volta che Alfon sposta l’attenzione, ogni inizio di capitoletto, è dove io lettore volevo essere, dove mi trovavo immediatamente a casa, a mio agio.
Il commissario Léger lavora al 36 di Quai des Orfèvres.
Alfon ci risparmia gli spiegoni, i lunghi racconti descrizione dei personaggi, il loro passato e blablabla: tutta azione, ma senza fretta, senza frenesia, nonostante il tic tac dell’orologio che rimane costante – qualche tratto di descrizione dove serve – ironia – scene di sesso e violenza appena accennate, tenute su un registro moderato, assai insolito per i tempi e il genere letterario – dettagli, cura del particolare, conoscenza della materia.
Un altro ambiente parigino centrale nella storia è il Grand Hotel.
Il Navran è una specie di cellulare che oltre a servire da cellulare, telecamera, gps e quant’altro, probabilmente è in grado di sostituire un micro-onde: è uno strumento talmente polifunzionale e prezioso che l’intelligence israeliana ne ha in dotazione un numero estremamente limitato, con indicazione di riconoscimento immediato. Ce l’ha Abbadi, e quando fa qualcosa per meritarselo, anche la sua vice la giovane (22 anni) bella tenente Oriana Talmor.
Però, non esiste. O se esiste, si chiama in altro nome.
Entra in funzione nel racconto nella parte pre finale, man mano che Alfon decide di cedere alla tentazione Mission Impossible: cioè, quando il suo romanzo va assomigliano sempre più a un film di James Bond o di Ethan Hunt.
Che io preferisco senza indecisioni sullo schermo anziché sulla pagina.
E quindi, l’ultimo centinaio di pagine risulta un po’ più farsesco, un po’ meno credibile.
Negev: sede dell’unità 8200 specializzata nella guerra cibernetica.
Il titolo originale fa capire subito che il set principale della storia è la capitale francese: “Una lunga notte a Parigi”.
La bandella informa che l’autore, Dov Alfon, è cresciuto tra Parigi e Tel Aviv, e questo romanzo si svolge per la maggior parte a Parigi e in Israele.
La bandella dice anche che Dov Alfon è un ex ufficiale dell’unità 8200 dell’intelligence militare israeliana: i personaggi principali del romanzo sono in posizione di rilievo proprio nella stessa unità dell’intelligence militare israeliana.
La bandella mostra una foto di Dov Alfon in cui si notano capelli tendenti al grigio, occhi forse chiari, cicatrice sul mento: caratteristiche che corrispondono al vero protagonista di questa storia, il colonnello Zeev Abadi – solo che Abadi è descritto come somigliante a George Clooney, invece Dov Alfon, mi spiace molto per lui, non ha proprio nulla della star americana, se non condividere lo stesso sesso maschile.
Altre notizie ricavate dalla bandella: Dov Alfon lasciato lo spionaggio militare, s’è dedicato al giornalismo e all’editoria. Questo è il suo esordio narrativo.
E secondo me dimostra uno strabiliante artigianato.
A Parigi una location clou è l’aeroporto Charles de Gaulle, da dove prende avvio tutta l’azione.
Alfon dimostra di conoscere le regole del genere spy story e del thriller, le rispetta, ma sa modellarle con gusto personale.
Per esempio, l’unità di tempo: 24 ore, dalla mattina di lunedì 16 aprile alla mattina dopo, martedì 17 aprile.
Il tempo è scandito dai 121 brevi capitoli nei quali è suddivisa la storia spalmata sulle cinquecento pagine.
Ogni breve capitolo salta da un personaggio all’altro, da un luogo all’altro, da Parigi a Israele, con brevi incursioni in Australia e Macao.
Il che avviene con montaggio parallelo, ma senza l’effetto “coito interrotto” che spesso questa tecnica narrativa genera: ogni volta che Alfon sposta l’attenzione, ogni inizio di capitoletto, è dove io lettore volevo essere, dove mi trovavo immediatamente a casa, a mio agio.
Il commissario Léger lavora al 36 di Quai des Orfèvres.
Alfon ci risparmia gli spiegoni, i lunghi racconti descrizione dei personaggi, il loro passato e blablabla: tutta azione, ma senza fretta, senza frenesia, nonostante il tic tac dell’orologio che rimane costante – qualche tratto di descrizione dove serve – ironia – scene di sesso e violenza appena accennate, tenute su un registro moderato, assai insolito per i tempi e il genere letterario – dettagli, cura del particolare, conoscenza della materia.
Un altro ambiente parigino centrale nella storia è il Grand Hotel.
Il Navran è una specie di cellulare che oltre a servire da cellulare, telecamera, gps e quant’altro, probabilmente è in grado di sostituire un micro-onde: è uno strumento talmente polifunzionale e prezioso che l’intelligence israeliana ne ha in dotazione un numero estremamente limitato, con indicazione di riconoscimento immediato. Ce l’ha Abbadi, e quando fa qualcosa per meritarselo, anche la sua vice la giovane (22 anni) bella tenente Oriana Talmor.
Però, non esiste. O se esiste, si chiama in altro nome.
Entra in funzione nel racconto nella parte pre finale, man mano che Alfon decide di cedere alla tentazione Mission Impossible: cioè, quando il suo romanzo va assomigliano sempre più a un film di James Bond o di Ethan Hunt.
Che io preferisco senza indecisioni sullo schermo anziché sulla pagina.
E quindi, l’ultimo centinaio di pagine risulta un po’ più farsesco, un po’ meno credibile.
Negev: sede dell’unità 8200 specializzata nella guerra cibernetica.
May 10, 2022
The novel opens with an Israeli software designer disappearing from Charles de Gaulle Airport.
At first the authorities think that it’s youthful indiscretion when the software designer is whisked away by an attractive woman in red. But Colonel Zeev Abadi, the new head of Israel’s Unit 8200’s Special Section happens to have travelled on the same flight, just as Israel is on a state of high alert. He decides to look into the matter with Commissaire Leger of the Paris Police.
When a second young Israeli from the same flight is kidnapped, both men’s suspicions are confirmed.
Back in Israel, Abadi’s deputy, Oriana Talmor is doing her best to uncover the connection between the victims and most critically, why they were targeted.
More bodies mount up in the rivers and arrondissements of Paris, as a covert Chinese operation monitors the investigation, attempting to exploit the situation for their own purposes.
The world-weary Commissaire Leger, although a somewhat unwilling partner is affronted by what’s unfolding in his beloved city. The protagonists are nuanced and well-fleshed out. Their opponents, in and out of their own camps are nefarious, well organised and utterly ruthless.
Pacey, original and an exciting read. The author himself is a former member of Unit 8200, which brings more than a touch of authenticity to the storyline. Very enjoyable.
At first the authorities think that it’s youthful indiscretion when the software designer is whisked away by an attractive woman in red. But Colonel Zeev Abadi, the new head of Israel’s Unit 8200’s Special Section happens to have travelled on the same flight, just as Israel is on a state of high alert. He decides to look into the matter with Commissaire Leger of the Paris Police.
When a second young Israeli from the same flight is kidnapped, both men’s suspicions are confirmed.
Back in Israel, Abadi’s deputy, Oriana Talmor is doing her best to uncover the connection between the victims and most critically, why they were targeted.
More bodies mount up in the rivers and arrondissements of Paris, as a covert Chinese operation monitors the investigation, attempting to exploit the situation for their own purposes.
The world-weary Commissaire Leger, although a somewhat unwilling partner is affronted by what’s unfolding in his beloved city. The protagonists are nuanced and well-fleshed out. Their opponents, in and out of their own camps are nefarious, well organised and utterly ruthless.
Pacey, original and an exciting read. The author himself is a former member of Unit 8200, which brings more than a touch of authenticity to the storyline. Very enjoyable.
August 17, 2020
Me ha gustado. Amena y bien explicada, a veces las tramas en novelas de espías se hacen un poco liosas pero no es el caso. Hacía tiempo que no leía nada del género y la he pillado con ganas. Pobres chinos, esta vez además de malos les han puesto como si fueran unos lelos. Los americanos y los israelíes tan listos como cabía esperar, ya no nos sorprendemos ;-)
May 31, 2023
Este livro parecia um filme de ação, sempre a mudar de localização e de personagens. Foi uma leitura interessante, mas houve algo que não me convenceu. A constante mudança de localização - cada capítulo correspondia a uma ação/perspetiva diferente - e havia muitas personagens, umas que nem cheguei a perceber bem para que serviram, o tio Saul e os primeiro-ministro francês e o seu assessor, acho que só encheram chouriços e não tiveram nenhuma relevância para a história principal. O homem procurado, que presumo fosse o espião do título, também não se percebia muito bem por que raios era tão procurado, pois isso só ia sendo revelado à medida que as personagens que queriam saber do seu paradeiro o iam descobrindo. Gostei da Oriana, apesar de achar que era muito nova (22 anos) para ter tanta experiência em situações de risco extremo e saber como enfrentar os seus superiores com tanto discernimento e sangue frio, mas se calhar foi por ser muito bem treinada pelas forças israelitas. No fim das contas andava meio mundo a matar outro meio. É um livro que se lê bem, com capítulos curtos e cheio de coisas a acontecer, mas não me deixou uma sensação de espetacular. Contudo, penso que como guião de cinema funcionaria muito bem.
January 16, 2019
It is a wonderful fact that modern readers have such a rich source of novels translated into their own language to be taken into whole new worlds.
A Long Night in Paris is a clever title for a clever book. While all the action does not take place in the French capital it does all take place in the timeframe of a very long night.
The time in Israel focuses on the other vital member of the State’s most secretive arm of the country’s Defence Forces Unit 8200.
She is Oriana Talmor, her boss she tries to join in Paris is Aluf Mishne Abadi. The mission to save a young Israeli who appears to have ruffled the feathers of a Chinese warlord.
The author Dov Alfon spent his youth in Paris and Tel Aviv and uses all that knowledge to create a wonderful backdrop to this political thriller. However, it is his time as a former intelligence officer that lifts this novel. He makes it sing with authenticity and knows how to reflect both the paranoia and secrecy demanded of operations by Israel.
The result is a very intense mystery full of intrigued and layered with a high body count.
Perhaps a little slow to start and the beginning is less accessible to the general reader as it seems technical and playing politics. This does finally all fall into place and completes the plot, yet it may put off some. Don’t be despondent, Oriana is a great female character feeling her way. Once the action starts the story takes on a life of it’s own and becomes engrossing and totally captivating.
Paris is a city scarred by recent terrorist events and the attempts to down play the events unfolding there to minimise political fallout in Israel leaves the leading French investigator high and dry. Abadi also feels he too could be set up to take a fall so the two unlikely officers combined their knowledge to avoid being scapegoats to the respective governments.
These two propel the story and it hums along when they are involved in the action or mopping up the pieces. The levels of manipulation are truly worrying when so much violence is at risk of the capital’s streets. In looking for some suspects in an area of Paris local police officers are dispatched almost as in a Maigret novel to enquire of the concierge is they recognise them as residents from their photos.
I sincerely hope more stories will follow it is great to be involved in a different type of spy novel.
A Long Night in Paris is a clever title for a clever book. While all the action does not take place in the French capital it does all take place in the timeframe of a very long night.
The time in Israel focuses on the other vital member of the State’s most secretive arm of the country’s Defence Forces Unit 8200.
She is Oriana Talmor, her boss she tries to join in Paris is Aluf Mishne Abadi. The mission to save a young Israeli who appears to have ruffled the feathers of a Chinese warlord.
The author Dov Alfon spent his youth in Paris and Tel Aviv and uses all that knowledge to create a wonderful backdrop to this political thriller. However, it is his time as a former intelligence officer that lifts this novel. He makes it sing with authenticity and knows how to reflect both the paranoia and secrecy demanded of operations by Israel.
The result is a very intense mystery full of intrigued and layered with a high body count.
Perhaps a little slow to start and the beginning is less accessible to the general reader as it seems technical and playing politics. This does finally all fall into place and completes the plot, yet it may put off some. Don’t be despondent, Oriana is a great female character feeling her way. Once the action starts the story takes on a life of it’s own and becomes engrossing and totally captivating.
Paris is a city scarred by recent terrorist events and the attempts to down play the events unfolding there to minimise political fallout in Israel leaves the leading French investigator high and dry. Abadi also feels he too could be set up to take a fall so the two unlikely officers combined their knowledge to avoid being scapegoats to the respective governments.
These two propel the story and it hums along when they are involved in the action or mopping up the pieces. The levels of manipulation are truly worrying when so much violence is at risk of the capital’s streets. In looking for some suspects in an area of Paris local police officers are dispatched almost as in a Maigret novel to enquire of the concierge is they recognise them as residents from their photos.
I sincerely hope more stories will follow it is great to be involved in a different type of spy novel.
August 29, 2022
An Israeli tourist gets kidnapped at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and is found murdered. The new chief of a 8200 security unit from the Israeli intelligence services is at the scene to see what is going on.
In Israel his second in command is seemingly in a political struggle for the unit & its new chief.
The topbrass of the intelligence service wants to stage a coup whereby all puppets in the intelligence service are being run by certain ambitious people.
Why did the tourist have to die and why are Chinese hits quads still killing people in Paris. The Israelis and the French commissionor Leger are working hard even if the French do not trust the secret agent man.
An intelligent sort of spy thriller that is well written, by an Israeli former intelligence officer no less. I would be more than curious reading a next novel by this author.
In Israel his second in command is seemingly in a political struggle for the unit & its new chief.
The topbrass of the intelligence service wants to stage a coup whereby all puppets in the intelligence service are being run by certain ambitious people.
Why did the tourist have to die and why are Chinese hits quads still killing people in Paris. The Israelis and the French commissionor Leger are working hard even if the French do not trust the secret agent man.
An intelligent sort of spy thriller that is well written, by an Israeli former intelligence officer no less. I would be more than curious reading a next novel by this author.
October 22, 2016
מותחן נהדר וקצבי, עם המון אינסייד אינפורמישן על האופן שבו פועלת קהילת המודיעין הישראלית, המון עקיצות על הצבא בכלל, על הצרפתים, ועל מה לא, ואפילו היכרות עמוקה עם פריז על כל חמודותיה, רקע נפלא לכל מותחן באשר הוא. הדמויות של עבאדי ואוריאנה טלמור מצויינות ועובדות יפה, העלילה סוחפת ומקורית. להעברת כמה שעות כיפיות מבלי לחוש מחוללים מטמטום אחרי כן. מתי יוצא הספר הבא בסדרה?
December 13, 2018
Oh dear, once again I don't recognise the book I read from the reviews: Alfon certainly knows the world we're in, witness lots of insider information on the bureaucracy of the Israeli Intelligence community. Problem is, after an engaging opening as a young Israeli techie goes missing on arriving in Paris, the book circles round and round, lots of story wheels spinning, but no forward momentum in the plot. The writing is pedestrian rather than stylish but that doesn't necessarily matter in the thriller genre if the plot builds excitement but that doesn't happen either. Too leaden, messy and laboured for me.
December 23, 2018
A compelling slow burner of a thriller, set in Israel and Paris with some intriguing characters.
Full review to follow
Full review to follow
January 10, 2019
A Long Night in Paris is former Unit 8200 intelligence officer Dov Alfon's exciting new novel and a masterclass in weaving a tangled web of shady goings-on, conspiracy, action and espionage. I'm guessing some of the incidents described here are based in truth, with Alfon having the inside line on all Israeli secret matters, and It's clear the author is incredibly knowledgeable on the subject of politics, intelligence and spying for your country. Throughout the story the suspense and excitement were palpable, but there were some points when it seemed to descend into chaos and confusion. It tells the tale of a single day and night in Paris, hence the title, when Israeli and Chinese intelligent organisations faced-off against each other.
As we get to about the halfway mark the narrative begins to drag quite a bit. We go round and round chasing our tails but move no further forward. It's definitely a slow-build, which isn't usually a problem for me, but this time I felt it added to the story in terms of it becoming even more stilted. I particularly enjoyed the information I learned about the secret world of intelligence; it was absolutely mind-blowing to learn about a world most of us will never encounter. Another minor annoyance was that some keywords throughout the novel have been written in Hebrew for bigger impact, and there is a handy glossary of terms, but it is at the back of the book making it difficult to reach each time. It definitely would've been better placed at the beginning. The plot is expertly plotted right down to the last detail and the characters of Oriana and Abadi are portrayed as patriots but with a deep self-interest. Overall, very interesting with some minor issues and worth the read.
Many thanks to MacLehose Press for an ARC.
As we get to about the halfway mark the narrative begins to drag quite a bit. We go round and round chasing our tails but move no further forward. It's definitely a slow-build, which isn't usually a problem for me, but this time I felt it added to the story in terms of it becoming even more stilted. I particularly enjoyed the information I learned about the secret world of intelligence; it was absolutely mind-blowing to learn about a world most of us will never encounter. Another minor annoyance was that some keywords throughout the novel have been written in Hebrew for bigger impact, and there is a handy glossary of terms, but it is at the back of the book making it difficult to reach each time. It definitely would've been better placed at the beginning. The plot is expertly plotted right down to the last detail and the characters of Oriana and Abadi are portrayed as patriots but with a deep self-interest. Overall, very interesting with some minor issues and worth the read.
Many thanks to MacLehose Press for an ARC.
July 9, 2019
This was a good read, full of detail that felt authentic. The story is well plotted. The characters are potentially interesting (characterisation could've had more depth) but... I have to say the short chapters were irritating and are the main reason why I've dropped this from four stars to three.
Although short chapters are quick to read and less taxing they also don't give you enough time to sink into the story or the character. Each chapter is about someone else and so keeping the thread of the story in your head is quite hard work. If this were a TV drama series or a movie it would be much easier to keep track.
Essentially, it reads like a screenplay in prose form. Apparently, a box set drama series is in the works and I look forward to watching it. But this isn't the reading experience it could have been.
Although short chapters are quick to read and less taxing they also don't give you enough time to sink into the story or the character. Each chapter is about someone else and so keeping the thread of the story in your head is quite hard work. If this were a TV drama series or a movie it would be much easier to keep track.
Essentially, it reads like a screenplay in prose form. Apparently, a box set drama series is in the works and I look forward to watching it. But this isn't the reading experience it could have been.
April 24, 2019
Ten reasons why I did not like this book:-
* Too many ranks that I had to keep looking up
* Very short chapters so keeping the thread of the story was quite hard work
* Too many characters with little part in the plot, just adding to the confusion
* Very slow paced, nothing happened in the first 65% of the book!
* Clichéd characters, Chinese in black suits, rude French waiters
* OMG. A romantic ending really?
* Way too much technical detail.
* Not much style to the writing
* Tedious
* God is it over yet?
* Too many ranks that I had to keep looking up
* Very short chapters so keeping the thread of the story was quite hard work
* Too many characters with little part in the plot, just adding to the confusion
* Very slow paced, nothing happened in the first 65% of the book!
* Clichéd characters, Chinese in black suits, rude French waiters
* OMG. A romantic ending really?
* Way too much technical detail.
* Not much style to the writing
* Tedious
* God is it over yet?
January 12, 2019
Nope, I’m afraid I just didn’t get this at all. I can totally understand why it was such a success in Alfon’s native Israel, and the book is not averse in showing some of the less admirable sides of the Israeli intelligence and defence services. There is certainly authenticity, and clearly it is the work of someone who has come from that background – and therein lies the problem for me, I think. The book wears its ‘reality’ on its sleeve: there are far too many characters in the book and I just lost any sense of selfhood with some of them, being nothing more than caricatures; there were far too many examples of acronyms, ranks and long-winded explanations and discussions. The whole concept of the book attracted me, but although the book moves through many Paris landmarks there was nothing like a sense of location or excitement or chase or momentum, because the ‘action’ would then switch to extended dialogues between characters that just, well, bored me.
I was also struck by the whole absurdity of the plot, especially given the background of the author and his knowledge of the Israeli intelligence services. I just couldn’t buy into the Chinese gangsters, the body count piling up, and the Israeli/French search for the culprits. But then maybe it’s just me – maybe this is reality and Alfon is right. But I just couldn’t quite believe it, and when we got the ‘romantic’ ending and the clear suggestion that there will be more books in a series featuring the main characters…honestly, I just let out a sigh of frustration.
I’m aware that this is all quite negative, and I apologise. For an undemanding conspiracy/international thriller, then this is fine. But comparisons to John le Carre made by reviewers are, for me, badly misplaced. This reads like a TV or film script at times – and the constant references to the day/time brought to mind the clock ticking in the series ‘24’. I’m sure the rights have already been snapped up by someone to film it, and good luck to Alfon for the future. Others will love this, but I did not I’m afraid. I think I'm not the target audience for this, so read it and make up your own mind!
(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.)
I was also struck by the whole absurdity of the plot, especially given the background of the author and his knowledge of the Israeli intelligence services. I just couldn’t buy into the Chinese gangsters, the body count piling up, and the Israeli/French search for the culprits. But then maybe it’s just me – maybe this is reality and Alfon is right. But I just couldn’t quite believe it, and when we got the ‘romantic’ ending and the clear suggestion that there will be more books in a series featuring the main characters…honestly, I just let out a sigh of frustration.
I’m aware that this is all quite negative, and I apologise. For an undemanding conspiracy/international thriller, then this is fine. But comparisons to John le Carre made by reviewers are, for me, badly misplaced. This reads like a TV or film script at times – and the constant references to the day/time brought to mind the clock ticking in the series ‘24’. I’m sure the rights have already been snapped up by someone to film it, and good luck to Alfon for the future. Others will love this, but I did not I’m afraid. I think I'm not the target audience for this, so read it and make up your own mind!
(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.)
June 17, 2020
I enjoyed A Long Night In Paris very much. It’s not wholly credible, but it’s intelligent and gripping.
The plot is labyrinthine and the story emerges slowly, as it would in a real investigation like this. We get some good insights into how an intelligence service works, plus some convincing portrayals of the machinations in government as politicians seek to protect their privileged positions, shift blame and take unearned credit, and also within the intelligence service as ambitious people put their own interests before all others. I found the unfolding story very involving and the characters just about believable – and I was happy to suspend any disbelief I had in two exceptionally attractive intelligence officers with almost supernatural powers of deduction, bravery and skills. I thought the writing was good and developed a good sense of place and of atmosphere in both Israel and Paris.
This is a cut above the usual action-packed thriller (although there is quite a lot of action) and is happily free of ridiculously implausible Shocking Twists. I thought it was a great read – involving, fun and exciting.
The plot is labyrinthine and the story emerges slowly, as it would in a real investigation like this. We get some good insights into how an intelligence service works, plus some convincing portrayals of the machinations in government as politicians seek to protect their privileged positions, shift blame and take unearned credit, and also within the intelligence service as ambitious people put their own interests before all others. I found the unfolding story very involving and the characters just about believable – and I was happy to suspend any disbelief I had in two exceptionally attractive intelligence officers with almost supernatural powers of deduction, bravery and skills. I thought the writing was good and developed a good sense of place and of atmosphere in both Israel and Paris.
This is a cut above the usual action-packed thriller (although there is quite a lot of action) and is happily free of ridiculously implausible Shocking Twists. I thought it was a great read – involving, fun and exciting.
November 8, 2019
La temática de espías nunca ha sido de mi gusto por lo que le tenía poca fe a este libro. Lo compré al recibir un cupón de descuento - tras la compra de otros libros en la librería que estábamos visitando de viaje - y que debía gastar en ese momento porque nuestro viaje terminaba ese día. Había pocas opciones y mi máximo criterio de elección fue que éste estaba ambientado en gran parte en el aeropuerto de París (¡me encantan los aeropuertos!). Me alegro tanto de haberlo elegido pues descubrí a este autor Israelí quien además es un antiguo miembro del Cuerpo de Inteligencia Israelí por lo que además de su estilo tan elegante para escribir, dota a la historia de matices que sólo alguien que ha conocido en primera persona el funcionamiento de un cuerpo de inteligencia puede dar.
January 1, 2017
הכתיבה של דב אלפון טובה ומרעננת עם הרבה פוטנציאל, אבל מהספר עצמו לא נפלתי, ודווקא באתי עם הרבה כוונות טובות. גם הדמויות של אריאנה ועבאדי מבטיחות מבטיחות ולא מקיימות, ואיכשהוא נותרתי עם הרבה ציפיות לא ממומשות. אולי בספר הבא.
December 28, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of A Long Night in Paris, a spy thriller set in Paris and Israel.
When Israeli, Yaniv Meidan, is abducted from Charles de Gaulle airport most people suspect an affair or rendezvous of some kind except Zeev Abadi, the newly appointed head of Unit 8200’s autonomous unit, who was coincidentally travelling on the same flight. He is soon proved right and together with French detective, Commissaire Léger, finds himself shoulder deep in intrigue, dead bodies and Chinese operatives. In the meantime his deputy, Oriana Talmor does her best to help him and negotiate the shark infested waters of Israeli intelligence.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Long Night in Paris, a compulsive thriller which offers a fascinating insight into the murky world of intelligence. I must admit that I got completely lost in identifying the hierarchy of the players and the various agencies involved. There is a glossary at the end of the novel which would have been more helpful if placed at the beginning and translating the job titles into western friendly equivalents instead of leaving them in Hebrew would make them more understandable.
Eventually I just ignored it all and went with the flow. The plot is fascinating and very well done. It is difficult to describe without spoilers but basically starts as one thing and morphs into something entirely different. The technology is eye opening if true and imaginative if not, but the irony is that it’s old school analogue at the heart of it all. It’s a great touch and not the only one. Mistakes are made and human error is all over the novel, with the exception of our protagonists (obviously!), it somehow makes the novel more relatable. As an aside I loved the idea of the high tech listening station having an antenna tuned to sports radio.
Both Oriana and Abadi are outsiders in the intelligence community which always makes for good reading. They are patriots but do not have the entrenched agendas of the majority of their colleagues who would like nothing better than to get rid of them in furtherance of these agendas. I found the way they work fascinating and their self interest nauseating but I have come to the conclusion that politics and intelligence work are far too exhausting to contemplate. On the other hand I like the effort Oriana and Abadi put in on behalf of their country to solve the case, even if the spin put on their results makes a mockery of the truth.
A Long Night in Paris is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When Israeli, Yaniv Meidan, is abducted from Charles de Gaulle airport most people suspect an affair or rendezvous of some kind except Zeev Abadi, the newly appointed head of Unit 8200’s autonomous unit, who was coincidentally travelling on the same flight. He is soon proved right and together with French detective, Commissaire Léger, finds himself shoulder deep in intrigue, dead bodies and Chinese operatives. In the meantime his deputy, Oriana Talmor does her best to help him and negotiate the shark infested waters of Israeli intelligence.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Long Night in Paris, a compulsive thriller which offers a fascinating insight into the murky world of intelligence. I must admit that I got completely lost in identifying the hierarchy of the players and the various agencies involved. There is a glossary at the end of the novel which would have been more helpful if placed at the beginning and translating the job titles into western friendly equivalents instead of leaving them in Hebrew would make them more understandable.
Eventually I just ignored it all and went with the flow. The plot is fascinating and very well done. It is difficult to describe without spoilers but basically starts as one thing and morphs into something entirely different. The technology is eye opening if true and imaginative if not, but the irony is that it’s old school analogue at the heart of it all. It’s a great touch and not the only one. Mistakes are made and human error is all over the novel, with the exception of our protagonists (obviously!), it somehow makes the novel more relatable. As an aside I loved the idea of the high tech listening station having an antenna tuned to sports radio.
Both Oriana and Abadi are outsiders in the intelligence community which always makes for good reading. They are patriots but do not have the entrenched agendas of the majority of their colleagues who would like nothing better than to get rid of them in furtherance of these agendas. I found the way they work fascinating and their self interest nauseating but I have come to the conclusion that politics and intelligence work are far too exhausting to contemplate. On the other hand I like the effort Oriana and Abadi put in on behalf of their country to solve the case, even if the spin put on their results makes a mockery of the truth.
A Long Night in Paris is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
September 4, 2019
I had expected more from a writer who has been called the next John Le Carré by one (Israeli) newspaper and was highly praised in other newspaper reviews also. Don't get me wrong, it was an entertaining read, but didn't come near the quality of Le Carré or other spy masters.
Dov Aflon keeps the pace high, mainly by constantly swapping from one character to the other in very short chapters (121 chapters in a book that is just over 400 pages). Then he uses the date and time at the end of chapters to make us aware of the fact that this all takes place in just a few days. The style of writing is direct and focused on the action. It was ok, but not more than that.
Dov Aflon keeps the pace high, mainly by constantly swapping from one character to the other in very short chapters (121 chapters in a book that is just over 400 pages). Then he uses the date and time at the end of chapters to make us aware of the fact that this all takes place in just a few days. The style of writing is direct and focused on the action. It was ok, but not more than that.
February 6, 2019
I cannot recommend this tedious "thriller". It is dull, lacks characterisation, lacks pace and has a most annoying "style". Short chapters that develop nothing then numerous other chapters doing the same thing before you get back to the original thead. Thousands of characters signifying nothing, nobody you care about and by the end there was nothing I cared about. Oh and yes it has numerous old clichés like rude French waiters etc. Avoid at all costs!
June 7, 2019
Too many characters, confusing plot rather than intriguing, unbelievable actions. Too many names mixed up with too many titles and too much tech! Some parts were ‘gripping’ but not sufficient to recover the tedious parts and not forgetting the unexplainable leads and activities of mysterious players. Sadly, Not my most enjoyable read.
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April 21, 2019Дов Алфон - "Дълга нощ в Париж", изд. "Обсидиан", прев. Боян Дамянов
Напоследък рядко ми се случва да не харесам книга, която съм прочела. Този път, обаче, това стана. Колкото и да ми е тъжно да го кажа.
За "Дълга нощ в Париж" ми е думата - реших с нея да си завърша "трилъровата серия".
Хубаво, ама...
Когато не мога да се разбера с човек, все някак се примирявам. Но като не мога да се разбера с книга, ми е кофти. И ме е мъчно, защото я купих с голямо желание. А постоянно броях колко страници ми остават до края.
А всъщност знам какъв ми е проблемът с тази книга. И освен това знам, че проблемът не е в книгата, а в мен.
Книгата е политически трилър. И проблемът - който, както казах вече, е в мен - е че ако бях прочела тази книга преди 15 или дори 20 години, сигурно щеше много да ми хареса. Замесени няколко разузнавания, тайнствени изчезвания, политически игри - вярно, четях такива неща едно време. С кеф ги четях. Обаче сега с прискърбие установявам, че май - поне за мен - им е минало времето.
Тъй като част от тези редове написах преди да прочета докрай книгата, сега ги допълвам, след като вече приключих с нея.
Голямата част от написаното по-рано продължава да важи. Явно шпионските трилъри просто не са "моето нещо". Дадох си обаче сметка, че има и друго. Дов Алфон не е просто "редови" писател - той е човек от "кухнята" на разузнаването. И съответно използва този роман, за да покаже всичките си познания по въпроса. Съзнавам, че за човек с жив интерес към политически и /или/ шпионски трилъри това вероятно би било огромен плюс; за мен обаче бе по-скоро натоварващо.
Странен ми беше и фактът, че цялото действие се развива в рамките на малко повече от 24 часа. Книгата беше твърде "плътна", твърде наситена със събития, и, честно казано, до края ми беше трудно да повярвам, че всичко това може да се сучи за толкова кратко време.
Последните страници обаче успяха истински да приковат вниманието ми и ги изчетох с нетърпение и интерес. Не ме подразни намекът за начало на любовна история -. напротив, това беше един от най-симпатичните моменти в книгата /и го казвам, при положение, че по принцип ме дразни тенденцията напоследък навсякъде да се вмъква романтичен елемент./
Накратко: "Дълга нощ в Париж" не беше точно моята книга, но въпреки това имаше неща, които ми харесаха. И съм сигурна, че ще допадне на истинските почитатели на шпионските трилъри. Казвам им го направо: струва си да прекарате една "Дълга нощ в Париж".
Напоследък рядко ми се случва да не харесам книга, която съм прочела. Този път, обаче, това стана. Колкото и да ми е тъжно да го кажа.
За "Дълга нощ в Париж" ми е думата - реших с нея да си завърша "трилъровата серия".
Хубаво, ама...
Когато не мога да се разбера с човек, все някак се примирявам. Но като не мога да се разбера с книга, ми е кофти. И ме е мъчно, защото я купих с голямо желание. А постоянно броях колко страници ми остават до края.
А всъщност знам какъв ми е проблемът с тази книга. И освен това знам, че проблемът не е в книгата, а в мен.
Книгата е политически трилър. И проблемът - който, както казах вече, е в мен - е че ако бях прочела тази книга преди 15 или дори 20 години, сигурно щеше много да ми хареса. Замесени няколко разузнавания, тайнствени изчезвания, политически игри - вярно, четях такива неща едно време. С кеф ги четях. Обаче сега с прискърбие установявам, че май - поне за мен - им е минало времето.
Тъй като част от тези редове написах преди да прочета докрай книгата, сега ги допълвам, след като вече приключих с нея.
Голямата част от написаното по-рано продължава да важи. Явно шпионските трилъри просто не са "моето нещо". Дадох си обаче сметка, че има и друго. Дов Алфон не е просто "редови" писател - той е човек от "кухнята" на разузнаването. И съответно използва този роман, за да покаже всичките си познания по въпроса. Съзнавам, че за човек с жив интерес към политически и /или/ шпионски трилъри това вероятно би било огромен плюс; за мен обаче бе по-скоро натоварващо.
Странен ми беше и фактът, че цялото действие се развива в рамките на малко повече от 24 часа. Книгата беше твърде "плътна", твърде наситена със събития, и, честно казано, до края ми беше трудно да повярвам, че всичко това може да се сучи за толкова кратко време.
Последните страници обаче успяха истински да приковат вниманието ми и ги изчетох с нетърпение и интерес. Не ме подразни намекът за начало на любовна история -. напротив, това беше един от най-симпатичните моменти в книгата /и го казвам, при положение, че по принцип ме дразни тенденцията напоследък навсякъде да се вмъква романтичен елемент./
Накратко: "Дълга нощ в Париж" не беше точно моята книга, но въпреки това имаше неща, които ми харесаха. И съм сигурна, че ще допадне на истинските почитатели на шпионските трилъри. Казвам им го направо: струва си да прекарате една "Дълга нощ в Париж".
July 1, 2020
Una clásica novela de espías que cumple su función a la perfección: es súper entretenida, y aunque parece engañosamente lenta, en realidad prepara muy hábilmente el desarrollo, que va cogiendo ritmo a medida que evoluciona la trama.
Eso sí, el perfilado de personajes brilla por su ausencia (me han parecido muy planos), y el final demasiado precipitado (con un inverosímil e innecesario enamoramiento final, que no sé de dónde ha salido).
Me imagino que se debe a que el autor ya tiene en mente que esta sea la primera de una serie de novelas, pero realmente a mí este desenlace no me ha convencido del todo.
De todas formas, me ha entretenido muchísimo.
Eso sí, el perfilado de personajes brilla por su ausencia (me han parecido muy planos), y el final demasiado precipitado (con un inverosímil e innecesario enamoramiento final, que no sé de dónde ha salido).
Me imagino que se debe a que el autor ya tiene en mente que esta sea la primera de una serie de novelas, pero realmente a mí este desenlace no me ha convencido del todo.
De todas formas, me ha entretenido muchísimo.
April 20, 2017
כתיבה סוחפת. מהספרים שבא לקרוא במכה.
July 8, 2019
Sarà una lunga notte sembra nato per la Tv, e probabilmente avremo molto presto conferma o smentita di questa percezione.
Questo thriller di Dov Alfon ha tutte le carte in regola per trasformarsi, con grande scioltezza, in un prodotto multimediale capace di appassionare e far riflettere chi lo fruisce.
Le suggestioni di serie come Homeland sono più che evidenti. Per una volta, il paragone non è impietoso e non puzza di vecchio.
Recensione completa qui:
https://hugmented.weebly.com/letture/...
Questo thriller di Dov Alfon ha tutte le carte in regola per trasformarsi, con grande scioltezza, in un prodotto multimediale capace di appassionare e far riflettere chi lo fruisce.
Le suggestioni di serie come Homeland sono più che evidenti. Per una volta, il paragone non è impietoso e non puzza di vecchio.
Recensione completa qui:
https://hugmented.weebly.com/letture/...
January 15, 2019
An Israeli thriller firmly set in PARIS
Just published in the UK, A Long Night In Paris comes with a pedigree of success for its native Hebrew edition. It was #1 Israeli best-seller, 22 weeks in the best-seller lists, and the fastest and biggest Israeli best-seller of 2016. Both TV and Movie rights have been sold. And it deserves the praise and plaudits it has won.
Dov Alfon is a former Israeli intelligence officer, and he clearly knows and understands what he is writing about. An Israeli citizen is mysteriously ‘disappeared’ at Charles de Gaulle airport having just arrived on a flight from Tel Aviv. A group of Chinese commandos are implicated – but did they seize the ‘wrong’ man? Is the ‘right’ man still out there and in danger? Colonel Abadi, the head of Special Section of Unit 8200 of Israeli security, just happens to be in Paris – and decides to investigate. He is aided by a French police inspector – who is increasingly alarmed and embarrassed as bodies appear on his patch, and by Oriana – his deputy back in Israel. The Inspector has enemies in the French establishment, and Abadi has enemies in high places back in Israel. They have to watch their backs as they try and figure out what is going on.
A Long Night In Paris is fast moving and bloody. It is also extremely well written (and well translated). Unlikely as the plot may be – Chinese commandos roaming Paris – the story doesn’t come over as anything but possible. It is detailed, well thought through, and plausible. It is also a fascinating and (given Dov’s background) quite likely to be true insight into the politics and scheming of the various branches of Israeli intelligence. One of the Israeli reviewers compares Dov to John le Carré in his complexity and style. Maybe a little over the top, but I can certainly see where he is coming from.
The book works well in TripFiction location terms. Dov now lives in Paris and uses his knowledge of the city to good effect. The Israeli scenes – set in Tel Aviv and the Negev desert – also have the ring of truth and experience.
A book that I found hard to put down which, for me, is always the mark to a good thriller.
Just published in the UK, A Long Night In Paris comes with a pedigree of success for its native Hebrew edition. It was #1 Israeli best-seller, 22 weeks in the best-seller lists, and the fastest and biggest Israeli best-seller of 2016. Both TV and Movie rights have been sold. And it deserves the praise and plaudits it has won.
Dov Alfon is a former Israeli intelligence officer, and he clearly knows and understands what he is writing about. An Israeli citizen is mysteriously ‘disappeared’ at Charles de Gaulle airport having just arrived on a flight from Tel Aviv. A group of Chinese commandos are implicated – but did they seize the ‘wrong’ man? Is the ‘right’ man still out there and in danger? Colonel Abadi, the head of Special Section of Unit 8200 of Israeli security, just happens to be in Paris – and decides to investigate. He is aided by a French police inspector – who is increasingly alarmed and embarrassed as bodies appear on his patch, and by Oriana – his deputy back in Israel. The Inspector has enemies in the French establishment, and Abadi has enemies in high places back in Israel. They have to watch their backs as they try and figure out what is going on.
A Long Night In Paris is fast moving and bloody. It is also extremely well written (and well translated). Unlikely as the plot may be – Chinese commandos roaming Paris – the story doesn’t come over as anything but possible. It is detailed, well thought through, and plausible. It is also a fascinating and (given Dov’s background) quite likely to be true insight into the politics and scheming of the various branches of Israeli intelligence. One of the Israeli reviewers compares Dov to John le Carré in his complexity and style. Maybe a little over the top, but I can certainly see where he is coming from.
The book works well in TripFiction location terms. Dov now lives in Paris and uses his knowledge of the city to good effect. The Israeli scenes – set in Tel Aviv and the Negev desert – also have the ring of truth and experience.
A book that I found hard to put down which, for me, is always the mark to a good thriller.
January 14, 2019
Visit the locations in the novel
I don’t read a lot of spy thrillers as I find them a bit confusing and full of insider knowledge that only someone in the field would get. This is different I am happy to say. There’s a lot to like and a lot to make you gasp as you wonder what’s true and what’s not.
The author has worked in the field and it shows. The opening ‘sequence’ (as this could easily be a film) was taunt and gripping. Lots of red herrings, mistaken identities, mayhem and murders.
I also felt I learned a lot about the Israeli secret services and how they work together and with other national departments. The novel largely takes place in Paris and there’s some brilliantly creepy and secret locations used here. However, the mysterious Israeli Unit 8200 military intelligence corps (they do seem to fight and squabble a lot!) and a Chinese criminal gang lurk in the background to ramp up the tension and the suspicion.
One of the things I really found interesting were the snippets of tourist information and thoughts, political ideas and more to illustrate part of the story. Clever way to inform and entertain. Definitely makes this a spy thriller with heart and soul.
A multilayered spy thriller which would make a gripping film too.
January 1, 2020
A thriller that pits the Israeli intelligence services against Chinese operatives in Paris across just 2 days of mayhem. A good deal of political infighting and intrigue provide unusual depth as the Paris police grapple with an an alarming and increasing number of violent deaths involving Israelis, French & Chinese nationals. The fact that the author is a former Israeli intelligence officer in the shadowy Unit 8200 that is at the centre of the story gives it an air of authenticity and authority. A good fun read with a taxi meter page turning pace. Definitely one to keep to hand for that rainy Sunday.
December 18, 2017
ספר מתח ישראלי ממש מוצלח. קצבי, לא צפוי, כתוב טוב, מכיל ביקורת חברתית ומדינית. נהניתי לקרוא.
February 27, 2019
Absolutely first rate thriller. Couldn't put it down. Comparisons with Le Carré not misplaced!
January 21, 2020
Overall I was disappointed in this book - which was the winner of a CWA INTERNATIONAL DAGGER award in 2019. Perhaps my expectations were raised too high? Worth reading for its use of pace and multiple perspectives/ narrative voices. The scope of the book is large for sure, involving in part a highly secretive section of Israeli intelligence. But the story at the heart of this book is not really that interesting, it seems to me - when it finally emerges. I think the book will be interesting to those generally interested in international thrillers that involve espionage, and so on. But this is not Le Carré at all even though the comparison has been made. To its credit though A Long Night ... does not fall into the blokish end of the market. Really well written, of course, with some very engaging characters; just not an unforgettable story.
Finally, considering the murderous exploits of Unit 8200 - the secretive group referenced in this book - perhaps there is a book to come from the author in due course that will explore the death and destruction that this organisation has visited on the Palestinian people. Wouldn't that be great to read?
; governement intrigue
Finally, considering the murderous exploits of Unit 8200 - the secretive group referenced in this book - perhaps there is a book to come from the author in due course that will explore the death and destruction that this organisation has visited on the Palestinian people. Wouldn't that be great to read?
; governement intrigue
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