Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

This is the discussion for The black widow. Your moderator for the month of November is Simona

So, I am new to this. When do we begin? Now or Nov. 1?

It would be nice to have the name of the author since there are many books with the same title.

Mara wrote: "It would be nice to have the name of the author since there are many books with the same title."
The Black Widow by Daniel Silva

Maureen wrote: "So, I am new to this. When do we begin? Now or Nov. 1?"
Welcome, Maureen!
This book is one of BOTM November ( 1 Nov - 30 Nov), but you can start reading it.

Read an Excerpt of The Black Widow here.

is one of the books nominated for
Goodreads Choice Awards 2016 - BEST MYSTERY & THRILLER.

VOTING SCHEDULE
Opening Round Nov. 1 - 6
Semifinal Round Nov. 8 - 13
Final Round Nov. 15 - 27

What do you think will be the effect - when the assassin becomes the head of Israel security services?

Jenny wrote: "What do you think will be the effect - when the assassin becomes the head of Israel security services?"Gabriel Allon gained a lot of experience over the years. Even if he lost his young son and wife to violence as a consequence of his work, he is fearless in his fight against terror and he goes on. He will be a good chief.

Allons says he plans on being an operational chief. I think that was the term? So I imagine he will keep his involvement high. I wonder what the follow up to to BW will be? How he will finally take down Salidin.

Maureen wrote: "Allons says he plans on being an operational chief. I think that was the term? So I imagine he will keep his involvement high. I wonder what the follow up to to BW will be? How he will finally take..."
Indeed. Gabriel told Shamron about his intention of being an operational chief. In this way he "can walk and chew gum at the same time".

I adore the Natalie character. I wonder how she will fit into the Office. I wonder if she will survive the next book. I keep thinking Salidin will come back for her.

I think Natalie would survive the next book! I think Mikhail character is going fall in love and keep the girl - finally. I wonder if Shamron would die in the next book and Gabriel take over his home.

I hope Shamron lives to bedevil Allon for a few books at least.


Any one put off by Silva's very anti-Obama stance? I found it a bit much, but then I remembered Silva has this attitude about almost every prez and foreign leader. Also, that Obama's stance seems to be working way better than Silva seems to think.

I do like Mikhail. I wish all of Allon's team would get a bit more "air-time" and more than the same one or two line description. The woman with the child-bearing hips. the man with bloodless skin and glacier eyes etc.

I think Maureen once Gabriel takes over the top job his team will have more "air-time" especially Mikhail and Natalie.

Gabriel is very passionate about his country. I wondering is Daniel Silva trying to portrait that by the anti-foreign government stance throughout his books. What do you think?

Jenny, oh certainly. Israel basically has always stood alone. They have had allies mostly due to the shame of the Holocaust. but with the passing of time, these governments begin to forget their shame and with a sigh of relief turn more toward the Palestinians.

I am curious to see how Silva will deal with Pres. Trump, since we know two things for sure, Trump is a fan of Putin and Silva despises Putin and his Russia.

Maureen wrote: "Jenny, oh certainly. Israel basically has always stood alone. They have had allies mostly due to the shame of the Holocaust. but with the passing of time, these governments begin to forget their sh..."

I agree, with you Maureen. It is going to be fascinating to see how Silva portraits Pres. Trump in the next Gabriel Book. Also, how Gabriel handles the role of Head of Office.

I know I seem to be a bit bitchy about this book, especially since I really liked it, but I've come to expect better from Silva.
By accident I started to listen again to the last quarter of the book. How in in heaven's name can Silva write with a straight face about the FBI's HRT only able to take a kill shot with the permission of the prez or in the worse case, director of the FBI. Just think about it. How dumb does he think we are? Can you imagine every time HRT is called out that the prez is sitting around the situation room (or the director) screaming "take the shot, take the shot!"
I realize fiction is fiction, but please have some respect for your readers.

Maureen,
If all the BS that strains credulity was to be removed from modern novels, bookshelves would be reduced to a few novels and a handful of pamphlets. I learned many years ago that actual knowledge of how things really work hampers enjoyment of reading contemporary authors and interferes with writing mystery/procedurals in the format/content that is currently in demand.
Laurence