The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

In second place this month, it's The Black Widow, by Daniel Silva. Mohamed will be leading the discussion for this book. Have fun, everyone!!

I want to share this FAQ from Daniel Silva's website, in case any of you are wondering about whether or not the series needs to be read in order. He says no, so if you've not read any of these books before, it should be okay. I've read the first one only, so I don't know. Anyway, here's the link, if you want it.

http://danielsilvabooks.com/about-dan...

I have read the entire series and you will miss a lot of the character build up and references. I am not trying to discourage anyone.

Hi Jannene! I agree! Such as the bombing in Vienna which altered his first Wife and killed his Son. It's my goal to read all the Gabriel Allon books. Have you finished the entire series? I only have 2 books (just finished reading the 16th - I never read in order sometimes haha). The other book is a hard copy, and I have it at home with me.

Mohamed Zimnaan wrote: "Hi Jannene! I agree! Such as the bombing in Vienna which altered his first Wife and killed his Son. It's my goal to read all the Gabriel Allon books. Have you finished the entire series? I only hav..."

Yes, I have read the entire series and loved them. You may want to go back to your message and put in spoiler alerts for those who may not have read the Vienna book which was my favorite (A Death in Vienna).

Please don't discourage anyone .... What an author!! I only discovered Daniel Silva last year and have only read his last five books! Am now relishing the thought of reading his first book!

Jannene - unfortunately I don't seem to be able to edit my comment :(

Marija - I agree! It's probably about 2 years back when I first read Daniel Silva (hereafter referred to as DS) and when I saw this book, as well as the book description, along with the setting in the modern day, I knew I had to get it! Luckily it was cheap (a Kindle Sale I believe), I just cashed in and bought it!

I read Black Spider 1st and loved it! then went back. It didn't spoil my enjoyment!

"deeply contented" my new favorite description. When I raise my glass of wine. "May we all be deeply contented!"

The writing, as I often do now, compares to Craig Johnson and Alex Berenson. The humanity of the protagonist as he stands over his wife nursing their child and over the baby cribs with David, his dead child"s likeness painted overhead, brings the character to such life. It fulfills me.

Definitely M.Dobson. His writing has captured my attention. I've fallen in love, and I don't think I can escape haha.

This is my first crack at reading Daniel Silva. I'm enjoying the book and he definitely seems to have done his homework. His style reminds me more of Tom Clancy but that is probably because he uses character interactions to express his own views on political matters.

"A thousand questions no one dared ask." Brilliant writing.

As I was reading the book I was trying to put myself in Leila's position, a 'regular person' being sent into the heart of a terrorist enclave....and one in an entirely foreign culture. When I was a youngster I wanted to join the CIA and be a spy. Now....not so sure that was ever a good idea. ha ha ha

On a different note: did anyone else notice that Silva describes a lot of women as having 'child bearing hips.' I'm not sure I like that phrase :)

Barbara wrote: "On a different note: did anyone else notice that Silva describes a lot of women as having 'child bearing hips.' I'm not sure I like that phrase :) ."

Maybe he's trying to ingratiate himself with his ISIS readers. ;-)

Tom wrote: "This is my first crack at reading Daniel Silva. I'm enjoying the book and he definitely seems to have done his homework. His style reminds me more of Tom Clancy but that is probably because he uses..." I haven't read Tom Clancy in years, but I place him as almost military fiction. It used to be heavy on the technology. Has it changed? Or am I mistaken?

Barbara wrote: "As I was reading the book I was trying to put myself in Leila's position, a 'regular person' being sent into the heart of a terrorist enclave....and one in an entirely foreign culture. When I was a..." i grew up on Helen McInnes spy mysteries. The Leila character was a huge reason why I liked it so well.

I missed that about the hips etc. Those kind of things tend to stick in my mind. Anyone have a searchable Kindle? Ha!

M. wrote: "I missed that about the hips etc. Those kind of things tend to stick in my mind. Anyone have a searchable Kindle? Ha! .

12 references to 'hips':
3 narrow
3 childbearing
1 shapely
2 male

Tom wrote: "M. wrote: "I missed that about the hips etc. Those kind of things tend to stick in my mind. Anyone have a searchable Kindle? Ha! .

Interesting...

I bet if author reads this, it won't happen again. ;-)

beleive my library has this gonna check it out

I am starting this today.