Jonathan K (Max Outlier) > Recent Status Updates

While it's possible Manet may have been a womanizer, the fact that Tamara gets involved with the attorney who tries to prevent the Manet family from taking the painting from her makes this more soap opera than mystery. I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.

In the acknowledgements the author thanks several people saying without them the book would have never seen the light of day. From the sound of it, she' didn't think much of it either, lol. At least I enjoyed Metropolis and the Art Forger :)

Sorry folks but this pales in comparison to the Art Forger. The author chose to combine the recovery of an Impressionist masterpiece with soap. Not only with characters in the present but those hundreds of years previous. The title is a misnomer. In other words don't judge a book by the title, lol

I don't remember The Tainted Cup being as bizarre as this though it was unusual in its own right. The culture, characters and nomenclature with this one make you scratch your head and wonder. Just plain bizarre. It's not at all what I hoped for and am tempted to quit

The blend of mystery in a fantasy world where giant creatures called leviathans are slaughtered, their bone marrow and flesh used for odd reasons makes this odd and then some. Add to that a female chief investigator who wears a blindfold and swears like a truck driver adds the obtuse story. Strange is best word for it

As the saying goes, don't get mad, get even. In the midst of his operation to find the defector, Allon learns his vicious Russian enemy Ivan Kharkov has kidnapped Chiara. This will be a real nail biter for sure!

As with all early episodes, it's paced to perfectly. In many ways this is the sequel to Moscow Rules, which was outstanding and then some

In case there are fans of the series, this is the book where Ari Shamron convinces Allon to accept the position as Director of the Office. Since most all my GR friends are mystery fans you are losing out big time if overlook Daniel Silva.. Spy stories or not he's one of the best authors in publishing!

Here we get to see yet another aspect of Allon's ability. In order to figure out how a Russian defector disappeared, he puts on his Sherlock cap and becomes an investigator. Silva brings back the characters from Moscow Rules, including Ivan Kharkov, the ruthless oligarch who funds terrorists and has Gabriel in his sights for separating him from his wife and children.

I have to say I'm deeply disappointed. While the elements of the Manet in the past and rightful owner of it in the present, the author adds a heavy dash of soap that ruins the mystery. At least where I'm concerned

Outstanding.. Paced like a heartbeat, Silva shows his mastery of plot, premise and characters.. I can tell early on this is another brilliant episode.

Better yet Silva brings back Ivan Kharkov who we encountered in an earlier chapter where Allon recruited his wife, Elena, as the bait! Going to be another great episode for sure.

The master has done it again only this time he's used a plot we've yet to see! Once again Allon is summoned to the Office when he's about to complete the restoration of a Vatican masterpiece. Silva gives a brief history of the artist and then sends us on the journey with Gabriel. A fan of literary fiction I wish Silva would write some!

Hmmm.. A mixed bag of 19th century soap and intrigue. I'll continue with hopes it improves

I feel the romance between Berthe and Manet is a bit too far melodramatic for my tastes though it's possible the author is more dialed into the late 1800s than I am. I'm hoping the B plot is more focused on art than soap

I love stories about famous artists from yesteryear, their journeys unlike any of the contemporary types. And while a different, many of the books in the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva have plots involving works of art since Allon is known restoring them as well as a maestro of spy operations

Nicely done. Parallel plots from different periods in time, the thread holding them together, a priceless painting by the impressionist, Eduoard Manet. The A plot reveals its existence when Tamara learns of it , the B plot, the story of who and how it was created. Among those involved was Tamara's great great great great grandmother.

As with the first book Bennett makes direct parallels between Ana Dolabro and Sherlock Holmes with powers of deduction and holding cards close to the chest in the process..enjoyable though a bit long in the tooth for my tastes

Shapiro has researched the rise of the impressionist period brought on my former Renaissance artists during the time of Napoleon the third. Fascinating how she weaves a fictional romance within it. While I never studied art history authors like her and Daniel Silva educate the reader through premise and plot

Not every day we see an author fictionalize the days of Manet, Renoir and Degas nor how Manet, a married master artist seeks to cheat on his wife by seducing the daughter of an affluent family his mother has grown close with. The B plot, we will learn how he painted the piece the woman in the present inherits

Looks like it will be interesting..a young woman working for a biotech start up is called by member of a Holocaust organization informing her a great great grandparent who was one of the millions the Nazi's stole masterpiece art works wants to return a Manet worth tens of millions..the story toggles back to the days Manet was alive and these sort of plots are fun

I'll be honest saying that fantasy is a genre I rarely read since my preference are relatable characters and premise. I get lost in the all the strange terms, creatures and culture which bogs the pace and engagement. Compared to the Fellowship of the Ring this is like science fiction!

A bit of swashbuckling as Din shows expertise in battle. A curious plot if there was one, this is far and away different from the first book but equally engaging

Love the surprise of the last chapter. A brief 5 star review tomorrow!

This has to be the only novel where those who construct spy operations plan and a surprise wedding and yes it's for Gabriel and Chiara. Spy stories can also have happy endings!

Brilliant as expected. If there's a downside it's due to the kidnapping plot which we've seen in other books though this one differs from the others.. Another 5 star rating for the master of spy stories!

Shamron tells Allon he's like a son while Gabriel tells him he's not interested in being the Director.. These are the sort of conflicts that Silva excels with.. Clearly one of the best in series as the momentum snowballs toward the finish!

Terrific and as expected plot twists galore though Allon is the Superman of spies and he's bulletproof!

Classic cat and mouse game and I'm expecting plot twists galore