Following 'The English Assassin' and 'The Confessor', this is the final novel in the trilogy to feature art restorer and spy Gabriel Allon. In 'A Death in Vienna', Allon is sent to Vienna to discover the truth behind a bombing which killed an old friend - a Nazi hunter.
Paperback, 432 pages
Published August 1st 2005 by Penguin Books (first published November 12th 2003)
This is 4th novel featuring the protagonist Gabriel Allon, a semi-retired Mossad agent whose day job is now as one of the world's foremost art restorers. The story starts in Venice and includes stops in Argentina, Israel and Munich but as the title suggests it mostly revolves around characters and events in Vienna. The plot concerns a former SS member who has changed his identity and now seeks to bring his hard right-wing brand of politics to Austria. It deals with Austria's lingering anti-SemitThis is 4th novel featuring the protagonist Gabriel Allon, a semi-retired Mossad agent whose day job is now as one of the world's foremost art restorers. The story starts in Venice and includes stops in Argentina, Israel and Munich but as the title suggests it mostly revolves around characters and events in Vienna. The plot concerns a former SS member who has changed his identity and now seeks to bring his hard right-wing brand of politics to Austria. It deals with Austria's lingering anti-Semitism and its tendency to sweep its Nazi past under the rug. The novel also explains all the various ways Nazi war criminals used to escape Europe in the last days of the war. In particular, it describes how the Catholic church was instrumental in providing them with new identities and arranging for them to emigrate to various South American countries, especially Peron's Argentina.
This series has gotten progressively better and I heartily recommend it to any fan of the espionage genre, or to anyone who isn't but who would like to sample it. I found it a quick, fun read. I finished it in two days. There are some fairly graphic descriptions of concentration camp atrocities that may upset sensitive readers.
It is not necessary to read the books in order, although that's what I've done. The first novel in the series, "The Kill Artist," is the weakest of the series in my opinion. But subsequent novels in the series are much stronger. If you want to sample the series, this one would be a good one to try. If you like it, you can always go back and read the previous ones....more
Set across Europe and in Israel, A Death in Vienna is a spy tale intent on righting some of the wrongs of The Holocaust. Part-time spy Gabriel Allon is sent to Vienna by The Office (think CIA, but deadlier) to investigate a bombing at the Wartime Claims and Inquiries office. Following clues to the identity of a Nazi officer, Gabriel travels the globe with an assassin hot on his tail.
While this book was very interesting, and I learned more about the atrocities of the Nazis, I can't say it was riSet across Europe and in Israel, A Death in Vienna is a spy tale intent on righting some of the wrongs of The Holocaust. Part-time spy Gabriel Allon is sent to Vienna by The Office (think CIA, but deadlier) to investigate a bombing at the Wartime Claims and Inquiries office. Following clues to the identity of a Nazi officer, Gabriel travels the globe with an assassin hot on his tail.
While this book was very interesting, and I learned more about the atrocities of the Nazis, I can't say it was riveting. I feel that spy novels should keep the reader on the edge of his seat. With this book I could barely bring myself to finish it!!! Maybe I was too preoccupied with new hobbies, but I just couldn't get into this book. My rating: 2/5 ...more
4th in the Gabriel Allon series.[return][return]Gabriel Allon is an Israeli Secret Service agent who � poses� as Mario Delvecchio, a very well-known and highly respected art restorer. At the moment, he is working in Venice, and living with his lover Chiara. But Gabriel� s life is not his own; he owes his allegiance to Israel and to Ari Shamron, the Old Man of the Israeli Secret Service. Whenever Shamron appears, Gabriel embarks on a mission of death� to track down and kill those responsible for4th in the Gabriel Allon series.[return][return]Gabriel Allon is an Israeli Secret Service agent who � poses� as Mario Delvecchio, a very well-known and highly respected art restorer. At the moment, he is working in Venice, and living with his lover Chiara. But Gabriel� s life is not his own; he owes his allegiance to Israel and to Ari Shamron, the Old Man of the Israeli Secret Service. Whenever Shamron appears, Gabriel embarks on a mission of death� to track down and kill those responsible for blowing up an office in Vienna and in doing so, killing two young women, one Israeli, the other American, who worked there. The office is known as War Time Claims and Inquiries. Its work is to sift through � the unfinished business of the Holocaust� , such as helping a survivor press her claim for restitution from a Swiss bank.[return][return]A straightforward, dangerous mission for Allon. But during its course, he will have an unexpected and deeply disturbing encounter with his own past.[return][return]No matter how you try to write a review of one of Danilel Silva� s books, you always wind up sounding like a hyped-up dust jacket blurb. The problem is that the books are that good. I think that sSlva has no peer in the international spy/thriller genre. This latest installment just confirms my opinion of him.. Well-written, fast-paced page turner that keeps you up at night.[return][return]Highly recommended....more
Though Israeli agent Gabriel Allon's unraveling of the mystery behind the bombing of an aged Nazi-hunter's office keeps the reader turning pages, its real value lies in the haunting story that is told about Gabriel's mother. This novel is most compelling--and painful to read--when author Daniel Silva uses it to shed more light on Nazi crimes during the Holocaust. I hadn't known, for example, that Austria had been particularly fertile ground for Nazi recruitment (though it shouldn't be surprisingThough Israeli agent Gabriel Allon's unraveling of the mystery behind the bombing of an aged Nazi-hunter's office keeps the reader turning pages, its real value lies in the haunting story that is told about Gabriel's mother. This novel is most compelling--and painful to read--when author Daniel Silva uses it to shed more light on Nazi crimes during the Holocaust. I hadn't known, for example, that Austria had been particularly fertile ground for Nazi recruitment (though it shouldn't be surprising, given Hitler's origins), nor that a high-ranking priest in Rome had assisted many war criminals in forging new identities to escape justice.
I wasn't able to give this book four stars because Allon seems at times too perfect, and therefore implausible. I found myself questioning the logic of certain moves--why fly all the way to Argentina to search for someone who moved there nearly 50 years ago, especially if you think he's back in Vienna? Good thing that there was a picture on his quarry's purported grave site--otherwise the entire trip would have yielded nothing. And given the bad guys' expertise at killing, it seems that Gabriel and his girlfriend would have been sitting ducks. I guess I'm a tough customer when it comes to being convinced of even a super-agent's ability to manage perilous situations.
This is the second of Silva's books that I've read and the first that features Allon. However, it is not the first Allon book in the series, so it's possible that I've missed out on key aspects of his character. (I found the book at a used bookstore and thought I would jump into the Allon character mid-series). Overall, it's a terrific read and the history lessons that it imparts overshadow my quibbles about the hero's methods....more
SteveIt sounds like if you're willing to suspend enough disbelief regarding the special powers of Gabriel Allon, this is a pretty good book. I'm sure it opIt sounds like if you're willing to suspend enough disbelief regarding the special powers of Gabriel Allon, this is a pretty good book. I'm sure it opens eyes to who some of the other bad guys were in WWII. The story about Allon's mother sounds intriguing, too.
How would you compare Silva to Alan Furst? I enjoyed The Foreign Correspondent, Furst's book you recommended about the antifascist newspaperman in the late 30's....more Oct 09, 2007 06:17PM
The 4th book in the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva. This series is getting better and better as the characters develop and more sub plots are related. This spy series is different to my normal Mystery Thriller genre but rarely fails to deliver. The stories are full of action and intrigue and delivered at a break neck pace and I don't think it will be that long before I start his next instalment.
The previous two Allon novels and this one sort of form a trilogy with a focus on the Holocaust. The complicity of the Swiss and the Church are the focus of the first two. This one focuses on the broader complicity of many other countries evident in the post-war world. What makes this particular novel stand out is the detailed point of view of Holocaust survivors. This is integral to the plot; it provides the motivations for many of the characters and it causes the reader to feel the need for juThe previous two Allon novels and this one sort of form a trilogy with a focus on the Holocaust. The complicity of the Swiss and the Church are the focus of the first two. This one focuses on the broader complicity of many other countries evident in the post-war world. What makes this particular novel stand out is the detailed point of view of Holocaust survivors. This is integral to the plot; it provides the motivations for many of the characters and it causes the reader to feel the need for justice to be done.
It is paced well and gripping. The accounts from the death camps are harrowing. There is not much in the way of character development here; that is, not much is added to Allon’s character. We do get more of his back story and some of what may have lead him to be the man he is. ...more
This is a story of a Nazi war criminal hunt. It is another viewpoint of the horrors inflicted upon the jews during the Nazi regime. Interesting to me in this story is the suggestion of the Vatican's involvement in helping Austrian and German war criminals escape capture and aiding them in disappearing into another identity mainly in South America, Argentina heading the list at the time of Peron's administration. I understand this book is one of a series about Gabriel, the main Israeli hunter in tThis is a story of a Nazi war criminal hunt. It is another viewpoint of the horrors inflicted upon the jews during the Nazi regime. Interesting to me in this story is the suggestion of the Vatican's involvement in helping Austrian and German war criminals escape capture and aiding them in disappearing into another identity mainly in South America, Argentina heading the list at the time of Peron's administration. I understand this book is one of a series about Gabriel, the main Israeli hunter in the book. Daniel Silva goes beyond the spy thriller formula and, by delving into the abyss that is the Holocaust, tries to exact a tiny bit of justice form this monumentally unjust reality. ...more
Neste livro, Gabriel é enviado para Viena para investigar um atentado à organização de Eli Lavon, um velho amigo, que vitimou duas funcionárias e deixou o amigo em estado crítico. No seguimento das pistas, Gabriel é assombrado por um rosto familiar, mas desagradável nesta sua busca, descobre acontecimentos relatados pela sua própria mãe, durante o Holocausto.
É um livro mais cruel, com passagens bastante reais do Holocausto, tais como, relatos sobre o que acontecia nos campos de concentração, um pNeste livro, Gabriel é enviado para Viena para investigar um atentado à organização de Eli Lavon, um velho amigo, que vitimou duas funcionárias e deixou o amigo em estado crítico. No seguimento das pistas, Gabriel é assombrado por um rosto familiar, mas desagradável nesta sua busca, descobre acontecimentos relatados pela sua própria mãe, durante o Holocausto.
É um livro mais cruel, com passagens bastante reais do Holocausto, tais como, relatos sobre o que acontecia nos campos de concentração, um programa desenvolvido para esconder as execuções dos judeus. Tem descrições que poderão impressionar, tal a “violência” dos acontecimentos. No entanto, um óptimo livro. ...more
A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva shows the crossing paths of Austrian, Israeli, and American intelligence services through the eyes of Gabriel Allon. The book opens with a bombing at the Austrian Wartime Claims and Inquiries, an Austrian Holocaust research center. Gabriel Allon, a former assassin, is recruited to investigate the bombing, unknowingly diving head first into what would become an incredibly personal and intricate case. The case brings the significant past into the future through acA Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva shows the crossing paths of Austrian, Israeli, and American intelligence services through the eyes of Gabriel Allon. The book opens with a bombing at the Austrian Wartime Claims and Inquiries, an Austrian Holocaust research center. Gabriel Allon, a former assassin, is recruited to investigate the bombing, unknowingly diving head first into what would become an incredibly personal and intricate case. The case brings the significant past into the future through actions of the Holocaust.
Personally, I enjoyed Gabriel's character and his personal attachment to the case. I feel that the intricacies of his characters, alongside this attachment, made up for the somewhat lack of suspense and did not make for a manufactured spy story as Gabriel continues throughout his investigation. As for the other minor characters, they weren't developed in depth but despite this they added to the essence of the lives of the agents and their daily lives.
I would recommend this book if you wanted to see more of a personal side to spies.
Love Silva and Gabriel Allon. This is book 4 in the series but you don't need to read them in order. Complex plots, complex characters, plenty of intrigue. Good guys who sometimes/often wonder if the end really does justify the means. Evil guys willing to take any approach to get what they want without any remorse or regret. Despite death, evil, tragedy, and sorrow, the good guys always prevail. Silva writes a great journey for them and their foes.
#4 in the Gabriel Allon series--audio book. Gabriel is sent to Vienna to discover the truth behind a bombing which killed an old friend, but while there he encounters something that turns his world upside down. It is a face - a face that feels hauntingly familiar, yet chills him to the bone and sends him on an urgent hunt for a name, a history, a connection.
Gabriel Allon is working as an art restoration expert in Venice. His old boss from the Israeli Intelligence Service, Ari Shamron, appears o#4 in the Gabriel Allon series--audio book. Gabriel is sent to Vienna to discover the truth behind a bombing which killed an old friend, but while there he encounters something that turns his world upside down. It is a face - a face that feels hauntingly familiar, yet chills him to the bone and sends him on an urgent hunt for a name, a history, a connection.
Gabriel Allon is working as an art restoration expert in Venice. His old boss from the Israeli Intelligence Service, Ari Shamron, appears one day with devastating news about an explosion in Vienna. Gabriel is not anxious to go back to the city where his wife and son had been victims of a car bomb in 1991. However, Shamron persuades him to return to this "forbidden city" to investigate the bombing of the Wartime Claims and Inquiries Office, which left two young women dead and an old friend, Eli Lavon, in a coma. Gabriel soon learns that a man named Max Klein had set the events in motion that may have led to the bombing. Klein had once been a violinist in the Auschwitz camp orchestra and he had a particularly vivid memory of a Nazi named Erich Radek. In front of Klein, Radek once killed fifteen concentration camp prisoners in cold blood when they could not correctly identify a musical piece by Brahms. Many years later, Klein spots this same war criminal placidly having coffee in a Viennese café, and he reports what he has seen to Eli Lavon, who then begins to make the inquiries that almost cost him his life. Gabriel's investigation leads him to make some horrifying discoveries, the most painful one being the heart-rending story of his mother's two years of hell as an inmate of Auschwitz-Birkenau....more
While this is the 4th book in the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva, is the third book in a series "dealing with the unfinished business of the Holocaust. Nazi art looting and the collaboration of Swiss banks..." in The English Assassin, "...The role of the Catholic Church in the Holocaust and the silence of Pope Pius XII..." in The Confessor, and the role of Austrian Nazis in the death camps in this book, A Death In Vienna. Excellent.
A handful of typos were noticed in the Kindle edition of tWhile this is the 4th book in the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva, is the third book in a series "dealing with the unfinished business of the Holocaust. Nazi art looting and the collaboration of Swiss banks..." in The English Assassin, "...The role of the Catholic Church in the Holocaust and the silence of Pope Pius XII..." in The Confessor, and the role of Austrian Nazis in the death camps in this book, A Death In Vienna. Excellent.
A handful of typos were noticed in the Kindle edition of this book....more
I wouldn't have picked up this author, except my mom left one (The Secret Servant - which I loved) at my house. This is my 2nd book with Gabriel Allon, Israeli spy, as the main character. The theme of this (it's part of a series, I've learned) has to do with WWII/Holocaust, specifically the surfacing of a Nazi war criminal in Austria. The writing is very good and the storyline kept me intrigued the whole time.
My 5th book by Daniel Silva and my 4th of the Gabriel Allon series. All his books have been extremely well researched and with a hint of truth in the story lines. This book is the third and final story based around the holocaust during WWII and the attempts by either the clergy or high ranking establishments to protect the Nazi perpetrators. The first half of this book was a bit slow and over descriptive of persons, surroundings, scenery, etc. When it finally got going it was superb and engrossiMy 5th book by Daniel Silva and my 4th of the Gabriel Allon series. All his books have been extremely well researched and with a hint of truth in the story lines. This book is the third and final story based around the holocaust during WWII and the attempts by either the clergy or high ranking establishments to protect the Nazi perpetrators. The first half of this book was a bit slow and over descriptive of persons, surroundings, scenery, etc. When it finally got going it was superb and engrossing. The part where a woman describes her time in one of the Nazi 'death camps' was gripping, intensely sad but extremely moving. I wished I had read books 2-4 straight after each other. Although each book is a stand alone tale, they are linked by the Nazi holocaust theme and of course by Allon and his cohorts. I scored it 4* only because of the slow start, otherwise it would have been 5*. ...more
Sometimes fiction does a better job of getting at the truth of a situation than non-fiction. This is true in particular when dealing with meaning and implication where there's little disagreement about the facts, but what to make of those facts is unsettled.
When considering the Holocaust, the issue is not one of fact, except to those who wish to ignore proven facts for political purposes. Rather the issue is how do we get people to understand the unimaginable. In three novels that deal with to uSometimes fiction does a better job of getting at the truth of a situation than non-fiction. This is true in particular when dealing with meaning and implication where there's little disagreement about the facts, but what to make of those facts is unsettled.
When considering the Holocaust, the issue is not one of fact, except to those who wish to ignore proven facts for political purposes. Rather the issue is how do we get people to understand the unimaginable. In three novels that deal with to use his words "the unfinished business of the Holocaust," Daniel Silva gets at truths in a way that non-fiction has a hard time accomplishing. In The English Assassin, The Confessor, and A Death in Vienna, Silva makes aspects of the Holocaust accessible in the context of a thriller where good men sacrifice all hope for ordinary lives in order to put to rest aspects of the Holocaust that have escaped official resolution. In other words, they're after bad guys who have yet to get their due.
In A Death in Vienna, some of the unfinished business is Aktion 1005, the destruction of evidence of the millions of Jews killed by the Nazis in Eastern Europe, and the death march from Birkenau, when the Germans in retreat from the Russians forced concentration camp survivors to walk hundreds of miles costing half or more their lives.
The context is the recognition by a camp survivor of a man he witnessed kill a dozen Jews in Auschwitz. That sets off a series of events which disrupts the attempt of Gabriel Allon to live the life of an art restorer. No need to say more about the details of the story other than to praise the way Silva builds tension until the end, but that is one of Silva's strengths. He draws us into the story, giving us small details of exotic locations, including the capitals of Europe, treating us to the personalities of this obscure world of Israeli intelligence, and inviting us into the dark chambers of Allon's personal story--more so in this story than in some others.
Many truths await the reader in A Death in Vienna. I give it a rare (for me) five stars....more
while i am still a big fan of Silva's Gabriel Allon series, i found this installment the toughest of the 4 so far to read. the storyline pits Allon against a former SS officer with horrifying past ties to Allon's own family. the author states in the afterword that this book wrapped up a trilogy covering the impact of the Holocaust and the complicity of the Catholic church, so i hope that the next books in Allon's future will focus more on the thrill and mystery and less on painful history. the swhile i am still a big fan of Silva's Gabriel Allon series, i found this installment the toughest of the 4 so far to read. the storyline pits Allon against a former SS officer with horrifying past ties to Allon's own family. the author states in the afterword that this book wrapped up a trilogy covering the impact of the Holocaust and the complicity of the Catholic church, so i hope that the next books in Allon's future will focus more on the thrill and mystery and less on painful history. the story is very interesting and the book is as well written as Silva's works always are, so i definitely recommend the book, but it just does not have the pace and energy of the first few. i look forward to #5......more
Outstanding. A remarkable adventure that brings to life the horrible pain and suffering of the Holocaust victims and their families. The last in Silva's trilogy related to the Holocaust a necessary journey.
great history lesson on the holocaust. Easy read, I started this a while back and don't know why I never finished it, so I completed it this year. Some parts were a bit depressing and graphic.
Another excellent work by Daniel Silva. Mr. Silva was able to keep my interest thoughout, with exciting and intriguing passages. He also maintains that Gabriel Allon is flawed and extremely human, yet through his struggles and determination, is still able to attain the desired result. It is just this fact that Gabriel Aalon is not some Superstar invincible pseudo-machine that I enjoy the most, and which lends an air of believability, as I often see this type of drive and determination in those wAnother excellent work by Daniel Silva. Mr. Silva was able to keep my interest thoughout, with exciting and intriguing passages. He also maintains that Gabriel Allon is flawed and extremely human, yet through his struggles and determination, is still able to attain the desired result. It is just this fact that Gabriel Aalon is not some Superstar invincible pseudo-machine that I enjoy the most, and which lends an air of believability, as I often see this type of drive and determination in those who succeed through life's many challenges.
I also found his last three novels concerning the Holocaust and it's effects and repercussions to be fascinating historically, and even took the time on my recent trip to Italy to visit the Jewish Ghetto in Venice, which I found extremely interesting and moving.
If you enjoy this Genre (especially if it is historically-based), then I would suggest trying this novel, as I do not think it will disappoint....more
Fabulously researched, riveting spy thriller about Israeli intelligence and the hunt for war criminals. I didn't think the first Gabriel Allon book was that good and hesitated to read another, but now I will be picking up every book in this series, and likely by this author. I appreciate how if he weaves true and little known facts into the story. Facts like the U.S. using former German war criminals to spy for them on the Russians in the Cold War. Silva uses real events and people to authenticatFabulously researched, riveting spy thriller about Israeli intelligence and the hunt for war criminals. I didn't think the first Gabriel Allon book was that good and hesitated to read another, but now I will be picking up every book in this series, and likely by this author. I appreciate how if he weaves true and little known facts into the story. Facts like the U.S. using former German war criminals to spy for them on the Russians in the Cold War. Silva uses real events and people to authenticate the premise of the story....more
A typical Gabriel Allon page turner with an amazing blend of history and espionage. The twists and turns are thrilling and unpredictable and hooks you to the book. This book also explores the emotions of Holocaust survivors and their kids. At one point of time while reading you also start chasing the hidden Nazis with Allon.
The last part could have been little less descriptive, specially the part where the war criminal gets into the spiral of Holocaust events.
Again a real page turner from DanieA typical Gabriel Allon page turner with an amazing blend of history and espionage. The twists and turns are thrilling and unpredictable and hooks you to the book. This book also explores the emotions of Holocaust survivors and their kids. At one point of time while reading you also start chasing the hidden Nazis with Allon.
The last part could have been little less descriptive, specially the part where the war criminal gets into the spiral of Holocaust events.
Again a real page turner from Daniel Silva. ...more
Not sure why when I picked this up while browsing the audio shelves at my library I thought this was the first in the series. Actually number 4 of 14, but Silva blends in enough background details in the telling that it didn't matter at all that I had jumped into the series a ways down the line. John Lee does a great job with a variety of accents, and I pretty much dropped everything just to follow this suspenseful tale of a search for a Nazi war criminal. Loved it and look forward to the otherNot sure why when I picked this up while browsing the audio shelves at my library I thought this was the first in the series. Actually number 4 of 14, but Silva blends in enough background details in the telling that it didn't matter at all that I had jumped into the series a ways down the line. John Lee does a great job with a variety of accents, and I pretty much dropped everything just to follow this suspenseful tale of a search for a Nazi war criminal. Loved it and look forward to the other 13 books....more
My second Silva/Allon novel and I am loving it! This is the 3rd book from Silva in continuation with The English Assassin, The Confessor which deals with the Holocaust during WW2. It begins exactly the same way as the previous novel, when an Israeli Intelligence agency based in Vienna is bombed and Allon is called out from his art restoration job in Venice to investigate the bombing. Allon's investigation leads him to open up Pandora's box of holocaust horrors, this time, the tragedy which unfolMy second Silva/Allon novel and I am loving it! This is the 3rd book from Silva in continuation with The English Assassin, The Confessor which deals with the Holocaust during WW2. It begins exactly the same way as the previous novel, when an Israeli Intelligence agency based in Vienna is bombed and Allon is called out from his art restoration job in Venice to investigate the bombing. Allon's investigation leads him to open up Pandora's box of holocaust horrors, this time, the tragedy which unfolds is quite close to Allon's home. How Allon brings the perpetrators of those heinous crimes to justice is what this novel is about.
Quite well written by Silva, as usual. This book has a very fluidic flow, very gripping and moves at a lightening pace. Very well researched on holocaust and the tales of the horror during that really makes this novel a compelling one. This novel is not that big on actions and thrills which the confessor gives, hence I am rating this novel a 4.
Once again Gabriel Allon, part time art restorer and Israeli agent is called backed into the field. A bombing in Vienna destroys the Jewish center for Holocaust records and research killing two young women and critically injuring the director--an old friend of Gabriel. He puts down his paint brushes and leaves the project in Venice to travel to Vienna. There the journey back to the Holocaust begins and the search for a former SS officer guilty of producing a mass cover-up for the horrors of thatOnce again Gabriel Allon, part time art restorer and Israeli agent is called backed into the field. A bombing in Vienna destroys the Jewish center for Holocaust records and research killing two young women and critically injuring the director--an old friend of Gabriel. He puts down his paint brushes and leaves the project in Venice to travel to Vienna. There the journey back to the Holocaust begins and the search for a former SS officer guilty of producing a mass cover-up for the horrors of that time period. The cast of characters includes those from previous novels- Ari Shsmron who originally recruited and trained Gabriel; Monsignor Donati, private secretary to the Pope; and his romantic interest Chiara Zolli. The quest to uncover and bring to justice the former SS officer takes Gabriel throughout Europe, Israel, Argentina and even a short side trip to the USA. The action never stops with automobile chases, smuggling, kidnapping and the occasional assassination. However, this novel tells the story of Irene Allon's (Gabriel' mother) experiences in the concentration camps and the story is the motivating force behind Gabriel's actions. Daniel Silva brings to the reader a reminder of the horrors and guilt of this historical event--packed with the emotions of those involved as well as those who would come later. A profoundly moving novel and a wonderful read....more
4th in the series and compelling, the search for a Nazi war criminal becames personal to Allon. These books are thrillers, yet haunting also. The Holocaust has played a roll in the past books, and this one in particular was upsetting as we hear (audiobook) the tale of Allon's mother. His books take fact and make them fictional and are sometimes harrowing to read. I keep thinking to take a break, but I am now listening to #5. But I also keep wondering how this 50 year old man keeps taking such ab4th in the series and compelling, the search for a Nazi war criminal becames personal to Allon. These books are thrillers, yet haunting also. The Holocaust has played a roll in the past books, and this one in particular was upsetting as we hear (audiobook) the tale of Allon's mother. His books take fact and make them fictional and are sometimes harrowing to read. I keep thinking to take a break, but I am now listening to #5. But I also keep wondering how this 50 year old man keeps taking such abuse!! The next book is 2 months later, but there are like 18 books! ...more
The final work in Daniel Silva's Nazi troika of the Gabriel Allon canon (along with my favorite "The English Assassin" and "The Confessor") is another steady read. What I appreciated about this one is that there isn't as much over-the-top violence or romance, rather a gradual build up to the conclusion (which I still can't decide if I liked or not but I liked the book enough to forgive). Silva writes intelligent thrillers and yet they are very well-paced and readable. I've got the next book in tThe final work in Daniel Silva's Nazi troika of the Gabriel Allon canon (along with my favorite "The English Assassin" and "The Confessor") is another steady read. What I appreciated about this one is that there isn't as much over-the-top violence or romance, rather a gradual build up to the conclusion (which I still can't decide if I liked or not but I liked the book enough to forgive). Silva writes intelligent thrillers and yet they are very well-paced and readable. I've got the next book in the Allon series ready to go. However...
This is sticking with me...
Recently, having seen "The Debt," the movie on Mossad agents tracking a fictional Nazi war criminal, one critic wondered if that subject lent more importance, more weight to what was basically a run-of-the-mill thriller/spy movie.
How does this relate to Gabriel Allon?
Like the critic, I wonder if the importance of the subject inflates the suspense of the Allon series a little bit. For instance, while I liked the first installment ("The Kill Artist"), I really wasn't that impressed with what was basically another take on the ancient "spy vs. spy" genre (and as I have stated in my reviews of the other Allon novels, what got me into the series is Silva's masterful "The Unlikely Spy"). Whereas, in these past three books, Gabriel is fighting Nazis, thus giving the stories a more emotional gravitas. Where there might have been some sympathies with the Palestinian side in "TKA", you're simply not going to get any ambiguity of Jewish agents tracking down Nazi ghosts. Not that I mind, these have been the strongest three books of the series so far. I just hope that future Allon works that don't rely on dying WWII subplots are still as compelling. ...more
As I've often stated in my past reviews of Gabriel Allon books, you pretty much know what you're getting when you turn the first page. Some may find that this predictability is detracts from the overall quality of the books. However I find it relaxing, in the sense that I know I'm going to enjoy the ride. Of all the books by Daniel Silva I've read this is the best one yet. All the usual elements are here, intrigue, betrayal, action, and even some moralizing. This volume differs a bit from it's pAs I've often stated in my past reviews of Gabriel Allon books, you pretty much know what you're getting when you turn the first page. Some may find that this predictability is detracts from the overall quality of the books. However I find it relaxing, in the sense that I know I'm going to enjoy the ride. Of all the books by Daniel Silva I've read this is the best one yet. All the usual elements are here, intrigue, betrayal, action, and even some moralizing. This volume differs a bit from it's predecessors since it tells a more personal story. In this capacity, it serves well as a 'closing' book in a trilogy that focuses on the plight of the Jews during World War II and the immense cover-up that followed. In other words, Gabriel has rid himself of some of his ghosts, and he's ready to move on to other adventures.
As for the technical aspects I find no fault here either. Daniel Silva is a superb author. I found that his writing capabilities are much better, which is to be expected. It was particularly noteworthy in this book. The settings are all thoroughly researched and the characters are very well written and believable. Silva manages to keep the momentum throughout the whole book, even when there's no action involved. In fact, I found that this book was the one that had less action sequences. All in all, a terrific book. I'm looking forward to finding out where this series is headed, now that the 'Holocaust Trilogy' is finished....more
Daniel Silva- A Death in Vienna (Signet Books 2005) 3.75 Stars
Gabriel Allon is being called upon by Israel again. After a Jewish building in Vienna was bombed, he is secretly sent there to get to the bottom of it. He is discovering though, that the answer may not be easy to swallow. Allon may have to face the demons of Jewish past and his own families past, in order to bring this to an end.
The introduction was kind of slow and did not really grab my attention. It did pick up pretty quickly thouDaniel Silva- A Death in Vienna (Signet Books 2005) 3.75 Stars
Gabriel Allon is being called upon by Israel again. After a Jewish building in Vienna was bombed, he is secretly sent there to get to the bottom of it. He is discovering though, that the answer may not be easy to swallow. Allon may have to face the demons of Jewish past and his own families past, in order to bring this to an end.
The introduction was kind of slow and did not really grab my attention. It did pick up pretty quickly though. I did not find that it ever got be intense, but it was interesting enough to keep me reading. The overall plot was really good; it was deep and had some great twists along the way. The book had a great conclusion; it was a really creative way to wrap things up. The characters were also really well done, with some good background. I found the holocaust story sad, but interesting. Overall it was a pretty good book.
First thing first, Gabriel Allon is not Jason Bourne. In fact, there isn't anything Bourne-again about Allon. He's more like the Pierce Brosnan version of James Bond who would talk his opponents into submission or like Agent Dash who's more comfortable jumping over obstacles and would have to restart his journey everytime he stubs his toe. It's kind of sad actually, there is a part in the book where Allon is about to get shot and he runs screaming like a little girl waving his arms around screamFirst thing first, Gabriel Allon is not Jason Bourne. In fact, there isn't anything Bourne-again about Allon. He's more like the Pierce Brosnan version of James Bond who would talk his opponents into submission or like Agent Dash who's more comfortable jumping over obstacles and would have to restart his journey everytime he stubs his toe. It's kind of sad actually, there is a part in the book where Allon is about to get shot and he runs screaming like a little girl waving his arms around screaming in German. Yeah, so, NOT JASON BOURNE! Daniel Silva's writing is amazing, the book is a decent read, good story, well researched, or at least as far as I can tell. One thing I want to add. The way the Nazi administrative machinery was able to convince (fool??) millions of its citizens and soldiers to kill Jews brutally was by dehumanising them. If you could convince someone that a person wasn't a human or rather sub human, then perhaps killing them would seem okay. This theme is well put in Dan Carlin's podcast series called "Ghosts of the Ostfront". So for example the Avengers look like heroes killing the Chitauri (depicted comically in the you tube video "How it should have ended"), we are given points for collecting zombie "BRAINS" in the game Zombie Road Trip (Brains man! Am I the only one who found that weird?). Both of these examples are okay today, because these are not humans. The same principle was followed by the Nazi propaganda machine. But here the characters, whose parents were victims in the war, treat the war criminal Radek as being sub human as well. Agents not wanting to touch him, not wanting to speak to him, not wanting to even sit in the same car with him, etc. I just found that ironical. But hey, its a decent book....more
"Silva, a Spy Writer Extra-ordinaries, Top 3 Allon"
The events of the holocaust effected everyone somehow attached to it in a deep way & it even had a dramatic effect on those who have nothing to do with the event except ensuring something like that never happens again. In this book Silva does such an excellent job of inter-weaving a tragic coincidence into a race to ensure a monster does not get away with the atrocities he's done & rationalized himself into everyday society in the proces"Silva, a Spy Writer Extra-ordinaries, Top 3 Allon"
The events of the holocaust effected everyone somehow attached to it in a deep way & it even had a dramatic effect on those who have nothing to do with the event except ensuring something like that never happens again. In this book Silva does such an excellent job of inter-weaving a tragic coincidence into a race to ensure a monster does not get away with the atrocities he's done & rationalized himself into everyday society in the process.
One of the most interesting parts is that each character who actually was a holocaust survivor remembers & deals with the trauma in different ways. For a main character in the book a simple painting brings back happy childhood memories that no amount of money could every replace, while Allon's mom never spoke to him about what she went thru during her holocaust experience. The difference between a writer like Silva & Flynn who I both love, is that Silva's character Gabriel uses a more discreet form of 'spy-craft' versus a character like Rapp that is an enforcer that also watches over us as we sleep. An example of what this 'cloak & dagger' method means is the using of assets to get to the target or to supply the information whether they want to or not. I am not saying Mitch Rapp did not do this, because he does often, but IMO Flynn concentrates on the action a bit more than the story that leads up to the action. Both are fun to read but depending on taste some like the byplay while others just want the action. This subtle yet much more realistic version of espionage can be slow at times but Silva keeps u interested by making sure there are other underlying stories that are taking place. In this case the underlying stories revolve around the holocaust making it that much more engaging.
As I've also mentioned before, Allon is no 'Lone-Ranger', he is part of a larger system of networking agents with their specific strengths, but Allon is the 'glue that holds the team together.' This book created a historical fiction about an event that changed a whole nation/culture/religion while at the same time was able to add a cat & mouse chase between a relentless hunter chasing after a prey that has been on the run since the end of World War II
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for anyone who likes the Gabriel Allon series but also as a stand alone novel of spy-craft, espionage, & how all the different cogs of a war machine work to run an unstoppable force. This was one of the top 3 Allon books for me personally. ...more
Daniel 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 wDaniel 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. His latest book is The Secret Servant (Penguin, 2007). He lives in Washington, D.C."
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A Death In Vienna (Gabriel Allon #4)
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While this book was very interesting, and I learned more about the atrocities of the Nazis, I can't say it was ri ...more
Oct 09, 2007 06:17PM
Interesting to me in this story is the suggestion of the Vatican's involvement in helping Austrian and German war criminals escape capture and aiding them in disappearing into another identity mainly in South America, Argentina heading the list at the time of Peron's administration.
I understand this book is one of a series about Gabriel, the main Israeli hunter in t ...more
No seguimento das pistas, Gabriel é assombrado por um rosto familiar, mas desagradável nesta sua busca, descobre acontecimentos relatados pela sua própria mãe, durante o Holocausto.
É um livro mais cruel, com passagens bastante reais do Holocausto, tais como, relatos sobre o que acontecia nos campos de concentração, um p ...more
Time to choose another Allon tale.
Feb 15, 2013 07:35AM
Gabriel Allon is working as an art restoration expert in Venice. His old boss from the Israeli Intelligence Service, Ari Shamron, appears o ...more
A handful of typos were noticed in the Kindle edition of t ...more
When considering the Holocaust, the issue is not one of fact, except to those who wish to ignore proven facts for political purposes. Rather the issue is how do we get people to understand the unimaginable. In three novels that deal with to u ...more
I appreciate how if he weaves true and little known facts into the story. Facts like the U.S. using former German war criminals to spy for them on the Russians in the Cold War.
Silva uses real events and people to authenticat ...more
The last part could have been little less descriptive, specially the part where the war criminal gets into the spiral of Holocaust events.
Again a real page turner from Danie ...more
Gabriel Allon is being called upon by Israel again. After a Jewish building in Vienna was bombed, he is secretly sent there to get to the bottom of it. He is discovering though, that the answer may not be easy to swallow. Allon may have to face the demons of Jewish past and his own families past, in order to bring this to an end.
The introduction was kind of slow and did not really grab my attention. It did pick up pretty quickly thou ...more
The events of the holocaust effected everyone somehow attached to it in a deep way & it even had a dramatic effect on those who have nothing to do with the event except ensuring something like that never happens again. In this book Silva does such an excellent job of inter-weaving a tragic coincidence into a race to ensure a monster does not get away with the atrocities he's done & rationalized himself into everyday society in the proces ...more
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