Helpful Score: 2
Was exiting Office Max recently and saw a small box of books with a clearance sign, not your usual Office Max fare. I picked up The Rembrandt Affair for $5. Had not read anything by Daniel Silva before but was thoroughly entertained here. This is the tenth in the Gabriel Allon series, and though I had not read any previously, that was not a problem. The book is taut, not overly tense, and had action without the violence that is so extreme in thrillers these days. Nor was the language offensive. So this makes it an all around good book in my book.
As to the plot, Allon is a master oil restorer and a retired (or so he thought) Israeli secret service agent inveigled back to service to search for a stolen Rembrandt that was taken from a Jewish family during World War II and hidden for many years. The painting holds a mystery itself. The search takes Allon to Argentina, France, and Britain, where a joint project is mounted by the Brits, the CIA, and the Israelis. From there the action moves to Switzerland, whose individuals, banks and governments hold so many secrets.
If you have not read Silva, this is a great place to start. I suspect I will be looking for prior books in the series and/or others he may have written.
As to the plot, Allon is a master oil restorer and a retired (or so he thought) Israeli secret service agent inveigled back to service to search for a stolen Rembrandt that was taken from a Jewish family during World War II and hidden for many years. The painting holds a mystery itself. The search takes Allon to Argentina, France, and Britain, where a joint project is mounted by the Brits, the CIA, and the Israelis. From there the action moves to Switzerland, whose individuals, banks and governments hold so many secrets.
If you have not read Silva, this is a great place to start. I suspect I will be looking for prior books in the series and/or others he may have written.
The Gabriel Allon series are all good reads. Warning: they can be violent at times so be prepared but I've enjoyed all the series that I've read so far.
Helpful Score: 1
This book continued the excellent record of Daniel Silva, Gabriel Allon is believable as a protagonist, with a strong story line.
Helpful Score: 1
outstanding writer,great book,suspence right up to the last page
Helpful Score: 1
I have read all of the books in this series and this installment did not disappoint. If you are a fan of this series or of spy thrillers in general, you should enjoy this book.
Gabriel Allon has retreated to the windswept cliffs of Cornwall with his beautiful wife only to find his seclusion interrupted by an eccentric London art dealer with a problem. An art restorer has been brutally murdered and a portrait by Rembrandt stolen - and only Gabriel can find it. But as he pursues the masterpiece across the globe, Gabriel discovers thee are deadly secrets connected to the painting - and even deadlier men who will do anything to keep them.
I agree with the book review that said: "This is Silva's best thriller to date and that's saying a lot, for all the books in the Allon series have been stellar."
I agree with the book review that said: "This is Silva's best thriller to date and that's saying a lot, for all the books in the Allon series have been stellar."
Michael H. (isbnlover) - , reviewed The Rembrandt Affair (Gabriel Allon, Bk 10) on + 12 more book reviews
Seems to have more history than in previous stories - mixed blessing.
Otherwise, it is standard Silva.
Otherwise, it is standard Silva.
David and Carole M. (davidmartin52) reviewed The Rembrandt Affair (Gabriel Allon, Bk 10) on + 35 more book reviews
If you like "spy-type" stories with a strong possibility of actually have taken place, then anything by Daniel Silva will push your buttons, and it only seems like the stories get even better as he continues to write. Read these Gabriel Allon books in order for a more complete experience, but definitely read one of them so you can decide for yourself. BTW, the first one in the series is The Kill Artist.
Silva does it yet again!! Another GREAT espionage novel that I could NOT put down! Silva's research and attention to detail really pays off. Gabriel Allon gives Bond and all the other spymasters a true run for the money. Silva deftly uses current events and current political lines of thinking/negotiation with such skill. The action and suspense never lets up. Intriguing!
Elizabeth P. (royaltroondrive) reviewed The Rembrandt Affair (Gabriel Allon, Bk 10) on + 21 more book reviews
Easy read. I love the Gabriel Allon series.
Enjoyable read from an excellent author. The narratives keep the story moving rather than just filling paper.
