Legendary spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon has at long last severed ties with Israeli intelligence and settled quietly in Venice, the only place he has ever truly known peace. His beautiful wife, Chiara, has taken over day-to-day management of the Tiepolo Restoration Company, and their two young children are clandestinely enrolled in a neighborhood scuola elementare. For his part, Gabriel spends his days wandering the streets and canals of the watery city, parting company with the demons of his tragic, violent past.

But when the eccentric London art dealer Julian Isherwood asks Gabriel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rediscovery and lucrative sale of a centuries-old painting, he is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse where nothing is as it seems.

Gabriel soon discovers that the work in question, a portrait of an unidentified woman attributed to Sir Anthony van Dyck, is almost certainly a fiendishly clever fake. To find the mysterious figure who painted it—and uncover a multibillion-dollar fraud at the pinnacle of the art world—Gabriel conceives one of the most elaborate deceptions of his career. If it is to succeed, he must become the very mirror image of the man he seeks: the greatest art forger the world has ever known.

Published
July 19, 2022
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Gabriel Allon

The series

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The Gabriel Allon series invites readers into a world where the lines between duty and morality blur, and the stakes are always higher than they first appear. At its heart is Gabriel Allon, an Israeli intelligence officer whose sharp mind and complex personal history make him both an asset and a liability in the world of international espionage. As a master art restorer turned operative, Allon’s expertise in both the restoration of priceless masterpieces and covert operations adds a unique depth to his character, drawing readers into a universe where every mission is an art in itself.

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Set against a backdrop of global political intrigue, Silva's series weaves together historical events with contemporary struggles, creating a tension-filled narrative that pulses with both intellectual sophistication and edge-of-your-seat action. Each book takes Allon across the globe, where he uncovers plots that threaten not just Israel, but the very fabric of international security. From the hidden corridors of power to the delicate brushstrokes of art galleries, these stories delve into the undercurrents of the world’s darkest corners—terrorism, political deception, and the consequences of secrets kept too long.

What makes the Gabriel Allon series stand out is not just its tightly woven plots or intricate details of spycraft; it’s the emotional and moral dilemmas that haunt Allon with every mission. As a man who has experienced deep personal loss and bears the weight of difficult choices, Allon’s journey is as much about his inner struggles as it is about his outer battles against enemies both known and unknown.

Rich in atmosphere and bursting with global tensions, this series offers a rare blend of intellectual stimulation and thrilling action. It’s a world where nothing is ever as it seems, and every page turns with the anticipation of uncovering the next layer of the ever-evolving mystery.

The Gabriel Allon series is a testament to Silva’s ability to craft a world that feels as real as it is dangerous, where loyalty is tested, justice is elusive, and the past never stays buried for long. A perfect read for fans of espionage, political thrillers, and complex characters, each book invites you to see the world through the eyes of one of the most unforgettable spies in modern fiction.

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