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louisekf's review against another edition
3.0
I’m generally a big fan of Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon books but this one wasn’t one of his best. It was particularly disappointing after the terrific Black Widow, which precedes this one in the series. It just seemed a bit formulaic. I will still read the remaining books in this series, though!
jcheidel's review against another edition
4.0
Another outstanding page turner. Daniel Silva remains one of my top go-to authors for relaxation. He keeps delivering great stories and never just phones it in to live off his fame.
davidr's review against another edition
5.0
This is another edge-of-your-seat thriller by Daniel Silva. It is about the fictitious character Gabriel Allon, the legendary head of an Israeli spy agency. It takes up where Silva's previous book ([b:The Black Widow|27213121|The Black Widow (Gabriel Allon, #16)|Daniel Silva|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460313822s/27213121.jpg|47255119]) leaves off, with the hunt for the elusive terrorist, Saladin. Like the other books in the series, Allon must work in tandem with spy agencies of other countries; in this case, with Great Britain and France. The action focuses on a drug dealing kingpin named Jean-Luc Martel, who casts a blind eye on the terrorists his activities are helping to fund.
Even though Gabriel Allon is getting older, and is the head of his intelligence agency, he feels the need to go into the field and take an active role in the operations. It just doesn't seem right, with all of the risks involved, for an agency head to get involved at such a personal level. He continually talks about spending more time with his wife and children--but how can he, when personal involvement means being in foreign countries for weeks at a time?
A complex, very clever operation helps to make the plot shine. Details of the operation are thought out very thoroughly, with the realization that all plans are subject to change when the time comes for action. All of the possible outcomes simply cannot be anticipated.
This is the first book of the series that I have read, rather than listening to the audiobook. As a result, it is a little easier to follow. Separate sections within a chapter are delineated, tipping off the fact that the scene has changed. This does not always come across in the series of audiobooks.
Like his previous books, Daniel Silva imbues this novel with a lot of history, and with such well-developed characters that they become life-like and believable. Nobody has super powers, everyone is human, with abilities and foibles. The relationships between the characters, and the relationships between intelligence agencies from different countries--are spelled out so realistically that you never have to suspend belief.
Even though Gabriel Allon is getting older, and is the head of his intelligence agency, he feels the need to go into the field and take an active role in the operations. It just doesn't seem right, with all of the risks involved, for an agency head to get involved at such a personal level. He continually talks about spending more time with his wife and children--but how can he, when personal involvement means being in foreign countries for weeks at a time?
A complex, very clever operation helps to make the plot shine. Details of the operation are thought out very thoroughly, with the realization that all plans are subject to change when the time comes for action. All of the possible outcomes simply cannot be anticipated.
This is the first book of the series that I have read, rather than listening to the audiobook. As a result, it is a little easier to follow. Separate sections within a chapter are delineated, tipping off the fact that the scene has changed. This does not always come across in the series of audiobooks.
Like his previous books, Daniel Silva imbues this novel with a lot of history, and with such well-developed characters that they become life-like and believable. Nobody has super powers, everyone is human, with abilities and foibles. The relationships between the characters, and the relationships between intelligence agencies from different countries--are spelled out so realistically that you never have to suspend belief.
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
4.0
Even if I'm not tired of these books, it appears that Gabriel is tired of this life...he doesn't run as fast now...his new responsibilities should force him to curtail his globe-hopping espionage. He has slowly, over the course of several books, assembled a team of young spies and heroes who can carry on his work and his legacy. He's even working as matchmaker here!
There is a transition here...Gabriel watching more, from the House of Spies, but forcing himself into the action when he sees fit. And holding his own against younger folks.
The action here moves to Morocco, and includes the plight of Syrian Sunnis. I always learn a bit about the convoluted politics of the region in his books...and there is a ring of truth. From the beginning, I was concerned that a series starring an Israeli Mossad spy would be heavily one-sided. And with each book, Silva shows how Israel fits into the dangerous, threatening world of the Middle East.
But with all books, I focus on characters and relationships. And Silva never disappoints in this regard...I'm thinking I see a likely replacement for Gabriel in some of his field work...a couple, in fact. A couple of couples.
There is a transition here...Gabriel watching more, from the House of Spies, but forcing himself into the action when he sees fit. And holding his own against younger folks.
The action here moves to Morocco, and includes the plight of Syrian Sunnis. I always learn a bit about the convoluted politics of the region in his books...and there is a ring of truth. From the beginning, I was concerned that a series starring an Israeli Mossad spy would be heavily one-sided. And with each book, Silva shows how Israel fits into the dangerous, threatening world of the Middle East.
But with all books, I focus on characters and relationships. And Silva never disappoints in this regard...I'm thinking I see a likely replacement for Gabriel in some of his field work...a couple, in fact. A couple of couples.
missmesmerized's review against another edition
4.0
Schon wieder ein Anschlag des IS auf britischem Boden, hunderte Tote und Verletzte, das Westend in Schutt und Asche. Drahtzieher ist offenkundig Saladin, der Islamist, den es nicht gelungen war zu eliminieren nach dem Angriff auf das Weinberg Center in Paris. Gabriel Allon, inzwischen Chef des israelischen Geheimdienstes, will ihn endlich unschädlich machen und stellt eine nie gesehene internationale Koalition zusammen: MI5 und MI6 aus England, der französische Geheimdienst und sogar die USA, selbst Opfer Saladins geworden, erklären sich zur Zusammenarbeit bereit, um dem größten Feind des Westens mit vereinten Kräften zu begegnen. Die Spuren führen nach Marseille, Einfallsort für die Drogenversorgung Europas. Als Lockvögel werden der beste Spion der Briten und alter Bekannter Allons, sowie Natalie, die Saladin bereits schon einmal sehr nah kam und ihm damals das Leben rettete, auf den Kontaktmann angesetzt. Dann ist Warten angesagt, bis sich die Chance ergeben wird.
Band 17 der Gabriel Allon Reihe setzt nahtlos da an, wo der Vorgänger aufhörte. Immer noch ist der Islamist Saladin das Ziel des Israelis. Auslöser für alle Aktivität ist wieder einmal ein Attentat in Europa, dem die westlichen Sicherheitskräfte nichts entgegensetzen konnten.
Insgesamt legt „Der Drahtzieher“ über weite Strecken ein recht gemächliches Tempo an den Tag. Der Fokus liegt dieses Mal ganz entschieden auf der Arbeit der Geheimdienste, was jedoch kein bisschen an Spannung einbüßt. Anwerbung, Ausbildung, Kontrolle im Hintergrund – detailliert schildert Silva, wie eine große Operation geplant und umgesetzt wird, was dazu erforderlich ist und was offenkundig so alles bewegt werden kann. Ebenso interessant sind natürlich die Befindlichkeiten der einzelnen Länder, wie jeder den großen Sieg einfahren möchte, wie alte Animositäten fast die ganze Aktion gefährden. Hier bewegt sich Silva tatsächlich im klassischen Spionage-Milieu und kann an einen John LeCarré heranreichen.
So interessant dies alles ist, führt es jedoch unweigerlich auch dazu, dass die Handlung langsamer verläuft als man das von Silva gewöhnt ist. So manche Länge bleibt ebenfalls nicht aus. Auch Gabriel Allon bleibt dieses Mal im Hintergrund, die tragenden Figuren sind die Agenten und ihre Zielpersonen. Diese sind überzeugend gezeichnet und auch lebendig in ihrem Handeln. Allerdings habe ich mich doch gefragt, ob sich zwielichtige Personen tatsächlich so leicht anwerben lassen und uneigennützig kooperieren würden. Auch der finale Showdown in Marokko war zwar rasant und einem Thriller würdig, aber hatte doch mehr Hollywood Potential als Überzeugungskraft.
Insgesamt eine solide Fortsetzung mit großem Unterhaltungswert, die die Erwartungen an die Reihe voll erfüllt.
Band 17 der Gabriel Allon Reihe setzt nahtlos da an, wo der Vorgänger aufhörte. Immer noch ist der Islamist Saladin das Ziel des Israelis. Auslöser für alle Aktivität ist wieder einmal ein Attentat in Europa, dem die westlichen Sicherheitskräfte nichts entgegensetzen konnten.
Insgesamt legt „Der Drahtzieher“ über weite Strecken ein recht gemächliches Tempo an den Tag. Der Fokus liegt dieses Mal ganz entschieden auf der Arbeit der Geheimdienste, was jedoch kein bisschen an Spannung einbüßt. Anwerbung, Ausbildung, Kontrolle im Hintergrund – detailliert schildert Silva, wie eine große Operation geplant und umgesetzt wird, was dazu erforderlich ist und was offenkundig so alles bewegt werden kann. Ebenso interessant sind natürlich die Befindlichkeiten der einzelnen Länder, wie jeder den großen Sieg einfahren möchte, wie alte Animositäten fast die ganze Aktion gefährden. Hier bewegt sich Silva tatsächlich im klassischen Spionage-Milieu und kann an einen John LeCarré heranreichen.
So interessant dies alles ist, führt es jedoch unweigerlich auch dazu, dass die Handlung langsamer verläuft als man das von Silva gewöhnt ist. So manche Länge bleibt ebenfalls nicht aus. Auch Gabriel Allon bleibt dieses Mal im Hintergrund, die tragenden Figuren sind die Agenten und ihre Zielpersonen. Diese sind überzeugend gezeichnet und auch lebendig in ihrem Handeln. Allerdings habe ich mich doch gefragt, ob sich zwielichtige Personen tatsächlich so leicht anwerben lassen und uneigennützig kooperieren würden. Auch der finale Showdown in Marokko war zwar rasant und einem Thriller würdig, aber hatte doch mehr Hollywood Potential als Überzeugungskraft.
Insgesamt eine solide Fortsetzung mit großem Unterhaltungswert, die die Erwartungen an die Reihe voll erfüllt.
nanajo's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this author is masterful. It amazed me how current, detailed and real this author’s work is. I am both terrified and thankful that there are organizations protecting us from the darkness that is swirling around the world. I was intrigued by several coincidences while reading this novel; a news item of a major drug bust on a Morrocan ship seized in Europe and a misdial to my cell phone from Morocco. I had no idea that the word assassin came from the Arabic word ‘hashashin’, the Shia killers who acted under the influence of hashish. I love that this novel could be read as a one of or part of the series.
sangeetarelan's review against another edition
5.0
Just couldn't put it down once I started reading it!! Allon in his element once again. Loved it!!
rachreads925's review against another edition
4.0
I've read almost all the books in the Gabriel Allon series, so I'm clearly a fan of the author. This one however, I didn't love like the others. The pace was slower in Part 1, and I found I didn't get into it until Part 2. Even then, I wasn't rushing home to read more in the same way I have done with past books. The ending was drawn out, predictable, and easy enough to figure out by how many pages were left in the book what was going to happen. I'll keep reading the series, but hoping that they get back to how they used to be. Maybe Daniel Silva is too rushed in a way he wasn't when he was writing the earlier books?
chomal's review against another edition
4.0
I randomly picked this up at an airport terminal as a light read during the travels but oh boy! Wasn't it a thrilling ride. This is the first Daniel Silva novel I'm reading so despite being the 17th book of a decade old series, it was like leafing through a single piece of work. Characters weren't lost to me, plot was all in clear and more importantly, it was like I was meeting a bunch of old friends. Brilliantly inked, it opened a brand-new Gabriel Allon universe for me to explore.
Although plot twists were either minuscule or missing, story flowed fluidly. It's always fun to read spy thrillers, the ones that regard current politics and state of affairs. So can recommend this to anyone.
Please pick this up the next time you see one residing in a shelf. It's glorious.
Although plot twists were either minuscule or missing, story flowed fluidly. It's always fun to read spy thrillers, the ones that regard current politics and state of affairs. So can recommend this to anyone.
Please pick this up the next time you see one residing in a shelf. It's glorious.
lukre's review against another edition
3.0
Gabriel is good, but Michael is still the coolest guy ever