The Defector (Gabriel Allon Series Book 9)

The greatest positive about this book is that it moves...and moves well. The greatest negative is its blood and gore. That is problem for me, and I understand that. Characters were well drawn, although I did get mixed a lot with the two Isrealis.

I also read "The English Girl" and liked it better. Think I will take a rest from Silva!

Protagonist Gabriel Allon is incredibly engaging, and Daniel Silva keeps me coming back for more. I am a fan, and am working my way through all of the audio cd's. Very good readers. And to all who buy the audio cd's - buy the unabridged versions only.

Silva does it again with this fascinating tale of loyalty, treason, friendship and, not least, love. The tension keeps you wound all through the book - there is no break, no rest. He keeps your nerves taut, even when you know that Gabriel will win in the end. If you like to be totally fascinated and drawn into a story, this is definitely it. I have read all of Silva's novels to date and this one is one of his best.

I love Daniel Silva's writing style and am hooked on the series plan to read them all. Reader thinks he/she knows how the story will go but no, Silva figures a way to peak ones interest and not let the reader put the book down until the end.

Excellent! Gripping tale filled w/ all the rich characters Silva has given his readers throughout the Gabriel Allon series. My only regret is that I read (consumed) this out of order...even so, it was incredibly "un-put-downable"

Every page requires you to turn to the next one! It made me happy when Ivan's children wrote him a letter denouncing him. When we traveled to Russia, we observed many old men escorting beautiful young girls, so I know this is a commonplace event. Silva has the ability to take fantastic events, & weave a small amount of reality in with the fantasy.

I can't imagine writing a sixteen paragraph review of a fictional novel. First; who will take the time to read all I had to say? and second; why would my opinion of Silva's writing be of any concern to the next guy? Suffice to say that I'm a huge fan of the thriller genre; I greatly enjoy Lee Child, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, F. Paul Wilson, Ace Atkins, etc. I also have thoroughly enjoyed all of Silva's work. If you haven't yer read any of Silva's stuff, start from the beginning, don't start with the Defector, it won't work well for you if you do. If you are a Silva fan, Defector takes up where Moscow Rules left off and it's his best stuff yet. My heart was pounding throughout the reading process and it was very hard to put down. If your a Silva fan, you'll love it, if your not, then get on board and give him a shot, you won't be disappointed.

Daniel Silva is one of my favorite authors. His books are always suspenseful and contain an element of historical fact. This book is a continuation of his book "Moscow Rules". Both of these books are interesting and have provided me with hours of great entertainment.

Silva writes good books. Following the plot is easy and story line is clear. Characters have depth. I can picture Gabriel and could recognize him on the street if he was real! The underlying theme of Israel's survival runs throughout the books.

I am officially hooked! Silva's character development and the way he ties them together from novel to novel is just astounding! My wife and I both read these books and speak of the characters as though we know them.

Allon, Shamron, Carter, Chiara, Seymour and others come to life on these pages. Great read!

This is the 3rd Gabriel Allon book (English Girl and Fallen Angel) I have read and I enjoyed it very much. I really like the character Gabriel and his cohorts. The plot moved well and kept my interest throughout the book. As a lover of world travel and spy stories, I like the various locations in the book...reminds me of my favorite 007 movies. Silva is a great writer and I will enjoy reading more of his books.

I like thrillers especially when current affairs are included into the plot. My grandfather was murdered by Hitler as a political prisoner, because the people of Latvia wanted to elect him as president. His father, Janis Cakste, was the first president of Latvia overcoming dangerous threats from the last Czar of Russia. Israel must be supported and hostile Islamic countries along with the dictator of Russia should not be ignored - fan the flame Mr. Silva

I like Silva's main character, books about him are not only very intriguing, but give a great pleasure to read about art, painting, wonderful towns of Europe. Very informative in term of development of dangerous movements and creating of terrifying forces we have to face now in politics and international relationships.

another good book by Silva, it follows a trend that is very positive, it gives you a full story from the first book to this one. You can actually follow Allon in its will to destroy the enemy of his country, irregardless of their nationality. Looking forward to the next one. I am a slow reader

This story conforms to the usual Gabriel Allon format. The Office, his colleagues, his lovely lonely wife and the bad people. Painting and restoration play a small part of the story

Chiara has been abducted and in the effort to rescue her more bad people are asassinated than in all his previous books put together. I felt the violence and killing were a bit overdone, and that the final outcome was hardly realistic.

A good book, and a good read but a bit unrealistic.

Liked the mistakes the assassins made. They stuffed up occasionally which made it more believable. However the story was good and could be oh so real. I got annoyed with the pace towards the end, but thankfully it finally got there and Ivan got dead. Hated that man. Thank goodness I won't meet him in future books.....
I look forward to reading some more of Daniel Silva's books.

Daniel Silva has created an ensemble of fascinating characters - An Israeli spy who is a master art restorer, an aging powerful spymaster, and a host of players who grab you by the neck and carry you off for the latest intrigue. If you love a good romp through quasi realistic situations this series is made for you.

I love Daniel Silva books. They are superbly written, well researched, seem very real. I've read so many of his books and never tire of the hero Gabriel Allon and his (now) wife Chiara. The descriptions of Israel and the world events fit into today's events so well. The events in the book mirror our society in so many ways.

Another great and event filled book by Silva! This story becomes very personal when Chira, Gabriel Allon's wife is kidnapped by the Russians. It will keep you on the edge of your seat! Enjoyed it immensely.

Daniel Silva's newest book "The Defector" picks up the threads of "Moscow Rules" seamlessly. His writing style keeps you in the thick of the action. His characters are people you feel you know personally and your heart will race as the story unfolds. This story could be something you have read about in the latest newspaper. The events coincide with many of the world's current events. Silva fans won't be disappointed with this book and it will "hook" people who read his work for the first time.

This is a very well-constructed book - which holds one's attention from the beginning. The author has a clear knowledge and understanding of diplomatic dealings as well as relations between nations. I would recommend this book to any lovers of spy stories.

Intriguing, engrossing, and spell binding. I couldn't wait to get to the next page. This book has caused me several late, late nights just reading. I do wish the books could be numbered so we know which book follows the one we just finished.

Another excellent work my Daniel Silva. His precise depiction of history past and the present vividly draw the reader into his world and the action. One cannot help but feel along with the emotions of his characters.

Silva's story telling continues to captivate and take control! Just when I thought I'd be able to predict how a Gabriel Allon story would go...Silva trips me up. His character development and incorporation of real experience with geographic areas brings the story to live and gives it depth and reality.

Informative, educational, interesting. When you follow known characters it is odd to expect unexpected behavior; you expect what you have come to know. If you are unfamiliar with the hero and the cast that surround him you are misguided to expect them to suddenly become someone else.
Daniel Silva, is an accomplished story teller who reliably delivers enjoyable, exciting and suspenseful products every time.

Like most Silva books, well written and pacing is excellent. The torture scenes are pretty well written, giving the reader an idea of what's happening without going into excruciating details. A good follow-up to Moscow Rules.

Daniel Silva has become one of my favorite authors. He consistently keeps me engaged right to the end. Speaking of the end, it always warms my heart to read good triumph over evil (Don't want to spoil the ending). "The Defector" is another great read in the Gabriel Allon series. Enjoy!

I love all the Gabriel Allon series. The descriptions of well-known places are magnificent and despite the limited scope of the goals, all the stories are different but carry the same and expanding themes and characters. I've read them all twice and I see different themes each time. Allon is real! So is Shamron.

All of these books are gripping and worth it. Gabriel Allon is like James Bond but with a twist. He is a cold blooded killer you actually get to love. You can identify with him and follow on his great adventures. A page turner for real that is over much too quickly.

I endeavored to read Mr. Silva's "Gabriel Allon" series from beginning to end. They are all good reads including The Defector; intricate plots, well written, tons of illustrative detail and great characters. This series moves you along from page to page. Need a break from reality, this will do it.

For all you thriller lovers this book is a fantastic read, a gripping story, one I could not put down and grabbed at every free moment to continue the intrigue. Daniel Silva is one of the best authors I have had the pleasure of reading in a long time. This is my second book of the Gabriel Allon series and am determined to read all the current ones as well as all those yet to be written. I am hooked !

Again the super spy and killer Gabriel Allon, this time on to Russian thugs, killers and former KGB officers. A well conceived plot, romantic involvement, swashbuckling action. Could not put down the book up to the satisfying end.

This novel starts in Rome.

Gabriel is now Alessio Vanelli, and is restoring a painting by Reni.

Grigori Bulganov, whom Gabriel assisted in defecting to London, has disappeared, and was last seen voluntarily getting into the back seat of a Mercedes limousine. British authorities believe he was a double agent all along, and has re-defected. They blame Gabriel, since he arranged his defection and brought him with him to London.

(After many very boring Chapters), Ari believes he has been kidnaped by Ivan Kharkov, as a ruse to lo0cate and kill Gabriel, who he blames stealing his children (by getting his wife and children to defect to America).

Ari sends Uzi to the galleria in Umbria, outside Rome, where Gabriel is restoring the Reni, to bring he and Chiara, (who has left voluntarily to visit her parents) back to Israel, where Ivan can't get at him, and brings two young bodyguards with him. Gabriel tells Uzi that he can't leave until he finishes restoring the Reni, and that he will complete the restoration in three days. Uzi tells Gabriel he will be back in three days, Uzi tells Gabriel he will be back in three days, and leaves the bodyguards to make sure he stays put.

Chiara returns, and asks Gabriel what his plans regarding Grigori are. Gabriel replies that he is going to find him, of course! Chiara deceives the two bodyguards for five days into believing that Gabriel is still in his studio restoring the Reni. Gabriel flies to London on the first day, however, to begin the search for Gregori. Meanwhile, a child is now growing in Chiara's womb.

I must admit that the required skimming of the many previous boring chapters requires that I, again, discourage readers from reading this novel, and give a discouraging rating, as I did in "The Moscow rules".

Chiara returns, and asks Gabriel what his plans regarding

Am a big fan of the Gabriel Allon books, especially the earlier ones. I'm hopeful Daniel Silva will find a way to break out of his formula story line and find a way to make Gabriel Allon fresh again. I hesitate to make recommendations, as Daniel Silva is much better at writing adventure spy novels than I am. Seems to me there are enough current events to throw Gabriel into to last a life time, especially now that Iran is close to getting a breeder reactor to make weapons grade plutonium. Maybe Gabriel (Daniel Silva) could one up the office and Israeli Air Force; figure out a way to destroy the reactor with no collateral damage and if it's a good plan, Israel can use it for real???