BOOK REVIEW TIME
AUGUST 7, 2016
Although there's no longer an ARTFUL READERS CLUB, I continue the concept of read and illustrate. This month's review is by bestselling author, Daniel Silva. It's his 16th spellbinding, international sizzler in the Gabriel Allon series. THE BLACK WIDOW finds legendary secret Israeli intelligence operative, Gabriel Allon, grappling with an ISIS mastermind.
It's a tragically timely novel that's all the more unnerving because it mirrors current events. Allon, art restorer, spy and assassin is poised to become chief of Israel's secret intelligence service. But on the eve of his promotion, he's pulled into the field for one final operation. ISIS has detonated a massive bomb in the Marais district of Paris... reminiscent of the recent terror attacks in France and Belgium... and the anguished French government wants Gabriel and the Mossad to eliminate the man responsible before he can strike again.
We're introduced to a new heroine, a doctor, whom we follow through both her spy training by Gabriel's team and then her jihadist training elsewhere. In both cases, the process is fascinating, frightening and very believable. In THE BLACK WIDOW, Gabriel Allon's contributions to the mission are more cerebral than physical, since his days as an operative may be behind him as the new director of The Office. But there are reminders of his magnificent past victories throughout the book (for those that are new to the series.)
As THE BLACK WIDOW rockets from its shocking, horror-filled opening to its explosive conclusion in Washington D.C., we're reminded that the democracies of the world are faced with a mammoth crisis. Silva makes it clear...as we're on the edge of our seats and breathless...that it's impossible to protect everyone and every place from the assaults by suicide bombers who enthusiastically embrace a culture of death.
Daniel Silva's background as a reporter in the Middle East, his encyclopedic knowledge of the history, geography and politics of that region, as well as its relations or non-relations with the rest of the world, gives every aspect of this book a sense of reality and authority. Destined to become one of Silva's most widely read works of fiction to date, I caution you not to start the book at bedtime as you WILL NOT be able to put it down until you've finished your journey!! This is an extraordinary read!!!!
