Daniel Silva's latest, The Defector, takes up where previous novel, Moscow Rules, left off. Controversial hero Gabriel Allon, was recruited at an early age by the "Office", a covert Israeli group dedicated to one purpose: keeping the state of Israel safe. His specialty is assassination, fed by a vengence after witnessing his wife and young son gunned down.
Gabriel is enjoying an extended honeymoon with new wife Chiara, also an agent with the Office. He is immersed in restoring a painting for the Vatican, art restoration being his second vocation. He and Chiara are staying in an isolated Italian Villa under heavy guard. Gabriel receives word that former Russian intelligience agent, Grigori Bulganov, has gone missing in London. Gabriel had assisted Bulganov in defecting from Russia, and in the process Bulganov had saved Gabriel from a certain death. Against orders from his superiors, Gabriel leaves to investigate and finds numerous strange clues to Bulganov's disappearance.
But the worst is yet to come. Chiara is kidnapped from the villa, and her body guards brutally murdered. The trail to both Chiara and Bulganov leads back to Russia. Gabriel and fellow agents devise a plan to rescue them both, so fraught with danger, success seems impossible.
Silva's reputation as a superb storyteller is well deserved. The characters are well developed and Gabriel Allon is drawn as a true hero. Action packed, and swift moving, this book and past Silva works make for time well spent. However, hostile and violent killing are the norm, and dialogue can be a bit rough. On a scale of 1 to 10 I rate this one a 7.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Apostle by Brad Thor
Brad Thor has previously written several best-selling novels dealing with world-wide intrigue, espionage, and deadly conflicts. His latest The Apostle, takes the reader on an exciting ride into international politics and how it can turn dangerous for the innocent.
A young American doctor, Julio Gallo, is kidnapped in Afghanistan and her interpreter brutally murdered. Her captors demand the release of al-Qaeda leader, Mustafe Khan, before Dr. Gallo will be returned. Khan is actually being imprisoned by the Afghan government, who are not willing to trade their dangerous convict for an American.
Scot Harvath, a counterterrorist expert, has recently been relieved of his dutes by the new government administration due to the current President's desire to achieve world peace. He is suddenly called in by the President to deal with the Gallo kidnapping. It appears Julia Gallo is the daughter of the President's close friend and financial supporter Stephanie Gallo. She has pressured the President to do whatever is necessary, no expenses spared, to bring her daughter home alive. It becomes apparent to Harvath the only way to achieve this is to break Khan out of prison himself and present him to the Taliban. He makes contact with old friend "Baba G" Gallagher and they carefully map out their plans.
In a seperate story line, female Secret Service Elise Campbell, who is assigned to guard the President, overhears a conversation between the President and Stephanie Gallo which indicates Stephanie knows a secret which could threaten the presidency. Elise, realizing she is putting her career on the line, goes forward with an investigation of her own.
The author is a master at creating fascinating characters, each with unique and believable personalities. The story itself will keep you glued to the pages, but also will give readers an appreciation for the lifestyle of ordinary Afghanistan citizens. This book is well worth the effort just for the glimpse into the world of terrorism and the ripple effects of its actions.
A young American doctor, Julio Gallo, is kidnapped in Afghanistan and her interpreter brutally murdered. Her captors demand the release of al-Qaeda leader, Mustafe Khan, before Dr. Gallo will be returned. Khan is actually being imprisoned by the Afghan government, who are not willing to trade their dangerous convict for an American.
Scot Harvath, a counterterrorist expert, has recently been relieved of his dutes by the new government administration due to the current President's desire to achieve world peace. He is suddenly called in by the President to deal with the Gallo kidnapping. It appears Julia Gallo is the daughter of the President's close friend and financial supporter Stephanie Gallo. She has pressured the President to do whatever is necessary, no expenses spared, to bring her daughter home alive. It becomes apparent to Harvath the only way to achieve this is to break Khan out of prison himself and present him to the Taliban. He makes contact with old friend "Baba G" Gallagher and they carefully map out their plans.
In a seperate story line, female Secret Service Elise Campbell, who is assigned to guard the President, overhears a conversation between the President and Stephanie Gallo which indicates Stephanie knows a secret which could threaten the presidency. Elise, realizing she is putting her career on the line, goes forward with an investigation of her own.
The author is a master at creating fascinating characters, each with unique and believable personalities. The story itself will keep you glued to the pages, but also will give readers an appreciation for the lifestyle of ordinary Afghanistan citizens. This book is well worth the effort just for the glimpse into the world of terrorism and the ripple effects of its actions.
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