The English Spy
Ratings14
Average rating4
Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon books are my guilty pleasure. They’re like a bag of unhealthy snacks—no real substance, but I can’t resist them. Many years ago, while wandering around Barnes & Noble, I picked up The Messenger without knowing anything about Daniel Silva, the book or the fact that it was part of a series. I loved it, and since then, I’ve bought every book in the series. I’m a bit behind on reading them, but The English Spy was next on my list—or so I thought. As I made my way through the book, I realized that I’d already read it. But because all of Silva’s books follow such a similar pattern, I hadn’t remembered much of it. And honestly? I didn’t mind.
Gabriel Allon, the series protagonist, is an art restorer by cover and an Israeli intelligence operative by trade. Over the years, he’s tackled international terrorists, Russian oligarchs, and various enemies of the state, all while navigating the complexities of espionage and his own personal demons. The English Spy finds Allon on a mission to hunt down the assassin responsible for the bombing of a former British princess’s yacht. He partners with Christopher Keller, a former British commando turned contract killer, and together, they unravel a deadly conspiracy with ties to Allon’s long-standing enemies.
As always, The English Spy delivers Silva’s signature blend of espionage, action, and intrigue. The writing is crisp, the pacing relentless, and the plot full of familiar twists and turns. It’s exactly what I expect from an Allon book—nothing groundbreaking, but always entertaining. These are the kinds of books I pick up once in a while when I just want to enjoy the ride, knowing full well that by the time I finish, I’ll remember almost nothing about what happened. And that’s part of the fun.
This is a better than average entrant in the Allon series, which have become repetitive. The author brings in too much past history and expects the reader to know what he's referring to.