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Gabriel Allon #1-4
Daniel Silva Gabriel Allon Novels 1-4
Beginning with The Kill Artist, #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva introduces Gabriel Allon, Mossad agent and art restorer, whose missions take him into dangerous places everywhere from the Middle East to Vienna to the Vatican. These are the first four novels featuring the Israeli spy.
The Kill Artist
The English Assassin
The Confessor
A Death in Vienna
The Kill Artist
The English Assassin
The Confessor
A Death in Vienna
Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2011
683 people are currently reading
2189 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Silva
192 books9,530 followersDaniel Silva was born in Michigan in 1960 and raised in California where he received his BA from Fresno State. Silva began his writing career as a journalist for United Press International (UPI), traveling in the Middle East and covering the Iran-Iraq war, terrorism and political conflicts. From UPI he moved to CNN, where he eventually became executive producer of its Washington-based public policy programming. In 1994 he began work on his first novel, The Unlikely Spy, a surprise best seller that won critical acclaim. He turned to writing full time in 1997 and all of his books have been New York Times/national best sellers, translated into 25 languages and published across Europe and the world. He lives in Washington, D.C.
Series:
* Michael Osbourne
* Gabriel Allon
Series:
* Michael Osbourne
* Gabriel Allon
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 1, 2012
These books kept me up all night reading.
October 7, 2012
Blitzed through these very quickly. Couldn't put them down because Silva's prose and character development are masterful. Not a genre that I am drawn to--especially with the assassin theme--but Silva's assassin is is quite human. Terrific writer!
September 16, 2014
Very well written books. Makes me feel like I was travelling through europe
February 1, 2014
I love all the Silva books and especially the Allon series. Can't hardly wait to get any new one when it comes out.
August 3, 2022
A very good start for a series
Each book in this series was better than the last:
Book 1: 3.5 stars (The Kill Artist))
Book 2: 4 stars (The English Assassin)
Book 3: 4.5 stars (The Confessor)
Book 4: 5 stars (A Death in Vienna)
Book 1 mainly exists to introduce the reader to the main protagonist, Israeli intelligence operative Gabriel Allon.
Books 2 thru 4 are all related in that each book is historically rooted to the abominable and horrific treatment of European Jews during WW II. In each book, the echoes of those WW II events continued to reverberate even decades later. And even more stunningly, many enablers of those WW II events continue to hold positions of authority, power and political sway. These enablers are the Swiss bankers and security personnel (in book 2), Vatican officials (in book 3) and the Austrian government (in book 4).
In all four books, I thought the writing was very good, the locations were quite descriptive (so much so that you felt like you are right there with the characters) and the character themselves were very well-drawn (i.e., they seemed like real people rather than just as over-the-top superheroes or supervillains).
Each book is quickly summarized below.
THE KILL ARTIST
In this first book, it’s a cat and mouse game between Israeli agent Gabriel Allon and the Palestinian assassin Tariq. Each man is planning to kill the other, but only one man can prevail. Of course, as there is a series of Gabriel Allon books, you already know which man was successful. But nothing was easy. Tariq was appropriately ruthless, clever and elusive. And events would keep forcing Gabriel Allon’s plans to change. And changing circumstances and plans-gone-awry kept the story exciting and suspenseful. Though the book only had a simple kill-or-be-killed plot, it was still a good spy drama with really good characters.
THE ENGLISH ASSASSIN
This second book has a much more complicated and meaty plot as Gabriel Allon is up against a decades-old secretive organization – and even, to some extent, up against the whole country of Switzerland. And there are twists. Not everything goes according to plan. Not all characters do what the reader might assume they would. But it seemed the author wanted the ending to have a sense of “justice prevailed” even though it meant a rushed ending with insufficient (or even nonexistent) information to how anyone managed to exact such vengeance.
Bottom line: Sophisticated plot. Really good characters. Rushed, twisty ending.
THE CONFESSOR
This third book has the most interesting and meatiest plot yet – and is certainly the most exciting book of the three. And yet, at the same time, the third book had many aspects that reminded me of the second book, such as:
- Gabriel Allon is up against a secretive and centuries-old church-related organization
- Multiple foreign locations (London, Vienna, Munich and Rome quickly come to mind)
- The girl falls for Allon (despite their age difference)
- There’s again an assassin vs assassin storyline
- The end is again twisty and unanticipated (by me, anyway)
- Ultimately, “justice prevailed” (though again in a quick, rushed fashion)
Bottom line: Exciting, historically-rooted plot with really good characters.
A DEATH IN VIENNA
This fourth book continues with many of the formulaic storylines exhibited by the earlier books.
But fortunately, the fourth book isn’t quite a carbon copy of the previous two books. Gabriel isn’t just on the defense, and his main role isn’t just as an assassin of his enemies. The story also feels more personal than the previous books, and the Holocaust of WW II comes across more viscerally. The tradeoff is a slightly less exciting story, but I’ll take deeper characters over additional action scenes most any day.
Bottom line: A historically-rooted – yet highly emotional -- plot with really good characters.
Each book in this series was better than the last:
Book 1: 3.5 stars (The Kill Artist))
Book 2: 4 stars (The English Assassin)
Book 3: 4.5 stars (The Confessor)
Book 4: 5 stars (A Death in Vienna)
Book 1 mainly exists to introduce the reader to the main protagonist, Israeli intelligence operative Gabriel Allon.
Books 2 thru 4 are all related in that each book is historically rooted to the abominable and horrific treatment of European Jews during WW II. In each book, the echoes of those WW II events continued to reverberate even decades later. And even more stunningly, many enablers of those WW II events continue to hold positions of authority, power and political sway. These enablers are the Swiss bankers and security personnel (in book 2), Vatican officials (in book 3) and the Austrian government (in book 4).
In all four books, I thought the writing was very good, the locations were quite descriptive (so much so that you felt like you are right there with the characters) and the character themselves were very well-drawn (i.e., they seemed like real people rather than just as over-the-top superheroes or supervillains).
Each book is quickly summarized below.
THE KILL ARTIST
In this first book, it’s a cat and mouse game between Israeli agent Gabriel Allon and the Palestinian assassin Tariq. Each man is planning to kill the other, but only one man can prevail. Of course, as there is a series of Gabriel Allon books, you already know which man was successful. But nothing was easy. Tariq was appropriately ruthless, clever and elusive. And events would keep forcing Gabriel Allon’s plans to change. And changing circumstances and plans-gone-awry kept the story exciting and suspenseful. Though the book only had a simple kill-or-be-killed plot, it was still a good spy drama with really good characters.
THE ENGLISH ASSASSIN
This second book has a much more complicated and meaty plot as Gabriel Allon is up against a decades-old secretive organization – and even, to some extent, up against the whole country of Switzerland. And there are twists. Not everything goes according to plan. Not all characters do what the reader might assume they would. But it seemed the author wanted the ending to have a sense of “justice prevailed” even though it meant a rushed ending with insufficient (or even nonexistent) information to how anyone managed to exact such vengeance.
Bottom line: Sophisticated plot. Really good characters. Rushed, twisty ending.
THE CONFESSOR
This third book has the most interesting and meatiest plot yet – and is certainly the most exciting book of the three. And yet, at the same time, the third book had many aspects that reminded me of the second book, such as:
- Gabriel Allon is up against a secretive and centuries-old church-related organization
- Multiple foreign locations (London, Vienna, Munich and Rome quickly come to mind)
- The girl falls for Allon (despite their age difference)
- There’s again an assassin vs assassin storyline
- The end is again twisty and unanticipated (by me, anyway)
- Ultimately, “justice prevailed” (though again in a quick, rushed fashion)
Bottom line: Exciting, historically-rooted plot with really good characters.
A DEATH IN VIENNA
This fourth book continues with many of the formulaic storylines exhibited by the earlier books.
But fortunately, the fourth book isn’t quite a carbon copy of the previous two books. Gabriel isn’t just on the defense, and his main role isn’t just as an assassin of his enemies. The story also feels more personal than the previous books, and the Holocaust of WW II comes across more viscerally. The tradeoff is a slightly less exciting story, but I’ll take deeper characters over additional action scenes most any day.
Bottom line: A historically-rooted – yet highly emotional -- plot with really good characters.
January 1, 2019
I Am Speechless
I've always been a chatterbox and there is nothing to be done about it, I've made my peace with it. But the Daniel Silva books I'm devouring are why I don't know what to say.
I don't write reviews often, but when I do, it's because I hated the book or I loved it. Every Silva book I've read so far falls in the I'm in love camp. I've never travelled abroad, but Silva's books make me feel like I have and want to go again. I could be walking side by side with Gabriel just from the way he describes all the wonderful places in his books. And I'm completely enamored with Gabriel, and am happy there are so many more adventures to share with him as I read the rest of the series. 5 stars - easily.
I've always been a chatterbox and there is nothing to be done about it, I've made my peace with it. But the Daniel Silva books I'm devouring are why I don't know what to say.
I don't write reviews often, but when I do, it's because I hated the book or I loved it. Every Silva book I've read so far falls in the I'm in love camp. I've never travelled abroad, but Silva's books make me feel like I have and want to go again. I could be walking side by side with Gabriel just from the way he describes all the wonderful places in his books. And I'm completely enamored with Gabriel, and am happy there are so many more adventures to share with him as I read the rest of the series. 5 stars - easily.
February 10, 2017
Silva is an artist
I've read all of Daniel Silva's books more than once. The first four books always bring tears to my eyes. I care about the characters, I feel their pain and I feel their victory. I can see the paintings and their restoration, I can hear the Wellingtons sloshing through the flood waters of Venice, feel the icy rain on my cheeks in Poland, see the sun rising over the mountains. Silva is truly an artist. If you're looking for humor, read a different story. If you're looking for a true to life espionage thriller, read these books. Read them in order.
I've read all of Daniel Silva's books more than once. The first four books always bring tears to my eyes. I care about the characters, I feel their pain and I feel their victory. I can see the paintings and their restoration, I can hear the Wellingtons sloshing through the flood waters of Venice, feel the icy rain on my cheeks in Poland, see the sun rising over the mountains. Silva is truly an artist. If you're looking for humor, read a different story. If you're looking for a true to life espionage thriller, read these books. Read them in order.
December 10, 2019
Couldn’t put it down
These books were suspenseful and well written. I love the historical inclusion and the spellbinding way we’re you felt you couldn’t put it down once you started.
These books were suspenseful and well written. I love the historical inclusion and the spellbinding way we’re you felt you couldn’t put it down once you started.
Read
December 11, 2013I found this series engrossing and enjoyed the packaging of the 4 novels together. Silva spins compelling plots and memorable characters. I'm hooked and have started the next 4 books
April 6, 2014
Great books , very easy to read and never a dull moment . Historical facts make it even more appealing .
July 18, 2014
i like the book of agents. and those books are among the best. i like the character named GABRIEL. a man is an artist, and an assassin.
July 20, 2014
I love Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series. It is my go to when I want a mindless escape.
February 14, 2020
Great!!
After visiting Auschwitz this year, this was a good read. Daniel Silva captured the feelings and emotions of the survivors and descendants.
After visiting Auschwitz this year, this was a good read. Daniel Silva captured the feelings and emotions of the survivors and descendants.
January 3, 2022
Espionage at its best!
I've been on a tear to read Silva's Gabriel Allon novels from one through 20, and I can't put them down. Gabriel Allon is a fascinating character, a restorer of great art, and an assassin like no other I've read about. Well plotted page turners. Fans of international espionage will find it hard to stop reading.
I've been on a tear to read Silva's Gabriel Allon novels from one through 20, and I can't put them down. Gabriel Allon is a fascinating character, a restorer of great art, and an assassin like no other I've read about. Well plotted page turners. Fans of international espionage will find it hard to stop reading.
August 29, 2023
a novel can be instructive
This was the 4th Allon book I’ve read over the past 2 months. With out an attempt to be factual - although I’m sure some of the information is fact - this novel gives a general sense of the horrors carried out by individuals that I can hardly believe are human. With a connection to the characters firmly in place I was compelled to read on.
This was the 4th Allon book I’ve read over the past 2 months. With out an attempt to be factual - although I’m sure some of the information is fact - this novel gives a general sense of the horrors carried out by individuals that I can hardly believe are human. With a connection to the characters firmly in place I was compelled to read on.
September 25, 2017
I read this series one after the other as I recuperated from an illness, I love fast paced thrillers and this series is all that and more! I became invested in Gabriel Allon and his crew! I read each new one as it becomes available!
July 7, 2021
Daniel Silva does it again
I have read several of Silva's books but had not read them in order
so starting at the beginning was a wonderful idea. Learning Allon's history made reading the series so much better and at this price a great deal
I have read several of Silva's books but had not read them in order
so starting at the beginning was a wonderful idea. Learning Allon's history made reading the series so much better and at this price a great deal
December 28, 2023
Totally addicted to this compelling, haunting, vastly entertaining series. Israeli assassin Gabriel Allon is an unforgettable creation, and Silva's plotting keeps you up late and on the edge of your seat.
January 1, 2024
A truly excellent spy thriller! Silva's first book, rivals some of his subsequent ones. I have read them all and I'm a huge fan. The change from CIA/FBI/Assassin protagonist for Mossad, is refreshing and interesting.
July 23, 2020
Silva's books about espionage are a great, quick read.
Read
December 6, 2020Daniel Silva never disappoints. Exciting, captivating and suspenseful. Great character development and story line.
October 1, 2021
I didn’t like the first book. I enjoyed the second and DNFed the third. As much as the topic is very intriguing to me, I really couldn’t get into it.
January 6, 2022
My favorite author- great stories with current-day politics and some historical perspective mixed in.
February 24, 2022
If only there wasn't so much blood spurting!
Love Daniel Silva and Gabriel Allon is wonderful, but you can never un-see some of the gore -
Love Daniel Silva and Gabriel Allon is wonderful, but you can never un-see some of the gore -
May 22, 2022
I am totally hooked on this spy/thirller series by Daniel Silva. So happy there are 20 books in the "Gabriel Allon" series -- I'm now on book 9. Totally page turners.
June 5, 2022
Good reading
June 29, 2022
For exciting spy novels, there's nothing like the Gabriel Allon series! I have read and loved them all!
September 28, 2022
Brilliant. Gripping and immersive.
Read
March 2, 2023read as stand alone books
August 28, 2023
Love this man’s work- the Gabriel Allon series has me addicted- locations are always exciting and the stories spellbinding. More please!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews