Jonathan K (Max Outlier)’s Reviews > Portrait of a Spy > Status Update

Of all those in this series, this is in a league of its own where I'm concerned. It's not often I read a book of this length in a few days nor applaud an author while doing so. A masterpiece of plot and premise that shows how Silva is one of the best with spy mysteries. Truly remarkable storytelling. 6 star review tomorrow.

This is possibly the best one of all those I've read, which coming from someone who prefers literary fiction says something! It's reminiscent of the movie, Zero Dark Thirty, since it's plot was the true story of killing Bin Laden.

Must be the first and only time Allon meets with the US president in private which shows how serious the mission to rid the terrorist organization of its leader.

Rapidly becoming a favorite due to its plot, pacing and premise which combines elements from many of his others, classic art among them. Refreshing since the formulaic approach in many of the later books is disregarded.

Silva devotes months to research be it religion, location or ideology. Here we witness his remarkable knowledge of the Muslim religion as it relates to the jihad. When characters travel, we experience his research across the globe, street by street, city and towns alike. This is what immersive storytelling is about.

Definitely one of the best in the series in spite of the publishing date. Unlike most of the others Allon masterminds an operation to eliminate a terrorist network using one of their own as the mole. And the cheese to bait the mouse is a classic work of art he personally restored!

One of the better plots in the series. Allon has the goods on the daughter of a Saudi billionaire who supported terrorists though she has no idea he was the one that murdered him. Talk about high stakes cat and mouse!

While this is time I've read two sequential episodes, it's unusual to see a character from the first return in the next, though there's a nice logic to it. It's also good to see the formulaic plot he's used in many has yet to show up in this one

Regardless of plot Silva is a pacing master, his short illuminating chapters with cliff hanger endings keep the reader engaged