The Defector by Daniel Silva

The Defector is the latest action packed spy thriller featuring the enigmatic art restorer and Israeli assassin, Gabriel Allon.  Six months after the dramatic conclusion of Daniel Silva’s previous novel, Moscow Rules, Allon returns to Umbria to resume his honeymoon with his wife, Chiara, and finish restoring a 17th century altarpiece for the Vatican.  Gabriel soon receives shocking news from London that will once again throw his idyllic world into turmoil: the defector and former Russian intelligence officer, Grigori Bulganov, who saved Gabriel’s life in Moscow, has vanished without a trace.  British intellegence fears Grigori was a double agent all along and has redefected to Moscow.  Gabriel investigates Grigori’s disappearance and proves Grigori was coerced into returning to Russia by the muderous Russian oligarch and arms dealer, Ivan Kharkov. 

At a time when western leaders are pursuing economic diplomacy with Russia, Gabriel’s prepation to undertake the near impossible rescue of Grigori finds disfavor with both Britain and the United States.  A terrible event soon forces the two allies to join Gabriel in his quest for Grigori’s release.  Gabriel and his team of operatives find themselves in a deadly duel of nerve and wit that will take them from London and the shores of Lake Como, to the glittering streets of Geneva and Zurich and finally reach a climax in the snowy birch forests outside of Moscow.  Gabriel will be tested in unimaginable ways and his life will never be the same. 

I have long been a fan of Daniel Silva’s books but I think The Defector is Silva’s best book yet.  I simply could not put this book down and I highly recommend adding this title to your reading list!

Mary Beth – York                                    ISBN  0399155686