The English Assassin, by Daniel Silva
By Peter on Jul 6, 2009 in Daniel Silva, Thriller, book review, spy thriller
Another strong, dark story from one of the new masters of spy thriller writing, Daniel Silva! This book too features an ensemble of very fascinating characters. 
The English Assassin is one of the most complex thrillers by Daniel Silva so far. The plot starts with Gabriel being sent to Zurich under a
pseudonym to restore a Raphael belonging to a prominent Swiss banker and art collector, Augustus Rolfe, but upon arriving he finds Rolfe lying in a pool of blood.
Allon locates and meets Rolfe’s daughter, Anna, who is a world-class violinist attempting to rebuild her career after an accident that nearly destroyed one of her hands. Temperamental and mistrustful, she nevertheless believes Gabriel’s story, and reveals that Rolfe owned a secret collection of priceless French Impressionist paintings, apparently stolen by his murderers.
Rapidly Gabriel Allon’s investigation uncovers a large story involving large-scale theft of art by the Nazi’s during World War II, and of bonds between Nazi Germany and Switzerland that resulted in much of the stolen art ending up in Switzerland.
At the same time, the threatening figure of the English assassin is also drawn into the vortex of the past when he stalks his assigned targets, Anna Rolfe and Gabriel Allon. Everywhere he goes, he leaves death in his wake. Just as Allon is tormented by what he feels compelled to do for his country and his personal losses, so is the Englishman ravaged by his soul.
Like Daniel Silva’s other books, especially The Kill Artist, The English Assassin balances very fascinating, well drawn characters, lots of historical detail, and international intrigue in a thought out blend. An exciting read!
Order Daniel Silva’s The English Assassin
Links to Daniel Silva’s books at: Amazon US
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