- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Michael Joseph; First Edition edition (30 July 2009)
- ISBN-10: 0718155262
- ISBN-13: 978-0718155261
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.4 x 4.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 267,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Defector
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Product Description
Review
'In true Bauer fashion, shootouts, kidnappings and international terror plots follow him wherever he goes' USA Today 'It is an exciting, entertaining novel with a terrifying message' - Literary Review on, Secret Servant 'Nerve-searing and painfully brilliant' - Patricia Cornwell on, Death in Vienna 'Ranks among the best of the younger American spy novelists' Washington Post 'Shootouts, kidnappings and international terror plots follow Gabriel Allon wherever he goes' USA Today
Product Description
Gabriel Allon brought down the most dangerous man in the world. But he made one mistake. Leaving him alive . . .
Spy turned art restorer Gabriel Allon is trying to resume his honeymoon in the secluded hills of Umbria with his new wife, Chiara, when shocking news reaches him from London. The defector and former Russian intelligence officer, who saved Gabriel's life in Moscow Rules, has vanished without a trace. British intelligence suspect the defector was always a double agent, but Gabriel is convinced otherwise.
Gabriel and his team find themselves in a deadly duel of nerve and wits with one of the world's most ruthless men: the murderous Russian oligarch and arms dealer Ivan Kharkov. It will take Gabriel from a quiet mews in London to the shores of Lake Como, to the glittering streets of Geneva and Zurich and, finally, to a heart-stopping climax in the snowbound birch forests of Russia. Faced with the prospect of losing the one thing he holds most dear, Gabriel will be tested in ways he never imagined possible. And his life will never be the same.
The Defector is a searing tale of love, vengeance and courage . . .
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have read all the Gabriel Allon series, and this one must rank as one of the best. In it, our hero, art restorer, Israeli agent and assassin locks horns once again with Ivan Kharkov, the arms-dealing Russian bad guy, from Allon's previous outing, Moscow Rules. Because the story-line follows on from that one, I'd definitely recommend reading that one first, although enough background is given here, if you do decide to jump straight in.
The disappearance of the defector of the title from a London street, triggers concern that Kharkov may be seeking revenge for his downfall in the previous book, and in particular for the safety of Gabriel Allon and his new wife Chiara who have been enjoying their honeymoon in a villa in Umbria. There is good old-fashioned spy-craft here, intricate plotting, much hopping between venues in the US and Europe, and a high body-count so maybe not for the squeamish. However, what makes this series of books stand out for me is the characters, Allon himself and Chiara, Ari Shamron and Gilah, Sarah Bancroft, Adrian Carter, and the rest of them. This is a thoroughly enjoyable series, and I do hope that Daniel Silva manages at least a few more outings for Gabriel and co, before he allows him to put down his gun for good.
The disappearance of the defector of the title from a London street, triggers concern that Kharkov may be seeking revenge for his downfall in the previous book, and in particular for the safety of Gabriel Allon and his new wife Chiara who have been enjoying their honeymoon in a villa in Umbria. There is good old-fashioned spy-craft here, intricate plotting, much hopping between venues in the US and Europe, and a high body-count so maybe not for the squeamish. However, what makes this series of books stand out for me is the characters, Allon himself and Chiara, Ari Shamron and Gilah, Sarah Bancroft, Adrian Carter, and the rest of them. This is a thoroughly enjoyable series, and I do hope that Daniel Silva manages at least a few more outings for Gabriel and co, before he allows him to put down his gun for good.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In Daniel Silva's latest thriller featuring art restorer/Israeli spy-assassin, Gabriel Allon, The Defector picks up where Moscow Rules left off (but be advised that while it would be beneficial, it is not critical that you read Moscow Rules first). Without going into detail, the plot involves Allon having to return to Moscow when he learns that the former Russian intelligence officer who saved his life in Moscow has vanished without a trace. In typical Silva fashion, The Defector's plot is one of slow-building but non-stop tension and suspense that will keep your eyes glued to its pages. Further, Silva provides new dimensions into his already multidimensional, interesting cast of characters, as well as some very thought-provoking insights into the New Russia. While some reviewers have criticized The Defector for being too formulaic, thus making it somewhat "same-old, same old," my opinion is that Silva's successful formula, which he's used now in most of his twelve books, is kept fresh and interesting through the topical events and settings on which his books are based -- and this certainly is the case with The Defector. As a matter of fact, Silva's ability to continue to successfully execute his winning formula is at the heart of what makes me consider him to the "gold standard" of thriller writers. For me, there has never been a risk involved in reading a Silva book, with the only unknown being whether the book will be very good or excellent; and The Defector is an excellent read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Many years ago Daniel Silva was a very promising new talent and his first half dozen books endorsed that. But since then his recent books are nothing more than the writing equivalent of painting by numbers.
I don't think I have ever come across more predictable plots than those of Mr Silva.
The books tend to start well with interesting settings this time it's a very accurate description of Maida Vale, London.
From thereon this is now what happens in all the Gabriel Allon books.
Some nasty event occurs, Gabriel Allon is persuaded to do one last job (yet again). He assembles his usual immortal, boring team who then instigate at least one abduction. All goes well initially until Gabriel gets captured and beaten up before escaping. He then miraculously recovers to kill all the bad guys.
Along the way we have to put up with full bios of the repetitive inane characters who appear in every book even though they have all been described several times before.
Just to add more ridicule to the now ludicrous books that Mr Silva writes all or some of The POPE, The President of the USA and the UK Prime Minister either help out or meet our super hero.
Getting back to this book having run out of ideas on Middle East Terroism Mr Silva has tried to do at least one thing differently and changed the nationality of the bad guys who are now Russians instead of Arabs for the 2nd book running.
This character has well and truly run out of steam and it's a shame Mr Silva doesn't have the courage or is it talent to write a non Gabriel Allon novel.
In hindsight his first 3 books are probably his best and from memory none featured the ludicrous Allon and his immortal mentor who despite retiring years ago still effectively runs Israeli intelligence at the tender age of 80+.
I don't think I have ever come across more predictable plots than those of Mr Silva.
The books tend to start well with interesting settings this time it's a very accurate description of Maida Vale, London.
From thereon this is now what happens in all the Gabriel Allon books.
Some nasty event occurs, Gabriel Allon is persuaded to do one last job (yet again). He assembles his usual immortal, boring team who then instigate at least one abduction. All goes well initially until Gabriel gets captured and beaten up before escaping. He then miraculously recovers to kill all the bad guys.
Along the way we have to put up with full bios of the repetitive inane characters who appear in every book even though they have all been described several times before.
Just to add more ridicule to the now ludicrous books that Mr Silva writes all or some of The POPE, The President of the USA and the UK Prime Minister either help out or meet our super hero.
Getting back to this book having run out of ideas on Middle East Terroism Mr Silva has tried to do at least one thing differently and changed the nationality of the bad guys who are now Russians instead of Arabs for the 2nd book running.
This character has well and truly run out of steam and it's a shame Mr Silva doesn't have the courage or is it talent to write a non Gabriel Allon novel.
In hindsight his first 3 books are probably his best and from memory none featured the ludicrous Allon and his immortal mentor who despite retiring years ago still effectively runs Israeli intelligence at the tender age of 80+.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Still good
I really enjoy Silva's writing so eagerly awaited reading this book. Whilst it was a good read, it really wasn't one of his best. Still, I'll keep reading such a good author.
Published 18 days ago by Yank Abroad
Great writer - gripping story.
This was the first Daniel Silva book I read and once I started it I found it impossible to put down. Read more
Published 8 months ago by G-Sud
Very disappointing
I'm starting to give up on amazon ratings. I read lots of crime fiction and am always looking for a new writer. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. S. Devlin
Yet another great read
loved this book. Silva is an exceptional writer, the detail, the plots really hold you to the last page. Cannot wait for the next to read. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sunrise
Smart and ruthless - that's Allon and that's Silva
There's a kind of rage behind Daniel Silva's highly paced contemporary thrillers: rage against the enemies of Israel, who are mostly Palestinian and al-Qaeda terrorists plotting... Read more
Published 16 months ago by David Gee
Daniel Silva stars again
Yet another Daniel Silva edge of the seat spy thriller. This guy never disappoints. Best spy/thriller writer since La Carre and Forsyth.
Published 19 months ago by R. Sharp
Israeli propaganda
A decent thriller utterly spoilt by lashings of Israeli propaganda. The last Daniel Silva that I shall read.
Published 20 months ago by D Gouvieux
An Intelligent & Hard Nosed Thriller
My review of Daniel Silva's previous novel, Moscow Rules, criticised it for lacking a decent, satisfying ending. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2010 by C. Green
Excellent!
Unless I'd reviewed all the books one by one, it would be difficult to say anything different about the individual books - they're all brilliant! Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2010 by McColl
The Defector - Daniel Silva
Having been a fan of Silva since book one I was concerned that he might just be drying up with Gabriel Allon but NO The Defector is as gripping and compulsive page turning as ever. Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2009 by STEP Edinburgh
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