While the plot and characters are different than the last book, The Confessor, the structure and story arc are very similar. Parts of the book--Gabriel's memories of his mother, in particular--are very good. But overall it felt very formulaic. Overall, it was disappointing. ( )

This book seemed to have some really neat spy stuff in it. They didn't have the cool gadgets but instead focused on what is normally availble to use for spying. I really don't ever read books about the holocaust but this book focused on it. I now feel like my goal for this year may be to read some non-fiction books about those times because this book has piqued an intrest. ( )

Wow, I absolutely loved this book. There was the thread a few weeke sback on changing a screenname to a fictional character and without a doubt I'd chose Chiara Zolli. She's one hell of an agent and she's got Gabriel Allon in her bed!

And a young Stephen Collins? (See photo in entry) Been driving me nuts but he *is* my Gabriel. As was the case in The Confessor, Silva drags us in immediately--Death had joined them in the beginning, and death remained the foundation of their bond. I love Shamron, still working on who fits my mental picture of him.

My obsession with history sucked me in to this book and re-kindled my desire to go back to Europe and see Poland. I had the option to do a trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau but didn't and now I'm regretting it so I think that's going to happen on the way home. MOre on that to be posted to my website soon though.

One thing that drove me a bit batty was his random use of Hebrew and German, OK it fit the story but the usage is hard to sort and I have yet to find a good translation of the Hebew on line which made me feel as if I was missing something. As for the German, only one phrase I can't get and explaining that will be Ute's fee for my passing on this book :)

I like the ties to Argentina and Eichmann, again the history buff in me and it's kind of odd looking back. We can't criticise with hindsight but sometimes I have to wonder what our leaders were thinking, or rather weren't.

I liked the chance to get inside Radek's head on the trip to Birkenau. Though fiction, maybe it is close to the truth. Did some really not believe they'd done anything wrong? Iliked his meeting with Gabriel--drop the euphemisms indeed--call a spade a spade and what not. And of course the tie ins with Haider, I remember that campaign and wondering what would come with it. Hard to imagine.

HIs mentions of Yad Vashem have re-kindled an interest initially sparked by "Auschwitz and After" a course I took, taught by a Catholic nun, at Naz. Was the first time I'd met a Holocaust survivor and some of their words are still with me. Even as Gabriel travelled to Safed to meet Tziona I felt as if I were transported back in time-Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem. I hope one day those places are safe enough to visit.

Per Sally's request, this is going to be released in Japan. Ute wants to read it first though, so I will pass it on to her when I see her on Thursday. Thanks again, Sally, for sending this my way :) ( )

Much like the two before it, this book focuses not on Israel and Palestine, but on continued ramifications of the Holocaust. Another stellar entry in the series. New love interest for Gabriel in this one, who appears to maybe be more permanent. I still want Jacqueline to come back! ( )

Gabriel Allon is called to Vienna by the Israeli Secret Service to investigate a murder, and to avenge the deaths if possible. He is hesitant to return to Vienna, given his history there, but ultimately goes and gets tangled up in a web of cover-ups, leading all over the world and back to Nazi money and his own family's history.

Well-written and exciting plot, with difficult but important historical details, this is a well-executed suspense novel. However, as someone with an (admittedly biased) high opinion of Vienna, it seemed like a stretch to me to set this in modern-day Austria. This was my first Silva novel, and I would certainly read more when I'm in the mood for a fast-paced, intelligent and interesting action novel. ( )