The Order: A Novel (Gabriel Allon) (edição 2020)

This is my second Gabriel Allon book and I don't find it interesting. I know I liked The Black Widow (#16), but this one felt different and slow. Returning this book.

Allon has friends in high places because of the nature of his job as head of security in Israel. When he receives a request to come to the Vatican, from his friend, the personal secretary to the Pope, he answers his call. One wonders how the chief Israeli spy can take two weeks off in Italy? Silva spends a great deal of time focused on the history of the Catholic church and the Jewish people--not a little bible study. There are characters--mostly Vatican characters--some villains, some heroes....not too many. Good read...wondering if there's a #21 ( )

Excellent book. Not sure if there are any more Allon books worth writing. I don’t want to read about the characters I like dying. ( )

This was an ok read but it kept going and going... The last chapter is a short history of the actual tensions and antisemitism caused by the 4 gospels faulting the Jewish people for the death of Jesus. The book opens with the death of the Pope under suspicious circumstances. Luigi Donati, Archbishop and Papal Secretary, does not attend the Pope on Thursday nights so he was not there. He contacts his friend art restorer and master Israeli spy Gabriel Allon to locate a missing Swiss Guard who was on duty that night. He needs the information of what actually happened to the Pope before the Conclave to pick the new Pope begins. That leads to more murders and a hunt for members of the the Order of St. Helens which wants to install a very conservative, authoritarian pope. ( )

I really like this book, until I really didn't. And once ai started to dislike it, I really hated it.

In his latest adventure protagonist Gabriel Allon, Israel's chief spy is on forced vacation in Venice with wifie Chiara and their children. Unfortunately, dastardly deeds are afoot at the Vatican and his services are quickly employed.

Silva spends a great deal of time focused on the history of the Catholic church and the Jewish people. Fascinating reading and this is the part of the book that I really became engrossed in. But, Silva isn't a historical writer, he's a spy novelist, so it was time to get on with the adventure.

Simple math tells you that Allon is now a man nearing 70. His first adventure came in the wake of the Munich killings in 1972, he was 21. Surprisingly despite having been oft-injured and having lived a life fraught with stress, the elderly Allallon has shown little wear and tear. He's as physically adept as a much younger man.

Events involving the Vatican wrap up fairly quickly, as the current batch of villains are little match for the Israeli spymaster. Unfortunately, they prove to be about as interesting as they are adept. Equally unfortunate is that Allon dispatching them doesn't signify the end of the book. This one goes on for another 100 pages after things by all indications are wrapped up.

Silva is one of my favorite writers and Gabriel one of my favorite characters. But if this book is any indication, it may be time to put the legend to bed. Perhaps Silva could create a younger protagonist, who is mentored by his aged protagonist in the way he was mentored by the equally legendary Ari Shamron. Now that would be some interesting reading. ( )