The Fallen Angel

December 24, 2012
Spy and art expert Gabriel Allon, officially retired from the Israeli intelligence service after a nearly fatal assignment, is safely ensconced inside the Vatican restoring a Caravaggio when a young female antiquities curator falls to her death at St. Peter's Basilica. The police call it suicide, but the pope's private secretary asks Allon to discreetly investigate. It's the ideal setup for a mystery, especially when looted antiquarian treasures, the Mafia, and money laundering are added to the mix. And before long, Allon's mentor arrives on the scene in an attempt to lure him back into the spy game. Initially narrator George Guidall's deep baritone sounds a bit too avuncular for Allon. But as the audiobook progresses, his rendition of the character becomes stronger and takes on a hint of weary cynicism. Guidall's accented interpretations of Vatican officials, Israeli spies, and even a Frenchman or two prove entirely convincing. And his pacingâespecially as events unfold leading to yet another of race against time for Allonâideally complements Silva's suspenseful novel. A Harper paperback.

October 15, 2012

New York Times best-selling author Silva has written another exciting thriller featuring Gabriel Alon and his beautiful wife, Ari Shomron, and other members of Israel's antiterrorist group. When a young Vatican antiquities curator is found dead on the floor of the Sistine Chapel, Monsignor Luigi Donati, the Pope's private secretary, asks Gabriel to lead a quiet investigation of what the monsignor believes to be a murder, not a suicide as claimed by the police. Gabriel's investigation uncovers a horrific terrorist plot to destroy one of the world's holiest sites. Award-winning reader George Guidall gives an excellent and nuanced performance. His accents are believable, and his Hebrew pronunciation is accurate. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Silva's hero as well as thriller lovers and anyone who enjoyed fare like The Da Vinci Code. [The HarperCollins hc was a New York Times best seller.--Ed.]--Ilka Gordon, Aaron Garber Lib., Cleveland

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.