THE CELLIST by Daniel Silva
It is July and that means it is a time for a new Gabriel Allon novel from Daniel Silva. This year’s entry is titled THE CELLIST and it is, as expected, as timely as tomorrow’s headlines. It is extraordinary how Silva can lay out his plots and they feel as if you are reading a current news report. And some incidents seem to foretell events to occur in the future.
In Silva’s fictional world Gabriel Allon is the head of international spy operations in Israel. When his Russian acquaintance Viktor Orlov is murdered, he sees a way to bring revenge against the current Russian government. This plan involves doing business with “dirty money” banks and using them against some top Russian officials. To do this he befriends a young woman who has been working with one of these “dirty” banks. The young woman who works for the banks is named Isabel Brenner and she is also a (wait for it) cellist.
Being a cellist of some repute helps her enter the circle of Arkady Akimov, a wealthy Russian financier and a close friend off the Russian President. He was once a promising pianist and still retains his love for the music community. Since Isabel his succeeded in both his worlds he s very attracted to her when Gabriel dangles her in front of him.
Allon is the heart of each of the twenty one novels Silva has written. He is also the brains which makes him a doubly appealing character. But if Allon is the heart and brains of this story Isabel is the lungs. She breathes fresh air into a story that could possibly have been stagnant. Isabel adds a touch of charm, romance and danger. Silva excels at creating strong female characters and Isabel Brenner is one of his best.
But Silva not only introduces his readers to the new character of Isabel, he also gets the band back together by having his Israeli support group return to the scene. This is another big plus for THE CELLIST as readers had been clamoring for more of Christopher, Sarah , Chiara and many other men and women who played roles in previous books.
When you read a Silva novel you absorb it, or perhaps it absorbs you. Nevertheless it grabs your attention and holds on tight for the duration of the story while you get hour after hour of reading pleasure. When it comes to international intrigue and political plots Dan’s the man.
I have been reading Daniel Silva for decades and he has never disappointed me, not once. THE CELLLIST is one of his best and that says everything as to why you should read it.
One last thing. When they make the movie, TV series, etc., Daniel Silva. I want a copy of the soundtrack. I do love the cello!
THE CELLIST is published by Harper. It contains 496 pages and sells for $28.99.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
