THE ORDER by Daniel Silva
In the past few months I have read new books from some of my favorite novelists. I found them to be lacking in the skill and quality I had come to expect. So it was with a bit of trepidation I began to read Daniel Silva’s new novel THE ORDER. Perhaps, I thought, he may be tired of writing about the exploits of Gabriel Allon, Maybe he had just churned out the story to meet his yearly deadline. The answer to all those negative thoughts are no, no and entirely no. THE ORDER is one of the best novels of Silva’s writing career and should soar to the top of the best seller lists immediately.
Even though Gabriel Allon has risen to the position of head of “The Office” in Israel he misses his days of being in the field. In THE ORDER his wife Chiara arranges for him to take a vacation in Venice. She wants him to have time for her and their two children. Allon a little reluctantly agrees to take a few weeks off and that gets him out of Israel. But the vacation does not last long for while there the Pope of the Catholic Church dies and there are some questions about his death.
Next his long time friend Archbishop Luigi Donati asks him to do some investigating. Their friendship being so strong Allon can not refuse. So in short time Allon, and the reader, are involved in a high powered adventure that is one of the best Silva has ever created.
I have been a long time fan of Daniel Silva’s writing for many, many years. The reasons are numerous. He is highly intelligent and this brain power seeps into the plots and characters he creates. Plus he is a student of current affairs. His plots are always timely and if he is not merely a good student then he is also a fantastic prognosticator. The reader feels in devouring these stories he/she is reading tomorrow’s headlines.
It is also admirable that Silva’s characters are consistent. Gabriel Allon always displays the same characteristics and personality from one book to the next – and THE ORDER makes number twenty so you have a lot to compare. Silva also introduces you to a variety of supporting players who he weaves in and out of the books as they are needed. The reader gets to know their personalities and character almost as well as those of the lead player.
I don’t think I have ever read a Daniel Silva novel as quickly as I read this one. I honestly couldn’t put it down. It is a mystery, a drama, a love story and more all rolled into one magnificent novel. Once you start it do not plan on doing much of anything else. It will capture and hold you prisoner until the last word is read. Who could ask for more!
THE ORDER is published by Harper. It contains 464 pages and sells for $28.99.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
I was disappointed. If you’re a regular reader of the Gabriel Allon series expecting the terrorist/espionage thriller that Silva is known for, this is not it. It’s closer to Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code. And Silva recently injecting his political views into his stories is becoming tedious.