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Gabriel Allon #24
A Death in Cornwall
A brutal murder, a missing masterpiece, a mystery only Gabriel Allon can solve…
Acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva returns with the year’s most anticipated new thriller. Pre-order now!
Art restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon has slipped quietly into London to attend a reception at the Courtauld Gallery celebrating the return of a stolen self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh. But when an old friend from the Devon and Cornwall Police seeks his help with a baffling murder investigation, he finds himself pursuing a powerful and dangerous new adversary.
The victim is Charlotte Blake, a celebrated professor of art history from Oxford who spends her weekends in the same seaside village where Gabriel once lived under an assumed identity. Her murder appears to be the work of a diabolical serial killer who has been terrorizing the Cornish countryside. But there are a number of telltale inconsistencies, including a missing mobile phone. And then there is the mysterious three-letter cypher she left behind on a notepad in her study.
Gabriel soon discovers that Professor Blake was searching for a looted Picasso worth more than a $100 million, and he takes up the chase for the painting as only he can – with six Impressionist canvases forged by his own hand and an unlikely team of operatives that includes a world-famous violinist, a beautiful master thief, and a lethal contract killer turned British spy. The result is a stylish and wildly entertaining mystery that moves at lightning speed from the cliffs of Cornwall to the enchanted island of Corsica and, finally, to a breathtaking climax on the very doorstep of 10 Downing Street.
Supremely elegant and suspenseful, A Death in Cornwall is Daniel Silva at his best – a dazzling tale of murder, power, and insatiable greed that will hold readers spellbound until they turn the final page.
Acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva returns with the year’s most anticipated new thriller. Pre-order now!
Art restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon has slipped quietly into London to attend a reception at the Courtauld Gallery celebrating the return of a stolen self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh. But when an old friend from the Devon and Cornwall Police seeks his help with a baffling murder investigation, he finds himself pursuing a powerful and dangerous new adversary.
The victim is Charlotte Blake, a celebrated professor of art history from Oxford who spends her weekends in the same seaside village where Gabriel once lived under an assumed identity. Her murder appears to be the work of a diabolical serial killer who has been terrorizing the Cornish countryside. But there are a number of telltale inconsistencies, including a missing mobile phone. And then there is the mysterious three-letter cypher she left behind on a notepad in her study.
Gabriel soon discovers that Professor Blake was searching for a looted Picasso worth more than a $100 million, and he takes up the chase for the painting as only he can – with six Impressionist canvases forged by his own hand and an unlikely team of operatives that includes a world-famous violinist, a beautiful master thief, and a lethal contract killer turned British spy. The result is a stylish and wildly entertaining mystery that moves at lightning speed from the cliffs of Cornwall to the enchanted island of Corsica and, finally, to a breathtaking climax on the very doorstep of 10 Downing Street.
Supremely elegant and suspenseful, A Death in Cornwall is Daniel Silva at his best – a dazzling tale of murder, power, and insatiable greed that will hold readers spellbound until they turn the final page.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2024
About the author
Daniel Silva
118 books8,803 followersDaniel Silva was born in Michigan in 1960 and raised in California where he received his BA from Fresno State. Silva began his writing career as a journalist for United Press International (UPI), traveling in the Middle East and covering the Iran-Iraq war, terrorism and political conflicts. From UPI he moved to CNN, where he eventually became executive producer of its Washington-based public policy programming. In 1994 he began work on his first novel, The Unlikely Spy, a surprise best seller that won critical acclaim. He turned to writing full time in 1997 and all of his books have been New York Times/national best sellers, translated into 25 languages and published across Europe and the world. He lives in Washington, D.C.
Series:
* Michael Osbourne
* Gabriel Allon
Series:
* Michael Osbourne
* Gabriel Allon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 989 reviews
July 13, 2024
Love the series, but it has gradually become a thin cup of tea. The first half of the book is filled with non stop namedropping of clothes, cars, and posh hotels.
Allon knows the right people, the rich and those on the right side of the law. Except when he needs the criminals. He knows them too. Ingrid the Danish thief and now also master hacker works side by side with and he once again rescues England's honor. In the latter half, the novel finally picks up and the plot, which is thin but still entertaining, unfolds.
Every year I think this is not as good as the older novels, but I really like Allon and reading about him is part of the summer holidays. So I continue.
Allon knows the right people, the rich and those on the right side of the law. Except when he needs the criminals. He knows them too. Ingrid the Danish thief and now also master hacker works side by side with and he once again rescues England's honor. In the latter half, the novel finally picks up and the plot, which is thin but still entertaining, unfolds.
Every year I think this is not as good as the older novels, but I really like Allon and reading about him is part of the summer holidays. So I continue.
July 17, 2024
Not as engaging as other Allon/Silva stories.
September 4, 2024
A Death in Cornwall is the 24th in the Gabriel Allon series,but I’ve only read the prior two. I can already tell this is a formulaic series, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you’re just looking for pure entertainment, they’re pretty fun. The book is all about action, not characters.
Allon is a retired Israeli spy who is also an accomplished artist and art restorer. In fact, his ability to whip up a forgery of a masterpiece in record time is one of the OTT “facts” you need to be prepared to accept. But the art takes a backseat in this story, which focuses on dirty politicians, money laundering and the rich doing their darndest to avoid paying taxes.
This time, an art history professor, who also authenticates the provenance of art, is brutally murdered in England. At the time of her death, she was searching for a Picasso missing since WWII and Allon steps in to find it.
These books have a kind of Ocean’s 11 feel to them - a diverse cast of characters make up his team. The fast pacing and easy to envision scenes complete the feel of an action movie.
While the book is purely fiction and Da Silva takes care to invent all the British politicians, he also spells out the reality behind the idea for the plot in his Author’s Note. Make sure to read/listen to it as it details the London Laundromat, the Panama and Pandora Papers, the Russian government attempts to undermine British democracy and the impact of the loss of the hidden money on the world’s economy.
It was a pleasure to listen to Eduardo Ballerini’s narration.
Allon is a retired Israeli spy who is also an accomplished artist and art restorer. In fact, his ability to whip up a forgery of a masterpiece in record time is one of the OTT “facts” you need to be prepared to accept. But the art takes a backseat in this story, which focuses on dirty politicians, money laundering and the rich doing their darndest to avoid paying taxes.
This time, an art history professor, who also authenticates the provenance of art, is brutally murdered in England. At the time of her death, she was searching for a Picasso missing since WWII and Allon steps in to find it.
These books have a kind of Ocean’s 11 feel to them - a diverse cast of characters make up his team. The fast pacing and easy to envision scenes complete the feel of an action movie.
While the book is purely fiction and Da Silva takes care to invent all the British politicians, he also spells out the reality behind the idea for the plot in his Author’s Note. Make sure to read/listen to it as it details the London Laundromat, the Panama and Pandora Papers, the Russian government attempts to undermine British democracy and the impact of the loss of the hidden money on the world’s economy.
It was a pleasure to listen to Eduardo Ballerini’s narration.
August 31, 2024
This book took a while to get going and get everything situated. I would think that we are getting to the end of this series. The four stars are well earned as we approached the last third of the book where you don't want to put it down. Great, but lets move on.
July 31, 2024
Is Daniel Silva ok?
This was my main thought as I read another disappointing edition to this once sterling series. The past five novels have been so mediocre that I have a very difficult time believing that the same author wrote the previous books. So, my theories are as follows:
1. Went crazy during covid (understandable) and never recovered. The quality of his books went downhill during lockdown
2. We have a ghost writer!
3. He is sick and tired of this series and characters and is not even trying anymore (older books had very thorough research and were full of historical anecdotes and facts, along with quality analysis of foreign affairs - all this is non-existent in later works)
4. Alien abduction
5. He is now too wealthy to care
6. Ghost writer + aliens (an interesting combo)
7. Current affairs affecting books/tv would perhaps dictate previous scenarios and characters be unwelcome in published works (see the Apple TV show Tehran), but this trend of decreased quality has been for the past five books, so I am really at a loss as to what is going on.
Isn't it the worst when a beloved author becomes...disappointing? I used to look forward to July EVERY year because that meant a new Daniel Silva book was coming out.
Sad face :( Very, very sad face :(
This was my main thought as I read another disappointing edition to this once sterling series. The past five novels have been so mediocre that I have a very difficult time believing that the same author wrote the previous books. So, my theories are as follows:
1. Went crazy during covid (understandable) and never recovered. The quality of his books went downhill during lockdown
2. We have a ghost writer!
3. He is sick and tired of this series and characters and is not even trying anymore (older books had very thorough research and were full of historical anecdotes and facts, along with quality analysis of foreign affairs - all this is non-existent in later works)
4. Alien abduction
5. He is now too wealthy to care
6. Ghost writer + aliens (an interesting combo)
7. Current affairs affecting books/tv would perhaps dictate previous scenarios and characters be unwelcome in published works (see the Apple TV show Tehran), but this trend of decreased quality has been for the past five books, so I am really at a loss as to what is going on.
Isn't it the worst when a beloved author becomes...disappointing? I used to look forward to July EVERY year because that meant a new Daniel Silva book was coming out.
Sad face :( Very, very sad face :(
July 5, 2024
I just finished reading the book and am sad I finished reading it. The book was so captivating I neglected chores so I could visit with Gabriel Allon and comrades as well as catching up with his twins. The characters come alive and I am transported to their location. What a fun vacation and I didn’t have to pack and change living quarters. I meet old friends and found new friends.
July 18, 2024
A Death in Cornwall
Daniel Silva
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Legendary spy Gabriel Allon may have retired from the Israeli Intelligence network, but even as an art restorer, he continues to get enmeshed in international intrigue, greed, and murder in this standalone globetrotting tale that expertly melds fact with fiction. Allon agrees to attend the celebratory unveiling of a recently retrieved stolen self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh at London’s Courtauld Gallery.
There, he is approached by a friend from his uncomfortable past: Detective Sergeant Timothy Peel, whom Gabriel befriended as a young boy in Cornwall while coping with the aftermath of a brutal firebombing of his vehicle in Vienna, which resulted in the death of his young son and permanent psychological scarring of his wife. Peel enlists Allon’s aid in investigating the mysterious murder of Charlotte Blake, a prominent Professor of Art History at the University of Oxford. Her brutal murder is being attributed to a serial killer known as “The Chopper,” who kills with a single blow to the back of the head with a hatchet. However, Peel has noted a number of inconsistencies in details unknown to the general public. Clues in her papers suggest an alternative reason for her death.
Gabriel soon uncovers data indicating that Charlotte was searching for provenance information regarding a Nazi-looted Picasso painting worth more than a million. The painting in question is “Untitled Portrait of a Woman in the Surrealistic Style, Oil on Canvas, 1937.” Its ownership dated back to its acquisition by Jewish businessman Bernard Levy, an art lover. Unfortunately, he was swept up by the French police on July 16, 1942, during the notorious Paris Roundup, deported to Auschwitz in 1944, and gassed immediately upon arrival—facing the same fate as more than six million other innocent Jews. The French police arrested more than thirteen thousand on that single day in July, going door to door, doing their master’s bidding. Only Bernard’s daughter survived and later gave birth to a son, Emanuel, who eventually completed his medical training at the Sorbonne.
Soon after Charlotte Blake’s murder, Dr. Emanuel reportedly fell to his death in Montmartre, France. Coincidence? Who will benefit if this sought-after painting remains hidden?
Gabriel sets up an elaborate sting to retrieve the looted Picasso. This effort enlists the aid of several beloved characters from past novel exploits: Anna Rolfe, the world-renowned violinist, mega-wealthy and charismatic, as well as a past lover; Ingrid Johansen, the beautiful professional thief and elusive Danish collaborator from previous capers. He returns to the beautiful island of Corsica, once again enlisting the aid and advice of the notorious Don Anton Orsati. And he does battle with Don Casabianca’s obstreperous goat. The assassin turned British operative Christopher Keller reprises his role with panache. Along the tortuous path to discovery, Gabriel uncovers a plot to wreak chaos in the Conservative government of Britain and bring down the current prime minister.
Daniel Silva proves to be a masterful storyteller as he weaves together multiple intricate plot lines, using his evocative prose to ratchet up the tension and intrigue in this masterful page-turner of power and greed. He combines themes of loyalty, betrayal, and greed, intersecting with international politics, enhanced by multi-layered character development. Interwoven in the drama is the significant modern-day problem of using art as a means to launder money for the uber-rich and avoid taxation. Their luxuries are purchased behind the cloak of offshore shell companies.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully, this is not the last complex tale in the life of Gabriel Allon.
..... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com ......
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
Another entertaining volume in the Gabriel Allon series, where fiction imitates current events.
August 8, 2024
“Allon, P.I.” (Cue in the Magnum P.I. theme song…. The original Magnum, not the pale modern imitation). That should be the title of this entry. Or “A Death of a Series”.
The good new is that, compared to the previous entry, Silva returns to a plot-focused plot and outs his biased politics on the back-burner. But that’s the only plus. Unfortunately, t his entry is yet another rehash of previous books, just without the intelligence, thrills or fun. Another missing painting that leads to the discovery of two murders that somehow connects to a (very idiotic) conspiracy to overthrow the English Prime Minister over some money laundering scheme. Yay. So fresh, so inventive… So boring.
It’s mostly the drab writing style that kills it. I’m starting to wonder whether Daniel Silva is the one who is writing this novels, because compared to the older ones, there new entries feel so alien. It’s so straight-forward and lacks any real effort, as all the dialogues are truly awful and contrived, while the characters themselves (even Allon) feel like strangers- none of them act or speak or behave like their old selves. They're just there to spew some lines and push forward a very uninspired, rehashed plot. Even Keller, who used to be one of my favorite side characters in this long-running series, is feeling like a ghost of his former self, lacking his intelligence, charm and humor. He’s just… there. A name on the page. Like everyone else.
Allon’s daughter, Irene (who is 8 years old, mind you… 8!!!) is still panicking and puts herself in states of complete horror over climate change (do any of you know kids that age that act this way? It feels… weird. Forced. She also doesn’t talk like a an 8 years old at all, she acts and speaks like someone who is a teenager already or over 18), Chiara is suddenly very jealous of everyone Gabriel is speaking with (since when?! Chiara has always been so confident and intelligent. How you go from that to being jealous all the time? And am I the only one who notices that almost everytime Chiara appears, she has a drink in her hand?!)…
Weirder still, is how this entire novel doesn’t mention at all, not even once (!!!) the October 7th massacre. Not once. I find extremely weird, because Silva rewrote “The Cellist” (by his own admission as he felt it was important to do so) to include the January 6th riots (published in July 2021), which not only felt rushed and a missed opportunity- but as a whole, didn’t really had anything to do with Gabriel and The Office.
Yet something like October 7th, that is directly connected to Allon’s work (even if he is retired), the Office, to his homeland.... something that is rooted deeply in his DNA… And not one single mention?! Seriously?
He doesn’t even set foot in Israel in this novel, nor does keep contact with The Office or any of his former team mates or anyone he knows that lives there, not a single character mentions it… Nothing. Not one word. As if it didn’t happen. Silva doesn’t even mention it in his Author’s Note (which was long) or why he decided to ignore it altogether.
Considering Allon’s sentiments and his love for his country and the countless times he sacrificed his life for his country throughout the series- I find extremely bizarre (again, especially when considering he rushed to rewrite "The Cellist" to include the January 6th riots, which was published in July 2021).
1 star. Another pointless rehash of old plots in yet another uninspired entry in a series that seems to go nowhere and pretty much lost its intelligence and edge completely. At this point, maybe it’s time for Silva to take a break from writing (as he really seem to be out of ideas), or a break from this series, or even retire Gabriel Allon (he is, after all, retired in the series).
As it is, this was my last adventure with him.
The good new is that, compared to the previous entry, Silva returns to a plot-focused plot and outs his biased politics on the back-burner. But that’s the only plus. Unfortunately, t his entry is yet another rehash of previous books, just without the intelligence, thrills or fun. Another missing painting that leads to the discovery of two murders that somehow connects to a (very idiotic) conspiracy to overthrow the English Prime Minister over some money laundering scheme. Yay. So fresh, so inventive… So boring.
It’s mostly the drab writing style that kills it. I’m starting to wonder whether Daniel Silva is the one who is writing this novels, because compared to the older ones, there new entries feel so alien. It’s so straight-forward and lacks any real effort, as all the dialogues are truly awful and contrived, while the characters themselves (even Allon) feel like strangers- none of them act or speak or behave like their old selves. They're just there to spew some lines and push forward a very uninspired, rehashed plot. Even Keller, who used to be one of my favorite side characters in this long-running series, is feeling like a ghost of his former self, lacking his intelligence, charm and humor. He’s just… there. A name on the page. Like everyone else.
Allon’s daughter, Irene (who is 8 years old, mind you… 8!!!) is still panicking and puts herself in states of complete horror over climate change (do any of you know kids that age that act this way? It feels… weird. Forced. She also doesn’t talk like a an 8 years old at all, she acts and speaks like someone who is a teenager already or over 18), Chiara is suddenly very jealous of everyone Gabriel is speaking with (since when?! Chiara has always been so confident and intelligent. How you go from that to being jealous all the time? And am I the only one who notices that almost everytime Chiara appears, she has a drink in her hand?!)…
Weirder still, is how this entire novel doesn’t mention at all, not even once (!!!) the October 7th massacre. Not once. I find extremely weird, because Silva rewrote “The Cellist” (by his own admission as he felt it was important to do so) to include the January 6th riots (published in July 2021), which not only felt rushed and a missed opportunity- but as a whole, didn’t really had anything to do with Gabriel and The Office.
Yet something like October 7th, that is directly connected to Allon’s work (even if he is retired), the Office, to his homeland.... something that is rooted deeply in his DNA… And not one single mention?! Seriously?
He doesn’t even set foot in Israel in this novel, nor does keep contact with The Office or any of his former team mates or anyone he knows that lives there, not a single character mentions it… Nothing. Not one word. As if it didn’t happen. Silva doesn’t even mention it in his Author’s Note (which was long) or why he decided to ignore it altogether.
Considering Allon’s sentiments and his love for his country and the countless times he sacrificed his life for his country throughout the series- I find extremely bizarre (again, especially when considering he rushed to rewrite "The Cellist" to include the January 6th riots, which was published in July 2021).
1 star. Another pointless rehash of old plots in yet another uninspired entry in a series that seems to go nowhere and pretty much lost its intelligence and edge completely. At this point, maybe it’s time for Silva to take a break from writing (as he really seem to be out of ideas), or a break from this series, or even retire Gabriel Allon (he is, after all, retired in the series).
As it is, this was my last adventure with him.
August 2, 2024
These books do not diminish as the series goes on, Gabriel may have slightly softened as he ages, but he is still a master art restorer and spy/assassin. I loved the setting in Cornwall, especially since I visited that same area last year. I look forward to a new one every July! Keep up the good work Mr. Silva, you are a craftsman at your trade!
July 10, 2024
I have read all of Silvia’s Gabriel Allon books, and enjoyed them very much. This book, however, seemed formulaic to me, and was a slog to get through. I hope that this isn’t an indication of how any future books will be.
September 14, 2024
Gabriel Allon, famed art restorer and former head of the Israeli Intelligence Agency, was once the world's most famous spy. Currently living in Venice with his family, Allon is focusing on art restoration. But he is drawn back into the world of espionage when he is contacted by an old friend from Cornwall, England to help investigate the murder of Dr. Charlotte Blake, a professor of art and history at Oxford University. Blake had been researching the provenance of a Picasso painting looted during World War II. It appears that some very powerful people want the painting to remain hidden. Allon puts together a team of old cohorts to unravel this intriguing case which gets more dangerous by the day. But there's more here than meets the eye as a web of illegal activities are found in unexpected places.
Author Daniel Silva may have planned to have his character Gabriel Allon retire and slow down but in A Death in Cornwall, it is clear that in book twenty-four of this great series, there are many adventures left for his hero. This fast-moving story was thoroughly entertaining, and it was a treat to have so many characters from earlier books join the action. I eagerly await book twenty-five.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Author Daniel Silva may have planned to have his character Gabriel Allon retire and slow down but in A Death in Cornwall, it is clear that in book twenty-four of this great series, there are many adventures left for his hero. This fast-moving story was thoroughly entertaining, and it was a treat to have so many characters from earlier books join the action. I eagerly await book twenty-five.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
July 18, 2024
Although Silva is one of my favorite authors, this book was not one I really enjoyed. It was bogged down with so many descriptions of European locations, unnecessary subplots. Very slow moving.
July 24, 2024
It all starts with a painting by Picasso which got stolen in WW2 during the reign ofthe Nazis from a Jewish person. A lot of possessions changed hands albeit not on positive terms for certain persecuted people during these fascistic times.
A professor from Oxford who is actually on the trail of painting and its history gets killed by a serial killer by the name of Chopper. However to many people die that are in connection with this painting.
Gabriel Allon gets involved because of his own heritage and its what hé does these days when no longer in charge of Mossad.
Hé and his friends are chasing this painting and its owners when they find themselves in dieper and different waters than they expected.
These new Allon books have far more to do with art and theft than any spycraft. I must admit I am more in favour with this brand of stories than the thrillers Mr Silva wrote before. So the advertisement that Allon is the James Bond of the New millennium is somewhat moot as the fans of 007 know very little of Bonds activities outsiders his service. Allon bring an art restorer first now and art detective second has become a somewhat different beastie. And one too my liking I must add.
An entertaining book by Mr Silva once again and shall be looking forward to next one. This episode does seem to steer clear from the Russian/ Uktaine war or the conflict in Gaza which should appease the people that dislike politics in thrillers, even if this heist story has no Spy parts even if the story touches the freedoms of the very rich.
A professor from Oxford who is actually on the trail of painting and its history gets killed by a serial killer by the name of Chopper. However to many people die that are in connection with this painting.
Gabriel Allon gets involved because of his own heritage and its what hé does these days when no longer in charge of Mossad.
Hé and his friends are chasing this painting and its owners when they find themselves in dieper and different waters than they expected.
These new Allon books have far more to do with art and theft than any spycraft. I must admit I am more in favour with this brand of stories than the thrillers Mr Silva wrote before. So the advertisement that Allon is the James Bond of the New millennium is somewhat moot as the fans of 007 know very little of Bonds activities outsiders his service. Allon bring an art restorer first now and art detective second has become a somewhat different beastie. And one too my liking I must add.
An entertaining book by Mr Silva once again and shall be looking forward to next one. This episode does seem to steer clear from the Russian/ Uktaine war or the conflict in Gaza which should appease the people that dislike politics in thrillers, even if this heist story has no Spy parts even if the story touches the freedoms of the very rich.
July 23, 2024
Eh. Daniel Silva has been my favorite author for many years. I have read every single one of the Gabriel Allon books many times over. It’s time to let it go. The story lines have become very repetitive. The author’s personal politics have been seeping into the books over the last few years which is very offputting. This one was not nearly as bad as The Cellist but still. A Death in Cornwall is also lacking the presence of many of our favorite characters. If you are looking forward to encounters with Shamron or Yaakov or Mikhail, you will be left very disappointed. This book is also filled with annoying hypocrisies. The characters bemoaning their lack of personal funds while living a very lavish lifestyle. This while the average person is struggling under the weight of oppressive inflation and stagnated wages. One of his weaker works for sure. Maybe commit to doing one more book in the series to wrap up some things and then move on.
October 4, 2024
I’ve been interested for a while in what Silva planned to do with his art restorer, now former head of Mossad and Mossad assassin Gabriel Allon, once it seemed he wasn’t such a simple role model hero after all.
Allon has now retired, but draws on his formerly official contacts and skills to help solve murders related to art theft and international money laundering.
After this book, no 24 in the series, it feels as though Silva is running out of ideas.
Allon has now retired, but draws on his formerly official contacts and skills to help solve murders related to art theft and international money laundering.
After this book, no 24 in the series, it feels as though Silva is running out of ideas.
July 12, 2024
I always enjoy a visit with Gabriel and Friends, but I miss the Office staff. It’s nice to see Christopher and Sarah, Don Orsati and the goat, and Chiara and the children (it’s less nice to see Anna Rolfe), but I miss Ari, Uzi, Dina and Company. Could Gabriel unretire now?
August 24, 2024
A Death in Cornwall is the twenty-fourth book in the series by Daniel Silva featuring Gabriel Allon, art restorer and legendary spy for the Israeli Intelligence Network as he navigated the treacherous landscape of espionage throughout the world. Having stepped down from the leadership role of the Agency, Allon is now enjoying retirement as he devotes himself full-time to his art restoration and living in Venice with his beautiful wife, Chiara, and their two delightful children, Irene and Raphael.
This elegant and suspenseful book begins with Gabriel Allon in Cornwall where he sought refuge and healing through his art after the tragic car bombing of his first wife and son in Vienna. Even though Allon has retired from the Israeli Intelligence Network, as an art restorer, he continues to become involved in international intrigue, greed, and murder in this riveting tale as author Daniel Silva expertly combines fact and fiction in the field of stolen art from the victims of the holocaust during World War II. Thus Allon agrees to attend the unveiling of a stolen and recently retrieved self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh at London’s Courtauld Gallery. It is here that he is approached by Detective Sergeant Timothy Peel whom Gabriel befriended as a young boy when he sought refuge in Cornwall. Peel seeks Allon’s assistance in the investigation of the mysterious murder of Charlotte Blake, a prominent Professor of Art History at the University of Oxford. Gabriel Allon quickly discovers that Professor Blake was researching the provenance regarding a Nazi-looted Picasso reportedly worth more than a million. Its ownership was traced to a Jewish businessman in Paris and subsequently gassed at Auschwitz. After Professor Blake’s death, the surviving grandson mysteriously fell to his death in Montmartre, France. It is then that Gabriel Allon sets up an elaborate operation to retrieve the looted Picasso enlisting many of the beloved characters from previous exploits around the globe visiting such places as Germany, France and Corsica. In addition to the storyline involving the provenance of art and art forgery, Allon discovers an intricate plot to topple the conservative government of Britain’s parliament and ultimately bringing down the prime minister. Daniel Silva is such a masterful storyteller that he manages to keep multiple and intricate plot lines interesting and flowing as we explore the lengths of power and greed intersecting with international politics and the art world.
This elegant and suspenseful book begins with Gabriel Allon in Cornwall where he sought refuge and healing through his art after the tragic car bombing of his first wife and son in Vienna. Even though Allon has retired from the Israeli Intelligence Network, as an art restorer, he continues to become involved in international intrigue, greed, and murder in this riveting tale as author Daniel Silva expertly combines fact and fiction in the field of stolen art from the victims of the holocaust during World War II. Thus Allon agrees to attend the unveiling of a stolen and recently retrieved self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh at London’s Courtauld Gallery. It is here that he is approached by Detective Sergeant Timothy Peel whom Gabriel befriended as a young boy when he sought refuge in Cornwall. Peel seeks Allon’s assistance in the investigation of the mysterious murder of Charlotte Blake, a prominent Professor of Art History at the University of Oxford. Gabriel Allon quickly discovers that Professor Blake was researching the provenance regarding a Nazi-looted Picasso reportedly worth more than a million. Its ownership was traced to a Jewish businessman in Paris and subsequently gassed at Auschwitz. After Professor Blake’s death, the surviving grandson mysteriously fell to his death in Montmartre, France. It is then that Gabriel Allon sets up an elaborate operation to retrieve the looted Picasso enlisting many of the beloved characters from previous exploits around the globe visiting such places as Germany, France and Corsica. In addition to the storyline involving the provenance of art and art forgery, Allon discovers an intricate plot to topple the conservative government of Britain’s parliament and ultimately bringing down the prime minister. Daniel Silva is such a masterful storyteller that he manages to keep multiple and intricate plot lines interesting and flowing as we explore the lengths of power and greed intersecting with international politics and the art world.
July 19, 2024
I guess by now I should be used to the fact that the No. 1 guy on my list of Top 10 all-time favorite book "heroes," Gabriel Allon, is retired and making an attempt at a normal life with his wife Chiara and their twins Irene and Raphael. But if I'm honest, I haven't fully acclimated (now that I think about it, neither has Gabriel), so as with the last couple of books in the series - this is the 24th - I really miss the characters from Israel's hush-hush intelligence agency for which he once was a super-spy. But like one of the lead characters in a popular mobster movie series, just when he thought he was out, he keeps getting pulled back in. Maybe it's not quite the same, but a few characters from Gabriel's past do show up and, as always, there's no shortage of action.
Not one to seek the limelight, Gabriel - an accomplished art restorer - comes to London for an art event and ends up embroiled in the murder of Charlotte Black, an art professor and artistic provenance research specialist (i.e., proving history and ownership) who's thought to be the latest victim of the so-called Chopper." Gabriel learns she was trying to track down a priceless Picasso thought to have been among the countless works of art stolen from Jewish families during the Holocaust (well, actually, there is a price; it's believed to be worth in excess of $100 million). After some sleuthing, Gabriel concludes that in all likelihood, Dr. Blake was not a victim of the serial killer.
Mostly in hopes of finding the stolen Picasso and returning it to its rightful owner, Gabriel takes on the case and, as always, devises an intricate, well-coordinated plan to get it back (the details of the author's plots never fails to amaze me). The chase is fraught with danger (also as always) and means Gabriel must put his own painting skills to the test (a not infrequent occurrence) as well as travel as surrepitiously as possible among several locations including Cornwall. At the latter, he solicits professional assistance from a police detective sergeant he befriended many years earlier.
There's not much more I can say without revealing too much, so all I can say is there's much more to be revealed by reading it for yourself. Another one well done, and already I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Not one to seek the limelight, Gabriel - an accomplished art restorer - comes to London for an art event and ends up embroiled in the murder of Charlotte Black, an art professor and artistic provenance research specialist (i.e., proving history and ownership) who's thought to be the latest victim of the so-called Chopper." Gabriel learns she was trying to track down a priceless Picasso thought to have been among the countless works of art stolen from Jewish families during the Holocaust (well, actually, there is a price; it's believed to be worth in excess of $100 million). After some sleuthing, Gabriel concludes that in all likelihood, Dr. Blake was not a victim of the serial killer.
Mostly in hopes of finding the stolen Picasso and returning it to its rightful owner, Gabriel takes on the case and, as always, devises an intricate, well-coordinated plan to get it back (the details of the author's plots never fails to amaze me). The chase is fraught with danger (also as always) and means Gabriel must put his own painting skills to the test (a not infrequent occurrence) as well as travel as surrepitiously as possible among several locations including Cornwall. At the latter, he solicits professional assistance from a police detective sergeant he befriended many years earlier.
There's not much more I can say without revealing too much, so all I can say is there's much more to be revealed by reading it for yourself. Another one well done, and already I'm looking forward to the next installment.
September 23, 2024
In some cases, an author who demonstrates consistency over a period of years bears similarity to an Oscar winning actor. This being the 24th installment of the Gabriel Allon series, such is the case with Mr. Silva.
Allon is attending an event to celebrate the return of a Van Gogh in London, when a law enforcement officer approaches. Since Gabriel had first met Timothy Peel as a boy, he was pleased to learn he'd risen to Chief Detective at the Cornwall Police department and suspected it had to do with the 'hatchet killer' whose victim count was rapidly rising. But when he learns the most recent victim was the Picasso researcher and long time friend, Charlotte Blake, he was left with no other choice than to assist.
As with most in the series, investigations are like jigsaw puzzles, with most requiring a scheme. With this story, we learn Blake was searching for a $100M Picasso that had originally been looted by the Nazi regime, but managed to disappear when its rightful owner was murdered. As the plot unfolds, we encounter many of the 'usual suspects' from previous stories including Don Orsati, the Corsican 'olive oil' entrepreneur, along with Christopher Keller, former Mi6 agent, Julian Isherwood, concert violinist and past lover, Anna Rolfe and countless others.
Since Gabriel is both artist and restoration expert, the scheme requires he 'forge' six master works to use as a bargaining chip for the return of the Picasso. It also requires the services of the lovely Swede Ingrid Johanssen, master thief and computer hacker due to the complexity of the money laundering network. Joining forces with the French, US and Swiss intelligence, they learn the Picasso is harbored in the Geneva Freeport, storage facility for billionaire art collectors, tax shelter and art schemes galore.
This is yet another plot filled with big money, high risk and dabs of violence and like all the others, extremely complex. What I enjoyed most was the consistency of the acerbic character dialog which adds fun to an otherwise suspenseful story. This being the seventh I've read, it was the first where Allon is captured though I won't spoil the experience with details, twists or otherwise.
Of all mystery authors, Silva's research, creativity and character driven stories put him in a category of his own, though there's no getting around he's consistent. Regardless, if you enjoy the combination of spy schemes, art, money, snappy dialog and suspense, add this one to your list!
Allon is attending an event to celebrate the return of a Van Gogh in London, when a law enforcement officer approaches. Since Gabriel had first met Timothy Peel as a boy, he was pleased to learn he'd risen to Chief Detective at the Cornwall Police department and suspected it had to do with the 'hatchet killer' whose victim count was rapidly rising. But when he learns the most recent victim was the Picasso researcher and long time friend, Charlotte Blake, he was left with no other choice than to assist.
As with most in the series, investigations are like jigsaw puzzles, with most requiring a scheme. With this story, we learn Blake was searching for a $100M Picasso that had originally been looted by the Nazi regime, but managed to disappear when its rightful owner was murdered. As the plot unfolds, we encounter many of the 'usual suspects' from previous stories including Don Orsati, the Corsican 'olive oil' entrepreneur, along with Christopher Keller, former Mi6 agent, Julian Isherwood, concert violinist and past lover, Anna Rolfe and countless others.
Since Gabriel is both artist and restoration expert, the scheme requires he 'forge' six master works to use as a bargaining chip for the return of the Picasso. It also requires the services of the lovely Swede Ingrid Johanssen, master thief and computer hacker due to the complexity of the money laundering network. Joining forces with the French, US and Swiss intelligence, they learn the Picasso is harbored in the Geneva Freeport, storage facility for billionaire art collectors, tax shelter and art schemes galore.
This is yet another plot filled with big money, high risk and dabs of violence and like all the others, extremely complex. What I enjoyed most was the consistency of the acerbic character dialog which adds fun to an otherwise suspenseful story. This being the seventh I've read, it was the first where Allon is captured though I won't spoil the experience with details, twists or otherwise.
Of all mystery authors, Silva's research, creativity and character driven stories put him in a category of his own, though there's no getting around he's consistent. Regardless, if you enjoy the combination of spy schemes, art, money, snappy dialog and suspense, add this one to your list!
August 25, 2024
An Okay Read Which I’d Have Rated Higher If It Wasn’t So Much Like His Past 3 Books!
I’ve read all 24 books in the Gabriel Allon series (as well as all of Silva’s other books), but A Death In Cornwall marks the fourth consecutive book in which I found the plots, characters, and writing style are so similar that I feel the series has become so formulaic and predictable that I pretty much knew was was going to happen before it happened. As such, my interest in reading future books featuring Gabriel Allon will need some serious thought.
That being said, it’s not that A Death In Cornwall isn’t an okay read. It is; in that it served to provide a decent among of entertainment, interesting locales and a breezy pace. In fact, I likely would have rated A Death In Cornwall higher if I didn’t feel that I’ve now read essentially the same story in each of Silva’s three previous books in the series.
For me, it’s time for Silva to let Allon REALLY retire and for himself to step outside of the Comfort Zone he’s been in for much too long and create a new series with new, fresh characters and new, fresh plots. I doubt if Silva will do this since the Gabriel Allon series despite it’s being so formulaic and somewhat stale, is too much of a “cash cow” for him to give it up. But, this reader can only hope!
I’ve read all 24 books in the Gabriel Allon series (as well as all of Silva’s other books), but A Death In Cornwall marks the fourth consecutive book in which I found the plots, characters, and writing style are so similar that I feel the series has become so formulaic and predictable that I pretty much knew was was going to happen before it happened. As such, my interest in reading future books featuring Gabriel Allon will need some serious thought.
That being said, it’s not that A Death In Cornwall isn’t an okay read. It is; in that it served to provide a decent among of entertainment, interesting locales and a breezy pace. In fact, I likely would have rated A Death In Cornwall higher if I didn’t feel that I’ve now read essentially the same story in each of Silva’s three previous books in the series.
For me, it’s time for Silva to let Allon REALLY retire and for himself to step outside of the Comfort Zone he’s been in for much too long and create a new series with new, fresh characters and new, fresh plots. I doubt if Silva will do this since the Gabriel Allon series despite it’s being so formulaic and somewhat stale, is too much of a “cash cow” for him to give it up. But, this reader can only hope!
July 25, 2024
I love every book about Gabriel Allon by Daniel Silva. I was so excited when A Death in Cornwall was released. Unfortunately it was a huge disappointment! It was like reading pages and pages of extremely boring facts. It did not hold my interest but I kept reading in the hopes it would get better. It did not! Practically plotless and rambling. Totally beneath Daniel Silva’s usual flawless, inventive and entertaining writing. What happened to him??
July 15, 2024
Typical Silva mystery. He needs new characters.
August 3, 2024
Painfully unambitious
Decent enough art-based crime novel with little to no actual spycraft. No mention is made of the attack on Israel or the resulting war in Gaza, which should be close to Allon’s heart. In fact, Gabriel doesn’t step food into Israel once or has any contact with his colleagues at Mossad, while still making copious use of “hacking software” he should no longer have access to. The closest this book comes to being a spy novel is an underdeveloped plot line focused on somewhat boring British party politics, with vague references to geopolitical implications.
It’s not a bad novel per se, it’s just a painfully unambitious Gabriel Allon book, missing all of the geopolitical complexity that makes this series great.
Decent enough art-based crime novel with little to no actual spycraft. No mention is made of the attack on Israel or the resulting war in Gaza, which should be close to Allon’s heart. In fact, Gabriel doesn’t step food into Israel once or has any contact with his colleagues at Mossad, while still making copious use of “hacking software” he should no longer have access to. The closest this book comes to being a spy novel is an underdeveloped plot line focused on somewhat boring British party politics, with vague references to geopolitical implications.
It’s not a bad novel per se, it’s just a painfully unambitious Gabriel Allon book, missing all of the geopolitical complexity that makes this series great.
July 17, 2024
Daniel Silva and Gabriel Allon have been favorites of mine since I opened my first Gabriel Allon novel years ago. I must admit, however, I miss Gabriel Allon, the spy, very much. The art restorer Gabriel Allon seems a bit of a snob and while I did like his supporting cast in the novel, I miss his old crew back in Israel. It was nice to learn the goat in Corsica is doing well and still doesn't care for Gabriel.
The storyline is interesting enough in this one and loved being back in Cornwall and reuniting with the character of Timothy Peel. Would enjoy seeing him in more Gabriel Allon stories.
I always enjoy spending time with Gabriel Allon.
The storyline is interesting enough in this one and loved being back in Cornwall and reuniting with the character of Timothy Peel. Would enjoy seeing him in more Gabriel Allon stories.
I always enjoy spending time with Gabriel Allon.
September 26, 2024
24th book in the series and I wait with anticipation each summer for the newest tale of Gabriel. There is formula to these books, usually a bad sign-but the characters are so well built so it matters not to me.
As always we are in the world of Art-Gabriel is on the hunt for a Picasso lost/stolen during WWII. A character introduced in the very beginning of the series pops up, grown into a man who was slightly molded by Gabriel. This proved very interesting to me, and I am hoping Silva builds on this character in future books. Characters who have been around for a while return and (rarely use spoiler in a review but I must mention this. .
Again, Silva does not disappoint- yet another year to wait *sigh*
As always we are in the world of Art-Gabriel is on the hunt for a Picasso lost/stolen during WWII. A character introduced in the very beginning of the series pops up, grown into a man who was slightly molded by Gabriel. This proved very interesting to me, and I am hoping Silva builds on this character in future books. Characters who have been around for a while return and (rarely use spoiler in a review but I must mention this. .
Again, Silva does not disappoint- yet another year to wait *sigh*
August 10, 2024
4.0 / 5.0
A refreshing read from his previous book, Gabriel Allon strikes again. The first comment I’ll make is that the amount of politics thrown in our face compared to the previous book is a lot less but still very prevalent. It is a tad disappointing that the art talk, restoration has scaled down slightly but it’s definitely an improvement from his last book (which to remind everyone felt like a fast and furious movie in space). This felt alittle more toned down and more routed to ground, although there is what I would say heavy discussion of British politics.
I tend to stay away from politics in books, I like reading for the plot, the atmospheres and the character. I was drawn to this series since it’s very artistic, restoration based which I love to watch and explore myself. I feel as though this is quite often the backfoot and the main plots are the ‘saving the day with a sprinkle of politics’. But in a way I understand the predicament Silva is in, how do you change up the plot so it’s not the repetitive plot, and something happens that hasn’t happened on his previous books. I get why in a way Silva has to resort to over aspects to make the fine art restoration still applicable. It’s like James Bond but part time fine art restorer. I feel torn writing this review, part of me enjoys the journey allon is on when he is talking art, discussion on art restoration but I also know there’s only so much you can talk and bring to the table. For me, the politics seems to be the increasing thing that is becoming more of the main plot. I don’t know, I feel invested in the series but I fear it may get to the point the one thing that makes the book different end up getting the smallest parts in the plot and the politics runs the main theme.
Another thing I would note is that this book wouldn’t make as much sense if you have not read Silva’s previous book. Overall it’s a great read, but I fear the book’s direction and trajectory involving politics so heavily in the book.
A refreshing read from his previous book, Gabriel Allon strikes again. The first comment I’ll make is that the amount of politics thrown in our face compared to the previous book is a lot less but still very prevalent. It is a tad disappointing that the art talk, restoration has scaled down slightly but it’s definitely an improvement from his last book (which to remind everyone felt like a fast and furious movie in space). This felt alittle more toned down and more routed to ground, although there is what I would say heavy discussion of British politics.
I tend to stay away from politics in books, I like reading for the plot, the atmospheres and the character. I was drawn to this series since it’s very artistic, restoration based which I love to watch and explore myself. I feel as though this is quite often the backfoot and the main plots are the ‘saving the day with a sprinkle of politics’. But in a way I understand the predicament Silva is in, how do you change up the plot so it’s not the repetitive plot, and something happens that hasn’t happened on his previous books. I get why in a way Silva has to resort to over aspects to make the fine art restoration still applicable. It’s like James Bond but part time fine art restorer. I feel torn writing this review, part of me enjoys the journey allon is on when he is talking art, discussion on art restoration but I also know there’s only so much you can talk and bring to the table. For me, the politics seems to be the increasing thing that is becoming more of the main plot. I don’t know, I feel invested in the series but I fear it may get to the point the one thing that makes the book different end up getting the smallest parts in the plot and the politics runs the main theme.
Another thing I would note is that this book wouldn’t make as much sense if you have not read Silva’s previous book. Overall it’s a great read, but I fear the book’s direction and trajectory involving politics so heavily in the book.
August 2, 2024
Entertaining and predictable.
November 2, 2024
I enjoy this series very much. There is plenty of action and interesting characters in this particular book. I like the art part of the telling more than the guns and threats as there were some very gnarly situations.
Library Loan
Library Loan
July 15, 2024
Now it's officially summer...Gabriel has visited. And I've already finished and will have to wait until next summer for his next visit.
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