The Defector

Gabriel Allon, Book 9

By: Daniel Silva

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Over the course of a remarkable career, Daniel Silva has established himself as one of the world's finest writers of international intrigue, a craftsman worthy of comparison to John le Carré and Graham Greene. His latest bestseller, Moscow Rules, was not only superior entertainment, but a prescient cautionary tale about the emergence of the New Russia. Now he takes that tale to the next level.

Six months after the blood-soaked conclusion of Moscow Rules, Allon is in Umbria, trying to resume his honeymoon with his new wife, Chiara, when a colleague pays him a shocking visit. The man who saved Allon's life in Moscow and was then resettled in England has vanished without a trace. British intelligence is sure he was a double agent all along, and they blame Allon for planting him. To discover the truth and clear his name, Allon must go immediately to London - a decision that will prove to be the most fateful of his career.

In the British capital, he finds himself once more on the front lines of the secret war between East and West, where Russian spies and dissidents engage in the old game of cat and mouse. There, Allon uncovers a much greater conspiracy, a plot by an old enemy to resurrect a network of death, to bring the world to the precipice of a new confrontation, and in order to stop it, he must risk everything: his ties to an organization he has served since his youth, his new marriage . . . even his life.

©2009 Daniel Silva (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

The Defector is more than the most explosive thriller of the summer. It is a searing tale of love, vengeance, and courage created by the writer whom the critics call "the perfect guide to the dangerous forces shaping our world" ( Orlando Sentinel)

Another excellent thriller

Yet another excellent, engaging and exciting spy thriller. Don't have to have read or listened to prior books in series.

Clarity of the spoken word.

Although I have read most of the books by Daniel Silva, I have enjoyed listening to them also. 

Soap opera assassin

I am finding I need to suspend disbelief more and more with each Daniel Silva novel. Much as I enjoy these novels about Gabriel Allon, Israeli assassin, I'm having trouble believing that a professional killer could possess such romantic inclinations. Of course, I know nothing about the subject, but it seems to me that a person who murders people for a living -- even though he only murders bad guys -- could harbor such a soft, artistic heart inside that hard outer shell. Can a person coldly kill without remorse, and then turn around and grow heartsick about a lost love? I don't know, but I will continue listening to every novel Mr. Silva delivers ... just with a grain of salt on the side.

Another hit for Silva.

Daniel Silva has done it again, Gabriel Allon has done it again. Love the book, have loved all the books in this series.

Not bad... not much new here

I listened to this series years ago, but got a bit tired of it, so moved on. I tried this one, just to see, and it's still well written and entertaining, it just didnt pull me in like it used to. Some of the characters are a bit too good, and many of the situations feel predictable... I dont know, the writing is definitely good, just not as engaging as i once felt. Could be me.

Takes a while to launch

What made the experience of listening to The Defector the most enjoyable?

I have listened to them all to now and am sure I will finish the series. But, half of the book was pure drudgery. Plus, the author has to keep re-building all the characters and many past events to bring non series listeners up to speed. The last half delivered, but it was a tough hill to climb.

Another great book by Daniel Silva

I have been reading the Gabriel Alon series in order. They have all been enjoyable, but this one may have been the best. Thanks for creating enjoyable fiction.

Excellent story and narration

Thanks for a compelling story with fascinating characters and a perfectly paced audiobook. Just right!

Very Entertaining

Another enjoyable tale from Silva. He never disappoints. I can’t wait to read the next one to n the series.

The whole series is great

I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series so far. Intelligently written and with an excellent performance!