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)

wonderful!

Ice thoroughly enjoyed my first audiobook I was happy with the narrator and it has encouraged me to listen to more audio books.
This ability to listen to books is really fantastic I would recommend it to anyone who has any kind of I problems or just want to be able to listen to someone tell them a story!!

Gripping story, well told

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if the friend is a fan of spy thrillers. Silva's Gabriel Allon series is among the best in the genre.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Gigante's narration is competent and workmanlike but not inspired. Though he does not get in the way of the story, neither does he enhance it much.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no -- the story certainly held my attention, and I was eager to find out what would happen next, but I can listen to Gigante for only so long before I need a break.

Any additional comments?

This is another good effort from Daniel Silva. I look forward to the next in the series.

The Defector

Loved the story and the narrative was sorry when it ended.Got-lost at times. With all the Russian names

I'm addicted to Daniel Silva's books.

This is the first boring book from Daniel, I already pay for the next one, let see if I get my confidence in his story again.

I don't get it,

The critic's note and the other critiques here just don't jive. The author doesn't put you IN the book. It more like a narrator reading from a script while you try to visualize what is going on. The plot was excellent and story line good. It was just not exciting. There was a lot of murder and violence without suspense. The way it ended.... It ended right in the middle of the action. I went back and re-read the last part of the book twice to make sure I didn't miss anything trying to figure out why it ended where it did.

If you want to picture someone standing at a podium, reading from a script, this is for you.

pretty slow to listen to. voices not great.

pretty slow to listen to. voices not great. love the author and character. might just be a series you have to read instead of listen.

Not for the weak of Heart

Lots of exciting action but much violence. It's a little hard to believe that a man, Gabriel Allon, of such cold-blooded violence could be so soft hearted about other things. I guess we all want to believe there is some redeeming values in everyone.

Great book!

The book keeps your attention throughout. Another great book by Mr. Silva. The narrator is one of the best I've heard. Great job!

great, as always!

Having listened to many of Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series, and I'm loving all of them, I want to give a shout out for the wonderful and talented performance of Paul Gigante for his narration of this story. Well done!

Silva at his very best!

Having read most all of the Gabriel Allon books, I think The Defector and Moscow Rules are among the very best works by Daniel Silva. The book has a great story, pace, and character development. Phil Gigante also does a superb job bring the narration to life.