The Secret Servant

I have been reading thriller spy books since I read my first James Bond in 1962. While I am by no means an expert, I have read most of the really good ones over the years and lots of very bad ones. I started reading Daniel Silva 2 years ago. I have generally liked his work but he truly captured me with his Isreal spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon. Allon and his mentor Ari Shamron of the Isreali secret service are a great team. Allon appears in at least 8 Audible books and they are all good.

The Secret Servant is not just good it is one of the best I have read over these many years. There are enough plot turns and twists to satisfy even the most demanding thriller fan. The good guys are good but always with a trace of bad. The bad guys are bad but don't fully fit that mold either. Lots of killing and other bad stuff but intermixed is some of the most thoughtful discussion of the Isreal/Palestine conflict I have seen in a long time. The discussion is almost philosophical at times but compliments the action and makes you think about both sides of a very complicated issue, something most of us don't do very often. The book has at least three satisfying conclusions and leaves you wanting a fourth. This is in my judgment one of the best thrillers ever written. The narration is excellent.

This book leaves you wanting Silva to write another Allon adventure and he did. I am now reading Moscow Rules and it is shaping up to be another great one. I am sure any of Allon adventures could be read in any order but I would advise starting with the Prince of Fire, then The Messenger and then to Secret Servant. There are earlier books also but these three seem to form a nice trilogy.

I have been looking to get back to my beloved spy fiction genre. I cannot stand the Ludlum ghost writing and other tricks of the yarn. I downloaded the Prince of Fire first because a reviewer recommended it as the starting book. I have been hooked ever since.
The Secret Servant is one of the very best spy novels Ihave ever read or listened to. I am so hooked on Daniel Silva and his Gabriel Allon that I cannot wait to download Moscow Rules. I have become a begin Silva fan. His amazing treatment of the Arab Israeli conflict and the Middle east is very nuanced and insightful. The complxity of the issues fills the many plot twists and moves the narrative at a fast pace.
I highly recommend this book as part three. But I suggest you start at the Prince of Fire and then The Messenger. You will not be disappointed.

This is a good followup story in this series. As usual the authors clean and clear descriptions of the geography allows you to feel like you are there. The geopolitical message continues to be relevent encased into an exciting story.

Overall it was good. It didn't blow my mind - But it held my interest.

I am greatful for all the reviews I read before buying this book. I will probably get another novel by Mr. Silva. I enjoyed his writing style very much.

For what it's worth.................. J

Well written, exciting thriller.

I'm very impressed with how the narrator does so many different accents. Really superb.

Audio quality is excellent.

Another exciting adventure for Mr. Allon and his team. I didn't mind the narrator this time because the story was so engaging. It's a little violent but so are most espionage's. I am such a fan and I hope Silva writes several more thrilling adventures involving these characters. Enjoy!

Exciting, suspenseful, with a healthy dose of sadness in regards to Gabriels life struggles and the ongoing struggle for peace in the Middle East

Gabriel, as always. He's a fascinating, complex character who walks a fine line between righteousness and ruthlessness, inherent in the work he does

Yes, as always with Daniel Silva"s books

I've read half the series so far and look forward with great anticipation to each adventure. I do, however, get frustrated at times with how the readers mangles Hebrew words!

I might. I'm sure there were portions I didn't fully absorb, and the plot & characters are complex, which would make a second listen likely to be enjoyable.

He does a good job with the male characters & reading in general, but he is TERRIBLE at reading the female parts. His feeble falsetto is very painful to listen to.

This is my third Silva novel and I find I am enjoying and appreciating his novels more with each book. This is a great story with all the elements of a great espionage thriller. The line between fact and fiction is blurred as the author weaves a tale of terror that could be tomorrows headlines. The narration is great and I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy the genre...

well above average

believable, timely, topical, and engaging

realistic voices, good expression and accents

no, during a long commute