A Death in Vienna

By: Daniel Silva

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Joining the ranks of Graham Greene and John le Carre, the newest master of international suspense, Daniel Silva has crafted a novel of astonishing intricacy and intelligence.

Sent to Vienna to authenticate a painting, the art restorer and sometime spy Gabriel Allon is sidetracked by a photograph that throws his world upside-down. Could it really be the face of a man who during the last days of World War II had brutalized his mother on the Death March from Auschwitz?

Questions abound when Allon, driven by an intensity he had not felt in years, begins to investigate, discovering in the process that the hunt for one man is a hunt for many-and a network of unimaginable evil spanning sixty years.

©2004 Daniel Silva (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Superbly crafted narrative of espionage and foreign intrigue....Action and suspense abound, but this is serious fiction with a serious purpose." (Publishers Weekly)

"The action, despite careening across cities and continents, retains knife-edge-sharp suspense.... This finely wrought thriller reads like an exquisitely suspenseful chess game." (Booklist) 

"John Lee gives a masterful performance.... All the accents, from Italian to German, sound perfect.... And his pacing is excellent, always in tune with the action. A riveting narration." (AudioFile) 

"Daniel Silva has now indisputably joined the ranks of Graham Greene and John le Carre." (Chicago Tribune) 

Another Fine Silva Novel

Daniel Silva is a superb writer and storyteller. "A Death In Vienna" is one of his best. The narrotor is a fine match for this story and he added much to my enjoyment.

Leonard Stearns
Boise, Idaho

17 people found this helpful

Quite a Special Novel Indeed

The story was exciting. The message was deep. And the abilities of the reader greatly complemented the narrative style. The voices, accents and characterisations were superb throughout and the reader did much to aid the impact of the "first hand accounts." The testimonies seemed to resonate long after the words had dissipated. This was my first Silva, but I have immediately started another feeling somehow engrossed in the stories of the past and their impact on today's political climate.

7 people found this helpful

Never forget!

German atrocities during WWII are never a pleasant subject to deal with. This novel makes a salient point. You can destroy a people but you will never destroy their need to seek revenge against those that committed these deeds. Silva handles this in a fast paced exciting manner that hits all the right buttons. Gabriel Alon is an agent for Israel whose family was wiped out during the Holocaust. Over fifty years later a friend is murdered in Vienna under suspicious circumstances. This sets into motion an exciting investigation that turns up all of the old hatred.

If you enjoy a vast pace action novel, this should be your cup of tea.

18 people found this helpful

Please learn Italian!

Contrary to what other reviewers have said about John Lee's "fine" reading, John Lee cannot pronounce the simplest Italian. For instance, he mispronounces, veneto, polizia, trastevere...Given how crucial Italy is to Silva's plots and characters, Lee should take a few basic lessons. And after one or two mistakes shouldn't the editors and producers made the same suggestion?

Despite how Lee's bad Italian grates on my ear, I still love Silva's books. I've listened to two and will buy others. But if really lame mispronunciations make you shudder, think twice before putting yourself through Lee's botched reading.

12 people found this helpful

Great book. Terrible performance

I am a great fan of Daniel Silva and his books. This story is powerful and well written. In addition to possessing the plot and pace of a great spy thriller, the narrative of Nazi atrocities is detailed and haunting, and adds a realistic dimension to the book. John Lee’s performance, however, is very bad. All the accents are wrong, as if he has never heard any of the languages he’s trying to emulate. His performance ends up being distracting and doesn’t add value to the narrative. What a shame.

2 people found this helpful

Slow start gets better but too late.

The first quarter is slow going with two-dimensional characters brought out in bewildering numbers, only to provide background for a plot too quickly revealed. It gets better and provides some insight into the Holocaust and current events in Europe and the Middle East. But hey, this is supposed to be a spy thriller. On that ground, it wobbles slightly then peters out. Better than some on the market but can't hold a candle to Le Carre' or many of the other tried and true.

5 people found this helpful

Israeli Spies

Daniel Silva writes a great story. His series about an Israeli spy rings true in today's political/news events climate. There are more clever twists and turns than I can remember--a good reason to read it again. And buy the next in the series. Maybe he will have a son to follow in his footsteps? :)

4 people found this helpful

Awesome listen

This one hooked me from the first ten minutes. The Narrator is a perfect match for this book. Excellent job. The story told by Gabriel Allons' mother is an amazing bit of writing. I was a little confused of the names of the characters, but rewinding helped. Listen....you may learn something.

4 people found this helpful

Not one of the best in the series.

I thought this book was lacking compared to previous books in the series. more words required....

1 person found this helpful

Not my favorite in the series

Maybe they are just starting to all sound a little bit the same. It was OK, not a bad read, but not as good as the previous ones in my opinion.

1 person found this helpful

Classic thriller

This book has a very slow start and I almost gave up completely but perservering I found it to be riviting. The characters are complex and believable and the plot delicately balances between the present and the holocaust without overdoing it. It suprised me and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers and spies.

7 people found this helpful

Another great story and exceptional narration

This is the second instalment by Daniel Silva I have had the pleasure of reading. The story is really well structured and flows without missing a beat. It's delivery by John Lee is a masterpiece.