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)

Modern day thriller

An excellent example of the post cold war era spy thriller. Good character development and almost believable scenarios. Tension is held and builds to a strong conclusion. An entertaining read.

A word of caution though: this is a sequel to "Moscow Rules". The entire plot and outcome of Moscow Rules is retold as part of the development of this novel. So, once you have read The Defector you will not be able to go back to Moscow Rules, so read it first.

Dan Silva is a great writer -- but not his best

Gabriel Elon is one of the most interesting thriller heros -- a brilliant art restorer and a brilliant Mossad assassin. In this book, Silva seems to be just going down his list of bad guys -- Nazi torturers, Arab terrorists, Drug Cartels, and now Russian KGB/Mafia. I think that the next novel will have to address U.S. Skinheads, but Gabriel is running out of relatives to be kidnapped by bad guys. Nonetheless, the plot moves along well and Phil Gigante does a good job of dramatizing the book. I actually like his accents (except for the southern lilt of the CIA agent). The plot is complicated and Silva has to pull the fat out of the fire at the end with a "deus ex machina" that is less than satisfying. But...I still love Silva and Gabriel and cannot wait for the next one -- hoping it will be a little more polished than this one that seemed to be rushed out for the summer reading season.

Silva scores again

If you like the thriller genre, you will like Daniel Silva. His latest book, The Defector, is another winner. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat and has enough mini conclusions spread out to keep your interest to the very end. The Defectors is a follow up to Silva's last book,Moscow Rules and, while it isn't necessary to read first,it would help in setting the context for The Defector.

The way the current was needs to be fought

I really like the series. I've admired Israel since reading Exodus in the early 70's. As in all things, some do not feel the ends justify the means but the people of Israel can certainly make a very compelling argument in the affirmative.

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.

Paul

Excellent audiobook with a fine vocal performance from Phil Gigante. In this continuing series of Gabriel Allon, we finally get to see his dark side, and dark it is indeed. The story crosses the usual assortment of countries and brings back all the previous characters in the series.

Mo reads Gabriel Allon and friends

A very exciting political thriller starring my favorite art restorer/assassin, Gabriel Allon. This story is narrated by a very fine actor by the name of Phil Gigante. Mr. Gigante has the formidable task of reading this book using voices for each character in many accents, including British, British gay, Israeli, Italian, Russian, Southern American, and four different women each with their own nationality accent. His superb rendition is very believable. It is probably a good idea to read Silva's book "Moscow Rules" first, as "The Defector" takes off from where the former ends.