The Fallen Angel: Gabriel Allon, Book 12

By: Daniel Silva

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

After narrowly surviving his last operation, Gabriel Allon, the wayward son of Israeli intelligence, has taken refuge behind the walls of the Vatican, where he is restoring one of Caravaggio's greatest masterpieces. But early one morning, he is summoned to St. Peter's Basilica by Monsignor Luigi Donati, the all-powerful private secretary to his Holiness Pope Paul VII. The body of a beautiful woman lies broken beneath Michelangelo's magnificent dome.

The Vatican police suspect suicide, though Gabriel believes otherwise. So, it seems, does Donati. But the monsignor is fearful that a public inquiry might inflict another scandal on the Church, and so he calls upon Gabriel to quietly pursue the truth - with one caveat.

"Rule number one at the Vatican," Donati said. "Don't ask too many questions."

Gabriel learns that the dead woman had uncovered a dangerous secret - a secret that threatens a global criminal enterprise that is looting timeless treasures of antiquity and selling them to the highest bidder. But there is more to this network than just greed. A mysterious operative is plotting an act of sabotage that will plunge the world into a conflict of apocalyptic proportions....

©2012 Daniel Silva (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

Yet another winner for Silva

What made the experience of listening to The Fallen Angel the most enjoyable?

Silva's stories always seem believable given the history of what has happened in the Middle East. His gift for details that mirror those in real life accounts always seem to put you in the scene. To top it off, the reader is so good at what he does, you become either the characters themselves or you end up siding with them and supporting their every move. You begin to anticipate their next actions, knowing their will be a setback and twist in the story but you know not when it will come.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Allon is always my favorite character because he is so calculating and cool. I find myself cheering for a known assassin and justify it because he is up against terrorists that reflect those in the world today that threaten our own security.

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to many of his performances and they are all excellent. He and Scott Brick and the readers in David Hewson's, James Lee Burke's and some of WEB Griffin's books are my favorites. I really cannot say that this performance is better then previous ones, he is so consistent from book to book, he enhances Silva's writing and story telling each time. I have been listening to Audio Books since 1990 and I find that the reader of the book is equally as important as the quality of the story being read. That said, I search on this site by reader many times and purchase books that way.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It always makes me angry and hopeless about the situation in the Middle East. I am not a Jew, I am a Catholic who very much understands the biblical history of the Jewish people and I find myself sympathizing and siding with them both in the book and in real life. Although I do not know Silva's intentions, I feel his motivation for writing these books is to make people aware of the political realities in the region and Israel's tenuous position among the arab/muslim states.

Gabriel Allon never disappoints

If you like spy/mystery novels, you will love the stories about the former Mossad agent who is also an art restorer. It helps if you also like art since there is always a connection to a piece of art, either real or imagined.

A gripping intelligent spy story

What did you love best about The Fallen Angel?

The story takes us into the heart of the Vatican, where Allon is restoring a Caravaggio. It wends its way through the trade in illegal antiquities and ends with a dramatic climax in Jerusalem. I felt as if I were there. The characters were sophisticated and interesting. It's an easy story to stay interested in.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

George Guidall is a fabulous actor, giving different voices to different characters,expressing the mood perfectly. He has a great voice. We listen to audiobooks on long auto trips, and we need to have a great narrator to keep our interest up over the hours on the road.

Good Listening Book

I really enjoyed listening to Daniel Silva's work and look forward to more of his books.

GREAT STORY - SUSPENSE ALL THE WAY

What made the experience of listening to The Fallen Angel: Gabriel Allon, Book 12 the most enjoyable?

George Guidall does a masterful job of narrating the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fallen Angel: Gabriel Allon, Book 12?

When Gabriel, the cold assassin, refused to leave his friend's bedside although others had given up hope.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

George Guidall brings the story to life. He's a super narrator.

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

Yes, and I came close to doing so.

great addition to the Alon series

It started a little slow for my taste but did not disapoint. If you have listen to all of the Alon series you will be pleasantly surprised to hear Guidell read. It completely changes the characters. Good story, good history and good action.

Great book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Fallen Angel to be better than the print version?

no - I read in bed and listen in the car

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

very good

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes

Any additional comments?

enjoyed this book very much

Outstanding!

Both the story and the narration were excellent. I enjoyed the details about art, the insight into the workings of the Vatican, and the Israeli and Hezbollah political information. The story was fascinating, and I like the author's explanations at the end of what was true and what he'd imagined.

The narrator was terrific. I hope to hear more of his work, and I'll listen to this again sometime.

Couldn't hold my total attention

I kept drifting and had to back up to the point of losing interest. No distractions, might try again since this did follow an action packed book.

strong transition novel

I love the author, the characters and the settings. for me, this book is Gabriel's transition from who he has been to who he is meant to be. there is a maturity and acceptance in his thoughts and actions. I must also say the reader was exquisite.