The Kill Artist

By: Daniel Silva

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Tightly written thrillers like The Marching Season have made best-selling novelist Daniel Silva a favorite of readers everywhere. In The Kill Artist, he paints an absorbing portrait of a reluctant hero’s attempt to thwart an old enemy to preserve a precarious peace.

After the assassination of his wife and son, Gabriel Allon retires from his brutal anti-terrorist career and loses himself in his previous cover job: art restoration. But when Tariq al-Hourani, the Palestinian terrorist responsible for his family’s death, begins a killing spree designed to destroy Middle East peace talks, Gabriel once again slips into the shadowy world of international intrigue. In a global game of hide-and-seek, the motives of Gabriel and Tariq soon become more personal than political.

Filled with vivid action and a fascinating cast of supporting characters, The Kill Artist delivers pulse-pounding suspense, carried to a startling climax by the tension-packed narration of George Guidall.

©2000 Daniel Silva (P)2001 Recorded Books

Strong momentum with good characters

What did you love best about The Kill Artist?

The history behind Gabriel Alon strengthens the Interactions between the characters and keeps him close to his roots. The story is plausible, and involves the usual travel, for which Silva describes vividly. Regional characters are well developed with culture and settings.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot stayed ahead of me and offered some surprises. The outcome was not preordained and there were some close calls.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Mr. Guidall does well with the voice of Gabriel though I think that he portrays the old man best. The book was well written, and George Guidall is my favorite reader so his characters are distinctive and the cadence of the reading goes well with the pace of the story.

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

No.

Surprised how sympathetic the author is to Palestinian narrative

For a book about the Arab Israeli conflict and a Mosad operation against a Palestinian terrorist I was surprised to hear the anti-Israeli versions of Deir Yassin and Sabra/Shatillah massacres. No pro Israel version was given to counterbalanced

Thousand Year Struggle

Would you listen to The Kill Artist again? Why?

Not likely, I seldom re-read or re-listen to a book. The exception might be Mockingbird, I've seen the movie dozens of times..

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kill Artist?

The walk through Jerusalem near the end of the book.

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

Yes, the only reader I have selected a book based upon him being the reader (this one).

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship of the main character of "The Office", things people are required to do for their country.

Any additional comments?

The story did drag a little but not too badly. I know this stuff goes on and always will. We just can't seem to outgrow it and that is sad.

Paints a good picture

“The Kill Artist” paints a nice picture (so to speak). The story give the back story of Israeli spy, Gabriel Allon, and then follows his on what is supposed to be his final mission. The story has good plot and character development and some intrigue (even a nice twist at the end) but is very short on thrills and action. Overall a nice story but if you’re looking for rock’em sock’em action you may want to look elsewhere.

The narration was very good.

What a good story

I have put off listening to this title for years since it’s an older book ... why did I do that!?!?! ... what a good story - thrilling adventure & great characters ... fabulous narration by George Guidall! ... throughly enjoyed this title and now it’s time to get the second book in the series to listen to

Great story! Fabulous performance!

I am new to this author, and I am so delighted I have found him. This is my second of his books in about 10 days and I’m going on the hunt for the next one. Suspenseful story and the performance captured my imagination with its variety and intensity.

So glad I found this series

This book keeps you intrigued to the very end it ends in a way that the reader does not see coming.

Long

Long and boring with a few moments of interest. A lot of political and killing.

Good book

Good book I’m looking forward to continuing the book series, especially since there are more than 20 I believe.

Well Played

I enjoyed this one. Twist are my kind of things. George did a wonderful job with the characters.