The Black Widow

By: Daniel Silva

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one New York Times best-selling author Daniel Silva delivers another spellbinding international thriller - one that finds the legendary Gabriel Allon grappling with an ISIS mastermind.

Gabriel Allon, the art restorer, spy, and assassin described as the most compelling fictional creation "since Ian Fleming put down his martini and invented James Bond" (Rocky Mountain News), is poised to become the chief of Israel's secret intelligence service. But on the eve of his promotion, events conspire to lure him into the field for one final operation. ISIS has detonated a massive bomb in the Marais district of Paris, and a desperate French government wants Gabriel to eliminate the man responsible before he can strike again.

Acclaimed novelist Daniel Silva has thrilled, entertained, and educated listeners with 18 thoughtful and gripping spy novels featuring a diverse cast of compelling characters and ingenious plots that have taken them around the globe and back - from the United States to Europe, Russia to the Middle East. From its shocking opening to its explosive denouement in Washington, DC, The Black Widow reveals itself as Silva's most timely and powerful novel yet. Following the success of his smash hit The English Spy, this electrifying thriller showcases Silva's consummate skill and brilliant imagination and is sure to be a must-listen for his multitude of current and future fans.

©2016 Daniel Silva (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"The audio brotherhood of narrator George Guidall and Silva's spy Gabriel Allon is hard to beat.... George Guidall's skilled storytelling and his ease with accents and pace are just two specific elements that can be pinpointed in the success of this audiobook. Beyond these, a subtle combination of astute skill and experience creates the best possible listening." ( AudioFile)

WOW!! Daniel Silva delivers a landmark novel!

The Black Widow, Book 16 in the Gabriel Allon series, takes on ISIS and terrorism in a serious and realistic way. Want suspense? This book has it in spades. Want political realism? It's in The Black Widow. Daniel Silva has been the espionage writer who does the best job of character development for many years. The characters, even the female physician who is the newest member of The Office, fly off the page in this novel. The Black Widow is as close to perfect as any novel gets.

The Black Widow should get Silva even more fans. This novel is a landmark! I can't wait to listen to it again!

George Guidall does a perfect job of narration.

The Black Widow

The Black Widow was written by Daniel Silva, narrated by George Guidall, and is about fourteen hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format. Book 16 in the Gabriel Allon Series, released in 2016 by Harper Audio.

Gabriel Allon, the man responsible for taking down the killers of Isreali athletes during the 1980 Munich Olympics, is pulled from his life as a fine arts restoration expert and tasked with finding the terrorists responsible for violent and deadly explosions in Paris, France. ISIS is responsible - a story from today’s headlines. Gabriel’s plan involves the recruitment and training of a woman to infiltrate ISIS. America is the next target.

The Black Widow is an espionage novel that stands alone, i.e., it is not necessary to read the entire series to enjoy this story. There is no gratuitous sex, no objectionable language - a clean read.

Narration by George Guidall is awesome. If you have never listened to Guidall’s audio productions, do yourself a favor and you will not be disappointed. He is excellent, one of the best at his craft. The Black Widow, although predictable at times, is a page-turning thriller with many near-death close calls for several characters. Not difficult to follow.

A recommended read (listen). Enjoy!

Prescient

How did Daniel Silva know that President Trump would use the word "losers" when referring to terrorists (not just ISIL)? How did he know about the attack patterns? I read this book as Paris, England and many Muslim countries were reeling from the onslaught of terrorism.

Mr. Silva made his feelings clear about President Obama and the publicly dismissive statements about ISIL. I'm looking forward to the (hopefully) second book that would likely be due in July 2018 for his comments regarding the current president.

Just a wonderfully written book that is all too current.

Great story. Brutally honest depiction

As ever Daniel Silva's story telling is entertaining. It is well researched. I did miss some characters from prior books. I expected to see Christopher from The English Spy. I missed Julian because he's adorable but otherwise I really enjoyed Silva's latest offering.

The Black Widow - Timely alarm to wake us up!

Daniel Silvia writes the story beneath the headlines and his reality will keep you awake!
The voicing of George Guidall brings the characters alive and standing in the room beside you.

No let down in latest Gabriel Allon adventure

The story is a little too close to reality to take lightly. New and familiar characters are woven into a skillful plot with just the right mix of resolution and loose ends for future surprises. While solidly condemning radical Islamist terrorism, there is a strong tone of sympathy toward all people of good will in the conflicted Middle East. Hope for the future in the face of serious threats keeps the story in balance. Touches of romance warm the heart. A very compelling read.

One of the best spy novelists

Silva grabs an doesn't let you go. Most of the body of work is very relevant.

Pretty uncomfortable read

This is a tough story that hits pretty close to home. Lots of tension. Great plot. The bad guys are really really bad and the good guys, well they are people too. Hard story to put down and walk away from. It may interfere with your life. I may read it again.

my fave series ever

Ending will be particularly satisfying to long time GABRIEL ALLON fans!
See how many old allies you recognize at the twins first birthday party.
I had to smile remembering so many stunning adventures!

superb

typical Silva.. exciting, surprising, superb and too long. you watch a movie while you listen to the book.