Book Review of An Inside Job – Captivating
My Rating – out of 5
Table of Contents
Plot Summary – An Inside Job
Gabriel Allon – the ageless superspy in the land of fiction is back in this latest installment of the hit series by Daniel Silva. He’s now retired from Israel’s legendary spy service and settled in Venice with his family. His wife, Chiara and two children – Irene and Raphael. Chiara now runs an art restoration company, who’s chief art restorer is none other than her husband, Gabriel Allon. Besides that, their lives revolve around taking their children to school and generally enjoy a lazy life.
This serene domesticity is shattered one day by the discovery of a bloated body floating in one of Venice’s water bodies. None other than Gabriel Allon is the one to find it. No identification, just a fair haired young girl of indeterminate age. Only some people in the Italian government are aware of Gabriel’s past and true identity, and that can be shattered by the limelight such a grisly discovery throws on him. But despite Gabriel’s desire to remain anonymous and below the radar, fate conspires against that wish. Some newspapers report his presence at the site and question his presence.
With Gabriel, the Art restorer par excellence, involved, can a priceless piece of art be far behind? In comes a mysterious piece of Renaissance art! Hidden beneath an ordinary painting is an invaluable masterpiece by a master and that has gone missing. Not just missing, but stolen from a holy museum! Is there a connection between the anonymous dead body fished out of the lagoon and the missing painting? Shifting between the cities of Venice, Rome and finally the Vatican City – yes, with Gabriel around, can the papacy of his dear friend be far away from the action?
Pope Luigi Donati – the ‘Accidental’ Pope, the Rock Star Pope, the Reluctant Pope – call him what you will, is also the most unconventional one to ascend to the throne. He not only wants to make a difference, but also aims to eliminate the greed and corruption that threaten to engulf the Catholic Church. Naturally, that puts a bull’s eye on his back, from the established old order of the Church, whose entrenched sense of entitlement feels threatened by the newcomer. His old friend, Gabriel Allon, whose help was pivotal in his ascension to the throne, is unfailingly by his side in this Holy War.
But the forces of evil, from the mafia group of Camorra, to the twisted allegiances of some corrupt Swiss bankers, plot to take them down – because for many, money and power matter above all. And to hold on to those vestiges of power, they will do all they can to grow that power. Gabriel and his friends in Law enforcement, in the land of the holy, have to do all that they can to prevent the victory of evil over good, restore faith in society that a bad deed will not go unpunished. Particularly, with a man of God by their side. Read on to find out what happens next!
Conclusion – An Inside Job
Overall, as a standalone, this would have been a great read, but for those who have been following Gabriel’s journey throughout, this is a dampener. In many ways. It is largely formulaic, following the same pattern from earlier novels. A piece of art is stolen, Gabriel recovers it in the same fashion as earlier. Only the treatment differs. Just the bad guys change, so it would be nice to go back to reading about the old ways of espionage and political intrigue, mixed with action. Please bring back the old Gabriel and his Israeli superspies!
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