The English Girl (Gabriel Allon, 13)
The English Girl (Gabriel Allon, 13) book cover

The English Girl (Gabriel Allon, 13)

Mass Market Paperback – February 18, 2014

Price
$9.99
Publisher
Harper
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0062073181
Dimensions
4.19 x 1.23 x 7.5 inches
Weight
10.7 ounces

Description

“This is thriller writing at the highest level, offering up a tight plot, believable characters, and an ending that even the most jaded of readers probably won’t see coming.” — Denver Post “As usual, Silva takes the reader hostage from page one with his canny mix of spy craft and suspense….Silva’s ongoing ability to combine le Carré-like texture with high energy plotting has produced a string of commercial and critical successes. Chalk up another one.” — Booklist “Fast-paced intrigue and provocative characters make this a fine addition to an outstanding series.” — People Magazine, 4 stars “Allon is a great political operative, but Silva is an even greater writer. That is what makes THE ENGLISH GIRL a must read.” — HuffingtonPost.com “Although Gabriel’s adventures are set in the real world of greedy politicians and grabs for control of a diminishing supply of natural resources, ‘Israel’s avenging angel’ has the superhuman abilities that make for a satisfying fantasy.” — Columbus Dispatch “Someone once said that their favorite books are ones that entertain and inform at the same time. The English Girl is one of those novels….A top-notch, old-fashioned East-meets-West, cloak-and-dagger thriller.” — Bookreporter.com “[Silva’s] 13 Gabriel Allon novels have both entertained and informed tens of millions of readers about the realities of world in which we live more than any other writer over the past decade…. You will read the book in at most a couple of sittings.” — The National Examiner “[A] roller coaster ride….Silva is an excellent storyteller.” — Judith Reveal, New York Journal of Books “Top-notch action.” — Kirkus Reviews “One of the more unusual literary spies is Gabriel Allon, an Israeli intelligence officer who wants to retire so he can continue as an artist restoring damaged master artworks. But life interferes, and thank goodness, because otherwise we wouldn’t have such great novels from Daniel Silva.” — Lincoln Journal Star “Spectacular....This captivating new page-turner from the undisputed master of spy fiction is sure to thrill new and old fans alike.” — D.C. Spotlight One girl Seven days No second chances Madeline Hart is a rising star in British government: beautiful, intelligent, driven to succeed by an impoverished childhood. But she also has a dark secret: she is the lover of Prime Minister Jonathan Lancaster. When she disappears on the island of Corsica, it's clear her kidnappers know about the affair and intend to make the PM pay dearly for his sins. Fearful of a scandal that could destroy his career, Lancaster decides to handle the matter privately, and not involve the police. Enter Gabriel Allon—assassin, art restorer, and spy—who must find Madeline within seven days before she is executed. With the clock ticking, Allon is thrust into a deadly game of shadows in which nothing is what it seems—and where the only thing more dangerous than his enemies is the truth. . . . Daniel Silva is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Unlikely Spy , The Mark of the Assassin , The Marching Season , The Kill Artist , The English Assassin , The Confessor , A Death in Vienna , Prince of Fire , The Messenger , The Secret Servant , Moscow Rules , The Defector , The Rembrandt Affair , Portrait of a Spy , The Fallen Angel , The English Girl , The Heist,xa0The English Spy, The Black Widow, House of Spies, The Other Woman, The New Girl, and The Order. He is best known for his long-running thriller series starring spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon.xa0Silva’s books are critically acclaimed bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 30 languages.xa0He resides in Florida with his wife, television journalist Jamie Gangel, and their twins, Lily and Nicholas. For more information visitxa0www.danielsilvabooks.com Read more

Features & Highlights

  • Daniel Silva delivers another spectacular thriller starring Gabriel Allon,
  • The English Girl
  • . When a beautiful young British woman vanishes on the island of Corsica, a prime minister’s career is threatened with destruction. Allon, the wayward son of Israeli intelligence, is thrust into a game of shadows where nothing is what it seems...and where the only thing more dangerous than his enemies might be the truth… Silva’s work has captured the imagination of millions worldwide; his #1
  • New York Times
  • bestselling series which chronicles the adventures of art-restorer and master spy Gabriel Allon has earned the praise of readers and reviewers everywhere. This captivating new page-turner from the undisputed master of spy fiction is sure to thrill new and old fans alike.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(8.7K)
★★★★
25%
(3.6K)
★★★
15%
(2.2K)
★★
7%
(1K)
-7%
(-1011)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

A MASTERFUL STORY OF SPIES AND INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE

Daniel Silva has been a rising talent since his first novel in 1997. He is a New York Times bestselling author and most of his books have topped the best seller list. His books have become increasingly popular and “The English Girl” has been his greatest success. This is the first time I’ve read Silva but I can’t wait to read his latest about an art theft with world wide repercussions.

Silva writes international intrigue and spy novels. The scenario for Girl was remarkable for its complexity, insight into espionage and its entrails, and for the ease of comprehension while winding through its clandestine maze. In my opinion too many of the contemporary spy novelists leave their reader in a cloud of confusion that makes for a less than enjoyable reading experience.

Silva has done extensive research into all things surreptitious; the governments, the agencies, the players, and the plots. His remarkable talent allows him to weave together themes that are likely to occur at some point, to anticipate the circumstances of the covert operations, and to develop characters that realistically fill the roles of the good or bad guy. The results are totally believable.

In “The English Girl,” Gabriel Allon, the art restorer, assassin, and part-time Israeli secret agent that Silva has serialized so successfully in his past thirteen or so books, is dispatched to find an up and coming star in British government who has been kidnapped. A note is received that simply says, “You have seven days, or the girl dies…” Not much to go on but Allon, who excels in handling dangerous and politically convoluted situations immediately gets to work after recruiting a partner, Christopher Keller, who will cover his back, handle the heavy work, and act as Allon’s muse when he needs counsel.

Marseilles, Provence, London, and Moscow are all visited as Allon and Keller shake up an underworld that is culturally divided, separated by assorted motives, and populated by people with widely varied but similar murderous inclinations. Using torture, brain power, thuggery, and ingenious thinking, the two agents delve deeper and deeper into a sinister plot that has horrific international implications if they can’t disrupt it. To complicate things, they only have days to rescue the beautiful woman before she is murdered.

Silva’s writing is excellent with realistic characterizations and scene setting. The reader will either generate fondness or loathing for the principles, experience the rain, wind and coldness that the two agents encounter as they journey to the different locations, and marvel at Silva’s scholarly use of the English language as the story unfolds.

I’ll close this review now so I can rush out and get Daniel Silva’s latest work. Somehow his work has passed below my radar and I intend to correct that. I recommend that you read “The English Girl” and then do the same.

Schuyler T Wallace
Author of TIN LIZARD TALES
13 people found this helpful
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For me, the Ultimate Thriller Writer: such a combination of intelligence, beautiful writing and riveting suspense.

I bought this on a whim, and discovered what may be for me, THE ultimate thriller writer. Loved it. Loved the substance, the intelligence, the international political scope ---- combined with a truly fluid and beautiful writing style. Loved the hero, Gabriel Allon. Loved the vividly described locales. And of course the storytelling, the pace, the suspense ---- all marvelous. Going right into "The English Spy." What we enjoy is always a personal decision, and very likely we're all always seeking just the right mix of elements --- to entertain, absorb, carry us away yet give us more than simple distraction. For me, I don't think it can get any better than this.
3 people found this helpful
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Every Great Story has Great Characters

This Reader just plain enjoys a good story with interesting characters; and Daniel Silva has delivered since The Unlikely Spy. I could attempt to give a literary review filled with keen observations, comparisons to past literary greats, etc. But, like I stated at the beginning, I just enjoy a good story.
However, being a Fan (not a stalker...ha), I would like to give my two cents:
1. Please give Christoper Keller his own story. Being teased with just a small portion of his character in The English Assassin, and more of his story in The English Girl, just begs for more.
2. If you recall, there was a young boy, Timothy Peel, in The Kill Artist. Many years have passed since he was introduced. The Assassin did have a profound affect on his growing up years. Please give him another life in a future story.
3. Out of all the characters, Dina is one of my favorites. Dina deserves happiness. Could a future story include a romance? Perhaps with Uzi (get rid of the wife)?! ha.
4. The exploits of Gabriel Allon should be a TV/movie series. PLEASE have BBC do the series (love Lewis, Sherlock Holmes, Case Histories!). I cannot think of a current actor to portray him. At one time, Lucas Black, popped into my head. However, the actor is quite adamant about keeping his accent (totally respect that). The character requires an intelligent actor with a flair for languages, credibility and talent. Perhaps, a stage actor instead one from the mainstream?
5. In The Confessor (2003), Chapter 2, "Lucchesi had intended to cast his vote for the archbishop of Buenos Aires, whom he had befriended during a tour of Latin America, and return quietly to Venice." Makes a Reader go hmmm?!.... how did the Author know?

Mr. Silva-I freely give you these ideas. Run with them!

Looking forward to this summer with the release of The Heist.

A Reader
2 people found this helpful
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WHEN READERS FIGURE OUT SOMETHING WAY BEFORE THE AUTHOR INTENDED US TO!!

This is a spoiler! It was so obvious that Madeline didn't die in the car bomb event...in fact, even earlier in the story I suspected that she wasn't really kidnapped...and it's even more disappointing that Gabriel didn't figure it out earlier himself. I have enjoyed the books in the series but I'm wondering if Daniel Silva underestimated his readers in this one.
1 people found this helpful
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One Star

I hated this book
1 people found this helpful
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Three Stars

Good plot - too filled with unnecessary politics.
1 people found this helpful
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"The English Girl" was a disappointment to this English lady.

This was the book of the month for our book club. I had never read anything by Daniel Silva before and it would definitely have helped if I had. There were many references to previous characters and situations that must have occurred sometime before the action in this book. I read it half way thru but gave up when it got so complicated and the KGB were involved with unpronounceable names.
1 people found this helpful
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Another Blockbuster for Daniel Silva

I foolishly saved my copy of The English Girl for a trip I was taking several months away- the biggest mistake I ever made. It was so powerful, so Gabriel Allon with all the bells and whistles, that I savored every word. The whole spy vs. spy genre was incorporated in this one novel: British Parliement members caught up in blackmail schemes; Kidnapping for ransom; Old Corsican Signatories predicting the future; Old Mother Russia at it again; Dead people brought back to life; Humor from Mr. Silva as we have never seen, my favorite line describing an uppity Brit who never smiled: "He had teeth like a barracuda". This one has it all. Shamron is alive and kicking, the team is reunited, Gabriel and Chiara are not all about sex anymore, and he can still kick arse like no one else. I loved his new "partner" Keller but it was too sad that his father did not know he was alive. I hope he stays with the team. Having read the entire series, I am now choosing The English Girl as my new favorite. Of course, I say that every time Mr. Silva comes out with a new book about Israel's most famous spy, assassin Gabriel Allon. Thank you once again, Mr. Silva- I will not save The English Spy for a moment.
1 people found this helpful
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Daniel Silva, The English Girl

great book, loved it! hope he keeps writing more. couldn't put the book down, very spellbinding story. love the characters.
1 people found this helpful
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The prophet Silva

Can Silva foresee the future, or what? At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, the premise of this story seems to be unfolding before us, although very understated (or ignored) in media coverage. The plot twists are amazing, and the ending leads to me believe that there is a whole new series in the works. I'm waiting - very impatiently!
1 people found this helpful