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Average Customer Rating:

Another Brilliant Thrill Ride

Customer Rating:

`The Messenger' by Daniel Silva I was late to reading Daniel Silva, however, I am absolutely hooked and `The Messenger' is a big reason why. This is the second Gabriel Allon novel I've had the pleasure of reading - the first being `The Secret Servant', which I didn't think could be topped - and yet again, my favorite novelist delivers big time! This tight, twisting plot is as cerebral as the star of the show. Art history plays a big part of this book which adds an extremely interesting cultural dimension, never mind an integral part of the story itself. `The Messenger' sees Messir Allon confronting `Jihad Inc.', the Israeli spy services pet name for a radical militant Middle Eastern terror group emanating from Saudi Arabia. Our hero must find a way to infiltrate the aforementioned group in hopes of averting a plot to assassinate not only the Pope, but the President of the United States. Characters from Israel, the U.S. and the Holy See all combine to form a story of terrific depth and breadth while never failing to remain thrillingly coherent. At this late date, pick it up in a bargain hardcover version and hang on to your seat while reading. A++ story!

Upgrades Silva from a good to a great author!

Customer Rating:

Everyone has read reviews that say, a real page turner, could not stop until I turned the last page; well this book surpassed all of those routine comments. It was now 2:30 am, I was overly tired so much that I was having trouble focusing my eyes to read but I forced myself to finish the book. I knew I would not be able to sleep without knowing what happened to the characters that I wanted to find and terminate the terrorists that had tried to assassinate the Pope and the President of the US. Silva must have used a spread sheet when writing The Messenger, as I did with my novel al-Qaeda Strikes Again, as he did not leave any loose ends hanging. Amazing his attention to even the smallest detail. This thriller by Silva has so much accurate history and dares to portray the Islamic threat as it should be; actually naming names, etc. This book should be required reading for all our politicians and anyone else that wants to understand this war that we are in. God help us if we don't wake up soon!

Smooth as silk	Customer Rating:
I thought this book was one of his best and gave it to my wife to read. I had doubts about her reaction, but she keeps asking me if all of Dan Silva's books are this good. The answer is simply yes. He is an excellent author.

Silva's Best

Customer Rating:

I have enjoyed all six of the Silva books I have read--especially the Gabriel Allon stories. "The Messenger," however, is the best of an excellent lot!! It is fast paced and tightly written. Not a word is wasted. The action and the characters are believable, and the concept (Saudi financing of Islamic terrorism) is most timely. Silva does a very good job of reminding the veteran reader of (or acquainting the first time reader with) Allon and how he became what he is. There is no real need to read the series in order. The book moves smoothly between Israel, the Vatican, London, Paris, Washington, the Carribean and Switzerland. The characters are nicely developed, and the reader gets an exposure to the worlds of art, espionage and international terror. The discussions about Impressionism and Van Gogh were particularly enjoyable. "The Messenger" is superb. It is Silva's best, and it stands at the top of the heap along with the best of Nelson DeMille and Michael Connelly. Strong praise from where I sit.

Spy vs Jihad Inc.

Customer Rating:

Silva is at the top of the heap when it comes to the modern day spy novel. His novels feature interesting and compelling characters and the storylines seem realistic and current. "The Messenger" tackles the challenges of fighting against global jihad. In the book, the characters fight against Jihad Inc. in a way that you wish our intelligence agencies could fight against it--call it the Jack Bauer approach. I've read two of Silva's novels so far and have not been disappointed.