Daniel Silva’s 22nd Gabriel Allon installment returns the legendary spy to his original passion: art restoration. Now retired, Allon’s peaceful life in Venice with his wife and children gets upended when he’s drawn into the high-stakes world of art forgery. His old friend Julian Isherwood faces ruin over a dubious Van Dyck painting, pushing Allon back into the game. What follows is a skillful blend of art and espionage as Allon crafts forgeries of his own to ensnare a shadowy forgery syndicate and its financial backer.
Silva’s sharp storytelling and insight into the art world shine, giving readers an inside look at the craft and deception of forgery. The plot is meticulously detailed, especially as Allon prepares canvases that could fool the best experts. While Silva’s dive into the lifestyles of the ultra-wealthy felt over-the-top, it does add intrigue. Silva avoids the political tangents he went off on in his last couple of novels, making this one a refreshing, more focused thriller.
For Silva fans, Portrait of an Unknown Woman is a solid, suspenseful throwback to the series’ early days, though those less invested in art collecting may find parts slower. It’s packed with Silva’s trademark research and enough plot twists to keep you reading. I supplemented the ebook with audio and the narrator is superb. 4 stars.
** It’s best to read these books in order.