The Order

Usual Allon book, easy reading

I very much enjoyed this, having waiting what seemed like an eternity since the last Allon book.It begins almost like a small scale murder mystery, and gradually expands to reveal a Europe-wide political conspiracy. In some ways, the setting and plot remind me of other books by Dan Brown and Robert Harris. Of course, it is infinitely better written that anything by Brown.Silva again deals with cutting edge political events, especially the rise of the far right in Europe, and explores its longstanding links with conservative elements within the Catholic Church. There is a strange hint of he supernatural in this that is like nothing else in Silva's work, but it is fairly limited and and indirect and doesn't ireally detract much on the story. I guess Silva is so skilled a writer, with such long established and well defined characters, that he can get away with this even though it seems bit of an indulgence.While they do not play a major role, the team from the Office make a very welcome appearance in the middle of the book, to carry out yet another set piece takedown of a corrupt official; I have to say I was glad to see them. It was a bit like meeting old friends. Altogether a pleasure from beginning to end.

Danial Silva once again continues to wow, this book is a another you cannot put down, such an exciting read, he is the greatest.

I love the Gabriel Allon books, and The Order was so exciting and the plot so intriguing I just couldn’t put it down. Now I have to spend the rest of the week catching up on what I should have done today, but no regrets, it was a cracking story.My favorite parts of the series are when Barak come together and plan their ingenious operations.Lots of action and intrigue, a bit repetitive in a few places but a book I would certainly recommend.

I would like more art restoration.I would like to see Gabriel and Chiari living a normal life.THIS IS A MAGNIFICENT BOOKBest I have read this year.Love the history.Admire the politics.Respect the Israelis.Feel sorry that Luigi's love story never appears but hopefully Liberation Theology might appear (if only in fiction).Well-written. Fascinating. Thought-provoking.

The waiting, always the waiting. – That is something every fan of Daniel Silva can relate to. As always, it has been worth it. One cannot simply put the book down, trust me, I've tried and ended up reading till the end until 3:30am.Daniel Silva knows how to write a book packed with history interspersed by twisting turns and nerve wrecking moments. There is never a dull moment only interlude before something that will stop you in your tracks and makes you think.The moment you open the book, you're transported to Gabriel Allon’s world. It truly feels like you're standing by his side trying to find out if the Pope was really murdered while staying ahead of the Order of St. Helena and its members plotting against Gabriel and trying to prevent him accomplishing his mission. Conclave has to begin so Gabriel has limited time. But then again, when he doesn't? There is a reason his old team’s name is Barak after all.To think at the beginning Chiara had a daring idea to pack the entire family, indulging Gabriel and take them for much needed holidays. Who would have guessed it won't work out, right?

I have read almost all of the Gabriel Allon series and initially very much enjoyed them. However, having read this, I think his retirement might be nigh; the series never has been rooted in too much reality, but taking on the Vatican and the world wide Catholic Church is a move too far? As another reviewer commented, there is rather much of arcane religious detail, history and practice, certainly too much for me. I am also unsure that a topic as important as the enmity, at whatever level, between the Jewish and Christian faiths should be in a book that is essentially a thriller? I prefer my crime to be somewhat more secular. I did read other reviews before starting this, so I can’t say I wasn’t warned; my previous enjoyment of this series won out over the religiousity and perhaps it should not have done.I read Daniel Silva’s afterword and found it far more interesting than much of the fictional detail in the book and I really appreciate his liberal stance about the risks of right wing populism so perhaps I should be less critical, but I enjoyed this book less than its predecessors.

After my first book by Daniel Silva purely by mistake I read a review by a woman who said the only problem with a Daniel Silva book is waiting for a year for the next one and she was so right. As the previous book was the first I had read and couldn't put down I then started reading all his previous ones to fill the void. Some I wasn't so keen on but they were still amazingly written. I am half way through the Order and struggle to put it down even to eat. Reading his books particularly about Allon is like putting on a pair of comfy old slippers and I just need to savour every moment. The Void is different in a way but no less incredible. Please Mr. Silva do not stop writing especially about Gabriel who I am sure for all of us has become a 'friend'. Well done again - great book and can't wait to finish it but must savour every word.