Oh, the sweet joy of a new Daniel Silva novel. An Inside Job does exactly what Silva fans hope for: sharp, quick prose; dialogue that actually earns its page time; and zero filler that makes you wonder why you’re still reading. Our beloved Gabriel Allon is back – but this time, he’s traded high-stakes espionage for the quiet life of a retired art restorer in Venice, working for his stunning, ever-patient wife at her restoration company. Naturally, Gabriel can’t stay out of trouble, and when a body turns up floating in the Venetian Lagoon, the man who can’t resist a good mystery is right back in the game.
What follows is classic Silva: global stakes, delicious twists, and a scandal at the Vatican that will have you turning pages long past bedtime. Characters from earlier books drift in and out, but this story works perfectly as a standalone if you’re new to the series. One of the real treats of a Silva novel is the art history lesson tucked inside the action – and this time, the spotlight is on Da Vinci. I’ll admit I paused more than once mid-chapter to Google the masterpieces Gabriel was restoring or chasing. It’s like getting a world-class art history seminar with your thriller.
By the time you close the book, you’ll feel both smarter and fully entertained – a rare combination these days. An Inside Job is the perfect summer read, though frankly, it’d hit just as well in February with a blanket and a glass of something strong. And Mr. Silva, if you’re somehow reading this, can we get Daniel Day-Lewis to sign on for the inevitable film? The role of Gabriel Allon has his name written all over it.
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