Author: Daniel Silva
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Do Spy thrillers engage you to read them?
The Cellist by Daniel Silva features the art restorer
and legendary spy Gabriel Allon. Viktor Orlov signed his life away when he
stared a crusade against the kleptocrats who have seized control of the
Kremlin. While protected to the core, he meets his maker when he receives
documents contaminated with a deadly
nerve agent. As the investigation unravels the threads, the connections start
showing up and the evidence points to an assassin from the Moscow centre, but
Gabriel thinks otherwise. As he takes the mantle and examining the events, he
unravels not just the story behind the assassination, but also a plot to plunge
America into chaos. Would Allon, with a young woman employed by the dirtiest
bank be able to stop it?
The plot of the book is well-planned and meticulously so with exquisite details of operations as they are planned and executed mentioned. The storytelling is powerful, and the reader’s imagination is used to the core to help them visualize things. Another interesting thing is that the fiction part of the book uses real life events to make a point which is a mark of a well-researched book. Perhaps a sign of things to come, I loved the contemporary context that Daniel uses by incorporating the post-covid world with social distancing and lockdowns, and using them as a part of the book. The thing that did not work for me in the book was that the level of detail in some parts of the book was excessively done and that acted more like a filler to me. Secondly, the climax of the story seemed stretched out and for me, it felt as it was a hurried addition, and not an organic part of the story as originally planned.
The characters are well sketched, and they
are relatable as well as believable as none of them is over-the-top in terms of
sleuthing or heroics. Each character gets their moment of fame to shine, and I
loved the character arcs that develop throughout the book. For me, Gabriel’s
character stood out from the rest for his planning and shrewdness. Another
character that impressed me was that of the banker (not mentioning the name to
avoid spoilers).
Overall, a good spy thriller that scores a
4.19/5 for me.
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A crisp review.
ReplyDeleteNice review, tempts me to check out this book.
ReplyDeleteI think when an author writes from his or her experience with in depth research the result ought to be fantastic. I recently finished one crime thriller and would love to give it a try again.. Thanks for sharing your honest review.
ReplyDeleteSiddhant, your review, with its clarity and crispness, makes me want to read the book. I enjoy crime thrillers and this could well be my next read.
ReplyDeleteWell written review. Though I dont read too much spy thrillers this seems interesting.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading Daniel Silva from time to time. I'll add this to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteI love thrillers and it is so difficult to find good desi ones. Thanks for the recommendation,surely picking this up.
ReplyDeleteI really like the title of the book and yes, I am always excited about reading spy thrillers. Nice review, would love to read this book sometime.
ReplyDeleteA great review. Excessive detailing does make the reading boring and tedious.
ReplyDeletethrillers are a new2 category that i am yet to explore. but i have always been so interested in thriller series for netflix. would g=love to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, as always! Love that you offer a balanced view of every book you read.
ReplyDeleteShort and nice review. There is everything I need to know about the book.
ReplyDeleteNice review. Will definitely read.
ReplyDeleteoh i happened to see this book in the library just yesterday. Thanks for the review, will check it out.
ReplyDeleteThe review certainly wants me now to read this one. Will check it out.
ReplyDeleteNice Review
ReplyDeleteGreat book review post. Sharing with my hubby!
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