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In a continuing series featuring Israeli Intelligence Officer Gabriel Allon, author Daniel Silva has taken on a serious topic while sending his readers on a wild chase through the capitals of Europe. That topic is the spread of Islamic fundamentalism throughout Europe. His gripping writing and fast paced style leave readers hanging on the edge with each chapter’s end. Yet, it is his discussion of the collision of two worlds – traditional European culture and radical Islam – that makes the biggest impact.
In this novel, Allon has been sent to Amsterdam to shut down the office of a recently murdered terrorism expert employed by Israel. What he discovers in the files, however, is a plot by the Sword of Allah, a radical Egyptian group funded by a Saudi prince, to kidnap the daughter of the American ambassador to the Court of St James.
Allon follows the trail to London, but he is too late to prevent the kidnapping. What follows is a wild chase across Europe to locate Elizabeth Halton, the ambassador’s daughter. The collision of security services (CIA, MI5, and the seemingly rogue operative Allon, who appears to leave a trail of bodies in his wake) leads to several botched operations designed to save the young woman from certain death.
Silva presents meticulously researched details not only about the intelligence services and their clashing agendas, but also the precarious state of politics in the Middle East, where a single radical uprising could upset the delicate balance that exists. Silva’s foray into Egyptian politics is fascinating and frightening, as is his presentation of the single-mindedness of those who pursue jihad. He manages to tie up most loose ends well, although the careful reader can find one or two instances where a small plot detail goes amiss.
Perhaps the most serious criticism one can level about this story comes at the end of the story where the twists and turns come fast and furious. For about the last third of the novel, it seems that Silva will end the tale and often arrives at a clear ending point, but instead, he continues to drag his readers to another location, another deal with the kidnappers gone wrong, and still the hero (Allon) and captive (Halton) manage to survive.
Of course, Silva’s readers want these two characters to live, but given the plotlines presented, it nearly seems to defy belief that both survive so many precarious situations when so many others meet their deaths along the way. Despite this, THE SECRET SERVANT is certainly worth reading. Silva is a best-selling author for good reason. He can tell a good tale; he just needs to learn when to end it.
Reviewed by Christine Zibas, August 2007
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