|
In the past it used to be the Russians who were
pitted as the antithesis to the Wests Americans and British. Well, the Ruskies
have had their day and the new evil are the Iranians and, at least in the case
of The Rembrandt Affair, the Chinese. Into this mix we throw in the
Israelis and, to add a bit of spice, the Nazis to make this a real
pot-potpourri of intrigue and espionage.
The story begins with the appearance of a long
lost Rembrandt painting. The painting then becomes a backdrop to a story which
unfolds layer by layer like peeling an onion, minus the tears.
Gabriel Allon, an Israeli spy and assassin is
engaged to recover the Rembrandt painting but the deeper he delves the more
twists appear. Enter the CIA, MI5, MI6 and a plethora of other shady
organisations to add a complexity to the tale as Allon masterminds a sting to
unwind, what they discover to be, an international conspiracy and deception
involving a web of shell interlinking companies making and selling dangerous
products to extreme governments.
The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel
Silva is another chapter in the series of novels that document the the
mystery and intrigue of a branch of the Israelis secret service. Fans of the
series will likely more than enjoy this latest instalment.
A engrossing and plausible story, but without
requiring deep concentration to follow it through to its interesting
conclusion. This was my introduction to the series and I'm sure I'll go back to
read at least some of the earlier novels by Daniel
Silva.
|
