Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Berkley (2009), Edition: Reprint, 528 pages
Description
The death of a journalist leads Gabriel Allon to Russia, where he finds that, in terms of spycraft, even he has something to learn. He's playing by Moscow rules now. Ivan Kharkov, a former KGB colonel who built a global investment empire on the rubble of the Soviet Union, is an arms dealer and he is about to deliver Russia's most sophisticated weapons to al- Qaeda. Unless Allon can learn the time and place of the delivery, the world will see the deadliest terror attacks since 9/11and the clock is ticking fast.
Media reviews
In the hands of a less skilled author, Gabriel's unexpected detours would simply provide page-turning dramatic tension, a fine addition to any spy novel. But under Silva, one of fiction's best espionage authors, those actions are more than just a simple plot device.
Daniel Silva’s espionage thrillers have plenty of high-concept plot twists such as terrorists, bombings, national security and the world in chaos. But one of the real reasons that Silva’s novels have found a resonance with readers – and a secure place on best-sellers lists – is the
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author’s ability to put a human face on these big-picture themes. Show Less
Silva employs realpolitik in his this novel, bringing his insight into Russia’s current state as an underlying theme to the thrills of his plot, which includes swaying the wife of a Russian super-thug to turn on him. It is this aura of real-world menace that gives “Moscow Rules” its true
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flavor of suspense; that and Silva’s taut, page-turning style and quick ability to create solid characters with few words. Show Less
OK, it sounds like your run-of-the-mill thriller. But Silva packs his pages with detailed tradecraft — and with local color that lives and breathes of such settings as the French Riviera, London, Paris and (of course, given the title) Moscow. Then there's the character of Allon, an interesting
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man who has stayed interesting through a whole string of thrillers...Put "Moscow Rules" atop your summer beach book list. Show Less
Silva’s protagonist is the colorful, intriguing center of this spy series. A reluctant hero who has already lost his first wife and child to save the world once, he fears he could be risking his art, his life–everything, all over again. Expertly written and plotted, with lots of suspense and a
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charming hero, this mystery entertains. Show Less
Unfortunately, Silva relies on a deus ex machina to rescue Allon from certain death. “Moscow Rules” matches previous Silva novels with its rapid pace, detailed research and a warning.
There is a reason that each successive book featuring Allon sells more than the last. Silva continues to provide some of the most exciting spy fiction since Ian Fleming put down his martini and invented James Bond.
Silva’s latest is both fast-past thriller with all the appropriate twists and turns and a fascinating look at the inner workings of Russian society today.
Chicago Sun-Times
Silva always asks tough questions, and they’ve gotten tougher. His books always reflect both the complicated world—ours—in which his stories take place, as well as the sometimes simple, sometimes simplistic responses those questions evoke
User reviews
LibraryThing member Talbin
In Moscow Rules, the eighth book of Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series, a Russian journalist tries to contact Allon to tell him about a plot that involves Israel and the West. Just as Allon is about to meet with him, the journalist dies of poisoning. Allon pursues the potential lead and discovers
I've read all of Silva's books, and I think this is one of the better ones. One of the reasons I got hooked on the Allon books in the first place is because of Allon's cover as an art restorer. Silva hasn't used this as a major plot device for awhile, but he does in Moscow Rules. It's also good that Silva has gotten Allon out of the Middle East and put him (and the reader) into a new setting. The "new Russia" can be just as dangerous as the Middle East (especially for journalists), and the Russian opposition is extremely well-trained - formidable competition for Allon.
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that Ivan Kharkov, a former Russian KGB agent turned mulit-millionaire industrialist, is also an arms dealer who is about to complete a deal that involves al-Qaeda. Someone very close to Kharkov is willing to talk with Allon and his allies from America, England and France, but the stakes for the source are incredibly high and getting the information will mean taking on Kharkov's - and Russia's - most highly-trained operatives.I've read all of Silva's books, and I think this is one of the better ones. One of the reasons I got hooked on the Allon books in the first place is because of Allon's cover as an art restorer. Silva hasn't used this as a major plot device for awhile, but he does in Moscow Rules. It's also good that Silva has gotten Allon out of the Middle East and put him (and the reader) into a new setting. The "new Russia" can be just as dangerous as the Middle East (especially for journalists), and the Russian opposition is extremely well-trained - formidable competition for Allon.
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LibraryThing member Doondeck
Pretty formulaic; Gabriel gets beaten up at least twice.
LibraryThing member Clara53
A very good book, enjoyed it. But being a Russian speaker, I noticed a lot of mistakes in Russian phrases - I really can't see why the author cannot engage an authentic Russian language expert, any Russian immigrant will do, to check his novel for such obvious mistakes.
LibraryThing member skinglist
Another fabulous one in the Gabriel Allon series. I wish I hadn't read the blurb on Silva's site for the new book, which game away some of this, but it wasn't a terrible spoiler. As always, I love Gabriel and Chiara, and of course Ari. I think it will be the latter's death, not Gabriel's who
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eventually ends this series because I don't think Gabriel will go on without Ari. I like the character development of the Cherkov family here, interesting to weave in Russian history as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member Joycepa
8th in the Gabriel Allon series.
Gabriel and Chiara are on their honeymoon in the Umbrian hills of Italy while Gabriel, under an assumed name, of course, restores a painting for the Vatican. However, any thought that Ari Shamron, the unofficial head of Israeli Intelligence, will allow Allon some
A simple mission--just an overnighter to Rome, hear out the journalist, then back to the Villa dei Fiori to finish out his honeymoon.
Nothing in Allon’s world, however, ever works out that simply, and before long, Allon is on a headlong quest that takes him to the Cote d’Azur in France and then to Moscow.
In my opinion, no one writing today matches never mind bests Silva in the international spy thriller genre. His books are always well-written, well-plotted and incredibly exciting. That’s the case with Moscow Rules, which has a page-turner of a denouement that keeps you up at night until you’ve finished.
His recurring characters, such as Ari Shamron, Uzi Navot, Eli Lavon and, of course, Chiara, are solid, We meet again Adrian Carter of the CIA and Gergory Seymor of British Intelligence. His one-timers are good--believable-- even if some of them are somewhat one-dimensional. No matter--the action is what counts, and Silva is brilliant at it. Highly recommended.
Gabriel and Chiara are on their honeymoon in the Umbrian hills of Italy while Gabriel, under an assumed name, of course, restores a painting for the Vatican. However, any thought that Ari Shamron, the unofficial head of Israeli Intelligence, will allow Allon some
Show More
peace is rudely shattered when Allon gets an assignment: meet with a Russian journalist now in Rome, find out what he wants--because the journalist will talk with no one but Allon about what he claims is a grave danger to Israel and the West.A simple mission--just an overnighter to Rome, hear out the journalist, then back to the Villa dei Fiori to finish out his honeymoon.
Nothing in Allon’s world, however, ever works out that simply, and before long, Allon is on a headlong quest that takes him to the Cote d’Azur in France and then to Moscow.
In my opinion, no one writing today matches never mind bests Silva in the international spy thriller genre. His books are always well-written, well-plotted and incredibly exciting. That’s the case with Moscow Rules, which has a page-turner of a denouement that keeps you up at night until you’ve finished.
His recurring characters, such as Ari Shamron, Uzi Navot, Eli Lavon and, of course, Chiara, are solid, We meet again Adrian Carter of the CIA and Gergory Seymor of British Intelligence. His one-timers are good--believable-- even if some of them are somewhat one-dimensional. No matter--the action is what counts, and Silva is brilliant at it. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member austcrimefiction
It's a particularly apt time to be reading Daniel Silva's espionage thriller MOSCOW RULES, given the recent re-release of Eric Ambler's early espionage works from just before the start of the second world war. Particularly apt as the Moscow Rules of the title, is a hat tip to John le Carre's
MOSCOW RULES follows, therefore, a significant body of espionage thriller books. The central protagonist Gabriel Allon follows in the footprints of some incredibly strong characters, although as a part-time art restorer, part-time spy Allon is a slightly different take on the norm. In MOSCOW RULES Allon and his new wife are attempting to have a honeymoon when he's summoned back to meet with a Russian journalist who will only talk to him. The violent death of that journalist takes Allon into new Russia - awash with new money and old enemies. Allon must stop a plot to deliver Russia's most sophisticated weapon to al-Qaeda before it's too late.
I'm not adverse to a bit of good old fashioned espionage, spying, cloak and dagger doings as might be guessed from my overall reading habits. Unfortunately, not having read any of the other books in this series definitely put this reader at a bit of a disadvantage. Sorting out who Allon was; how he fits in with what seems to be an ongoing cast of characters; where the art restoring fitted; and other elements of his back story required a fair amount of effort, and as such I was frequently having to go back and remind myself of plot points and elements of the overall story, which made reading this book a little more time consuming than it would have been had I started somewhere earlier in the series.
Overall I did find that I was engaged by the storytelling, and I did like what I could glean about Allon. Perhaps reading earlier books would have helped as the plot here is very dense with lots of things going on, and sorting out the personalities and the who's who at the same time was very distracting. If you've read earlier books in the series I suspect that MOSCOW RULES will be another favourite for you. Perhaps, if like me you've not had the pleasure before, it might work better if you start a little earlier in the series, as I now intend to do.
The Gabriel Allon series is made up of the following books:
The Kill Artist
The English Assassin
The Confessor
A Death in Venice
Prince of Fire
The Messenger
The Secret Servant
Moscow Rules
The Defector (July 2009)
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classic novel Smiley's People - Le Carre having acknowledged Ambler as one of the influential pioneers of the genre.MOSCOW RULES follows, therefore, a significant body of espionage thriller books. The central protagonist Gabriel Allon follows in the footprints of some incredibly strong characters, although as a part-time art restorer, part-time spy Allon is a slightly different take on the norm. In MOSCOW RULES Allon and his new wife are attempting to have a honeymoon when he's summoned back to meet with a Russian journalist who will only talk to him. The violent death of that journalist takes Allon into new Russia - awash with new money and old enemies. Allon must stop a plot to deliver Russia's most sophisticated weapon to al-Qaeda before it's too late.
I'm not adverse to a bit of good old fashioned espionage, spying, cloak and dagger doings as might be guessed from my overall reading habits. Unfortunately, not having read any of the other books in this series definitely put this reader at a bit of a disadvantage. Sorting out who Allon was; how he fits in with what seems to be an ongoing cast of characters; where the art restoring fitted; and other elements of his back story required a fair amount of effort, and as such I was frequently having to go back and remind myself of plot points and elements of the overall story, which made reading this book a little more time consuming than it would have been had I started somewhere earlier in the series.
Overall I did find that I was engaged by the storytelling, and I did like what I could glean about Allon. Perhaps reading earlier books would have helped as the plot here is very dense with lots of things going on, and sorting out the personalities and the who's who at the same time was very distracting. If you've read earlier books in the series I suspect that MOSCOW RULES will be another favourite for you. Perhaps, if like me you've not had the pleasure before, it might work better if you start a little earlier in the series, as I now intend to do.
The Gabriel Allon series is made up of the following books:
The Kill Artist
The English Assassin
The Confessor
A Death in Venice
Prince of Fire
The Messenger
The Secret Servant
Moscow Rules
The Defector (July 2009)
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LibraryThing member lanes_3
A spy novel that follows the Israeli Gabriel Allon. I believe Allon is character series for Silva. This is a good, fast-paced novel with some exciting passages. As far as I can tell, Allon is in his mid 50's but he seems to run around like someone at least 20 years younger. There are numerous
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mentions of past occurrences. It makes me want to find some of the stories of when he was younger. Show Less
LibraryThing member TigsW
I really disliked this book. Unlike most of Silva's books, it was poorly researched and the writing was well below his usual standard. This, and it's follow-on, Deception, were probably written as one longer book and then split into two for promotional purposes. The author's diatribe against
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Russia, and promotion of Israel was simplisitic and annoying. The storyline was predictable and trite. I had trouble finishing this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member dwate
I made the mistake of reading this novel immediately after finishing Martin Cruz Smith’s Gorky Park for the second time. The contrast is stark. While Cruz Smith requires the reader to concentrate on every word in order to keep up with the twists and turns, Silva explains everything about his
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characters, their history and their motivations. His characters are almost caricatures of hard-bitten spies, evil gangsters and their beautiful women. While Gorky Park’s Arkady Renko is complex and thoroughly human and believable, Gabriel Allon, the Israeli Secret Service hero of Silva’s thriller is a comic-book hero. That said, Silva’s book is nevertheless an exciting thriller, set in Moscow, France and Italy, even if it rather improbably provides a disillusioned Russian KSB Colonel at the last minute to retrieve Allon from what appears to be a hopeless situation. Silva has done a good deal of research and he leaves us in no doubt of his concern at the rise of the Russian Mafia and its involvement in arms trading and support of terrorists. Show Less
LibraryThing member Peterabun
This is a good modern day spy book. This was my first Gabriel Allon book. I will search out more. I'd call it a very good summer read.
LibraryThing member Vlambert
Subject(s): Allon, Gabriel (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
Terrorism -- Prevention -- Fiction
Intelligence officers -- Fiction
Military weapons -- Fiction
Moscow (Russia) -- Fiction
Suspense fiction
Spy stories
Terrorism -- Prevention -- Fiction
Intelligence officers -- Fiction
Military weapons -- Fiction
Moscow (Russia) -- Fiction
Suspense fiction
Spy stories
LibraryThing member readafew
Moscow Rules is the 8th book in the Gabriel Allon series. Gabriel and Chiara are on their honeymoon in Umbria Italy, Gabriel is restoring a painting for the Vatican. A Russian newspaper reporter contacts the Israeli embassy in Rome requesting a meeting with Gabriel in person. He has some very
I enjoyed listening to this book, Ivan Kharkov is a great villain. Powerful and unscrupulous, all he cares about is money and that those close to him are loyal. His one soft spot is for his children and one wonders about that. Good book fast paced and no real plot holes. Just as good as the other Allon books I've read and a great thriller.
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important information regarding the sale of weapons to some enemies. Gabriel reluctantly agrees to the meeting. The meeting never happens, the reported is silenced in the halls of St. Peters Basilica. Gabriel's guilt over the death and curiosity over the mystery drive him to dig deeper.I enjoyed listening to this book, Ivan Kharkov is a great villain. Powerful and unscrupulous, all he cares about is money and that those close to him are loyal. His one soft spot is for his children and one wonders about that. Good book fast paced and no real plot holes. Just as good as the other Allon books I've read and a great thriller.
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LibraryThing member mkaczmar
Takes off right away and does not disappoint with action. This is his best book ever.
LibraryThing member AramisSciant
Passable spy thriller but the Israeli slant made it tiresome at times. Don't think I will be looking for any other novels in this series. There are better spy novel writers out there.
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Fine mystery in places I have been. Intricate twists of plot make listening fun.
LibraryThing member MSWallack
Although I thoroughly enjoyed Moscow Rules, it simply didn't grab me quite as much as some of the more recent Gabriel Allon books. Perhaps I didn't feel as if I learned enough about the characters (other than Allon and his crew) who were central to the story. Plus the "surprise" during the climax
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of the story was, if not totally predictable, not terribly surprising either. That said, Silva did a remarkable job of showing the detail that goes into planning complicated espionage operations and those parts of the book were thoroughly enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Djupstrom
I have never read anything by Daniel Silva before. Moscow Rules was a good spy thriller, with evil bad guys, and damsels in distress. I would read another.
LibraryThing member CMBlaker
Just as good as Silva is with his other Gabriel Allon books. Great ending & loved Phil Gigante as the narrator of this audio!! Excellent! Since not commuting to & from work, I've gotten out of the habit of listening to audiobooks & have just been reading. I had forgotten what a true pleasure it is
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to listen to a well narrated, good book. This was the perfect one to get me going again. Show Less
LibraryThing member librisissimo
Substance: The painter-cum-spy gets involved again, during his honeymoon with 2nd wife, and once more foils an international terrorist plot by taking down a vicious Russian arms-dealer (this is not a spoiler; we know the hero always wins). Lots of mayhem and soul-searching along the way, regarding
Style: Straightforward, very readable. No profanity or graphic sex, which is unusual in the adventure genre.
NOTES:
p. 335 The Moscow Rules are attributed to John Le Carre's classic novel of espionage, Smiley's People, but exist in various forms throughout the the "industry" dating from actual Cold War operating principles. The epigraphic rule for this novel is accurate and "is drilled into American spies throughout their training" - "Don't look back; you are never completely alone."
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the duty of those who know about specific dangers to protect the innocent and unaware. Unabashedly pro-Israel.Style: Straightforward, very readable. No profanity or graphic sex, which is unusual in the adventure genre.
NOTES:
p. 335 The Moscow Rules are attributed to John Le Carre's classic novel of espionage, Smiley's People, but exist in various forms throughout the the "industry" dating from actual Cold War operating principles. The epigraphic rule for this novel is accurate and "is drilled into American spies throughout their training" - "Don't look back; you are never completely alone."
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LibraryThing member utbw42
Another great Silva book, as Allon is drawn back into the Israeli spy gambit investigating suspected Russian journalist murders by a Russian arms dealer, as well as trying to prevent future terrorist attacks as a result of these arms deals. Silva always seems to know how to build the suspense in a
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book, as the last 1/2 of this book is a fast, exciting read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Gabriel Allon, art restorer and Israeli intelligence officer, has just gotten married to Chiara and is on his honeymoon in Italy. He's busy restoring a painting under an alias, when his employers call, asking for a favor. It seems a Russian journalist, Aleksandr Lubin, wants to tell Gabriel why one
Lubin was on a mission to expose Ivan Kharkov, the son of a senior KGB officer and all around bad guy. When the Soviet Union began to crumble, Kharkov amassed a fortune by arms dealing. He became one of the newly minted billionaires of the new Kremlin. His holdings included shipping and air freight with branches reaching across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Lubin was investigating the rumor that Kharkov was amassing dangerous arms to sell to al-Qaeda in order that they could continue their assaults on the United States and their allies. His source was Elena Kharkov, Ivan's wife. Gabriel summons up an Israeli investigative team and he and his fellow agents must persuade Kharkov’s wife to betray her husband.
Gabriel Allon can sometimes be a little sensitive, and emotionally torn but just when he appears to be infallible, he and his team slip up a bit, allowing the reader to continue to enjoy the chase. I love espionage novels and I think Silva is a master at this genre. Moscow Rules is both a fast-past thriller with all the appropriate twists and turns and a fascinating look at the inner workings of Russian society today.
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of his fellow journalists has been killed. Before Lubin is able to pass on his important information he is murdered just feet away from Gabriel by what is obviously a skilled assassin. Lubin was on a mission to expose Ivan Kharkov, the son of a senior KGB officer and all around bad guy. When the Soviet Union began to crumble, Kharkov amassed a fortune by arms dealing. He became one of the newly minted billionaires of the new Kremlin. His holdings included shipping and air freight with branches reaching across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Lubin was investigating the rumor that Kharkov was amassing dangerous arms to sell to al-Qaeda in order that they could continue their assaults on the United States and their allies. His source was Elena Kharkov, Ivan's wife. Gabriel summons up an Israeli investigative team and he and his fellow agents must persuade Kharkov’s wife to betray her husband.
Gabriel Allon can sometimes be a little sensitive, and emotionally torn but just when he appears to be infallible, he and his team slip up a bit, allowing the reader to continue to enjoy the chase. I love espionage novels and I think Silva is a master at this genre. Moscow Rules is both a fast-past thriller with all the appropriate twists and turns and a fascinating look at the inner workings of Russian society today.
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LibraryThing member Nodosaurus
Gabriel is on his honeymoon, when a Russian journalist insists on meeting with him. Gabriel reluctantly accepts the invitation, but when the man is killed before the meeting, Gabriel is drawn into a mystery involving a very powerful weapons dealer with dangerous plans.
Gabriel's art plays a bigger
This is a very well-told story with a lot of intensely interesting characters. The story has a good pace and will keep the reader involved.
Gabriel's art plays a bigger
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role than in some of the stories, it has always felt it should be a bigger part of this stories, so this was refreshing. This is a very well-told story with a lot of intensely interesting characters. The story has a good pace and will keep the reader involved.
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LibraryThing member anglophile65
This was my first Daniel Silva. I would consider it pop lit, but definitely decent writing abilities, exciting and a page turner all the way through. I will read more of his books and more in this series
LibraryThing member jimgysin
A terrific addition to the Gabriel Allon series. Sometimes I find myself thinking that it's a privilege to be reading a writer at the top of his or her game; this was one of those times, and Silva is clearly one of those authors. And as someone who cut his thriller teeth on Iron Curtain stories,
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it's always nice to see Russian bad guys acting like Russian bad guys. :) Show Less
LibraryThing member raizel
Well written, but similar structure to the previous books in the series. The real-life issue this time is the sale of weapons to dangerous governments and terrorist groups. A "respected commentator" does note that the deal that Gabriel Allon et al. are trying to stop would result in "a tiny
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fraction of those killed by [his] guns and bullets in Africa alone." (p. 414) Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 2009)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
528 p.; 4.25 inches
ISBN
0451227387 / 9780451227386