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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
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 2009)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008