Action & Adventure
![Daniel Silva - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_daniel_silva.jpg)
Portrait of an Unknown Woman: A Novel (Gabriel Allon, 22)
In a spellbinding new masterpiece by #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva, Gabriel Allon undertakes a high-stakes search for the greatest art forger who ever lived
Legendary spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon has at long last severed ties with Israeli intelligence and settled quietly in Venice, the only place where he has ever truly known peace. His beautiful wife, Chiara, has taken over the day-to-day management of the Tiepolo Restoration Company, and their two young children are discreetly enrolled in a neighborhood scuola elementare. For his part, Gabriel spends his days wandering the streets and canals of the watery city, bidding farewell to the demons of his tragic, violent past.
But when the eccentric London art dealer Julian Isherwood asks Gabriel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rediscovery and lucrative sale of a centuries-old painting, he is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse where nothing is as it seems.
Gabriel soon discovers that the work in question, a portrait of an unidentified woman attributed to Sir Anthony van Dyck, is almost certainly a fiendishly clever fake. To find the mysterious figure who painted it-and uncover a multibillion-dollar fraud at the pinnacle of the art world-Gabriel conceives one of the most elaborate deceptions of his career. If it is to succeed, he must become the very mirror image of the man he seeks: the greatest art forger the world has ever known.
Stylish, sophisticated, and ingeniously plotted, Portrait of an Unknown Woman is a wildly entertaining journey through the dark side of the art world-a place where unscrupulous dealers routinely deceive their customers and deep-pocketed investors treat great paintings as though they were just another asset class to be bought and sold at a profit. From its elegant opening to the shocking twists of its climax, the novel is a tour de force of storytelling and one of the finest pieces of heist fiction ever written. And it is still more proof that, when it comes to international intrigue and suspense, Daniel Silva has no equal.
Legendary spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon has at long last severed ties with Israeli intelligence and settled quietly in Venice, the only place where he has ever truly known peace. His beautiful wife, Chiara, has taken over the day-to-day management of the Tiepolo Restoration Company, and their two young children are discreetly enrolled in a neighborhood scuola elementare. For his part, Gabriel spends his days wandering the streets and canals of the watery city, bidding farewell to the demons of his tragic, violent past.
But when the eccentric London art dealer Julian Isherwood asks Gabriel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rediscovery and lucrative sale of a centuries-old painting, he is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse where nothing is as it seems.
Gabriel soon discovers that the work in question, a portrait of an unidentified woman attributed to Sir Anthony van Dyck, is almost certainly a fiendishly clever fake. To find the mysterious figure who painted it-and uncover a multibillion-dollar fraud at the pinnacle of the art world-Gabriel conceives one of the most elaborate deceptions of his career. If it is to succeed, he must become the very mirror image of the man he seeks: the greatest art forger the world has ever known.
Stylish, sophisticated, and ingeniously plotted, Portrait of an Unknown Woman is a wildly entertaining journey through the dark side of the art world-a place where unscrupulous dealers routinely deceive their customers and deep-pocketed investors treat great paintings as though they were just another asset class to be bought and sold at a profit. From its elegant opening to the shocking twists of its climax, the novel is a tour de force of storytelling and one of the finest pieces of heist fiction ever written. And it is still more proof that, when it comes to international intrigue and suspense, Daniel Silva has no equal.
Editorial Reviews
"Reading the latest Gabriel Allon is like visiting an old friend. Another tour de force by the master." - Bob Woodward
"Silva can really write. The bastard." - James Patterson
"Few reading experiences bring me more joy than opening up the new Gabriel Allon novel every summer." - CrimeReads
"Silva can really write. The bastard." - James Patterson
"Few reading experiences bring me more joy than opening up the new Gabriel Allon novel every summer." - CrimeReads
Readers Top Reviews
Diana N
In this 22nd book of the series, Daniel Silva succeeds in surprising and delighting us with a yet unseen side of his hero, Gabriel Allon. Now retired from being a spy, Gabriel is living in Venice with his family and, as if to reflect his retirement, the tone of this book is wittier, funnier, and sensual; but don’t be fooled. The plot is as sharp as ever, taking us inside the fascinating criminal underbelly of the art world and its dirtiest secret. And when, sadly and inevitably, you turn the last page, you come out on the other side, not only more informed about art, but thoroughly entertained and thirsty for more. A toast to wit with a twist! Another year of waiting before the next one… I loved this book!
Kindle
As always I started the book and read nonstop until I finished. Fabulous storyline and I look forward to the next one.
Anna Priscilla
Mr. Silva simply cannot write a poor novel. "Portrait" was intricate and fascinating with Allon running things like clockward (for the most part). I love art history and tales of art and art forgers. I envy anyone with the capability to paint and anyone with the writing skills of Daniel Silva. Pure reading pleasure at its best.
William de Rham
Readers seeking an entertainment with tons of wit, charm, international globe-trotting, and European flavor need look no further than Daniel Silva’s newest novel, “Portrait of an Unknown Woman.” Master spy Gabriel Allon has retired from The Office and moved to Venice with his wife Chiara, intending to spend time with family and resume his career as one of the world’s finest restorers of works of fine art. But then his longtime friend, art dealer Julian Isherwood, discovers that a $6.5 million painting he sold may just be a fake. Asking for Allon's help, he sends the former Israeli agent of many identities from Venice to Paris, to Bordeaux, to London, to New York (to name just a few) in pursuit of those threatening to completely undermine the credibility and trustworthiness of the world of fine art in pursuit of vast riches; and who engage in murder, mayhem, and the occasional bombing to accomplish their objectives. It's a solidly written work featuring a wry sense of humor as well as deep dives into art history, art forgery, and the science of detecting what’s genuine and what’s not. It also takes readers on a first-class journey to some of the world’s finest museums, hotels, and restaurants; and features foods and wines to make the mouth water and references to music and architecture that nourish the soul. A truly enjoyable mystery and thriller that should educate as well as amuse.
Kindle
I devoured this book as soon as it appeared on my Kindle today. Gabriel Allon, ex-spy chief, art restorer extraordinaire.
