Moscow Rules
by Daniel Silva
Penguin Group, July 2008, $26.95

Israeli spy/assassin Gabriel Allon is on his honeymoon when he is persuaded to leave his new wife for the afternoon and contact a Russian journalist who swears he has important information on an arms dealer. Unfortunately, when Allon finds the journalist, he’s been strangled. Allon is quickly drawn into a deadly hunt for Ivan Kharkov, a wealthy Russian businessmen who may also be the said arms dealer. The only key to catching Ivan may be through the ex-KGB colonel’s strong, elegant wife, who just happens to love art–something Allon knows a lot about. In fact, Allon, an artist at heart, would rather be restoring classic paintings and honeymooning with his new wife, but the wily, retired head of Israeli intelligence, Ari Shamron, convinces Allon that Kharkov has the power to destroy nations if he isn’t stopped.

Eighth in the Allon series, this tension filled plot races from an Alpine ski resort, to Moscow’s Lubyanka prison, to elegant European hotels, to the Vatican, and involves MI5 and the CIA operatives. Now Allon has to play by Moscow Rules–the first rule being that everyone lies. Furthermore, Allon quickly learns the new Moscow is controlled by powerful millionaires, though the KGB still rules, under new initials. Casual, brutal murders intertwine with sly, ambiguous encounters between Allon and his prey. 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 charming hero, this mystery entertains.–Beverly J. DeWeese