This is the second novel in Silva’s Gabriel Allon series that has now reached 25 books.  The arithmetic indicates that Silva is turning these works out at the rate of one per year, and the cookie cutter nature of the plots reflects that work schedule.

Allon is a world class art restorer as well as the go to guy for Ari Shamron, the head of Israeli intelligence.  This is the 10th Gabriel Allon book that I’ve read, and upon completion, I always say the same thing—-what a waste of time; however, I can’t stop myself from reading the next one, or if it’s not yet out, going back and reading an old one.

The plots are all the same—Jews are being killed, threatened with extermination, or some such dire situation, and Allon is the only person who can save them.  In this case, a very wealthy Swiss banker is shot and killed moments before Allon arrives to restore a Raphael painting.  As Allon and his beautiful female sidekick (there’s always a beautiful female sidekick!) delve deeper into Augustus Rolfe’s background he discovers the seamy side of Swiss neutrality during WWII receiving stolen Jewish artworks as well as providing cash and banking services for the Third Reich.  A side story involves Rolfe’s daughter, a world class violinist who returns to the stage after a potentially career ending injury.

The story was of more interest than usual since we were traveling through Zurich on our way to and from Berlin.  Otherwise, not great literature but a fine companion for the hours of travel between Cambridge and Berlin.  Can’t wait for my next Silva/Allon adventure.