Book Reviews

The Fallen Angel

Published on 09/06/12

BOOK REVIEWS BY JOAN G. SMITH JGS 355

THE FALLEN ANGEL BY: DANIEL SILVA

I must admit I wait impatiently for the newest Daniel Silva novel to appear! The Fallen Angel just out in July 2012 – doesn’t disappoint.

Gabriel Allon is a bit older now and has survived his latest mission for Israel intelligence. He is quietly restoring a Caravaggio painting at the Vatican and enjoying his other career as an art restorer. The Vatican is always filled with intrigue, however, and Gabriel is suddenly summoned to headquarters. St. Peter’s Basilica, by an old friend, who happens to be the powerful private secretary to Pope Paul VII. Luigi Donati and Gabriel are old friends, for various reasons, and trust each other completely, despite their religious differences.

Claudia Andreatti was found dead on the floor of the Basilica, and it was apparent that she had jumped or been pushed to her death from the high balcony in the gallery. The first responders assumed it was suicide, but when Gabriel arrived at the scene he is certain it was murder; her neck was broken and a gold chain she was wearing was missing.

When Monsignor Donati arrives on the scene he agrees that he thinks it was murder and that it could have been his fault because he had asked her to investigate secretly, Donati’s suspicion that the Vatican Museums were being plundered. Claudia had been investigating for six months and discovered a dangerous secret agenda much worse than just looting timeless treasures – sabotage that could lead to worldwide devastation.

This novel takes the reader from the Vatican to St. Moritz, Berlin and Vienna as the investigation escalates. Finally, Gabriel and his team are in Israel and Jerusalem and on to the Temple Mount and a shocking climax taking place in the most contested parcel of land in the world, going back to the beginning of time in Jerusalem.

I will end with this reminder, and I quote – ” that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it . “