Gabriel Allon novels are a series of detective and espionage novels by the American journalist and author Daniel Silva. The series follows the life and work of the titular character, Gabriel Allon, a top-class Israeli Intelligence Service operative and a master art restorer. The series features more than twenty books and is a riveting take on the political conspiracy and thriller genres.
An Introduction to Daniel Silva’s Writing
Daniel Silva was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1960. In 1967, his family moved to California, where he stayed and graduated from the California State University, Fresno, and started working as a journalist at United Press International. Eventually, his position was made permanent, and he was a Middle East correspondent, which led to his moving to Cairo. In the ’90s, Silva started focusing on his career as a novelist. His debut came out in 1996, and it immediately made it to the New York Times bestseller list. The success of his first book led him to leave his journalism career and focus on writing. He’s written more than twenty spy novels ever since, mostly focusing on Islamic terrorism, Russian politics, World War II, and the Holocaust. Silva’s also worked as a producer and executive producer for CNN shows, namely Crossfire and Capital Gang.
The Gabriel Allon Series
Silva remains largely popular thanks to his Gabriel Allon novels. The series features twenty-two books published in the period 2001 and 2022, and throughout the story, we follow Gabriel Allon, an Israeli spy, on a number of espionage and counter-terrorist missions on behalf of not only his country but foreign governments (including the Vatican in Rome), where he is often accompanied by Mossad and CIA operatives, and even his wife, Chiara. The series is grounded not only in realism but also history. Silva draws a lot of inspiration from political and historical events that marked and changed the identity of his characters, such as World War 2, the Holocaust, and the Cold War, giving his book series an extra-textual dimension that only contributes to their depth and authenticity.
In What Order Should I Read Gabriel Allon Books?
Most books in the Gabriel Allon series are standalone stories that can be read in any order. However, a well-structured reading order following the events chronologically will enhance your reading experience of Silva’s spy thrillers, so it’s best to read Daniel Silva’s books in order.
Gabriel Allon Books Publication Order
The main entries in the Gabriel Allon series are as follows:
- The Kill Artist (2001)
- The English Assassin (2002)
- The Confessor (2002)
- A Death in Vienna (2003)
- Prince of Fire (2005)
- The Messenger (2006)
- The Secret Servant (2007)
- Moscow Rules (2008)
- The Defector (2009)
- The Rembrandt Affair (2010)
- Portrait of a Spy (2011)
- The Fallen Angel (2012)
- The English Girl (2013)
- The Heist (2014)
- The English Spy (2015)
- The Black Widow (2016)
- House of Spies (2017)
- The Other Woman (2018)
- The New Girl (2019)
- The Order (2020)
- The Cellist (2021)
- Portrait of an Unknown Woman (2022)
- The Collector (2023)
- A Death in Cornwall (2024)
If you want to read all of Silva’s work, you can start with The Unlikely Spy, a 1996 WW2 spy thriller, then read The Mark of the Assassin (1998) and The Marching Season (1999), two Michael Osbourne books with similar themes.
Gabriel Allon Series Audiobooks
Silva is a bestselling author with millions of copies sold worldwide, and his novels are available at all major book vendors online, such as Amazon, and they can be ordered on his official website. If you don’t have the time to read them all the good old-fashioned way, or if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy the adventures of the Jewish spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon, consider audiobooks. Audiobooks are an enjoyable and convenient way to enjoy books. You can make time fly on your commute, spend your time more productively when you’re doing chores or going shopping, and turn your gym sessions into a mental exercise, too. Silva’s books are available on all audiobook platforms, including Speechify.
Listen to Gabriel Allon Books with Speechify
For the premier audiobook experience, choose Speechify. Speechify is a platform with over 70,000 titles available for download, including countless espionage titles by Daniel Silva and other authors such as Ian Fleming and Brad Taylor. Speechify titles are all narrated by masterclass narrators, so you’ll feel like you’re one of Allon’s teammates whenever you hear your favorite novel dramatized. The app is available on desktop and mobile devices, and the first premium listen is free, so be sure to check out Speechify Audiobooks and carry a whole library in your pocket wherever you go.
FAQ
What is Daniel Silva’s bestselling book?
Many of Silva’s novels made it to various bestseller charts. The Black Widow (2016) made it to the #1 spot on USA Today, for example, and The English Girl (2013), The Heist (2014), and The English Spy (2015) made it to the #2 spot.
Why does Gabriel Allon have a different name?
His original surname was Greenberg. When his family escaped to Israel from Munich, Germany, however, he changed the name to Allon, a Hebrew one.
