Book Review: An Inside Job by Daniel Silva
Gabriel Allon returns in a Vatican thriller that blends art, faith, and politics
Estimated read time is 3 minutes — enjoy!
I just finished Daniel Silva’s An Inside Job, the twenty-fifth installment in his long-running Gabriel Allon series, and it reminded me why I’ve stayed with these books for a quarter century. Silva has managed something rare in popular fiction: creating a character and world that feel both fresh and familiar, a series that has matured with its readers even as it has remained grounded in the thriller tradition.
The premise is deceptively simple. Gabriel Allon is a Jewish spy who has been at the center of Israeli intelligence since the 1970s. But unlike most fictional spies, his “cover” life is equally compelling: he is also a world-class restorer of Old Master paintings. Silva uses this dual identity to weave together the art world and the world of espionage in ways that are consistently inventive. Over the years, the novels have taken readers across the globe, tracing the fight against terrorism after 9/11, the rise of a resurgent Russia, the destabilizing influence of rogue regimes, and the corrupting power of immense wealth. Along the way, Silva has deftly sketched Israel’s role in both Middle Eastern and world politics—striving for balance, though generally sympathetic to that nation’s security concerns.
For much of its run, the series sat squarely within the “war on terror” genre. More recently, however—particularly since the Gaza conflict erupted—Silva has shifted his focus. Part of this is because Allon himself has retired from Israeli intelligence. In the last several volumes, he has been living in Venice, devoting his days to the quieter but equally demanding work of restoring Renaissance masterpieces. That change of pace has given Silva room to explore new themes and settings, from Italian daily life to the intrigues of the Vatican.
Another joy of the series is its broader cast of characters. Silva has built a rich ensemble around Allon—friends, colleagues, allies, and adversaries—who drift in and out of the novels. Some have been central from the beginning, others appear only occasionally, but together they give the series continuity and depth. After so many books, they feel almost like old acquaintances you’re pleased to encounter again.
An Inside Job continues in this newer, post-Mossad vein. Much of the story unfolds in Venice and Rome, with brief detours to London and Denmark, and Silva once again captures the rhythms of life in Italy with affection: the food, the atmosphere, the interplay of art and history. The novel also ranges further afield, into the halls of the Vatican—where Gabriel Allon has been befriended by the new pope. In recent books, Silva has shown a growing interest in Catholic politics, and this latest story puts that interest front and center. Completed just as Pope Francis passed away, the novel offers a fascinating look at the struggle inside the Church between progressive forces seeking a return to ministering to the poor and conservative factions intent on guarding doctrine and wealth.
Layered onto this broader political and religious backdrop is a classic Silva mystery. The book begins with the suspicious death of a young woman and soon pivots to the possible discovery of a “new” painting by perhaps the greatest artist of all time. Silva keeps the art-world intrigue tightly bound to the thriller plot, ensuring that the pacing never lags. As with his best books, I found myself finishing it in just a few days, always eager for the next chapter.
What makes An Inside Job especially enjoyable is that it feels both timely and timeless. It is not rooted in the immediate headlines of war or authoritarianism—though those themes surface at the edges—yet its exploration of the Vatican speaks to enduring struggles over faith, power, and wealth. For readers curious about the Catholic Church, passionate about the art world, or simply drawn to the pleasures of Italian life, this book has much to offer.
In the end, Silva delivers what he always does: a tightly written, fast-moving story that entertains while also prompting reflection about the world we live in. After twenty-five volumes, that is no small achievement.