Gabriel Allon is an assassin, spy, counterterrorist, and master art restorer in Daniel Silva’s suspense thriller series. A former Israeli intelligence operative, Gabriel frequently finds himself drawn back to work for the spy agency, tracking down terrorists and criminals across the globe.

Daniel Silva expertly weaves current affairs and international politics into the plots, making the books exciting for readers. He credits the dual aspects of Gabriel’s character—his expertise in espionage and art restoration—as key to his popularity among readers. He says, “The Allon books are a blend of art and intelligence, and that makes them unique. As for Gabriel, I’ve often heard from fans that men want to be him and women want to be with him.”

Each book typically has a self-contained story, but there are serialized elements, including overarching storylines, recurring characters, and plot elements that connect the books and often have repercussions for Gabriel.

Fans recommend starting at the beginning for a proper introduction to Gabriel. When asked if his novels need to be read in order, Daniel Silva answers, “No, but it probably doesn’t hurt.” He outlines two internal thematic trilogies within the series. The first trilogy, comprising The English Assassin (Book 2), The Confessor (Book 3), and A Death in Vienna (Book 4), deals with “the unfinished business of the Holocaust.” The second trilogy, Prince of Fire (Book 5), The Messenger (Book 6), and The Secret Servant (Book 7), addresses “the question of terrorism in the modern world.”