The best spy novelist working today. Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon — Israeli intelligence operative, master art restorer — is the thinking person's James Bond for the post-9/11 age.
About Daniel Silva
Daniel Silva (born 1960) is an American journalist-turned-thriller writer who created one of the most successful spy series of the 21st century. Gabriel Allon debuted in The Kill Artist (2000) and has appeared in over 20 novels, each topping the New York Times bestseller list.
What sets Silva apart from other spy novelists is his combination of historical texture, Middle Eastern politics, and fine art. Gabriel Allon is an agent of the Israeli secret service Office but also a renowned restorer of Old Masters — Silva weaves both worlds together with remarkable skill.
The novels draw heavily on real events — Hezbollah, Iranian nuclear ambitions, Russian disinformation — and have earned Silva a reputation for being eerily prescient. Several plot lines, written years in advance, closely mirrored actual geopolitical developments.
Start Here
The Kill Artist
Gabriel Allon's debut. Retired after a tragedy in Vienna, Allon is pulled back in to eliminate a Palestinian terrorist. Tense, atmospheric, and impossible to put down. Start here.
Yes — character development, relationships, and emotional backstory accumulate significantly. Start with The Kill Artist.
There are 22 novels in the series as of 2024, with new entries still being published.
The Messenger, Moscow Rules, and The English Spy are frequently cited as series peaks. The Kill Artist remains essential as the foundation.
Silva is meticulous about geopolitics and intelligence tradecraft. His portrayals of Israel, Iran, Russia, and the Vatican are considered unusually nuanced for the thriller genre.