PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN WOMAN

5 stars out of 5

Sometimes, you just have to throw caution to the wind and go your own way, even if you have to override good judgment in the process. Such was the case with this book; the main character, art restorer and former Israeli intelligence chief Gabriel Allon sits at the top of my all-time favorite "hero" list. So when I got my hands on a copy of this latest book - No. 22 - I set aside my stack of for-review books despite their too-fast-approaching deadlines and went for it. And although Gabriel's journey isn't quite as nail-bitingly dangerous as many of the past installments with respect to his survival and that of his beautiful wife Ciara or any of the other characters I've come to know and love from previous books, the story was deliciously detailed as usual and solidified Gabriel's top-of-the-list standing.

As Gabriel and Ciara ready their home in Venice, where Gabriel will begin restoration work for his wife's company, his longtime friend and art dealer Julian Isherwood tells him a woman who sent him a letter asking to meet regarding an important painting never showed - with good reason; she's dead. More investigation suggests Julian may have bought and sold a fake painting; if true, it would discredit him and bring down his entire operation. Just for that reason alone, Gabriel wants to help; and he puts his monumental talents as a spy, art restorer and painter to work as he gathers those familiar friends to get down to business.

And for sure, the business that's going down isn't pretty; but it's quite lucrative for those who ply the forgery trade. In fact, the financial ramifications, particularly with regard to the provenance of a 17th-century masterpiece, runs into the millions. Getting to the truth means Gabriel and friends will need to insert themselves square in the middle of the action, weaving a net that's sure to snare the "bad guys" and save Julian's reputation. To be sure, it's a complex one, filled with knotholes and twists plus the usual rich and enticing descriptions of people, places and things that make this author's books a real treat to read. Of course, I can't reveal any of the fine points of the action (and fine points they are) without giving too much away, so I'll just say it's another one well done and I'm glad I made the time to read it. Kudos!

Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva (Harper, July 2022); 446 pp.