Portrait of an unknown woman by Daniel Silva

​"Portrait of an unknown woman" by Daniel Silva - Gabriel Allon continues!

This book is published by Harpercollins in 2022 and has 448 pages. This is Book 9 of Gabriel Allon series. 

Gabriel Allon has retired from espionage and is now living in Venice with wife Chiara and their twins. Julien, a London art gallery owner gets a mysterious letter from Madam Valerie Berangar about Portrait of an unknown woman, attributed to Anthony Van Dyke, that he recently sold. He goes to meet her in France but she is killed in an accident on her way to the meeting. Julien requests Gabriel’s help to determine if he sold a fake to the art fund manager. As Gabriel investigates, he wades into the murky world of art forgery. 

Was the painting fake?  How can Gabriel determine the genuine from fake? How big is the fake business? Which new enemy will he make?

Being a Gabriel Allon thriller, it has two exotic elements. Espionage and art. Gabriel is master of both. His character is likable. Despite being in bad business, he hasn’t lost his goodness. There is customary visit to Don Orsatti at Corsica and the mysterious lady over there. There is Christopher, his ex enemy and now friend. There is Sara, Christopher’s wife and ex CIA. Finally there is Chiara, good wife and mother of his twins. 

It’s an interesting story. You are not distracted. One thing leads to another. Here Gabriel makes acquaintance of and reforms another shady character. 

The climax is anti climactic. With the buildup readers expect a thrilling climax. The very end with the revelation of identity of the forger is also not fully convincing. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What I didn't like? End. 

What did I like? Everything else.  

Recommend reading, even if you haven’t read the series.