The English girl by Daniel Silva

"The English girl" by Daniel Silva. This book is published by Harpercollins in 2013 and has 400 pages. This is Book 13 of Gabriel Allon series.        

Madeline works for a political party who's in power in England. She has a good career ahead and is destined to be an MP. She goes to Corsica, with her party co-workers, for a vacation and suddenly disappears. Kidnapped. The Prime Minister is target of blackmail. Gabriel Allon, the Israeli spy is pressed into action.

Who is the kidnapper? What are the demands? Does the conspiracy go deeper? What is the prophecy of lady from Corsica? Will it come true?

The story is divided into 3 sections. First is the story of kidnapping and rescue. Second is the story of a hostile operation in enemy territory and 3rd is the scandal and conclusion. Narration keeps you just about interested. It's neither great nor bad. 

Fallacies of Gabriel are evident still he is considered ultimate sleuth. He is also a good person at heart. He is liked by all and destined for a new responsibility by the end of the book. 

There is a big twist in this book. I could guess the twist, but could not guess why. This twist gives a new dimension to the world politics. 

I had read only one Gabriel Allon book earlier. This one is continuation of the series. 

Read if you have time or if you are following the series. 

 

The dust will never settle" by Mukul Deva

"The dust will never settle" by Mukul Deva.

India is hosting Commonwealth games when suddenly India is chosen to host peace talks between Israel and Palestine at the same time.

Chief of Anti terrorism task force, RS Gill, is incharge of security of both events. Pakistan based terrorists have declared that they will not let the games go smoothly. There is a plot to disrupt the peace talks by killing the delegates. This plot is lead by Ruby Gill, an MI6 agent and a double agent for Palestainian terrorist organization, who is also estranged daughter of RS Gill.

On one side there is Gill family story & on the other side terrorist threat that may make or break India's reputation. Add to the mix overenthusiastic politicians, officers who want to please politicians, western mercenaries, incompetent security apparatus, illegal arms, Israel, Palestenian terrorists & international conspiracy and you have a potent mixture of a thriller.

Ruby is torn between conflicting emotions and duty towards jihadi's. RS Gill is also torn between love for his daughter and duty and frustrated by incompetence of his second in command.

Mukul has been successful in portraying the emotional side powerfully without undermining the action. The plot is built meticulously. Use of some real life terrorists as characters lend credibility to the plot on one hand and make the plot tangible on the timeline on he other hand.

Although this book is  little short on action it is more than compensated by a strong undercurrent of violence and death.

Intelligent readers can guess the end of the book.

A good book. Recommend reading.