The Unlikely Spy - Daniel Silva

The Unlikely Spy

By Daniel Silva

  • Release Date: 2003-05-06
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 800 Ratings

Description

#1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva’s celebrated debut novel, The Unlikely Spy, is “A ROLLER-COASTER WORLD WAR II ADVENTURE that conjures up memories of the best of Ken Follett and Frederick Forsyth” (The Orlando Sentinel).

“In wartime,” Winston Churchill wrote, “truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.” For Britain’s counterintelligence operations, this meant finding the unlikeliest agent imaginable—a history professor named Alfred Vicary, handpicked by Churchill himself to expose a highly dangerous, but unknown, traitor. The Nazis, however, have also chosen an unlikely agent. Catherine Blake is the beautiful widow of a war hero, a hospital volunteer—and a Nazi spy under direct orders from Hitler: uncover the Allied plans for D-Day...

Reviews

  • Favorite.

    5
    By zfl-reader
    One of my favorite books.
  • One of the best WWII books I’ve read

    5
    By AnnabelleLeeCee
    Silva’s first and best; also one of the best WWII novels I have read. It is very different from his Gabriel Allon novels (which I also like), so adjust your expectations accordingly. Excellent plot, multiple interesting characters and very well written.
  • Title?

    1
    By Roid Right
    A little on the wacky side. Using CNN as an impeccable source is a big stretch.
  • Spoiled by Silva’s personal political opinion

    1
    By murray267
    Until the past year, I’ve always looked forward to the next Daniel Silva release, even going back to make sure I had not missed one. That said, the pleasure has been spoiled by Silva’s recent insertion of American politics which was 100% contrived, not relevant to the story line, just his own personal - political opinion. If you want to write opinion pieces then do it separately not in Gabriel Allon’s voice. Two thumbs down.
  • Not the best

    2
    By Pat Atty
    The main story felt strikingly similar to past novels with Russians. The ending felt forced and this novel, unlike past Allon novels, was much more political. For once, I actually don’t look forward to the next Allon novel.
  • Not his best work

    3
    By Changes stink
    Big fan of Silva - all his work. This one was going along well until the ending, which felt extremely forced. It also felt like a lecture that was tacked on. Silva’s politics have never been thrust upon the reader prior to this book. The last 50 pages or so felt like his own cathartic therapy session.
  • Not bad. Hornet flight was better

    3
    By fus085
    Good book with good suspense and drama but terrible ending
  • An Outstanding Novel

    5
    By pbeaum
    Meticulously researched, planned in detail with plots within plots. Full of espionage, intrigue and high octane action I consumed the content in less than week. Daniel Silva is a great writer. His descriptions place you at the scene and his prose exchange between the characters makes you feel intricately involved. I have long been a lover of Daniel Silva books but going back to this early work surprised me as how exceptional it was. Great read!
  • His first was one of the best

    5
    By Economan1
    I've read all of Silva's books beginning with his second. This, his first, had eluded me for years. I was thus excited to read it, and fortunately, it did not disappoint. His writing style was not yet perfected, as it was in later novels, but it was still obvious and impressive. The richness of the writing and the intricacies of the plot were captivating. Character development superb. Silva is a master, his books a source of enjoyment. His later books have suffered from becoming somewhat formulaic, but this one was unique in its structure, not to mention its characters drawn from World War II. Highly recommended.

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