The Cellist

A Novel

By: Daniel Silva

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

From Daniel Silva, the internationally acclaimed number one New York Times best-selling author, comes a timely and explosive new thriller featuring art restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon.

Viktor Orlov had a longstanding appointment with death. Once Russia’s richest man, he now resides in splendid exile in London, where he has waged a tireless crusade against the authoritarian kleptocrats who have seized control of the Kremlin. His mansion in Chelsea’s exclusive Cheyne Walk is one of the most heavily protected private dwellings in London. Yet somehow, on a rainy summer evening, in the midst of a global pandemic, Russia’s vengeful president finally manages to cross Orlov’s name off his kill list.

Before him was the receiver from his landline telephone, a half-drunk glass of red wine, and a stack of documents....

The documents are contaminated with a deadly nerve agent. The Metropolitan Police determine that they were delivered to Orlov’s home by one of his employees, a prominent investigative reporter from the anti-Kremlin Moskovskaya Gazeta. And when the reporter slips from London hours after the killing, MI6 concludes she is a Moscow Center assassin who has cunningly penetrated Orlov’s formidable defenses.

But Gabriel Allon, who owes his very life to Viktor Orlov, believes his friends in British intelligence are dangerously mistaken. His desperate search for the truth will take him from London to Amsterdam and eventually to Geneva, where a private intelligence service controlled by a childhood friend of the Russian president is using KGB-style “active measures” to undermine the West from within. Known as the Haydn Group, the unit is plotting an unspeakable act of violence that will plunge an already divided America into chaos and leave Russia unchallenged. Only Gabriel Allon, with the help of a brilliant young woman employed by the world’s dirtiest bank, can stop it.

Elegant and sophisticated, provocative and daring, The Cellist explores one of the preeminent threats facing the West today - the corrupting influence of dirty money wielded by a revanchist and reckless Russia. It is at once a novel of hope and a stark warning about the fragile state of democracy. And it proves once again why Daniel Silva is regarded as his generation’s finest writer of suspense and international intrigue.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Daniel Silva (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Truth really is stranger than fiction.

Narrator: I miss the warmth and depth George Guidall brings to anything he narrates, but I especially miss his interpretation of Gabriel Allon. Edoardo Ballerini's reading was inoffensive and carried me along to the end. He did not overly intrude on the story. However, Salina, Kansas is pronounced with a long "i", not the "e" sound of the place in California.

Story: It is truly an "Office" story with Gabriel Allon at the center. Silva made understandable the complicated financial machinations of how the rich (and corrupt) get richer. He also documented for those readers who did not live through the terrible years of 2016-2020, the almost unbelievable actions of a man intent on taking down American democracy with the help of a foreign power and by providing a succinct accounting of the dangerous, if not hilarious, conspiracies promoted by those same people.

Characters: True to form. Even the new characters were mostly who we wanted/needed them to be.

Favorite Quote: Ari: Do they not realize how lucky they are to live in a democracy? Gabriel: They don't believe in democracy any more. Ari: They will if it vanishes.

Some American Election Misinformation

The read was great as always by Daniel Silva, however, his reporting of President Trump election results is totally different from the actual fraudulent stolen election.

Good present day politics

I think the book pretty closely addressed the world situation today. I liked Silvas author notes at the end, A pretty well described the divisions and the dangers of a divided country. The lack of the knowledge of history and the willingness to follow nameless and faceless entities and their conspiracy theories. I do believe unfortunately, there are many so-called Americans who would give up democracy if they and their kind were in power. We will know in 2024.

Wonderful listening

Applaud making the content politically current. A masterful integration of historical accuracy and suspense.

Great story, much more political opinion than others

Wish it had not derailed into an political opinion piece. Loved the story line but it was clear the author wanted to assert political opinions throughout. The epilogue seemed completely unnecessary giving only polarized commentary of selected stories. I’ve loved every Silva book but the tone of this was different— I listen to hear a good, creative story. This seemed like nothing more than narrative skewed to attack one side.

Best in the biz

I believe Daniel Silva is the best writer in the business in the thriller category ongoing character. Getting to know the cast and characters with Gabriel Allon over many stories, and riding the plot twists and thrills in The Cellist shows Silva to be above the rest. It’s not often I can’t turn a book off but I think I took about two days to listen to this one! Terrific book and performance!

continues Allon series

Daniel Silva is consistently an awesome author. stories are contemporary and believable. Hopfully Gabriel will continue his brilliant leadership of the Israeli intelligence group

One of Silva's best!

Gabriel Allon never disappoints. This one, one of the best. As usual, the story could have been taken from the current headlines!

Never disappoints

Greatly done, very entertaining. As usual nice combination of bringing old characters as well as introducing new. Looking forward to new chapter.

Fantastic story!

I've either read or listened to all the Gabriel Allon novels. This one - frighteningly close to real history.