The New Girl

By Daniel Silva

From the internationally bestselling author of The Other Woman and House of Spies comes another stunning thriller in his latest action-packed tale of high stakes international intrigue.

NOW YOU SEE HER.

NOW YOU DON'T.

THE NEW GIRL

A novel of intrigue, betrayal, and revenge.

At an exclusive private school in Switzerland, mystery surrounds the identity of the beautiful girl who arrives each morning and leaves each afternoon in a heavily protected motorcade fit for a head of state. She is said to be the daughter of a wealthy international businessman. She is not.

And when she is brutally kidnapped across the border in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Gabriel Allon, the legendary chief of Israeli intelligence, is thrust into a deadly secret war with an old enemy that will determine the future of the Middle East-and perhaps the world ...

Extraordinary acclaim for The New Girl and the Gabriel Allon Series

'One of the greatest novelists the genre has ever known ... The New Girl is as close to perfect as you could ever hope for a thriller to be.' The Real Book Spy

'An excellent introduction for new readers' Publishers Weekly

'The New Girl is a brilliant novel ... Eye-opening and a joy to read' Bob Woodward

'Another jewel in the bedazzling crown of a spy-fiction master' Booklist (starred review)

'Excellent ... Readers will be enthralled by both the history and the up-to-the-minute plot that Silva spins with such finesse.' Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'A world-class practitioner of spy fiction' Washington Post

'This might be the best spy thriller since John le Carre's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy ... The Other Woman is an instant classic' CrimeReads

'With Silva's novels you find yourself being educated as well as being entertained ... Silva is that rarity of rarities, a writer whose stories just keep getting better.' Huffington Post

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Aug 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781460709757

Daniel Silva

Daniel Silva is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Unlikely Spy, The Mark of the Assassin, The Marching Season, The Kill Artist, The English Assassin, The Confessor, A Death in Vienna, Prince of Fire, The Messenger, The Secret Servant, Moscow Rules, The Defector, The Rembrandt Affair, Portrait of a Spy, The Fallen Angel, The English Girl, The Heist, The English Spy, The Black Widow, House of Spies, The Other Woman, The New Girl, The Order, and The Collector. He is best known for his long-running thriller series starring spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon. Silva’s books are critically acclaimed bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than thirty languages.

Reviews for The New Girl

[Brian Walker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fast moving and engrossing. There were many twists and turns.

[rowingrabbit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As with all series, you'll enjoy some instalments more than others. But I don't think Silva is capable of writing a bad book & for me, his novels are an annual must-read. He's a master story teller & this was one of the best of recent years.The real time politics & thinly veiled versions of actual world figures make this a gripping & timely read. But at the bottom of it all is a poignant & personal story line that reminds us innocent people end up being collateral damage as presidents, kings & prime ministers play their games.All the old gang is back as the plot unfolds across multiple countries. The author's extensive knowledge of the Middle East & spycraft is general provides the backdrop for a perfectly paced & absorbing read that not only entertains but shines a light on the state of current events.

[tjsween-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As with all Allon stories, you are required to suspend belief and enjoy the story. This book, however, goes beyond that, making it less easy to enjoy. Always like the Allon stories, but this was my least favorite.

[josephking6602 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good descriptions of the social/governmental context of the story; ‘sense-of-place’. Story line was a bit overly complicated; (he could get by with 2-3 fewer nefarious characters!) An ok book... too dependent on the shoot-em-up denouement!

[booklover915 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Daniel Silva's "The Black Widow" was a hard-hitting work of fiction about how members of ISIS routinely slaughter men, women, and children in such countries as England, France, and Belgium. One of the terrorists' goals is to terrify and demoralize their adversaries. Silva's villain is Saladin, a shrewd strategist who believes that, by wreaking havoc in the west, he will unite his followers in a new Islamic caliphate. "House of Spies" is Silva's seventeenth novel in his popular series featuring Gabriel Allon, now head of the Mossad, Israel's Secret Intelligence Service. Horrific attacks on American soil have left Allon and his allies grieving, angry, and eager for revenge.

This installment, alas, does not pack the wallop of its predecessor. The plot--Gabriel and his allies in France, England, and the United States collaborate on a ruse to catch Saladin that could easily end in disaster--is similar to those Silva has used before. In addition, too many secondary characters pad the long narrative, and the story is wrapped up a bit too tidily. Now that he occupies such an important position, Gabriel has resolved to quit fieldwork. However, his desire for payback once again drives him to take risks that should be off the table for someone who is supposed to oversee operations, not take part in them. Assisting Allon and his colleagues is Christopher Keller, a former member of the SAS, whose impressive fighting skills and resourcefulness make him valued asset. This novel has a great deal of violence, intrigue, financial chicanery, touches of light humor, and even a hint of romance.

To his credit, Silva, a thorough researcher, provides alarming information about how Morocco's role in the drug trade helps bankroll ISIS, and the author also explains how terrorists can smuggle weapons (including materials for "dirty bombs") from one country to another without detection. Although it is a serviceable effort, "House of Spies" lacks the passion, thrills, realism, and sense of immediacy that made "The Black Widow" so riveting.

[miss.mesmerized · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Schon wieder ein Anschlag des IS auf britischem Boden, hunderte Tote und Verletzte, das Westend in Schutt und Asche. Drahtzieher ist offenkundig Saladin, der Islamist, den es nicht gelungen war zu eliminieren nach dem Angriff auf das Weinberg Center in Paris. Gabriel Allon, inzwischen Chef des israelischen Geheimdienstes, will ihn endlich unschädlich machen und stellt eine nie gesehene internationale Koalition zusammen: MI5 und MI6 aus England, der französische Geheimdienst und sogar die USA, selbst Opfer Saladins geworden, erklären sich zur Zusammenarbeit bereit, um dem größten Feind des Westens mit vereinten Kräften zu begegnen. Die Spuren führen nach Marseille, Einfallsort für die Drogenversorgung Europas. Als Lockvögel werden der beste Spion der Briten und alter Bekannter Allons, sowie Natalie, die Saladin bereits schon einmal sehr nah kam und ihm damals das Leben rettete, auf den Kontaktmann angesetzt. Dann ist Warten angesagt, bis sich die Chance ergeben wird. Band 17 der Gabriel Allon Reihe setzt nahtlos da an, wo der Vorgänger aufhörte. Immer noch ist der Islamist Saladin das Ziel des Israelis. Auslöser für alle Aktivität ist wieder einmal ein Attentat in Europa, dem die westlichen Sicherheitskräfte nichts entgegensetzen konnten. Insgesamt legt „Der Drahtzieher“ über weite Strecken ein recht gemächliches Tempo an den Tag. Der Fokus liegt dieses Mal ganz entschieden auf der Arbeit der Geheimdienste, was jedoch kein bisschen an Spannung einbüßt. Anwerbung, Ausbildung, Kontrolle im Hintergrund – detailliert schildert Silva, wie eine große Operation geplant und umgesetzt wird, was dazu erforderlich ist und was offenkundig so alles bewegt werden kann. Ebenso interessant sind natürlich die Befindlichkeiten der einzelnen Länder, wie jeder den großen Sieg einfahren möchte, wie alte Animositäten fast die ganze Aktion gefährden. Hier bewegt sich Silva tatsächlich im klassischen Spionage-Milieu und kann an einen John LeCarré heranreichen. So interessant dies alles ist, führt es jedoch unweigerlich auch dazu, dass die Handlung langsamer verläuft als man das von Silva gewöhnt ist. So manche Länge bleibt ebenfalls nicht aus. Auch Gabriel Allon bleibt dieses Mal im Hintergrund, die tragenden Figuren sind die Agenten und ihre Zielpersonen. Diese sind überzeugend gezeichnet und auch lebendig in ihrem Handeln. Allerdings habe ich mich doch gefragt, ob sich zwielichtige Personen tatsächlich so leicht anwerben lassen und uneigennützig kooperieren würden. Auch der finale Showdown in Marokko war zwar rasant und einem Thriller würdig, aber hatte doch mehr Hollywood Potential als Überzeugungskraft. Insgesamt eine solide Fortsetzung mit großem Unterhaltungswert, die die Erwartungen an die Reihe voll erfüllt.

[66usma · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Don't know why I was disappointed. Not a lot of surprises in the search for Saladin.

[gmmartz · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

'House of Spies' may be the first of Daniel Silva's novels that I didn't devour from beginning to end in a sitting or two. Too long, too outlandish a plot, and too many holes in the story were my major complaints.Gabriel Allon, a favorite character for me in the spy novel genre, has ascended to the top of the Israeli intelligence service. A terrorist attack takes place in London with weapons that lead back to Allon's bete noire, the super-elusive Saladin. Intelligence groups from various western powers see the situation as an opportunity to finally bring Saladin to justice, if they can only find him. Enter Allon, who has a powerful incentive to locate the terror mastermind (see 'The Black Widow').The plot (I won't go into details) bogs down in the middle. Intelligence leads the good guys to a rich Frenchman who has wittingly been helping Saladin through drug transactions and washing the money via an art gallery owned by his beautiful female partner. The spies determine that'll be the path they'll take to smoke out Saladin. They eventually do so. At a high level, the plot sounds pretty interesting, but along the way there are far too many unrealistic details, implausible situations, and activities that just don't pass the smell test. Silva's writing is fine although the dialogue is sometimes a bit off. His descriptions have always been very detailed but have often seemed a little on the melodramatic side (I can see the phrase 'rich Corinthian leather' showing up in one of his novels at some point....). All in all, House of Spies is a decent spy thriller with one of the great characters of the genre, just not at the level of Silva's prior efforts.

[robeik_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another in the Gabriel Allon series of international espionage. Some regular, some new and some returning characters. Easy reading, with some background information on international politics thrown in for free. The ending is... well, let's say it doesn't end.

[lbswiener · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The New Girl is a spy novel involving the Israel, Saudi Arabia, England and the United States agents. There were many people involved, many scenes seeming to have been inspired by real world incidents but for the most part very difficult to follow. The question becomes why can't we just all get along? Because of the many characters involved and individual plots and murders The New Girl received three stars in this review.

[andy_dimartino · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I believe I may have read another of his books but am not sure. Really enjoyed this novel and liked how he used recent events as a backdrop for his plot with a few twists thrown in.

[buffalogr · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A reliable addition to the series.Silva's villain is Saladin, a shrewd strategist who believes that, by wreaking havoc in the west, he will unite his followers in a new Islamic caliphate. A good researcher, provides alarming information about how Morocco's role in the drug trade helps bankroll ISIS while obtaining a dirty bomb for use against the west. A collaboration of many western agents fight Saladin, which makes a 6 hour book into twice that. Unrealistically, Gabriel, in his new role as the director of "the office" is unrealistically allowed on an op. Yep, staff work is boring.

[judiex · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Once again, Daniel Silva seems to be ahead of the news, writing novels that become partly reality before the book hits the bookstores. In HOUSE OF SPIES, Gabriel Allon would like nothing more than being free and available to spend time with his wife and young twin children but as the newly named leader of Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, it seems that is not likely to happen soon. A series of deadly bomb attacks in London appear to have be planned by his nemesis, an ISIS mastermind known as Saladin. Saladin had previously killed Israelis. Another member of the squad, a doctor, saved his life but he could then identify her.There appears to be one way to find this mysterious terrorist: The French-Moroccan criminal and ISIS operative who supplied the weapons. Using the talents of Mossad agents and working with British and French intelligence departments, the hunt is on to find the operative. They develop a complicated and expensive ruse to try to locate the operative to try to get him to reveal the information they desperately need to find and stop Saladin. While Allon could have stayed in the Office and directed the operation from there, this was a personal issue and Allon wanted to be there when he was captured. So, he traveled to England, France, Morocco, and the US to get the support needed to try to complete the mission. Tidbits:: “An MI6 officer... never resorts to violence. And if he does feel the need to draw a weapon or throw a punch, it’s only because he hasn’t done his job properly.”Referring to a line of car approaching a villa at night: “An unclasped diamond necklace of car lights lay along the shore..., flowing towards the gate of the Villa.After the death of Gaddafi, no country stepped in with money and other assistance to help the newly freed country “make the transition from a tribal society to a Western style democracy....As a result of our inaction, Libya became yet another failed state, and ISIS moved into the void.”I expect some major changes in Allon’s life in the next book. He is realizing that his children will grow up and not really know him. That is beginning to bother him.On the whole, the story moves quickly but there are a few spots where it drags. Previous stories are referenced but it isn’t necessary to have read those books to follow this one. I thought that too much money was used to try to achieve the goal. It could have been accomplished with less. Many chapters are unnecessarily short and could easily have been combined. I think authors and/or publishers have a low opinion of their readers and think they have exceedingly short attention spans. I drop my rating one star because of that.

[thewanderingjew_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The House of Spies, Daniel Silva, author; George Guidall, narratorDaniel Silva writes great spy novels filled with suspense and tension. He creates excitement with ease, and this book is no exception. At times, though, it is too wordy. In addition, there are an awful lot of characters to keep track of, and some have similar names which adds to the confusion that is sometimes created. Although the subject of the novel is not funny, the dialogue between the characters often contains humor which diffuses the tension created by the story. Gabriel Allon, the head of Israeli Intelligence, is one of my favorite characters in a novel. This is the 17th in this series, and I am not bored yet. After a series of terrorist attacks in varied worldwide locations, Gabriel Allon has identified the mastermind behind them, and he is determined to find and eliminate him. He secretly engages the help of Great Britain and France to track the terrorist down. Saladin must be stopped from causing further violence. He is evil. Allon devises a scheme using false identities, subterfuge and betrayal. The elaborate plan that is hatched involves role playing and great danger. The world becomes the stage for the search to find the terrorist. Isis is buying drugs from a big dealer who masquerades as a legitimate entrepreneur. They are then sold and the money raised is used to fund the purchase of weapons for the terrorist group. That is not the goal for the mastermind, however. He wants to wreak as much havoc and destruction as possible. He wants no ordinary weapons. He wants to bring about the Caliphate and will do anything necessary to accomplish his evil plans. He wants material for a dirty bomb. He must be stopped and so must his plot. Can the violence be prevented before more deaths occur, before a city is rendered uninhabitable? Will Allon and his allies be successful?

[breic-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After the last novel in the series, where our hero Allon saved the life of the terrorist leader and facilitated a string of major terrorist attacks, I was curious where Silva would take him next. Needless to say, Allon has been promoted! He's now head of Israel's intelligence agency. (I guess terrorist attacks on America are a good thing, because they discredit Obama; Silva's Trumpist political leanings are a bit insane.) We are treated to a rollicking story of an unplanned Osama bin Laden-takeout-style special forces raid, led of course by Allon himself. The story goes too quickly, so Silva tacks on a pointless dirty bomb scenario to add a few pages, then tacks on another four or five chapters of empty denouement after that. (Not entirely empty; Silva can't help talking politics more. And I loved the story of how Allon spent the billions of dollars his agents stole from Assad: $50 million Allon gives to a drug dealer [because she's pretty?], $10 million to an Israeli art program, and a few million for Syrian refugee assistance [because Allon is such a saint].) There's very little art or atmosphere here, and that aspect is disappointing.

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At first I thought the plot set-up was overdone but then I realized this is how the best writing happens, draws you in, makes you hold your breath, makes you hands sweat, makes you keep reading and it is 2AM an now it is approaching dawn and you realize that not only have you read an amazing piece of historical fiction but Daniel Silva is brilliant and prescient.

[shazjhb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Still the best spy book.

[diana.hauser · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Daniel Silva’s HOUSE OF SPIES is a suspenseful story of espionage, terrorism, assassination and secrecy.It features the familiar spy, assassin, artist and art restorer, Gabriel Allon. He is Head of ‘The Office’ now (Head of Israeli Intelligence) and is hunting Saladin, an ISIS mastermind.I like all the familiar characters, but Christopher Keller stands out in this particular title.Very fast-paced, suspenseful with complex plots; interesting and powerful images and characters - I never tire of Mr. Silva’s writing.

[norinrad10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've followed Daniel Siva books featuring super agent Gabriel Allon for nearly quarter of a century, all the way back to the Unlikely Spy. There is a reason this series has survived all these years. Silva does his research, creates great characters, and educates while he spins a fantastic yarn. He keeps things relatively fresh by continuing to expand the universe of Gabriel.That said, the books have become a bit formalistic over the last several years. The first 300 pages are focused on building the back story. The next 100 involve the execution of the master plan which ends up going awry.. The last 100 involve Gabriel utilizing his unique skill set to save the failed operation. House of Spies pretty much adheres to this structure.Despite being formalistic, House of Spies is a damn fine read. Allen's new counter balance ex-SSA officer/Mob assign Keller is a competing character who's role grows. The rest of the gang is back and therefore the book serves as conduit for a reunion of fictional friends. Much of the formula remains hidden to those that have not read all of these books and Silva is such a skilled author that he never fails to catch you up in the action. Whether you are in old reader or just getting introduced to the legend of the Avenging Angel you'll like this one and won't regret the time spent among friends. If you are not careful, you also might learn something.

[labdaddy4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another excellent book by Silva, The plot is completely believable and fast paced. Following the author's typical practice of telling most of the story in the past tense - the action unfolds smoothly but with a mounting sense of urgency and tension. No new "good guy" characters are introduced but the "old" ones are well-developed. Daniel Silva is one of the very best authors in this genre - his recurring characters have not gone stale as so often happens. I look forward to the next novel in the Allon saga.