As with Moscow Rules a bravura first two third is followed by a less satisfying final act. The Defector isn't the perfect espionage thriller however. This lends events an air of realism that is sometimes lacking from other books in this genre.
None of the characters are impervious supermen, even if they are well trained professionals, and things go wrong as much as they go right. This is a smart thriller that avoids cliches or easy deus ex machina resolutions. The pace of the book doesn't detract from the intelligence of Silva's writing. Equally the set up, with Allon and team going up against Russian oligarch Ivan Kharkov once more, is also a familiar one, which removes the need to spend time establishing the background to the plot and as a consequence The Defector hits the ground running and doesn't stop. It helps that most of the characters on display have appeared in at least one or more of Silva's previous novels, giving both familiarity and some additional depth to even minor players. Those familiar with Silva's previous novels will find that The Defector has the author's usual mix of rapid paced, spare prose, accurate factual detail, solid characterisation and up-to-the-minute plotting. That event is the catalyst that propels Gabriel back into action and kicks off a plot that wraps up the many loose threads left dangling at the end of Moscow Rules.įor those who haven't tackled a Silva novel before, or at least not one featuring Gabriel Allon, I would recommend going back and starting with The Kill Artist. Picking up a few months after events in Moscow Rules (which you should definitely read before tackling The Defector), the book opens with the apparent 'redefection' back to Russia from London of Gregori Bulganov, the SVR colonel who aided Gabriel Allon's escape at the end of the previous novel. 'The Defector' provides that ending although how satisfying it is remains slightly open to question.
My review of Daniel Silva's previous novel, Moscow Rules, criticised it for lacking a decent, satisfying ending.
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