A Death in Cornwall

 

A Death in Cornwall is Daniel Silva’s 24^th book in the Gabriel Allon series. I’ve read them all, and I’ve read most of them more than once. Without question, I’m a fan of this series. Silva publishes one book a year, and each time, upon getting it, I read it in a day or two and them and forced to wait another 364 days to get the next one.

 

Now retired from the Israeli secret service, Allon is active with his art restoration talents, which in this case takes the reader into the world of art purchases and restorations of the most valuable paintings in the world, specifically a Picasso worth more than $100,000,000. This takes us into the world of art forgeries which are a rampant problem in the sale of such pieces of art. But of course this story involves deaths that must be solved, and curiously, a murder victim, Professor Charlotte Blake turned out to be a world-renown expert in the history fine art, and she is especially known for researching the provenance of such works.

 

As Silva was called in by a friend from the police force in Cornwall, it becomes clear that Professor Blakes murder which was initially thought to be due to a local serial murderer, was actually due to a consortium of the megawealthy who have been using the “London Laundromat” to wash the proceeds from worldwide drug sales, thereby concealing billions of dollars. That operation brought the story to corruption at the highest level of English lawmakers.

 

As usual for Silva, the plot line is perfect, and his characters are both compelling, easy to love and easy to hate. For devote readers of this series, Silva includes many of the characters he has developed over the course of these three books. I will rate this book as a 5+. These books are always standalone novels, but if you’ve never read about Allon, I advise you to start with the first one, The Kill Artist, and work your way through this impressive series.