Madeline Hart is a rising star in the British government. She is driven to succeed by an impoverished childhood. But she is also the secret lover of the British prime minister.
She disappears in Corsica, it is clear the kidnappers know of the affair and are determined to make the prime minister pay. Gabriel Allon, an Israeli art collector, is prevailed upon to come out of retirement as an assassin and track down the kidnappers.
Allon deals with the Corsican mafia and convinces one of his former foes, now friends, currently living in Corsica to join in the hunt. The political intrigue stays throughout the book and in a completely satisfactory way, the real villain of the piece is unveiled in dramatic style.
Silva uses rich language to describe the countryside, the characters and the plot. The book is a satisfying read of 480 pages.
- Dene Mackenzie is ODT business editor.
