Rating: 
Summary: Carefully Researched, but Maybe Flawed Thriller
Review: Writer and Jewish historian Benjamin Stern is murdered in his Munich apartment. The killer covers Stern's walls with Nazi symbols, but, suspecting that the murder is more than the work of a neo-Nazi, the police call in Mario Delvecchio-an art restorer who is really Gabriel Allon, the ex-Israel mossad guy we've come to know and thrill with from Silva's previous novels. Gabriel learns that Stern was writing a book that may have led to his murder. His quest to find the killer takes him to the Vatican, where the new pope, Pope Paul VII, wants to open the Vatican's Secret Archives and tell the world the truth of the Church's role in the Holocaust. But a conservative cabal within the Curia, the secretive ruling body of the Catholic Church, is determined to stop him, as well as Gabriel, whose investigation is bringing him closer to the truth about an agreement between the Church and the Nazis that allowed Hitler to go forward with his Final Solution. Undoubtedly Silva did his homework here, but like my friend, Katie Osborne, I had a very difficult time buying the premise that the Church was complicit in the Holocaust or complacent about it. Still, I was up all night reading, so despite my misgivings, this one gets four stars from me. Reviewed by Vesta Irene
Rating: 
Summary: Spine-Tingling Thriller! Daniel Silva's Best To Date!
Review: Daniel Silva brings back his enigmatic hero, Gabriel Allon, in "The Confessor," to investigate the mysterious murder of a dear friend, the unpopular aspirations of a newly elected Pope, a secret society in the Vatican, and long hidden secrets from World War II. Allon, is a brilliant Israeli art restorer and a complex, melancholy man. He had worked for many years as an Israeli intelligence agent, and assassin, (when necessary), losing his young son and wife to violence as a consequence of his work. Now he just wants to restore paintings and be left alone with his grief and his guilt. Allon's boyhood friend and associate, Benjamin Stern, is murdered in his Munich apartment while writing a secret expose on Pope Pius XII and the Church's involvement in the Holocaust. Ari Shamron, Gabriel's old mentor, former head of Israeli intelligence, and the father of Ben Stern, finds Allon in Venice, restoring a Bellini altarpiece. He has little difficulty persuading Allon to accept this assignment to find Stern's killer, even though it means leaving the Bellini, at least temporarily. Although Allon runs into a stone wall with his investigation in Munich, he begins to discover clues to the secrets of his friend's manuscript. Apparently Stern had been writing about material from top secret Vatican archives that proves Pope Pius XII, and the Church, were directly involved with the Nazis in the implementation of the Holocaust. Evidence also points to a deadly secret Vatican society, the Crux Vera. Pope Paul VII, known by his Vatican detractors as "Pope Accidental," has recently been elected to the Papal Throne. He has pledged to review the Church's alleged complicity in the Nazi extermination of the Jews, and make available the Secret Vatican Archives regarding the Holocaust - archives that certain Vatican officials would do anything to keep suppressed. Allon's life, and the Pope's, are in terrible jeopardy. Whatever your opinion on these controversial issues, Daniel Silva has written his best novel with this mesmerizing tale of Vatican politics, intrigue, murder and World War II history. Mr. Silva's style is reminiscent, but not derivative, of Ken Follett, Frederick Forsyth and John LeCarre. He is definitely in their league and oh, so original, with his 21st century relevant storyline. I have waited for a long time for an author of this caliber to appear and keep me on the edge of my seat, reading through the night. I was unable to put this book down.
Rating:
Summary: Captured from the beginning
Review: This fiction is a non-stop, roller coaster, always something else around the corner spy thriller. From the get go you are thrown into a world of spies, asassins, good and evil. For me to take the time to read a novel of any kind, it takes a hard grab of my attention at the first page. This book succeeded in grabbing me page after page. Daniel Silva is a master of the spy genre.
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 Stars -- Very Suspenseful And Controversial!
Review: In The Confessor, Silva, as in The Kill Artist and The English Assassin, calls on his art restorer/Israeli spy-assassin, Gabriel Allon, to investigate the murder of a long-time friend and fellow spy. As part of his investigation, he uncovers a conspiracy within the Vatican pertaining to the Holocaust, which is where the real plot begins and compelling suspense builds and builds right up to its bullets flying, bodies dying ending. While Silva once again relies on what has become a successful formula for him, The Confessor kept me engrossed throughout the book. However, for me, what really made this book rise to the top of its genre is the very interesting, thought-provoking and controversial perpsective Silva provides on the Vatican's involvement (or lack thereof) during the Holocaust. I've enjoyed all of Silva's books very much and I'd consider The Confessor to be the best of the three featuring Gabriel Allon. Regardless of your personal viewpoint about the controversial subject on which the plot is based, The Confessor is a novel of slow-building but non-stop tension and suspense that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: The Next Generations' Maro Puzo, perhaps? WOW!
Review: I am impressed with Daniel Silva's use of characters, plots, politics, intrigue,world events, and action! I truly wish that he would think about becoming the new author for James Bond novels... I have not had this much fun reading since Ian Fleming, Mario Puzo, and Trevanian! Keep your typewriter singing-it is beautiful compositions that you are producing!
The last part of the book really and truly touched me-may ALL Christians and Jews be able to work, live, and love together as in the manner of Gabriel and the Pope. It touched me deeply. Excellent work-a true Masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: A Real Page Turner
Review: Silva, again entertains us with the overtly dramatic, subdued, almost passionless protagonist, Gabriel Allon; a man who for these very reasons seems to have captured 'us' as readers. Per usual, the plot is layer and complex, but never difficult to follow though this journey weaves though the politics of the Vatican, more sinister secrets from the Nazi's and (of course) hidden documents...of the earth shattering kind. My only quibble is for an agent of the Israeli Intelligence, Allon seems to fumble a bit more than usual in The Confessor...is our hero's age catching up with him? Nonetheless, still, Silva is a must read who know his stuff and how to present it, making the impossible almost seem plausible!
Rating:
Summary: Another great effort by Silva!
Review: I read the English Assassin a few months ago (loved it) and just finished this one. It is an interesting follow-up, with a wonderful plot. It is an intelligent, compelling read, with great characters. It was definitely worth the money!
Rating:
Summary: This could well be the truth, not fiction
Review: This was my second Daniel Silva novel and was riveted to it to the very end. Mr. Silva's research and writing style help to make ths subject of this book a spine tingling thriller, with no weak spots or dead ends. I was raised catholic and indeed wonder if half of what is illustrated in the book was true. That aside, I recommend this book to any serious reader who wants a high power book to enjoy. Once again, the most credible aspect of the book is the "humanity" that Mr. Silva has given to his characters. I can't wait to read "A Death in Vienna".
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant and gripping
Review: As always, author Daniel Silva has crafted a compelling story in THE CONFESSOR, bravely tackling a topic that is bound to be controversial. THE CONFESSOR again displays the careful and scholarly research that Silva's works always evidence. While the book is fiction, it is completely fact-based. Here, he has constructed a fictional tale revolving around a significant contrast. He distinguishes between the phony assistance that the Vatican pretended to the world to be giving, albeit passively, to the Jews of Europe during World War II and the active, but hidden, way in which the Church actually supported the Nazis. He examines the scholarly evidence in this murder mystery set in the present day. His story is gripping and compelling, so much so that a reader cannot wait to turn the next page. THE CONFESSOR proves that Daniel Silva must be included in any current list of that group of leading authors of thrillers.
Rating:
Summary: Thriller writing doesn't get any better than this
Review: Daniel Silva is one of the best thriller writers currently working. His novels have it all- well fleshed out characters, exotic locations, nasty villains, and topically relevant pulse racing plots. This latest is no exception.
A writer, Benjamin Stern is killed in his Munich apartment. The murder is made to look racially motivated in that Stern is Jewish. Gabriel Allon, Israeli Mossad agent and art restorer is called from his job in Venice to look into the death. It is soon discovered that the killer is an assassin for hire-- the same who might have been responsible for the death of Allon's young son and putting his wife into a comatose state. As Allon goes after the killer, he discovers that the reason Benjamin was killed is a plot that could severely discredit the Catholic religion.
This is the second book published recently that deals with a secret society of the Catholic hierarchy that could place it into peril (with THE DaVINCI CODE by Dan Brown being the other). However, THE CONFESSOR is a much tighter work with the thriller elements more skillfully handled. Gabriel Allon is a compelling character with much human frailties, yet remains a mysterious loner to outsiders. Thriller writing does not get any bettor than this.
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