Book: "Portrait of a Spy"; Written by
Daniel Silva; Published by Harper Collins;
Price: Rs.299
Gabriel Allon, master art restorer and assassin, and
his beautiful Venetian-born wife, Chiara, was supposed
to enjoy a pleasant weekend in London - a visit
to an art gallery in St. James's to authenticate a newly
discovered painting by Titian, followed by a quiet
lunch at an Italian restaurant along the Strand. But a
pair of deadly bombings in Paris and Hamburg has
already marred this sparkling autumn day. And while
walking along Wellington Street, the ever-vigilant
Gabriel notices a man who, he believes, is about to
carry out a third attack. The man is exhibiting several
traits common to suicide bombers – traits that
Gabriel, one of the world's most experienced
counter-terrorism officers, knows all too well. Armed
with a concealed Beretta pistol, he follows the man
into the crowded Covent Garden market, determined
to prevent the massacre of innocents he fears is about
to take place. But before Gabriel can draw his
weapon, he is knocked to the pavement by two undercover
London police officers. A moment later he
looks up to find a scene from his nightmares. Bodies
and blood, Baghdad on the Thames..