Title: An Inside Job
Author: Daniel Silva
Publisher: HarperCollins / Harper (US)
Genre: Spy Thriller, Thriller
Year of Publication: 2025
Date of Publication: July 15, 2025
Pages: 416
ISBN-13: 978-0063384217
Audiobook Narrator: Edoardo Ballerini
Summary of An Inside Job by Daniel Silva
Gabriel Allon, once a legendary spy and now an esteemed art restorer, is called into a case involving art theft, murder, and corruption. At the start of the book, Gabriel is commissioned to restore a prominent painting in Venice. Initially it appears to be a pretty standard request but his restoration project is interrupted when a young woman’s body is found floating in the Venetian lagoon.
That woman turned out to be an intern from the Vatican Museum. Meanwhile, a painting that had been hidden in a storeroom of the Vatican is stolen during a power outage. Gabriel becomes involved in the investigation, trying to figure out who stole it, and why, while also dealing with some issues involving Italian authorities (Carabinieri), the “Art Squad,” the Vatican, and criminal networks.
The trail leads from Venice to London, the French Riviera, and ultimately to a tense climax in St. Peter’s Square, where there’s more than just art on the line, but the life of the Pope, secrets in the Church, and corrupt money flows.
Main Plot & Characters
- Gabriel Allon – He is the main character in this story. Gabriel is an art conservator and retired spy. He uses both his connoisseur knowledge of art and his spy instinct to figure out the mystery.
- Chiara Zolli – She is Gabriel’s wife and works for the Tiepolo Restoration Company.
- Irene and Raphael Allon – They are Children of Gabriel Allon and Chiara Zolli. Irene and Raphael are twins but Irene is the more opinionated twin. She has a lot to say about politics.
- Mayfair Group – A British real estate company
Italian Connections
- Elenora Saviano – Principal, Scuola Primaria Bernardo Canal
- Cesare Ferrari – Commander, Art Squad
- Luca Rossetti – Art Squad officer
- Colonel Baggio – Carabinieri officer, Venice
- Colonel Mancini – Carabinieri officer, Florence
- Massimo Ravello – Medical examiner, Venice
Vatican & Church
- Luigi Donati – Supreme pontiff, Roman Catholic Church
- Father Mark Keegan – Papal private secretary
- Alois Metzler – Commandant, Pontifical Swiss Guard
- Cardinal Matteo Bertoli – Sostituto, Vatican Secretariat of State
- Antonio Calvesi – Chief conservator, Vatican Museums
- Penelope Radcliff – Apprentice conservator, Vatican Museums
- Donatella Ricci – Conservator, Vatican Museums
- Alessio Tomassini – Head of security, Vatican Museums
- Ottavio Pozzi – Security guard, Vatican Museums
- Esteban Rodríguez – Director, Vatican Press Office
Art & Museums
- Veronica Marchese – Director, National Etruscan Museum
- Giorgio Montefiore – Leonardo scholar, Uffizi Gallery
- Martin Landesmann – Swiss financier
- Ingrid Johansen – Professional thief, computer hacker
- Amelia March – ARTnews magazine
- Julian Isherwood – London art dealer
- Sarah Bancroft – London art dealer, former CIA operative
- Christopher Keller – Field agent, Secret Intelligence Service
- Oliver Dimbleby – London art dealer
- Nicholas Lovegrove – British art consultant
- Niles Dunham – Curator, National Gallery
- Jeremy Crabbe – Bonhams, London
- Simon Mendenhall – Christie’s, London
- Geoffrey Holland – Director, Courtauld Gallery
International Figures
- Peter van de Velde – Dutch art dealer
- Stéphane Tremblay – French art consultant
- Jacques Ménard – French art crime detective
- Franco Tedeschi – SBL PrivatBank, Lugano
- Nico Ambrosi – Piedmont Global Capital, Milan
- Markus Vogel – Executive Jet Services, Zurich
- Alexander Prokhorov – Russian oligarch, art collector
- Teressa Simonetti – Florentine noblewoman
- Salvatore Alvaro – Camorra assassin
Writing Style
We really liked this book. It is fast-paced and reminded us of the type of stories we expect from other authors like Dan Brown and Brad Thor. Daniel Silva tells the story using a narration style and from Gabriel Allon’s perspective. One thing you will notice is that there are a lot of supporting characters in this story.
Gabriel as a character is funny and likeable. We enjoyed his sense of humor and just how believable his relationship with other characters felt. As a reader you know there’s a conspiracy of some sort and you will find yourself trying to piece it together.
Memorable Quotes
- “Sometimes the only way to recover a stolen masterpiece is to steal it back.”
- “Art is money Gabriel, never forget that.” — Lac Léman
- “I prefer not to negotiate with myself.” — Gabriel
- “I’m infallible.” — Luigi Donati
- “You’re infallible, are you?” — Gabriel
- “Contrapposto.” — Gabriel
Final Thoughts on An Inside Job by Daniel Silva
If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers and books like Inferno, Edge of Honor, and The Secret of Secrets, then this one is for you.
Our Rating of This Book
Characters ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
Plot ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
Writing ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
Book Cover ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Audiobook (Narration Only) ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
Overall ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
Authors
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