The Messenger by Daniel Silva

It starts and ends with a bang. An al-Qaeda operative/recruiter meets his end in London, but his briefcase containing his laptop finds its way to Israel and Ari Shamron, head of the Prime Minister’s security detail. And, of course, Ari drags Gabriel Allon out of his art restoration retirement to check out the info on the laptop. First Gabriel puts his friend Luigi Donati, the Pope’s personal assistant, on notice that there could be an attempt on the Pope’s life. Sure enough; that info panned out. Then Ari’s car is bombed. Gabriel devises a plan to infiltrate the Saudi organization behind the killings.

The story unfolds quickly. Will the messenger make it? Will Gabriel’s cover be blown? Will the bad guys get away? It’s good to see Gabriel back in action again; he’s gotten to be another favorite character of mine. I’ve read all of Mr. Silva’s books and enjoy the intrigue and history that’s included each one.