Well, I'm glad I did. The story is well plotted, the characters, less stereotyped, and the atmosphere current and realistic. Gabriel Allon does very brave, almost unbelievable things but somehow, in the context of this story, they make sense.

It's the kind of book that is very difficult to put down. I read half of it while waiting for a delayed flight and the last 150 pages this morning at 5:30 AM.

The story moves along quickly to a satisfying conclusion, with the usual heartbeat quickening stops in between. The plot could be taken out of yesterday's headlines, kidnappings, bombings, die-hard Islamicists hoping to die so that they might go to paradise, stumbling, bumbling bureaucrats who do not share Allon's dedication or willingness to do whatever is necessary to foil Israel's enemies.

Overall, a totally satisfying book that leaves me eager to read the next in the series, "Moscow Rules".