This addition to the Gabriel Allon series is both atypical and brilliant. Allon is not tracking down enemies of the state of Israel, but is assisting a Vatican archbishop in the midst of a Papal Conclave. The late pope and Allon were friends because of the assistance the Mossad had once provided to the Vatican dealing with Islamic terrorists. The fictional pope, Paul VII, was about to hand over to Allon the Gospel of Pontius Pilate when he was murdered in his study. There is of course no such gospel, but the author uses its concept as a vehicle to discuss two thousand years of anti-semitism. In the gospel of Matthew after Pilate washes his hands of the fate of Jesus of Nazareth, the Jews of Jerusalem cry out, "Let his blood be on us, and our children". These nine words are the basis of the condemnation of the Jews by the church as Christ killers, when in reality Jesus was executed by the Romans, and the decision to blame the Jews came when Christianity was struggling to survive a few centuries later. In addition to the discussion of this issue, the novel also has its standard fare of conspiracies, action and intrigue.
The author also addresses the issue that haunts long-running series set in the present. Gabriel has been working for the Mossad for almost 50 years and has to be about 70. He and Chiara buy an apartment in Venice and he promises to retire in two years. We'll see.
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