From Russia with Rubles

There are many different styles of spy fiction. Alan Furst creates moody tales of amateurs pulled into the shadow wars created by the rise of Nazism and World War 2. Charles McCarry writes what might be called intelligence procedurals focusing on the often dreary and morally ambiguous lives of the intelligence operative. Daniel Silva, who has eight novels featuring Israeli assassin Gabriel Allon, follows Ian Fleming in writing the spy as hero novels. Allon is a Cincinnatus like figure. He would be happiest if he could be allowed to restore classic works of art, but he keeps being called back into the field to face threats to Israel and to the West.

In his latest book, Moscow Rules, Allon is called to investigate a rogue Russian industrialist who is rumored to be selling rather nasty weapons to the enemies of Israel. His path takes him in and out of Russia as he tries to find a way to get close to this rather dangerous person. Silva is definitely taking the beware the new Russia line in this book, but you needn't agree with Silva's politics to enjoy the book. You do however have to enjoy cliffhanger adventure fiction.

Like the Bond novels, Allon's life and perspective changes over each book, so you would probably be wise to start earlier in the series or you will get a number of serious spoilers about the preceding volumes.