Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your overall impression of the novel’s pacing and tone? Many compare Daniel Silva’s work to that of spy masters like John le Carré; did you see any similarities in the focus on the psychological toll of espionage, or did it feel more like a fast-paced thriller to you?

2. How did you feel about the final twist involving Shamron and Yusef? Did it reframe your understanding of the entire operation in a satisfying way, or did it leave you feeling that the characters you’d followed had been unfairly manipulated?

3. The novel is filled with tense, high-stakes scenes, from the Paris assassination to the final confrontation in New York. Which moment stood out to you as the most memorable, and what made it so effective?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Gabriel Allon lives a double life as a meticulous art restorer and a lethal intelligence operative. In your own life, do you ever feel like you’re balancing different roles or identities? How do you navigate the demands of those separate worlds?

2. For Gabriel, the patient, careful work of restoring a damaged painting is therapeutic. What kinds of activities or hobbies do you find restorative? What is it about these pursuits that helps you find balance or peace?

3. Jacqueline dreams of leaving her dangerous and superficial life behind to open a ballet school and become Sarah Halévy again. Have you ever imagined pursuing a completely different life or career path? What does that kind of fresh start represent to you?

4. The concept of the sayan, a civilian who provides voluntary help to intelligence services, is central to the plot. Thinking about your own communities, what does the idea of such hidden allegiances and loyalties make you consider about the people around you?

5. What is your reaction to Shamron’s guiding principle, “By way of deception, thou shalt do war” (414)? Do you believe his extreme manipulations were justified by the outcome of the mission?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The story is built around real historical events, including the Munich Olympics massacre and the Sabra and Shatila massacre. How did grounding the plot in this history affect your understanding of the characters’ deep-seated motivations, especially those of Tariq and Yusef?

2. What does the novel suggest about the moral compromises nations and their intelligence agencies make in the name of security? Where do you see similar debates about ends justifying the means playing out in the world today?

3. The Office relies on a network of civilian helpers, or sayanim, like Julian Isherwood and Benjamin Stone. How does this element of the story challenge conventional ideas about who participates in espionage?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does the author present Gabriel and Tariq as dark mirrors of each other? What specific parallels in their backstories and motivations, both driven by the cycle of trauma and revenge, did you find most compelling?

2. How does the Vecellio altarpiece transform from a simple plot device to a powerful symbol of Gabriel’s internal state and his desperate need for personal restoration?

3. Consider Ari Shamron. Is he a hero, a villain, or an antihero? How does his master deception at the end of the novel solidify your opinion of his character and his methods?

4. How does Jacqueline’s character arc challenge the conventions of the spy genre? Thinking of other female characters in espionage fiction, such as those in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, how does Jacqueline’s journey from a “honey trap” to the agent of her own destiny stand out?

5. What does the gold lighter given to Jacqueline symbolize? How does its journey from a tool of control to a lost object reflect Jacqueline’s own transformation throughout the operation?

6. Did you find the contrast between the violent world of espionage and the refined world of art to be effective? How does Silva use this juxtaposition to explore Gabriel’s character and the theme of restoration?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were casting a film adaptation of The Kill Artist, which actors would you choose to play Gabriel, Jacqueline, Tariq, and Shamron? What qualities would make them the perfect fit for these complex roles?

2. Imagine you’re writing a scene that takes place five years after the novel’s end. What would a conversation between Gabriel and Jacqueline look like? Have they found a way to heal, or are they still defined by the events of this story?

3. This book is the first in a long-running series. Based on his introduction here, what do you think makes Gabriel Allon such a lasting character for readers? What aspect of his life or personality would you be most interested in seeing explored in future stories?