A respectable Swiss banker who collected works of art is brutally murdered, and his own collection disappears. Ironically, the body is accidentally discovered by Gabriel Allon... He was once considered the best of the best secret service operatives. Now Allon has retired, leading a quiet life and does not intend to return to his previous job. However, what professional can resist the opportunity to investigate such a complex and intricate case? Gabriel Allon enters the game - and very soon finds himself on the list of future victims of the super killer nicknamed the Englishman...