Spycraft, often intriguing, gripping and like taking a peek into another world. Is it possible there are so many dark, dark-ops going on worldwide? Are these operatives really out there, alone, and in constant danger of being outed, their “employers” leaving hanging in the wind?

THE TOURIST by Olen Steinhauer should be an action-packed tale of life in the shadows, but it was more like a slow trip watching the fall of one man who had dedicated his life to his craft as he is drawn into his own demise.

Lies, deceit, murders and information leaks abound and still, the action was missing for me. Heavy on dialogue, often repeated information, I found it difficult to feel invested in this “secret” world.

I received a complimentary copy from Minotaur Books. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed this book. It's not full of violence and it's not really a physcological thriller but it has elements of it. It follows the very convoluted life/trail of a CIA agent trying to make sense of a certain event and trying to get his life back from the fallout. It's a slow, measured paced plot but it really keeps you hooked. #The Tourist #NetGalley.

Olen Steinhaurer launched this engrossing series with The Tourist. He is a superb writer well worth your time!

I have mixed feelings about The Tourist. It's not quite as "fun" as Chris Pavone nor as sophisticated as John Le Carre. However, Steinhauer is clearly a very talented writer and he has a firm command of his material. The characters in The Tourist seem multi-layered--even though there's an overall sense of depression--and the plot is carefully thought out. If you're looking for an action-packed spy thriller, this might not quite hit the mark. It's more contemplative than action-packed but make no mistake, betrayal lurks around every corner. Recommended if you are in the mood for a thoughtful spy story that explores the character's innermost thoughts, desires, and concerns.

Life as a Tourist is a little different from ordinary life. You never have stability, never have roots. You are always on the move and always a stranger in a strange land. You're off the charts. No connections. No loyalties. Except to the Company and the Bureau of Tourism. Milo is a spook or, as they are colloquially known, a Tourist.

Milo thinks he left Tourism behind, has a wife and daughter, a job in administrative back in the States. He's safe. He merely compiles a Tourism brochures for agents in the field. But, having a safe family life as a civilian is something Hamilton's Matt Helm couldn't make work. It divides the concentration. It can be used against you. But, you never stop being a Tourist. You're never really a civilian again. If you ever were.

This is not a bang bang shoot em up kind of secret agent story although there is some action. It's one where loyalties are tested and there are plots within plots and you never know who to trust. And, Milo may never trust anyone again. Like Jason Bourne, he ends up on the run.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.

Thanks to NetGalley I have found a new author. If you are a fan of espionage novels this is the series for you. I was pleasantly surprised to begin the first book in this series and realized I didn't want to put it down. Well written, interesting characters and locales, plus the back and forth of spies trying to find the truth in a world where everyone lies kept me engrossed through it all. I plan on reading the other 2.

Please check this one out. I hope you like it as much as I did.