The Middleman is a contemporary thriller. It was ironic that the last date given in the novel is tomorrow, May 24th, 2018. A group of people suspected of being domestic terrorists is the focus of the first half, the second half is the unraveling of the first half. Author Olen Steinhauer plays his cards well, skillfully laying clues and raising questions in the first half that he adeptly and with suspense holds over the second half. People, democracy, money and power all come to grips, embodied by both and perhaps good FBI agents. One thing we learn is to trust no one. Steinhauer gives us good reason to hold that idea close. Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC.

A twisty and whiplashed-paced thriller from a master of the genre. Steinhauer gets better with every book.

"Some might say that caring about a handful of lives is the definition of civilization."

The Middleman is a timely political thriller that poses some tough questions without offering easy answers. Special Agent Rachel Proulx had sounded the first warning bells when she picked up on the potential issues with a left-wing group called Massive Brigade. When it seems Massive Brigade is actively engaged in civil disruption and ready to commit acts of terrorism she leads an FBI manhunt for the group's leaders. Steinhauer's engaging style, believable characters and intense story will have readers turning the pages and seeking answers to the very end.

While the first part of the book is set up as a clear FBI investigation, with insights from characters involved with the group woven in through alternating narratives with Steinhauer's FBI protagonist, that really is just one part of the story. The Middleman is a story in two parts, with the first part emphasizing the hunt.

The second part focuses on the hunted.

It would risk spoilers to say too much more than that. While there was a fair bit in the investigative side that readers may be able to piece together, the 'who' isn't always the most pertinent factor. Sometimes it's the 'why' and the 'how' that are significant, and no matter what I suspected as a I read, surprises were in store. Everything was not as it seemed.

In an era with growing distrust in politicians, political institutions and law enforcement, The Middleman casts a harsh light on racial tensions in America, the willingness of government agencies to lie for their own benefit and how law enforcement plays politics with people's lives. There are questions here worth considering, and as people take to the streets in increasing numbers to protest in real life, reality is mirrored by some of the events in The Middleman. There's a lot here that will resonate with readers.

The fact that it feels all too real is a credit to the writer but that also means this isn't escapist fiction. There are no easy answers and there's no magic wand that rights the world and restores faith in the institutions that society has created. Perhaps some will look to the characters that do give us hope there are good people in the world and find comfort. Others may focus on the systemic corruption and whether it's possible to really change things.

Sandra Ruttan, founder and editor for Toe Six Press, author of The Spying Moon (Down and Out Books, Fall 2018)
- review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon and published by Toe Six Press

I read this ARC through the generosity of NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest opinion.

A very topical book about the FBI and a domestic terrorism group. I liked that it was set in 2017/2018. I also liked the concise writing, and the look into the inner workings of the FBI, warts and all. I found the plot complicated but not too difficult to follow. This is my first time reading this author, and also a deviation from my usual category of books, so I suspect if you like politically oriented thrillers, you'll love this one.
3.5/5.0 stars

I received this ARC book courtesy of Netgalley in return for my honest opinion. This was my first book by this author. It took me a while to get into the book, but once I did, I found it very interesting and wondered where the story line would go. I don't need to rehash the story as you can read the synopsis, but I enjoyed the book which was filled with a lot of intrigue and well written. I will definitely look for other books by this author.

Another great Steinhauer book! Continues to write engaging stories with believable characters.

Olen Steinhauer’s latest thriller The Middleman is an excellent look into the world of domestic terrorism. Special Agent Rachel Proulx, an expert in left-wing fringe groups, is the lead in the investigation of the overnight disappearance of hundreds of followers of revolutionary leader Martin Bishop. Family members worry and the media speculates what Bishop’s group The Massive Brigade could be planning next. Through this premise, the reader witnesses the internal conflicts of the undercover agent, the convert, the bystander, the government handler, the international money man, and several others.
Steinhauer’s writing is sharply attuned to the current political climate. Most of the story takes place in 2017 and 2018 with several allusions to current politicians. The provocative themes of financial gain, government conspiracy, and class warfare play out well as Agent Proulx searches for who is responsible for the crimes committed by the radical faction.
Overall, The Middleman is an authentic, stand-out thriller that has had me thinking: How far will anyone go to ‘protect’ the American people... and themselves?
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Mr. Steinhauer for an advanced copy to review.