'The first rule of Tourism is not to let it ruin you. Because it can. Easily.' The Department of Tourism is an ultra-secret black-ops branch rumoured to carry out the CIA's dirtiest and deadliest work. Most agents don't even believe it exists. Milo Weaver knows otherwise. Trained to kill cleanly and keep moving, he is a Tourist that understands the rules. Don't ask questions. Don't form attachments. Don't look back. But Milo is the only Tourist with a daughter. When he is told to assassinate a teenage girl, his commitment to the cause starts to crumble - and for the first time, he disobeys his orders. The consequences pull him down into a complex world of clandestine government warfare, but Milo's own battle is with his conscience. When a security breach threatens the very existence of Tourism, will he choose to save his job, his family, or himself?
The Nearest Exit
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About the Author
Olen Steinhauer was born in America and has lived in Croatia, the Czech Republic and Italy. He also spent a year in Romania on a Fulbright grant, an experience that helped inspire his first five books. He has now settled in Hungary with his wife and daughter. His first book, The Bridge of Sighs, was nominated for five major thriller awards.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Tim62
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I am a big fan of Olen Steinhauer, and I really wanted to like this book. In the end, unfortunately I didn't. I don't think this is Steinhauer's best work. Actually, calling it an 'airport thriller' is spot on, because the one feature of life as a CIA hitman/woman or 'tourist' (I did like that joke) is that you are always travelling. So the main character Milo Weaver spends a lot of time going through airports, hotels, departure lounges, railway stations etc - always on the move but never in one place for very long.
I came to Steinhauer's work through his series of spy novels on his unnamed East European country; Bridge Of Sighs, The Confession, Liberation Movements, Victory Square and 36, Boulevard Yalta or The Vienna Assignment (as published in the UK). All of these are wonderfully-nuanced books and the best of them are right up there with Le Carre and others. Bruno Sev has to be one of the best characters in spy fiction.
But the Milo Weaver series (of which this is number 2) is written as a much more commercial Lee Childs/'Bourne Ultimatum' type thriller. Which is okay as far as it goes - and every writer wants to sell books - but Steinhauer is capable of so much more.
For me there were several problems with the book:
I did not find Weaver that likeable as a character, nor his CIA acolytes; the story itself was not really engaging enough; and the last 100 or so pages of the book did not work in terms of plotting. I suspect I'd have been prepared to overlook the book's end if I'd warmed to the main character - but I didn't.
There was none of the nuanced writing Steinhauer has so well displayed in his earlier writings. It could be that because as he was writing his equivalent of 'Bourne'-type book, he felt that this wasn't the market he needed to appeal to. Which is fine. I'd be very happy for him to make a mint from the film rights to this series - but for me because of this overall lack of depth the book was disappointing. Sorry Olen.
I came to Steinhauer's work through his series of spy novels on his unnamed East European country; Bridge Of Sighs, The Confession, Liberation Movements, Victory Square and 36, Boulevard Yalta or The Vienna Assignment (as published in the UK). All of these are wonderfully-nuanced books and the best of them are right up there with Le Carre and others. Bruno Sev has to be one of the best characters in spy fiction.
But the Milo Weaver series (of which this is number 2) is written as a much more commercial Lee Childs/'Bourne Ultimatum' type thriller. Which is okay as far as it goes - and every writer wants to sell books - but Steinhauer is capable of so much more.
For me there were several problems with the book:
I did not find Weaver that likeable as a character, nor his CIA acolytes; the story itself was not really engaging enough; and the last 100 or so pages of the book did not work in terms of plotting. I suspect I'd have been prepared to overlook the book's end if I'd warmed to the main character - but I didn't.
There was none of the nuanced writing Steinhauer has so well displayed in his earlier writings. It could be that because as he was writing his equivalent of 'Bourne'-type book, he felt that this wasn't the market he needed to appeal to. Which is fine. I'd be very happy for him to make a mint from the film rights to this series - but for me because of this overall lack of depth the book was disappointing. Sorry Olen.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Jim Gardner
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Downloaded this after having read his previous book, The Tourist, which features the same character Milo Weaver. I found the book gripping, particularly the last section as the story reaches its climax, and couldn't put it down ending up with a rather long lie in on a Sunday morning! Interesting characters and a plot that demands your attention (not a book for a casual read). Can't wait for his next book and I'll be looking at his back catalogue to see what else he has written as I understand there were several before The Tourist.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By atticus
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
i am a fan of Steinhauer. I have read all of his books after accidentally discovering Brano Sev last year. However, I must say that the last section of this book falls short of expectation. I couldn't work out who is the narrator and the actual action feels like a speeded up version of a board game. Senator Erwin's charecter is blown out of proportions and is unnecessarily complicated at the end. Otherwise, a cracking read with the intrigue and suspense. I love the language and the speed of thought and I also like the awy the auithor seems to trust the reader to understand the sub plots and side issues.
Definitely recommend this book to all my friends.
Definitely recommend this book to all my friends.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Yawn!
Now I've had this book for quite a whiles now and have made three attempts at reading it and on each occasion, have found myself just plain bored, never getting any further than a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. M. Green
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not for me!
The blurb mentions "Le Carre". What a joke! This is miles away from a book by Le Carre and, although I've started it three times, I've never managed to get beyond the first few... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Wilz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thriller Book
The product arrived safely and on time so I have no complaints about the speed and the quality of the service. The book was great.
Published 13 months ago by Kh Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining spy romp
The Nearest Exit is a fast paced, thoroughly entertaining, spy romp. The book is the sequel to The Tourist, and while familiarity might help you understand the characters more,... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ripple
4.0 out of 5 stars
See Amazon.com for 70+ reviews of this book.
Hi,
If like me you are thinking of buying this book as it is the kindle daily deal, check out the Amazon. Read more
If like me you are thinking of buying this book as it is the kindle daily deal, check out the Amazon. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Thoughtful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Do not head for the Nearest Exit, sit down and read the book!
This is the first book from this author I have read, and I have tosay I really enjoyed it.
Yes, there are a few confusing bits at the beginning, as the opening chapter... Read more
Yes, there are a few confusing bits at the beginning, as the opening chapter... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Roger Cave
3.0 out of 5 stars
Doesn't match up to its own billing
I got the book with interest and was keen to see how the plot unfolded.
As a fan of thriller, crime and action books I was intrigued by 'the tourist' focus which I had... Read more
As a fan of thriller, crime and action books I was intrigued by 'the tourist' focus which I had... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Stracs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spy novel with a brain
I have read so many action/spy novels that many seem to blend into one, so it's refreshing and rare to get an opportunity to read one that stands out. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. A. Mcgregor
4.0 out of 5 stars
an entertaining read
Without having read the first one I was still able to thoroughly enjoy this book. The internal torment of the character is almost as enjoyable as the Bourne style action of the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by S. Warren
4.0 out of 5 stars
Department of Death
The Dept of Tourism is a cover, a cover for a highly trained and organised group of assassins. Their job is to take care of "Problems" for the US Govt. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Donald Thompson
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