Title: The Last Tourist
Author: Olen Steinhauer
First published March 24, 2020
384 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250036216 (ISBN10: 1250036216)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Olen Steinhauer’s The Last Tourist brings back the beloved character Milo Weaver in an action-packed thriller. Milo thought he had left his CIA past behind, but when a young analyst comes looking for him, he finds himself in the middle of a dangerous situation.
The two are on the run from a new breed of Tourists who are determined to take them down. As Milo shares his story, he is joined by old friends and foes from his past in the intelligence world, leaving the young analyst to question everything he knows.
With heart-pounding action and twists at every turn, The Last Tourist is a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
About the Author
Olen Steinhauer is an American author who has lived in many different states and countries throughout his life. He has resided in Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Massachusetts, and New York within the US, as well as Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia), the Czech Republic, and Italy outside of the US.
He spent a year in Romania on a Fulbright grant, which inspired his first five books. Currently, he resides in Hungary with his family.
Steinhauer has written stories and poetry that have appeared in various literary journals over the years. His first novel, The Bridge of Sighs, was published in 2003 and is the first in a five-book series that follows Cold War Eastern Europe, with one book for each decade.
The Bridge of Sighs was nominated for five awards.
The second book in the series, The Confession, received significant critical acclaim. Additionally, 36 Yalta Boulevard (The Vienna Assignment in the UK) was included in three year-end best-of lists.
Liberation Movements (The Istanbul Variations in the UK) was nominated for an Edgar Award for best novel of the year and listed on four best-of lists. The final book in the series, Victory Square, was named an editor’s choice by The New York Times.
Steinhauer’s most recent work, The Tourist, begins a trilogy of spy tales focused on international deception in the post 9/11 world. The Tourist is set apart from his previous books in that it is not part of the Cold War series.
The rights to The Tourist have been picked up by George Clooney’s Smoke House Films, with Clooney scheduled to star.
Editoral Review
Book review: The Last Tourist by Olen Steinhauer
Olen Steinhauers latest thriller, The Last Tourist, takes readers on a fast-paced ride through the shadowy world of espionage and global politics. Steinhauer, an American novelist and screenwriter known for his award-winning Milo Weaver series, doesnt disappoint in his latest effort, which was first published on March 24, 2020.
The Last Tourist is a gripping tale that mixes multiple timelines and locations with precision, creating a complex and satisfying narrative. The Last Tourist is a spy novel that is part of the Milo Weaver series.
The novel focuses on Weaver, a former CIA agent seeking revenge against the Council, a secret organization that killed his family. Weavers quest leads him to Europe, where he follows a trail of grisly murders committed by the Council.
Along the way, Weaver must navigate through the dangerous underworld of espionage, while also dealing with his own complicated personal life. One of the strengths of The Last Tourist is Steinhauers skillful use of multiple perspectives and timelines.
The novel switches back and forth between different characters and different time periods, allowing the reader to slowly piece together the complicated web of espionage and betrayal at the heart of the story. Steinhauer also does a great job of keeping the pacing fast and exciting, with each chapter ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger that pulls the reader deeper into the story.
Steinhauers focus on character development is another strength of the novel. The Last Tourist is populated with complex, flawed characters who feel fully realized and believable.
Weaver, in particular, is a fascinating protagonist, haunted by his past and struggling to find meaning in his present. Steinhauer also does an excellent job of portraying the mundane details of espionage work, from the bureaucracy of intelligence agencies to the toll that constant lying and manipulation takes on those who engage in it.
The Last Tourist is not without its flaws, however. Some readers may find the multiple timelines and perspectives confusing at first, especially if they are not familiar with the previous Milo Weaver novels.
Additionally, the novels central conflict may feel overly familiar to fans of spy thrillers, with its emphasis on shadowy organizations and global conspiracies. Overall, The Last Tourist is an excellent addition to the Milo Weaver series and a satisfying standalone espionage thriller.
Steinhauers skillful use of multiple timelines and perspectives, combined with his focus on character development, make for an engaging and exciting read. Fans of spy novels will find much to admire here, as will readers who enjoy complex and morally ambiguous narratives.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.