My favorite book of 2009

thetourist

I normally don’t read books this far in advance, but I couldn’t help but read the advance copy of Olen Steinhauer’s The Tourist as soon as I got it in the mail.

The first stand alone work of Olen’s after his Eastern European series, is different but in a good way.  I know hype and blurbs and comparisons can often be misleading and lead to disappointment.  But The Tourist really is in the mold of John le Carre, Graham Greene, and Len Deighton; authors whose books I devoured once I had discovered them.

I will offer a fuller review once the release date gets closer -  I plan on reading it again so I can savor the characters and follow the complex threads more closely – but the book is complex, layered and full of twists and turns.  It is classic Steinhauer: that great mix of literary sensibility mixed with espionage/thriller plot and pace.

So be sure to keep an eye out for this one coming in March 2009.  Keep track of developments, including the movie deal with George Clooney, over at Contemporary Nomad.

Kevin Holtsberry
I work in communications and public affairs. I try to squeeze in as much reading as I can while still spending time with my wife and two kids (and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Michigan Wolverines during football season).

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