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The Middleman
"The Middleman is smart and entertaining and consistently intriguing..." --Scott Turow, The New York Times Book Review
One of Entertainment Weekly's hottest summer thrillers
With The Middleman, the perfect thriller for our tumultuous, uneasy time, Olen Steinhauer, the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, including The Tourist and The Cairo Affair, delivers a compelling portrait of a nation on the edge of revolution, and the deepest motives of the men and women on the opposite sides of the divide.
One day in the early summer of 2017, about four hundred people disappear from their lives. They leave behind cell phones, credit cards, jobs, houses, families--everything--all on the same day. Where have they gone? Why? The only answer, for weeks, is silence.
Kevin Moore is one of them. Former military, disaffected, restless, Kevin leaves behind his retail job in San Francisco, sends a good-bye text to his mother, dumps his phone and wallet into a trash can, and disappears.
The movement calls itself the Massive Brigade, and they believe change isn't coming fast enough to America. But are they a protest organization, a political movement, or a terrorist group? What do they want? The FBI isn't taking any chances. Special Agent Rachel Proulx has been following the growth of left-wing political groups in the U.S. since the fall of 2016, and is very familiar with Martin Bishop, the charismatic leader of the Massive Brigade. But she needs her colleagues to take her seriously in order to find these people before they put their plan--whatever it is--into action.
What Rachel uncovers will shock the entire nation, and the aftermath of her investigation will reverberate through the FBI to the highest levels of government.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2018
588 people are currently reading
3027 people want to read
About the author
Olen Steinhauer
32 books1,239 followersOlen Steinhauer grew up in Virginia, and has since lived in Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Massachusetts, and New York. Outside the US, he's lived in Croatia (when it was called Yugoslavia), 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 now lives in Hungary with his wife and daughter.
He has published stories and poetry in various literary journals over the years. His first novel, The Bridge of Sighs (2003), the start of a five-book sequence chronicling Cold War Eastern Europe, one book per decade, was nominated for five awards.
The second book of the series, The Confession, garnered significant critical acclaim, and 36 Yalta Boulevard (The Vienna Assignment in the UK), made three year-end best-of lists. Liberation Movements (The Istanbul Variations in the UK), was listed for four best-of lists and was nominated for an Edgar Award for best novel of the year. The final novel in the series, Victory Square, published in 2007, was a New York Times editor's choice.
With The Tourist, he has left the Cold War behind, beginning a trilogy of spy tales focused on international deception in the post 9/11 world. Happily, George Clooney's Smoke House Films has picked up the rights, with Mr. Clooney scheduled to star.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/olenst...
He has published stories and poetry in various literary journals over the years. His first novel, The Bridge of Sighs (2003), the start of a five-book sequence chronicling Cold War Eastern Europe, one book per decade, was nominated for five awards.
The second book of the series, The Confession, garnered significant critical acclaim, and 36 Yalta Boulevard (The Vienna Assignment in the UK), made three year-end best-of lists. Liberation Movements (The Istanbul Variations in the UK), was listed for four best-of lists and was nominated for an Edgar Award for best novel of the year. The final novel in the series, Victory Square, published in 2007, was a New York Times editor's choice.
With The Tourist, he has left the Cold War behind, beginning a trilogy of spy tales focused on international deception in the post 9/11 world. Happily, George Clooney's Smoke House Films has picked up the rights, with Mr. Clooney scheduled to star.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/olenst...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews
August 22, 2018
From the very first paragraph of The Middleman, I was hooked! This is a book that you should not begin reading unless you have time to read it all - at once - without stopping. It is an "unputdownable" page turning thriller!
Generally I don't read books about the US government, FBI or CIA any longer. The truth in the world is too terrible and I don't like to see espionage glorified. However, the promise of a book that didn't sway too far one way or the other politically that also offered up "conspiracy theories," the FBI's role in the protests, a "new revolution" and more was so current and on point that I had to take a look. I am so glad that I did. This book had my attention from beginning to end with absolutely no lag time in between!
Olen Steinhauer, the best selling author of The Cairo Affair and many other thrillers, knows how to weave together a tale of espionage, current events and human emotion. There was enough technical "feeb" talk to give the book authenticity without ever crossing the line into boring or eye-rolling scenarios. His perception of current and global events is remarkable and so spot on that I expected to log into my news feed and read about this incident in real time - the realism of this novel is chillingly accurate!
The premise is that America is on the brink of a revolution and the FBI is either a step behind the revolutionaries or has infiltrated the group (read the book to know for sure, no spoilers here.) When hundreds of people literally vanish from their lives leaving behind everything and everyone they cared about, Special Agent Rachel Prouix is tasked with finding the missing and the leaders of this massive revolutionary band of insurgents. What she discovers will shock both her and you and leave you scrambling to read faster toward the end of the book!
If you enjoy thrillers, police procedurals, suspense, espionage or just a really well written exciting storyline, then you will love The Middleman. I highly recommend it!
Generally I don't read books about the US government, FBI or CIA any longer. The truth in the world is too terrible and I don't like to see espionage glorified. However, the promise of a book that didn't sway too far one way or the other politically that also offered up "conspiracy theories," the FBI's role in the protests, a "new revolution" and more was so current and on point that I had to take a look. I am so glad that I did. This book had my attention from beginning to end with absolutely no lag time in between!
Olen Steinhauer, the best selling author of The Cairo Affair and many other thrillers, knows how to weave together a tale of espionage, current events and human emotion. There was enough technical "feeb" talk to give the book authenticity without ever crossing the line into boring or eye-rolling scenarios. His perception of current and global events is remarkable and so spot on that I expected to log into my news feed and read about this incident in real time - the realism of this novel is chillingly accurate!
The premise is that America is on the brink of a revolution and the FBI is either a step behind the revolutionaries or has infiltrated the group (read the book to know for sure, no spoilers here.) When hundreds of people literally vanish from their lives leaving behind everything and everyone they cared about, Special Agent Rachel Prouix is tasked with finding the missing and the leaders of this massive revolutionary band of insurgents. What she discovers will shock both her and you and leave you scrambling to read faster toward the end of the book!
If you enjoy thrillers, police procedurals, suspense, espionage or just a really well written exciting storyline, then you will love The Middleman. I highly recommend it!
August 15, 2018
“That is why fiction existed, as a way to look at the world without being broken by it.”
Olen Steinhauer, The Middleman
I'm an Olen Steinhauer completist again. I keep hoping for Steinhauer to step up a level to John le Carré or even Don DeLillo, perhaps. Either one. But I think he is happy to stay close to Robert Harris level. Good spy fiction just not compelling literature. Seriously, I think Steinhauer has the talent but either just not the interest or the money (or both) to step it up.
Am I being hard? No. I look back at his earliest novels as his best. I would rather re-read The Yalta Blvd sequence than the Tourist trilogy, but those (Yalta Blvd) novels aren't likely to be optioned into movies. Am I sorry I read this? Oh, no. Don't get me wrong. I'm trying to obliquely criticize a pretty good domestic terrorism/spy thriller that backs into the Tourist zone. It was worth both my money and my time. I've just walked away from the last couple Steinhauer novels wishing he would have spent a bit more time amping up the paranoia, setting the mood, building the characters and less time worrying what Hollywood would buy.
Olen Steinhauer, The Middleman
I'm an Olen Steinhauer completist again. I keep hoping for Steinhauer to step up a level to John le Carré or even Don DeLillo, perhaps. Either one. But I think he is happy to stay close to Robert Harris level. Good spy fiction just not compelling literature. Seriously, I think Steinhauer has the talent but either just not the interest or the money (or both) to step it up.
Am I being hard? No. I look back at his earliest novels as his best. I would rather re-read The Yalta Blvd sequence than the Tourist trilogy, but those (Yalta Blvd) novels aren't likely to be optioned into movies. Am I sorry I read this? Oh, no. Don't get me wrong. I'm trying to obliquely criticize a pretty good domestic terrorism/spy thriller that backs into the Tourist zone. It was worth both my money and my time. I've just walked away from the last couple Steinhauer novels wishing he would have spent a bit more time amping up the paranoia, setting the mood, building the characters and less time worrying what Hollywood would buy.
August 7, 2018
Intricate, fast-paced, and astute!
The Middleman, the latest novel by Steinhauer, is an intriguing political thriller that takes you into the heart of American politics and immerses you in a story of left-wing ideology and the struggle to maintain morality and induce change without force in a world motivated by violence.
The prose is descriptive and well paced. The characters are passionate, resourceful, and determined. And the plot is an engaging tale about greed, power, deception, abuse, violence, manipulation, murder, and corruption.
Overall, The Middleman is a dark, timely, pensive tale that explores the fine line between good and evil, and highlights just how easily that line can become blurry.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Goodreads Giveaways for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
The Middleman, the latest novel by Steinhauer, is an intriguing political thriller that takes you into the heart of American politics and immerses you in a story of left-wing ideology and the struggle to maintain morality and induce change without force in a world motivated by violence.
The prose is descriptive and well paced. The characters are passionate, resourceful, and determined. And the plot is an engaging tale about greed, power, deception, abuse, violence, manipulation, murder, and corruption.
Overall, The Middleman is a dark, timely, pensive tale that explores the fine line between good and evil, and highlights just how easily that line can become blurry.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Goodreads Giveaways for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
August 1, 2018
Opening an Olen Steinhauer book is what I imagine opening a Tiffany’s gift box would be like, with joy, anticipation, and the smug satisfaction of being one of a lucky ones. Lucky comes because Steinhauer is too unknown. Maybe his TV show-Berlin Station will bring him the readership he deserves.
The Middleman returns Steinhauer, in spirit only, to the original stomping grounds of his police procedurals in an unnamed communist country. In those books, terror is mostly a product of the state, as is media control. There are also tiny pockets of resistance, sometimes only by individuals. In The Middleman the country is the United States, not some unnamed communist country. Also, this is not in some dystopian future, this is now.
One day, four hundred people walk away from their lives. The FBI knows a bit about the Massive Brigade, the group these people are joining. As the FBI does with many groups, even those not considered to be a threat, it has assigned S/A Rachel Proulx to monitor the group. With the disappearances, Proulx is suddenly given a much larger budget, a larger office and more people to work with. The Massive Brigade could be hot stuff! The end of the world as we know it, as certain media commentators would have us believe.
Maybe The Massive Brigade is hot stuff, because the world is most certainly changing and maybe the four hundred people of The Massive Brigade are enough to hold back the tide and make their own changes. Steinhauer is masterful in portraying “the what ares” and “the what ifs.”
Told by four major POV’s, The Middleman explores the motivations and the growth of those characters, including us on their journeys. The journeys sets the four antagonists on their separate dangerous paths, bringing them together at various times in surprising ways.
They are all pawns in a fascinating, topsy-turvy world, pawns just not in the United States but in Europe too.
Here is where I am disappointed, the diamond in my Tiffany box doesn’t fit, too large, maybe? The ending is just too convoluted. I had to read it twice, and even then I had questions. As a gift to Sheinhauer’s fans a character from a couple other books shows up to explain his role as a sort of deux ex machina.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Middleman returns Steinhauer, in spirit only, to the original stomping grounds of his police procedurals in an unnamed communist country. In those books, terror is mostly a product of the state, as is media control. There are also tiny pockets of resistance, sometimes only by individuals. In The Middleman the country is the United States, not some unnamed communist country. Also, this is not in some dystopian future, this is now.
One day, four hundred people walk away from their lives. The FBI knows a bit about the Massive Brigade, the group these people are joining. As the FBI does with many groups, even those not considered to be a threat, it has assigned S/A Rachel Proulx to monitor the group. With the disappearances, Proulx is suddenly given a much larger budget, a larger office and more people to work with. The Massive Brigade could be hot stuff! The end of the world as we know it, as certain media commentators would have us believe.
Maybe The Massive Brigade is hot stuff, because the world is most certainly changing and maybe the four hundred people of The Massive Brigade are enough to hold back the tide and make their own changes. Steinhauer is masterful in portraying “the what ares” and “the what ifs.”
Told by four major POV’s, The Middleman explores the motivations and the growth of those characters, including us on their journeys. The journeys sets the four antagonists on their separate dangerous paths, bringing them together at various times in surprising ways.
They are all pawns in a fascinating, topsy-turvy world, pawns just not in the United States but in Europe too.
Here is where I am disappointed, the diamond in my Tiffany box doesn’t fit, too large, maybe? The ending is just too convoluted. I had to read it twice, and even then I had questions. As a gift to Sheinhauer’s fans a character from a couple other books shows up to explain his role as a sort of deux ex machina.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 30, 2018
A great story-line. An interesting and thought provoking novel.
August 7, 2018
'The Middleman' is New York Times Bestselling author Olen Steinhauer's first book in his new 'Middleman' series and is another sweeping espionage thriller from a true master of the spy genre. This time the author has penned a book in which politics is heavily involved in the storyline. Although this was my first book by this author I have read widely within the espionage genre for many years.
It's 2017 and summer has arrived in the United States of America, four-hundred people vacate their lives with no prior warning, most of them leaving behind families and jobs they had put considerable effort into maintaining. The movement these people join is in fact known to the FBI as the The Massive Brigade. As they do with many groups that may be considered a threat, the FBI assign Special Agent Rachel Proulx to monitor what the group are getting up to and to work out whether they are in fact dangerous or merely harmless and what their achievements and future aspirations are. What she uncovers is devastating and will have a lasting impact on the future of the country as well as surprising the FBI and the highest levels of the government.
I loved the synopsis so much as it truly felt as though I had commissioned this book for myself as it sounded right up my street with the perfect combination of elements melted together into a stunning amalgamation. Steinhauer uses the political climate in the U.S. as both inspiration and a backdrop to the story and ratchets up the tension from first page until the last, the conclusion leaves many aspects of the plot unresolved presumably to continue it in 'Middleman #2'. He highlights that the potential for a terrorist organisation to gain a foothold happens particularly when people feel disillusioned and their trust for elite politicians is lacking - this is happening everywhere at the moment but is easy to see very clearly in places like Syria and Iraq where ISIS/Daesh have taken advantage of the lack of widespread support for the current government/those in authority. The themes explored in the book are timely and feel as though they could have been ripped straight from the headlines.
This is a masterclass in how to write spy thriller and feels authentic as well being an enthralling and exhilarating edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that I enjoyed immensely! The writing was wonderfully immersive and flowed well, the pace judged impeccably and the plot twists shocking and exciting, you can't ask for much more! I also appreciated that this was an intelligent thriller that was thought-provoking in terms of the topics it explores. I read a lot from many of the crime fiction sub-genres and most books that fit that description tend to be throwaway stories which is regrettable as I am much happier when a title explores deeper topics... Even when the story is one that is sickeningly plausible in this day and age.
All in all, I had a throroughly delightful time whilst reading this complex, nuanced story and will be purchasing the rest of Steinhauer's books that I haven't had the pleasure of reading as of yet which I will look forward to diving right in over the summer. I will be keeping my eyes open for his future books too. I have no hesitation in recommending 'The Middleman' to fellow crime buffs.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
It's 2017 and summer has arrived in the United States of America, four-hundred people vacate their lives with no prior warning, most of them leaving behind families and jobs they had put considerable effort into maintaining. The movement these people join is in fact known to the FBI as the The Massive Brigade. As they do with many groups that may be considered a threat, the FBI assign Special Agent Rachel Proulx to monitor what the group are getting up to and to work out whether they are in fact dangerous or merely harmless and what their achievements and future aspirations are. What she uncovers is devastating and will have a lasting impact on the future of the country as well as surprising the FBI and the highest levels of the government.
I loved the synopsis so much as it truly felt as though I had commissioned this book for myself as it sounded right up my street with the perfect combination of elements melted together into a stunning amalgamation. Steinhauer uses the political climate in the U.S. as both inspiration and a backdrop to the story and ratchets up the tension from first page until the last, the conclusion leaves many aspects of the plot unresolved presumably to continue it in 'Middleman #2'. He highlights that the potential for a terrorist organisation to gain a foothold happens particularly when people feel disillusioned and their trust for elite politicians is lacking - this is happening everywhere at the moment but is easy to see very clearly in places like Syria and Iraq where ISIS/Daesh have taken advantage of the lack of widespread support for the current government/those in authority. The themes explored in the book are timely and feel as though they could have been ripped straight from the headlines.
This is a masterclass in how to write spy thriller and feels authentic as well being an enthralling and exhilarating edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that I enjoyed immensely! The writing was wonderfully immersive and flowed well, the pace judged impeccably and the plot twists shocking and exciting, you can't ask for much more! I also appreciated that this was an intelligent thriller that was thought-provoking in terms of the topics it explores. I read a lot from many of the crime fiction sub-genres and most books that fit that description tend to be throwaway stories which is regrettable as I am much happier when a title explores deeper topics... Even when the story is one that is sickeningly plausible in this day and age.
All in all, I had a throroughly delightful time whilst reading this complex, nuanced story and will be purchasing the rest of Steinhauer's books that I haven't had the pleasure of reading as of yet which I will look forward to diving right in over the summer. I will be keeping my eyes open for his future books too. I have no hesitation in recommending 'The Middleman' to fellow crime buffs.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
July 27, 2018
Thanks to the publisher for lending me a digital ARC via Netgalley.
I started reading Olen Steinhauer’s books 15 years ago, with his Cold War-era novel, The Bridge of Sighs. I followed him through that series, then his Milo Weaver series and in recent years, his standalone books.
I’ve always been surprised that Steinhauer hasn’t achieved a lot more recognition. He’s one of the most talented espionage writers we have today, with a real genius for blending spycraft and espionage situations with fully-developed characters. In All the Old Knives, his tour de force from 2015, his entire story plays out over a single dinner in a placid, upscale California restaurant, and it’s one of the tensest espionage tales I’ve ever read.
After taking us all over the world in his previous novels, in The Middleman Steinhauer grounds us at home in the US. Set in an almost recognizable present, the novel seems like a slightly alternative history—or maybe prophecy. An FBI undercover agent, Kevin Moore, and Special Agent Rachel Proulx are separately tasked to investigate Massive Brigade, a mysterious group led by Martin Bishop. Bishop is said to have belonged to a terrorist group in Germany that bombed a building, but nothing was proved. And now he is back in the US, and the fear is that he is building a far-left anti-corporate domestic terrorist army. When multiple violent attacks take place one July 4, the plot takes off.
This political thriller explores issues about the manipulation of the media and public opinion by politicians and the corporate interests they too often serve—but not in a pedantic or strident way. Steinhauer lays out his plot so well that we go along for the ride and only at the end does it all come together. When I read the last page, I thought back and realized just how well he executed his intricate plot. I was always one step behind as I read, but at the end it all fell into place and the whodunnit element of the plot seemed so clear and obvious. I was impressed.
If you like political thrillers, this is a standout. It looks like this is the start of another series, and I’m looking forward to the next book.
I started reading Olen Steinhauer’s books 15 years ago, with his Cold War-era novel, The Bridge of Sighs. I followed him through that series, then his Milo Weaver series and in recent years, his standalone books.
I’ve always been surprised that Steinhauer hasn’t achieved a lot more recognition. He’s one of the most talented espionage writers we have today, with a real genius for blending spycraft and espionage situations with fully-developed characters. In All the Old Knives, his tour de force from 2015, his entire story plays out over a single dinner in a placid, upscale California restaurant, and it’s one of the tensest espionage tales I’ve ever read.
After taking us all over the world in his previous novels, in The Middleman Steinhauer grounds us at home in the US. Set in an almost recognizable present, the novel seems like a slightly alternative history—or maybe prophecy. An FBI undercover agent, Kevin Moore, and Special Agent Rachel Proulx are separately tasked to investigate Massive Brigade, a mysterious group led by Martin Bishop. Bishop is said to have belonged to a terrorist group in Germany that bombed a building, but nothing was proved. And now he is back in the US, and the fear is that he is building a far-left anti-corporate domestic terrorist army. When multiple violent attacks take place one July 4, the plot takes off.
This political thriller explores issues about the manipulation of the media and public opinion by politicians and the corporate interests they too often serve—but not in a pedantic or strident way. Steinhauer lays out his plot so well that we go along for the ride and only at the end does it all come together. When I read the last page, I thought back and realized just how well he executed his intricate plot. I was always one step behind as I read, but at the end it all fell into place and the whodunnit element of the plot seemed so clear and obvious. I was impressed.
If you like political thrillers, this is a standout. It looks like this is the start of another series, and I’m looking forward to the next book.
October 12, 2018
Steinhauer writes thrillers with convoluted plots. Somehow, he has all the pieces fit together in the end, but it is a roller coaster ride getting there. First, there is charismatic leader Martin Bishop who has a sizeable following on university campuses. He runs the website, the Propaganda Ministry, and is the voice and inspiration of the Massive Brigade—a leftist movement designed to challenge the corporate order. Second, there is FBI special agent Rachel Proulx, an expert on left-wing organizations. Third, there is Kevin Moore, an African-American military veteran who is an undercover FBI agent within the Massive Brigade. Next is the frayed marriage of Ingrid and David Parker. Ingrid, the daughter of a communist union organizer in Flint, Michigan is drawn to Martin Bishop and his movement.
Steinhauer moves the plot along smartly, but one needs to pay attention because there is a lot to keep track of—a bombing in Germany by the KRL, a stinger missile in a garage, an assassination (actually several), double-crossing agents, a right-wing TV personality, and much more. Enjoy!
Steinhauer moves the plot along smartly, but one needs to pay attention because there is a lot to keep track of—a bombing in Germany by the KRL, a stinger missile in a garage, an assassination (actually several), double-crossing agents, a right-wing TV personality, and much more. Enjoy!
July 6, 2018
The Middleman is a timely book that focuses on politics and the difference in what the public knows and what is really happening. It is a thought-provoking tale especially in today’s political climate. Steinhauer writes beautifully, and the story, while not too fast-paced, certainly kept me engaged. The ending is not completely resolved which makes me think it must be the start of a new series. For those who love espionage, this is a good choice.
August 9, 2018
Steinhauer penned three of my favorite spy books, The Tourist, American Spy and Nearest Exit, excellent stories, great craft, great characters. Absolutely excellent books that I recommend to everyone who's interested in spy novels. But every book since then has not been even close to the same quality. I keep buying them thinking he'll get back to the same level of writing and story telling as in those three. He hasn't.
The Middleman has far too many points of view to keep the reader fixed in the fictive dream. Also no one character is endeared to the reader enough that we want to follow along. Then the law enforcement procedure wasn't vetted (this is minor to most readers).
Sorry, I didn't finish the book. I really wanted to like it, I really wanted it to be like those other three.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson Series.
The Middleman has far too many points of view to keep the reader fixed in the fictive dream. Also no one character is endeared to the reader enough that we want to follow along. Then the law enforcement procedure wasn't vetted (this is minor to most readers).
Sorry, I didn't finish the book. I really wanted to like it, I really wanted it to be like those other three.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson Series.
August 19, 2018
This book has swirling loops of conspiracy theories. It also seems to introduce a new character on every other page. I thought it was convoluted, dull and full of people about whom I did not care. I also don't think that, given our current political debacle, this is a particularly good time to bash the credibility of the FBI. Since not all of the conspiracies are tidied up at the end of the book, I assume that a sequel is planned. I won't be reading it. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
December 16, 2018
'The Middleman' is one of those "ripped from today's headlines' novels, where the country is divided, everyone's at each other's throat, Trump is president, and corporations seem to be running things. Just as we've witnessed a resurgence in politically informed activity among the populace with more demonstrations and violence in the streets than at any time since Viet Nam, Olen Steinhauer tells the story of a shadowy left-wing group that may or may not be planning something big and violent.
The Massive Brigade (a good name for a rock band?) is led by a charismatic figure who is a bit ambiguous on the whole violence thing, while his co-leader is anything but. While the Feds keep a close watch on the group, an anonymous call about a missile launcher in one of their storage units puts the leaders on the run. 400 or so followers across the country simultaneously drop out of their lives and are spirited away to well hidden safe houses to prepare for.... what?
FBI agent Rachel Proulx attempts to figure out what's going on, but before anyone is located there's a major act of coordinated violence that significantly ups the ante. The manhunt intensifies.... and that's as far as I want to go because there are many, many riddles and mysteries wrapped up in this significant book. Steinhauer keeps the suspense boiling beneath the surface, with agent Proulx and an undercover FBI agent who'd infiltrated the organization trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. This is one novel that you must really pay attention to while reading- so many twists as details are revealed that you may feel you have things figured out but it's unlikely you do.
Steinhauer has written some great crime/mystery/spy novels in the past and they've all be excellent, but The Middleman is up a notch from his best work. It's on my 'best of the year' shelf.
The Massive Brigade (a good name for a rock band?) is led by a charismatic figure who is a bit ambiguous on the whole violence thing, while his co-leader is anything but. While the Feds keep a close watch on the group, an anonymous call about a missile launcher in one of their storage units puts the leaders on the run. 400 or so followers across the country simultaneously drop out of their lives and are spirited away to well hidden safe houses to prepare for.... what?
FBI agent Rachel Proulx attempts to figure out what's going on, but before anyone is located there's a major act of coordinated violence that significantly ups the ante. The manhunt intensifies.... and that's as far as I want to go because there are many, many riddles and mysteries wrapped up in this significant book. Steinhauer keeps the suspense boiling beneath the surface, with agent Proulx and an undercover FBI agent who'd infiltrated the organization trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. This is one novel that you must really pay attention to while reading- so many twists as details are revealed that you may feel you have things figured out but it's unlikely you do.
Steinhauer has written some great crime/mystery/spy novels in the past and they've all be excellent, but The Middleman is up a notch from his best work. It's on my 'best of the year' shelf.
June 30, 2018
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. And in the interest of transparency, Olen Steinhauer is one of my favorite authors.
As I said in my review of Vandals, I had never really considered how the FBI or CIA would be working to cover the Antifa movement, although it makes perfect sense that this anarchist organization has been infiltrated by agents.
This book was surprisingly accurate in its portrayal of our modern political environment. Millennials demanding change while the old guard and politicians are fighting to maintain the status quo. In fact, the realism had a huge impact on me, and I almost expected to see events from the book on the news. Scary in that respect, because this could conceivably happen.
As with all of Olen Steinhauer's books, there is an incredible amount of detail and plot twists, agents and double agents, betrayal and hidden allies, all over the world.
I also appreciated the almost-hidden ties with his previous books. It doesn't impact the story at all if you haven't read any of his books, but the Easter eggs are there and add a layer of "oh, wow" when they are revealed.
Good stuff!
As I said in my review of Vandals, I had never really considered how the FBI or CIA would be working to cover the Antifa movement, although it makes perfect sense that this anarchist organization has been infiltrated by agents.
This book was surprisingly accurate in its portrayal of our modern political environment. Millennials demanding change while the old guard and politicians are fighting to maintain the status quo. In fact, the realism had a huge impact on me, and I almost expected to see events from the book on the news. Scary in that respect, because this could conceivably happen.
As with all of Olen Steinhauer's books, there is an incredible amount of detail and plot twists, agents and double agents, betrayal and hidden allies, all over the world.
I also appreciated the almost-hidden ties with his previous books. It doesn't impact the story at all if you haven't read any of his books, but the Easter eggs are there and add a layer of "oh, wow" when they are revealed.
Good stuff!
August 25, 2018
Meh
I can’t put my finger on what didn’t work. Maybe it’s just my current mood, but I was underwhelmed by the book and struggled to finish it. Part of the problem may be that it is a little too timely. I read to escape, and this felt like reading the newspaper. Trump and his cronies, the current state of the Republican Party, the entire political landscape of my beloved country, all terrify me. The news brings nothing but sadness and disappointment, fear and anger. This book brought the same. This wasn’t some kind of dystopian political thriller. It’s all too plausible. So, kudos to Mr. Steinhauer for that. For me, this kind of reality-fiction is just too much, too soon. Maybe in 20 years, if America survives and somehow thrives post-Trump, this would be a fun political thriller. For now, this book just left me feeling depressed. I never felt the edge of your seat, what’s going to happen next, concern for any of the characters, that I expect to feel in a thriller. Maybe that was part of the problem, too. I didn’t connect to anyone, didn’t care about the outcome, and just felt as hopeless about the events of the book as I do about real life and I had hoped for more from this book.
I can’t put my finger on what didn’t work. Maybe it’s just my current mood, but I was underwhelmed by the book and struggled to finish it. Part of the problem may be that it is a little too timely. I read to escape, and this felt like reading the newspaper. Trump and his cronies, the current state of the Republican Party, the entire political landscape of my beloved country, all terrify me. The news brings nothing but sadness and disappointment, fear and anger. This book brought the same. This wasn’t some kind of dystopian political thriller. It’s all too plausible. So, kudos to Mr. Steinhauer for that. For me, this kind of reality-fiction is just too much, too soon. Maybe in 20 years, if America survives and somehow thrives post-Trump, this would be a fun political thriller. For now, this book just left me feeling depressed. I never felt the edge of your seat, what’s going to happen next, concern for any of the characters, that I expect to feel in a thriller. Maybe that was part of the problem, too. I didn’t connect to anyone, didn’t care about the outcome, and just felt as hopeless about the events of the book as I do about real life and I had hoped for more from this book.
June 16, 2018
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.
Full review can be found here: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/03/05/th...
Please check out all my reviews on my site: https://paulspicks.blog
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Mr. Steinhauer for an advanced copy to review.
Full review can be found here: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/03/05/th...
Please check out all my reviews on my site: https://paulspicks.blog
April 28, 2018
This was my first book by Olen Steinhauer, and it was a good one to start with! I am a big fan of thrillers, but this one had a different feel. I would classify this as a political thriller and as such, it had more moving parts. As a result of this, the pace was not what I would have expected from my usual thrillers; the complexity was greater and thus read slower; but not so slow as to lose the readers attention; The plot and suspense kept me reading. The book delves into the world of the FBI, tracking and infiltrating what they dubbed a terrorist organization. Fraught with tension and undercutting, the main character ends up in a fight for her life, and not from whom the potential reader might think.
Due to the about information, I found it difficult deciding on what to give this book as an overall rating. However, I'm giving it a 3.5. Overall, a pretty good read!
Due to the about information, I found it difficult deciding on what to give this book as an overall rating. However, I'm giving it a 3.5. Overall, a pretty good read!
September 17, 2018
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
400 people disappear from their lives, ditching their phones and ids. They're part of a mysterious movement called The Massive Brigade. Nobody knows what they want, but they're planning something and the FBI needs to find out what.
Not bad, but a little overhyped.
400 people disappear from their lives, ditching their phones and ids. They're part of a mysterious movement called The Massive Brigade. Nobody knows what they want, but they're planning something and the FBI needs to find out what.
Not bad, but a little overhyped.
February 26, 2018
A timely novel mirroring the thinking of some fringe groups today in excruciating detail. A political cult recruits disaffected people, most of whom don't realize what they're signing on for. When they go too far the FBI cracks down on them. Then the storyline abruptly shifts to the internal struggles within both organizations.
Eventually it morphs into a mystery novel centered around some unanswered questions. Lead investigator Rachel Proulx goes through hell and back trying to unravel the story. Very compelling read. my only complaint is one of the sympatico characters is too unlikeable. Thrilling ride to the finish, the alert reader may have figured out most of the ending though there is a little more to it.
Eventually it morphs into a mystery novel centered around some unanswered questions. Lead investigator Rachel Proulx goes through hell and back trying to unravel the story. Very compelling read. my only complaint is one of the sympatico characters is too unlikeable. Thrilling ride to the finish, the alert reader may have figured out most of the ending though there is a little more to it.
April 8, 2018
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Admittedly, the biggest problem I had with this book was probably that it's simply not a genre I enjoy. I've never been a fan of political thrillers. Typically I try to make it through at least half of a book before I give up on it, but I was so painfully bored reading this one that I didn't get through much more than 50 pages. I wouldn't say it's badly written or there's really anything wrong with it, but it wasn't for me at all.
Admittedly, the biggest problem I had with this book was probably that it's simply not a genre I enjoy. I've never been a fan of political thrillers. Typically I try to make it through at least half of a book before I give up on it, but I was so painfully bored reading this one that I didn't get through much more than 50 pages. I wouldn't say it's badly written or there's really anything wrong with it, but it wasn't for me at all.
October 31, 2018
A mixed bag. The book can be divided into two parts: the Massive Brigade story and the FBI investigation. The Brigade story is somewhat boring, full of cliches and political opinions. Parts of it stretch credulity. On the other hand the FBI investigation is quite riveting and loaded with intrigue and action. I have enjoyed the author’s espionage novels very much but am not sure this enterprise away from that genre is his best.
March 12, 2018
Great thrills, wonderful flow, however political thrillers, and also spies are not my favorite books. The writing is excellent and I think for many this would be a favorite, and get 5 star ratings.
June 7, 2018
The Middleman is pretty much what is happening today in real life with some real people whose names have been changed and then some made-up people who probably exist in real life anyway. Of course the plot isn’t real life but it’s so close to real life that everything seems 100% plausible… I mean The Middleman could technically be a leaked very secret classified FBI or CIA file for all we know… Anyway, The Middleman reads as a thriller and will most likely be classed as a thriller and it was a very enjoyable, albeit chilling read. I’m not too sure enjoyable is really the right word though to be honest, because none of the story is particularly enjoyable. The Middleman is a good read though.
It’s 2017 and in the US the people are on the brink of a revolution. Regular protests take place because of police brutality, racism, gun violence, violence against immigrants, against women, civil rights are slowly and surely being squashed everywhere (ring any bells?). Suddenly 400 people disappear from their lives without a trace, and the Massive Brigade, up until then just another group on the radar, seems to move into action. Special Agent Rachel Proulx floors the accelerator on her investigation into left-wing activist groups and discovers that nothing is as it seems.
Nothing is as it seems right through to the very last words the reader will find. The Middleman is a good book, it brings up some timely events and issues, and basically leaves you with a big glaring question: where are you going to be when it starts going down?
Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the advance copy!
It’s 2017 and in the US the people are on the brink of a revolution. Regular protests take place because of police brutality, racism, gun violence, violence against immigrants, against women, civil rights are slowly and surely being squashed everywhere (ring any bells?). Suddenly 400 people disappear from their lives without a trace, and the Massive Brigade, up until then just another group on the radar, seems to move into action. Special Agent Rachel Proulx floors the accelerator on her investigation into left-wing activist groups and discovers that nothing is as it seems.
Nothing is as it seems right through to the very last words the reader will find. The Middleman is a good book, it brings up some timely events and issues, and basically leaves you with a big glaring question: where are you going to be when it starts going down?
Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the advance copy!
August 11, 2018
Competently plotted, but the writing needs more personality.
August 21, 2018
THE MIDDLEMAN
Young people start disappearing. They leave behind their cell phones, credit cards, and all personal belongings.
This was complex story involving the interactions between a radical leftist group and the FBI. The Massive Brigade was initially developed in Europe as a peaceful movement with Socialist leanings. But things go wrong, violent events happen, and the group is labeled as a terrorist organization.
Rachel Proulx is the lead investigator for the FBI, having followed the Brigade's charismatic leader, Martin Bishop, over the years as the movement developed. Working with various other agents, Proulx begins to unravel the truth behind what really happened with the Brigade which seems to differ from the FBI sanctioned reports.
This book is a good political story. I wouldn't describe it as a thriller, because the pace was fairly steady. Not really exciting, but more of a consistent unveiling of bits of information that fill in the blanks. I found it to be suspenseful and packed with plenty of undercover spies, secret wealthy handlers, and questionable FBI agents, which held my interest until the very end.
I would have enjoyed more character development, but overall a satisfying read. Definitely makes you think about the reality we are presented with.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Olen Steinhauer, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Young people start disappearing. They leave behind their cell phones, credit cards, and all personal belongings.
This was complex story involving the interactions between a radical leftist group and the FBI. The Massive Brigade was initially developed in Europe as a peaceful movement with Socialist leanings. But things go wrong, violent events happen, and the group is labeled as a terrorist organization.
Rachel Proulx is the lead investigator for the FBI, having followed the Brigade's charismatic leader, Martin Bishop, over the years as the movement developed. Working with various other agents, Proulx begins to unravel the truth behind what really happened with the Brigade which seems to differ from the FBI sanctioned reports.
This book is a good political story. I wouldn't describe it as a thriller, because the pace was fairly steady. Not really exciting, but more of a consistent unveiling of bits of information that fill in the blanks. I found it to be suspenseful and packed with plenty of undercover spies, secret wealthy handlers, and questionable FBI agents, which held my interest until the very end.
I would have enjoyed more character development, but overall a satisfying read. Definitely makes you think about the reality we are presented with.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Olen Steinhauer, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 23, 2019
The Middleman
Olen Steinhauer (Goodreads Author)
Having read and enjoyed most of the author's "Tourist" series, I was anticipating another good read. But the characters and agencies have changed, although not much. Now it's Rachel Proulx of the FBI, not Milo of the CIA.
Rachel is a fascinating character. Driven, solitary, insightful, her arc throughout this story is strong and attractive. Several of the other characters were also strongly drawn. Yet there were many more characters which were just noise; I didn't care enough about them to even remember their names.
The plot centered around a resistance group named Massive Brigade, although it didn't appear to be massive or a Brigade. Strangely, it didn't even have a set of well-defined goals and a game plan to achieve those elusive goals. Yet, it was an interesting concept; it's strong point was how it reached out to young people.
I expect this book will appeal to those who want more of Milo and the Tourist series.
Olen Steinhauer (Goodreads Author)
Having read and enjoyed most of the author's "Tourist" series, I was anticipating another good read. But the characters and agencies have changed, although not much. Now it's Rachel Proulx of the FBI, not Milo of the CIA.
Rachel is a fascinating character. Driven, solitary, insightful, her arc throughout this story is strong and attractive. Several of the other characters were also strongly drawn. Yet there were many more characters which were just noise; I didn't care enough about them to even remember their names.
The plot centered around a resistance group named Massive Brigade, although it didn't appear to be massive or a Brigade. Strangely, it didn't even have a set of well-defined goals and a game plan to achieve those elusive goals. Yet, it was an interesting concept; it's strong point was how it reached out to young people.
I expect this book will appeal to those who want more of Milo and the Tourist series.
November 18, 2019
This was a very good conspiracy thriller. However...I'm giving it only 3 stars for 2 reasons.
1- I don't feel like the ending was tied up. I have just as many questions at the end as I did at 50% or 75% through.
2- For me, right now in America, it just reads too much like reality. Government killing people (Clintons are even directly mentioned), protests and riots and home grown terrorism... As much as I like a good spy thriller, I like them to exist in some fictional near future, not in my actual present day life.
Despite that, I would definitely read more from this author. Maybe just...set the next book somewhere else.
1- I don't feel like the ending was tied up. I have just as many questions at the end as I did at 50% or 75% through.
2- For me, right now in America, it just reads too much like reality. Government killing people (Clintons are even directly mentioned), protests and riots and home grown terrorism... As much as I like a good spy thriller, I like them to exist in some fictional near future, not in my actual present day life.
Despite that, I would definitely read more from this author. Maybe just...set the next book somewhere else.
July 29, 2020
This is a very different kind of read to sink your teeth into! The story is fitting in today's world..but some of the situations harken back to the 80-'s and 90's then blend into the realm of news today
I believe you too will find it interesting and thought provoking with each passing paragraph..
I for one, would not like to be the one calling the game plays, not would I want to find myself involved in anything that could be untoward the dark side ..
All in all, I have begun to rather like Olen's writing style and how he can construct a story that'll make you wonder....
So hey, go grab yourself a cool drink, find a quiet place and enjoy the story..P/
I believe you too will find it interesting and thought provoking with each passing paragraph..
I for one, would not like to be the one calling the game plays, not would I want to find myself involved in anything that could be untoward the dark side ..
All in all, I have begun to rather like Olen's writing style and how he can construct a story that'll make you wonder....
So hey, go grab yourself a cool drink, find a quiet place and enjoy the story..P/
August 27, 2018
I've read about half of Olen's books, and of those this is my favorite, a rich novel that imagines a version of today's America--this year, this president--heading toward civil unrest. A terrific book in every way.
October 22, 2018
A predictable technique of characters/ plot lines alternating in short suspenseful chapters with a foreseeable merge. Well sort of. Not. The entire premise of the book is exploded halfway through and we start peeling away the layers. Is there another layer underneath the second one?
I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s first trilogy with the CIA’s Tourist Bureau. Steinhauer is an American Le Carre. This is on a par with that but it’s tailored to contemporary events and sounds too real with corporate greed, polarizing media, and a shared hopelessness. But the title is puzzling as you turn the pages. Who exactly is the middleman? All is revealed at the end but it’s just beginning all over again. This book was five years in the making. Let’s hope the next installment takes less time. I don’t know if I can wait that long.
I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s first trilogy with the CIA’s Tourist Bureau. Steinhauer is an American Le Carre. This is on a par with that but it’s tailored to contemporary events and sounds too real with corporate greed, polarizing media, and a shared hopelessness. But the title is puzzling as you turn the pages. Who exactly is the middleman? All is revealed at the end but it’s just beginning all over again. This book was five years in the making. Let’s hope the next installment takes less time. I don’t know if I can wait that long.
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