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Milo Weaver #4
The Last Tourist
New York Times bestselling author Olen Steinhauer brings back Milo Weaver in The Last Tourist.
In Olen Steinhauer’s bestseller An American Spy, reluctant CIA agent Milo Weaver thought he had finally put “Tourists”—CIA-trained assassins—to bed.
A decade later, Milo is hiding out in Western Sahara when a young CIA analyst arrives to question him about a series of suspicious deaths and terrorist chatter linked to him.
Their conversation is soon interrupted by a new breed of Tourists intent on killing them both, forcing them to run.
As he tells his story, Milo is joined by colleagues and enemies from his long history in the world of intelligence, and the young analyst wonders what to believe. He wonders, too, if he’ll survive this encounter.
After three standalone novels, Olen Steinhauer returns to the series that made him a New York Times bestseller.
In Olen Steinhauer’s bestseller An American Spy, reluctant CIA agent Milo Weaver thought he had finally put “Tourists”—CIA-trained assassins—to bed.
A decade later, Milo is hiding out in Western Sahara when a young CIA analyst arrives to question him about a series of suspicious deaths and terrorist chatter linked to him.
Their conversation is soon interrupted by a new breed of Tourists intent on killing them both, forcing them to run.
As he tells his story, Milo is joined by colleagues and enemies from his long history in the world of intelligence, and the young analyst wonders what to believe. He wonders, too, if he’ll survive this encounter.
After three standalone novels, Olen Steinhauer returns to the series that made him a New York Times bestseller.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published March 24, 2020
582 people are currently reading
6625 people want to read
About the author
Olen Steinhauer
32 books1,240 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 316 reviews
May 12, 2020
The first time I took “Tourist” (beginning book of the series) I thought it was connected with 2010’s box office failure, nightmarish Depp& Jolie collaboration. Thankfully this series has nothing related with that horrifying project. This drags you into espionage world, making you question who your enemy is and who could you trust in this universe for staying alive!
Milo Weaver is vivid, complex, intelligent character reminds you of so many espionage thriller characters with his similar James Bond charisma, a little Gabriel Allon, Pike Logan meets Will Robre and Jack Reacher kind of mysterious man stays behind the shadows.
If you keen on solving mathematical problems with your best calculation skills, this book will be a great way of brain exercising like watching non-stop chess match and predicting what’s going to be the next move! It exhausts you and also thrills you, forces you sit at the edge of your seats and fall down several times and hit the floor (better prepare your pillows before starting another chapter)
If you’re great fan of espionage world, spy thrillers, this is unputdownable and great choice to devour the pages excitedly. But my advice for you, you gotta start from the first book to have better understanding the backstory of the character. Of course this book could be also be read as standalone but for the fans of the genre, I suggest them to start from the beginning.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin Press/Minotaur Books for sharing this thrilling ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.
Milo Weaver is vivid, complex, intelligent character reminds you of so many espionage thriller characters with his similar James Bond charisma, a little Gabriel Allon, Pike Logan meets Will Robre and Jack Reacher kind of mysterious man stays behind the shadows.
If you keen on solving mathematical problems with your best calculation skills, this book will be a great way of brain exercising like watching non-stop chess match and predicting what’s going to be the next move! It exhausts you and also thrills you, forces you sit at the edge of your seats and fall down several times and hit the floor (better prepare your pillows before starting another chapter)
If you’re great fan of espionage world, spy thrillers, this is unputdownable and great choice to devour the pages excitedly. But my advice for you, you gotta start from the first book to have better understanding the backstory of the character. Of course this book could be also be read as standalone but for the fans of the genre, I suggest them to start from the beginning.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin Press/Minotaur Books for sharing this thrilling ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.
March 31, 2020
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars. The premise of this story is so far fetched that it stretches the imagination. Milo Weaver is the head of a secret group called "The Library." The Library is a secret intelligence sharing group of 12 countries based in a secret part of UN headquarters in New York city.
The 12 countries are Germany, Luxembourg, Iceland, Kenya, Bangladesh, Ghana, Portugal, Algeria,South Korea, Lebanon and Chile. They send intelligence to the Library, which stores and collates it, building up patterns of information. They then use this information to get favors from China, US, Russia and the UK. Some of the information that they have is hard to believe, i.e., secret codes of Japanese intelligence.
However, if you accept this premise, then it is an exciting, suspenseful spy book full of betrayal, double crosses and many plot twists. This is book 4 in the series and it explains some of what happened in previous books. The Tourists were a group of CIA assassins who worked worldwide. It was disbanded after Chinese intelligence killed a couple dozen of them in 1 day.
One of the groups involved in this story is a private security contractor. Another is a internet app called Nexus, similar to Facebook.
Thanks to St Martin's Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheLastTourist
The 12 countries are Germany, Luxembourg, Iceland, Kenya, Bangladesh, Ghana, Portugal, Algeria,South Korea, Lebanon and Chile. They send intelligence to the Library, which stores and collates it, building up patterns of information. They then use this information to get favors from China, US, Russia and the UK. Some of the information that they have is hard to believe, i.e., secret codes of Japanese intelligence.
However, if you accept this premise, then it is an exciting, suspenseful spy book full of betrayal, double crosses and many plot twists. This is book 4 in the series and it explains some of what happened in previous books. The Tourists were a group of CIA assassins who worked worldwide. It was disbanded after Chinese intelligence killed a couple dozen of them in 1 day.
One of the groups involved in this story is a private security contractor. Another is a internet app called Nexus, similar to Facebook.
Thanks to St Martin's Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheLastTourist
August 31, 2020
I'm sure fans of this series will disagree... But I was not impressed by this story. Perhaps if I was already attached to the characters. This was my first "Milo Weaver" read.
This all seemed like a ton of political issues among global leaders with some spy-type action thrown in. But I gave it a shot and hung on until the last page!
*Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for this free book in exchange for my honest review.
This all seemed like a ton of political issues among global leaders with some spy-type action thrown in. But I gave it a shot and hung on until the last page!
*Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for this free book in exchange for my honest review.
November 27, 2019
Is spycraft action packed James Bond with a terrific soundtrack blasting or is it a chess match where you don't even realize how clever your opponent is until he quietly and efficiently has you in checkmate? In four volumes, Steinhauer poses this question with former CIA tourist Milo Weaver. Don't expect to have the last three books summarized at the beginning of this one. Don't expect to have all the clues laid out for you. Just as Milo sits at the international chessboard, you, the reader, are there too, trying to figure out your opponent's next move and often trying to figure out who your opponent is at all. Accept that for much of the book you, dear reader, are a pawn on the chessboard and you'll survive this book. Forget that and let your ego get ahead of you and you'll be lost. This story delves into where the spy game may be headed and it's not where you think.
March 31, 2020
The Last Tourist by Olen Steinhauer is not your average beach read that you can pick up and discard at your convenience. Instead, The Last Tourist is a plot twisting, complex story that pulls the reader in from the beginning and simply doesn't let go. So if you are in the mood to dive deep into a spy thriller that seems to demand as much from the reader as it gives...then this is the book for you to read! I can say this would make an incredible movie as it really did keep me entertained and engaged. When is the last time you have really been that involved in a story?
Definitely high on my list of books for 2020, The Last Tourist stuns and satisfies with its twisty plot directions and provokes thoughts about breaking the rules. I have not read the other books in the series by Olen Steinhauer, but I can tell you that now I want to! Excellent writing, although it does get a little political which those who are great fans of Trump may not like. I could have done without the politics, but they are tightly woven into and through the story- sometimes light and sometimes not.
Merged review:
The Last Tourist by Olen Steinhauer is not your average beach read that you can pick up and discard at your convenience. Instead, The Last Tourist is a plot twisting, complex story that pulls the reader in from the beginning and simply doesn't let go. So if you are in the mood to dive deep into a spy thriller that seems to demand as much from the reader as it gives...then this is the book for you to read! I can say this would make an incredible movie as it really did keep me entertained and engaged. When is the last time you have really been that involved in a story?
Definitely high on my list of books for 2020, The Last Tourist stuns and satisfies with its twisty plot directions and provokes thoughts about breaking the rules. I have not read the other books in the series by Olen Steinhauer, but I can tell you that now I want to! Excellent writing, although it does get a little political which those who are great fans of Trump may not like. I could have done without the politics, but they are tightly woven into and through the story- sometimes light and sometimes not.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Olen Steinhauer, and St Martin's press for allowing me to request and read this digital advanced reader copy. I really enjoyed this book and my mind will not stop thinking about it! As always, my opinions are my own.
Definitely high on my list of books for 2020, The Last Tourist stuns and satisfies with its twisty plot directions and provokes thoughts about breaking the rules. I have not read the other books in the series by Olen Steinhauer, but I can tell you that now I want to! Excellent writing, although it does get a little political which those who are great fans of Trump may not like. I could have done without the politics, but they are tightly woven into and through the story- sometimes light and sometimes not.
Merged review:
The Last Tourist by Olen Steinhauer is not your average beach read that you can pick up and discard at your convenience. Instead, The Last Tourist is a plot twisting, complex story that pulls the reader in from the beginning and simply doesn't let go. So if you are in the mood to dive deep into a spy thriller that seems to demand as much from the reader as it gives...then this is the book for you to read! I can say this would make an incredible movie as it really did keep me entertained and engaged. When is the last time you have really been that involved in a story?
Definitely high on my list of books for 2020, The Last Tourist stuns and satisfies with its twisty plot directions and provokes thoughts about breaking the rules. I have not read the other books in the series by Olen Steinhauer, but I can tell you that now I want to! Excellent writing, although it does get a little political which those who are great fans of Trump may not like. I could have done without the politics, but they are tightly woven into and through the story- sometimes light and sometimes not.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Olen Steinhauer, and St Martin's press for allowing me to request and read this digital advanced reader copy. I really enjoyed this book and my mind will not stop thinking about it! As always, my opinions are my own.
January 13, 2020
Olen Steinhauer’s THE LAST TOURIST is the tale of a different breed of intelligence operatives, different agendas and of course, survival. The players seem very human, very flawed and the action is less in-your-face and more cerebral. Is Milo up to the challenge of the new world order?
Certainly filled with details, and characters, lots of characters, so perhaps a dance card will be necessary to keep them all straight. Pay attention or face getting your toes stepped on as Milo must decide who to trust and when to trust them, if only to survive.
Again, pay attention, there is no spoon feeding the clues, you will have to parse through the words, but this is definitely a solid read for spy thriller fans.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Minotaur Books! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Milo Weaver - Book 4
Publisher: Minotaur Books (March 24, 2020)
Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Genre: Espionage | Thriller
Print Length: 384 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Certainly filled with details, and characters, lots of characters, so perhaps a dance card will be necessary to keep them all straight. Pay attention or face getting your toes stepped on as Milo must decide who to trust and when to trust them, if only to survive.
Again, pay attention, there is no spoon feeding the clues, you will have to parse through the words, but this is definitely a solid read for spy thriller fans.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Minotaur Books! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Milo Weaver - Book 4
Publisher: Minotaur Books (March 24, 2020)
Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Genre: Espionage | Thriller
Print Length: 384 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
April 1, 2020
This is my second attempt with this author and his incredibly convoluted spy stories are just not for me. I won’t try a third time. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
November 24, 2019
Wow, this one was hard to put down. I had to force myself so I god eat and sleep. What a story, I couldn't tell which spy would turn out to be friend or foe. The only thing I feel bad about is the time gap between this and the last book in the series. It feels like the saga of Milo Weaver is winding down. I must thank #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks and #Netgalley for letting me have these hours with Olen Steinhauers latest masterpiece, The Last Tourist. Highly recommended.
March 15, 2020
This is a convoluted tale, matching the politics of real life, on the lines of “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Maybe. Unless I need need something from my enemy today, and let’s see how that works out in the short term. Author Olen Steinhauer diligently examines all angles, parading many different names and characters in front of us. Even the minor characters are allowed to display their emotions and thoughts, thus breathing life in them rather than forcing readers to endure flat characterizations.
This book is in the subgenre of spy stories that focuses more on intrigue rather than chapter after chapter of gunfights and car chases. While there is action throughout the story, much of the tale concerns the relationships between the characters and their actions to help or mislead their friends and adversaries. Milo Weaver tells much of the story, although others involved in the story tell their parts at times.
Kudos to Mr. Steinhauer, as the preparation and research to write a book rich with background information must have involved a ton of time. With the multitude of people introduced, I found myself reading slower than normal, ensuring that I “met” each person introduced as he or she might show up in a later chapter. When reading other books whose authors try achieve the same effect, I have felt frustration with trying to remember everybody. With “The Last Tourist,” however, it was similar to cooking and eating a great dinner. The best things are meant to be simmered and then slowly savored.
I’ve read one other book in the Milo Weaver series, not enough to know everything that has happened in his fictional life but enough to appreciate Mr. Steinhauer’s work. Even though the character of Milo Weaver has a long history, there is no issue reading this current book as a standalone. There is enough explanation to allow me to easily follow how everyone has a history with Milo, yet not enough is revealed to prevent me from reading those earlier novels. I always appreciate when a writer can accomplish that for readers. Great spy thriller for those readers who appreciate an immense amount of background details. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.
This book is in the subgenre of spy stories that focuses more on intrigue rather than chapter after chapter of gunfights and car chases. While there is action throughout the story, much of the tale concerns the relationships between the characters and their actions to help or mislead their friends and adversaries. Milo Weaver tells much of the story, although others involved in the story tell their parts at times.
Kudos to Mr. Steinhauer, as the preparation and research to write a book rich with background information must have involved a ton of time. With the multitude of people introduced, I found myself reading slower than normal, ensuring that I “met” each person introduced as he or she might show up in a later chapter. When reading other books whose authors try achieve the same effect, I have felt frustration with trying to remember everybody. With “The Last Tourist,” however, it was similar to cooking and eating a great dinner. The best things are meant to be simmered and then slowly savored.
I’ve read one other book in the Milo Weaver series, not enough to know everything that has happened in his fictional life but enough to appreciate Mr. Steinhauer’s work. Even though the character of Milo Weaver has a long history, there is no issue reading this current book as a standalone. There is enough explanation to allow me to easily follow how everyone has a history with Milo, yet not enough is revealed to prevent me from reading those earlier novels. I always appreciate when a writer can accomplish that for readers. Great spy thriller for those readers who appreciate an immense amount of background details. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.
June 10, 2020
I need to come back and review. It just wasn't top shelf Steinhauer and not comparable to le Carre. I liked it, but there wasn't that spark that I keep hoping to find in Steinhauer. His first books were SO GOOD. His last have been solid, but feel sterile. Smart but with antiseptic characters. I'll leave it at that for now.
December 27, 2019
Milo Weaver is back! This isn't necessarily an easy book to read. What I mean is that one of the highest compliments I can give an author is to say their book was a fabulous beach read. I don't live in a place where I can devour books 12 months of the year at the beach, but it means that it would have been a perfect read if I could. Engaging, with a well written, fast-moving plot, and a descriptive location: these are the books that have me furiously flipping pages to find out what the heck is going on.
Not that I don't enjoy books that don't fit that mold, and this was one of them. The Last Tourist is an espionage thriller full of political intrigue, a huge cast of characters, and a story that spans the globe. I started out treating this as a beach read but soon realized my mistake. It took focus to not suddenly realize I hadn't absorbed what I read and have to flip back to figure out what I missed. That isn't a bad thing as a compelling, multi-layered story is indeed enjoyable, just be prepared for an awful lot to occur at a breakneck pace. Once I found my comfortable reading zone, I lost myself in this book.
Not that I don't enjoy books that don't fit that mold, and this was one of them. The Last Tourist is an espionage thriller full of political intrigue, a huge cast of characters, and a story that spans the globe. I started out treating this as a beach read but soon realized my mistake. It took focus to not suddenly realize I hadn't absorbed what I read and have to flip back to figure out what I missed. That isn't a bad thing as a compelling, multi-layered story is indeed enjoyable, just be prepared for an awful lot to occur at a breakneck pace. Once I found my comfortable reading zone, I lost myself in this book.
Read
January 16, 2020This book is tough to review for two reasons.
First, avoiding spoilers. A thriller like this especially needs to be encountered without knowing what to expect, to get maximum fun. At least my theory is that spy thrillers work best at that tension point between suspense and surprise, and this one handles that like a champ. I'll just say that everyday words like "library," "tourist," and "nexus" are going to give me shivers for some time to come.
But the second reason is because it was a tough go. This turned out to be the fourth book in a series, something I didn't know when I opted for it on NetGalley. The opening is clear enough--main character does a great job of introducing himself, the mission, and the emotional complexity of his personal life. But once we land overseas, whoa, faces and names come at you like those popup clowns on a roller coast ride.
This is NOT the book to read last thing before bedtime, at least it wasn't for me. I frequently had to go back and remind myself who was who, and who had double-crossed whom, but doing so was worth it. The story is a wild ride into the weird world of contemporary spies, wherein the tech is so advanced it's faster than the humans who use it, and wherein the government heads are using lies as part of their everyday toolkit on their way to becoming this century's crop of dictators.
The thing that made it really stand out for me is that Steinhauer doesn't create character who seem to have sprung out of a box as thirty-somethings, without families or connections in the past. These people have families.
That can add exponentially to the tension.
Copy provided by NetGalley
First, avoiding spoilers. A thriller like this especially needs to be encountered without knowing what to expect, to get maximum fun. At least my theory is that spy thrillers work best at that tension point between suspense and surprise, and this one handles that like a champ. I'll just say that everyday words like "library," "tourist," and "nexus" are going to give me shivers for some time to come.
But the second reason is because it was a tough go. This turned out to be the fourth book in a series, something I didn't know when I opted for it on NetGalley. The opening is clear enough--main character does a great job of introducing himself, the mission, and the emotional complexity of his personal life. But once we land overseas, whoa, faces and names come at you like those popup clowns on a roller coast ride.
This is NOT the book to read last thing before bedtime, at least it wasn't for me. I frequently had to go back and remind myself who was who, and who had double-crossed whom, but doing so was worth it. The story is a wild ride into the weird world of contemporary spies, wherein the tech is so advanced it's faster than the humans who use it, and wherein the government heads are using lies as part of their everyday toolkit on their way to becoming this century's crop of dictators.
The thing that made it really stand out for me is that Steinhauer doesn't create character who seem to have sprung out of a box as thirty-somethings, without families or connections in the past. These people have families.
That can add exponentially to the tension.
Copy provided by NetGalley
March 24, 2020
Rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
Strap in for another wild ride in the world of Milo Weaver. You are going to need your seat belt in order to survive all the blind curves and steep descents that Olen Steinhauer throws at you in this the fourth installment of his Milo Weaver suspense series.
This book is all over the map, literally. While it could be read as a standalone, I think you’d miss some of the more nuanced clues if this was your first foray into Milo’s world. Believe me, in order to keep pace with the goings-on; you don’t want to miss any clues! Besides, why deprive yourself of the fun of reading Milo’s first three adventures? The modern spy thriller isn’t written as much as it used to be, or at least they don’t come to my attention as much as they used to. This is a solid series that isn’t stuck in the Cold War era.
This is great book for spy-thriller aficionados, and readers who enjoy fast-paced plots with plenty of action.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, St Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books; and the author, Olen Steinhauer, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Strap in for another wild ride in the world of Milo Weaver. You are going to need your seat belt in order to survive all the blind curves and steep descents that Olen Steinhauer throws at you in this the fourth installment of his Milo Weaver suspense series.
This book is all over the map, literally. While it could be read as a standalone, I think you’d miss some of the more nuanced clues if this was your first foray into Milo’s world. Believe me, in order to keep pace with the goings-on; you don’t want to miss any clues! Besides, why deprive yourself of the fun of reading Milo’s first three adventures? The modern spy thriller isn’t written as much as it used to be, or at least they don’t come to my attention as much as they used to. This is a solid series that isn’t stuck in the Cold War era.
This is great book for spy-thriller aficionados, and readers who enjoy fast-paced plots with plenty of action.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, St Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books; and the author, Olen Steinhauer, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2020
“The Last Tourist” is not about casual vacationing in beautiful exotic locations. It is about espionage, secrets, “black ops” groups, terrorism, politics, and general threats to peace everywhere. Readers get to know Abdul Ghali through his first person narrative. He shares his thoughts about his family and the journey to his job in “data” at the CIA. He spends a lot of time developing a complete background for readers including his own unique background as an “outsider,” from a disputed desert expanse just south of Morocco called Western Sahara. While he is not sure why he was selected for this task despite his connections to the region; others have an opinion. “Now I know why they sent you…You’re expendable.” But there is another reason as well, a bigger more important reason.
The book is divided into three blocks of time. The story begins in January 2019, and readers learn about the players, the preparations, and the mission. Then, the narrative goes back four months in a detailed backstory that shows why the mission was necessary, and how the players got to the January situation. Finally, readers follow everyone to the “conclusion” of this mission. Steinhauer created a thriller where the geography is as detailed as the characters. Pages are filled with local flavor, and the specifics make this exotic setting real for readers. “Milo Weaver is there because it’s an excellent place to hide.” This exact story could not have taken place anywhere else.
The Last Tourist” starts as the story of an interview and a desert rescue, but things are not that simple. The plot is complex and filled with political intrigue, counter intelligence, undercover spies, and abundant dirty tricks. I received a review copy of “The Last Tourist” from Olen Steinhauer, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books. It is book four in the Milo Weaver series, but I did not realize this until after I finished the book. It certainly stands alone, and is a unique and interesting way to advance a series.
The book is divided into three blocks of time. The story begins in January 2019, and readers learn about the players, the preparations, and the mission. Then, the narrative goes back four months in a detailed backstory that shows why the mission was necessary, and how the players got to the January situation. Finally, readers follow everyone to the “conclusion” of this mission. Steinhauer created a thriller where the geography is as detailed as the characters. Pages are filled with local flavor, and the specifics make this exotic setting real for readers. “Milo Weaver is there because it’s an excellent place to hide.” This exact story could not have taken place anywhere else.
The Last Tourist” starts as the story of an interview and a desert rescue, but things are not that simple. The plot is complex and filled with political intrigue, counter intelligence, undercover spies, and abundant dirty tricks. I received a review copy of “The Last Tourist” from Olen Steinhauer, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books. It is book four in the Milo Weaver series, but I did not realize this until after I finished the book. It certainly stands alone, and is a unique and interesting way to advance a series.
December 31, 2019
There is a distinct difference between the first three Milo Weaver books and this last one (in the series?) This is not a suprise as such because the first one was written in 2009, the second one in 2010 and the third one in 2012. The world has changed a lot since then.
I’m happy to say that I liked this fourth book in the series better than the first three. Although the story is still very complicated (too complicated sometimes) and with a little too much details in it, it is much shorter. It is not a really short book with 384 pages, but it is more concise which makes it an easier read.
Needless to say that you really need to read the first three books to enjoy fully this fourth one – when you like very thick volumes with lots of people who are not what they say they are, lots of travelling and betrayal but also with a smattering of love and humor – you will love the series.
Thanks to Edelweiss for this digital review copy.
I’m happy to say that I liked this fourth book in the series better than the first three. Although the story is still very complicated (too complicated sometimes) and with a little too much details in it, it is much shorter. It is not a really short book with 384 pages, but it is more concise which makes it an easier read.
Needless to say that you really need to read the first three books to enjoy fully this fourth one – when you like very thick volumes with lots of people who are not what they say they are, lots of travelling and betrayal but also with a smattering of love and humor – you will love the series.
Thanks to Edelweiss for this digital review copy.
December 3, 2019
The Last Tourist by Olen Steinhauer is not your average beach read that you can pick up and discard at your convenience. Instead, The Last Tourist is a plot twisting, complex story that pulls the reader in from the beginning and simply doesn't let go. So if you are in the mood to dive deep into a spy thriller that seems to demand as much from the reader as it gives...then this is the book for you to read! I can say this would make an incredible movie as it really did keep me entertained and engaged. When is the last time you have really been that involved in a story?
Definitely high on my list of books for 2020, The Last Tourist stuns and satisfies with its twisty plot directions and provokes thoughts about breaking the rules. I have not read the other books in the series by Olen Steinhauer, but I can tell you that now I want to! Excellent writing, although it does get a little political which those who are great fans of Trump may not like. I could have done without the politics, but they are tightly woven into and through the story- sometimes light and sometimes not.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Olen Steinhauer, and St Martin's press for allowing me to request and read this digital advanced reader copy. I really enjoyed this book and my mind will not stop thinking about it! As always, my opinions are my own.
Definitely high on my list of books for 2020, The Last Tourist stuns and satisfies with its twisty plot directions and provokes thoughts about breaking the rules. I have not read the other books in the series by Olen Steinhauer, but I can tell you that now I want to! Excellent writing, although it does get a little political which those who are great fans of Trump may not like. I could have done without the politics, but they are tightly woven into and through the story- sometimes light and sometimes not.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Olen Steinhauer, and St Martin's press for allowing me to request and read this digital advanced reader copy. I really enjoyed this book and my mind will not stop thinking about it! As always, my opinions are my own.
March 8, 2020
I received a free publisher's advance review copy.
The latest Milo Weaver book takes us beyond the usual countries and espionage agencies vying for advantage. In the new age, countries don’t matter so much, because it’s the ultra-wealthy corporate types who are running things around the world, with no regard for borders, political stability or human rights.
Milo doesn’t work for the CIA anymore, but for the Library, an information agency nominally part of the UN. Library patrons are diplomats from various countries who need a centralized source of information not colored by political actors.
With that background in place, this story takes us all over the world, at a breakneck pace, as Milo tries to figure out who is pulling the levers of power—and how to stop them. It’s a deadly game, with plenty of casualties along the way and Milo under constant threat.
It takes a lot of concentration to appreciate a Milo Weaver novel. The plots are dizzyingly complex until all the puzzle pieces finally come together. But it’s well worth the concentration if you want a thrilling story that might just reveal what’s actually happening behind the scenes in the world today.
The latest Milo Weaver book takes us beyond the usual countries and espionage agencies vying for advantage. In the new age, countries don’t matter so much, because it’s the ultra-wealthy corporate types who are running things around the world, with no regard for borders, political stability or human rights.
Milo doesn’t work for the CIA anymore, but for the Library, an information agency nominally part of the UN. Library patrons are diplomats from various countries who need a centralized source of information not colored by political actors.
With that background in place, this story takes us all over the world, at a breakneck pace, as Milo tries to figure out who is pulling the levers of power—and how to stop them. It’s a deadly game, with plenty of casualties along the way and Milo under constant threat.
It takes a lot of concentration to appreciate a Milo Weaver novel. The plots are dizzyingly complex until all the puzzle pieces finally come together. But it’s well worth the concentration if you want a thrilling story that might just reveal what’s actually happening behind the scenes in the world today.
April 17, 2020
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
DNF @ 12%
I'm not sure what happened with this one. The author is usually one of my favorites and I usually don't have any problems with his books. This one, however, I didn't connect with. I put it down after the first major section and had no desire to pick it up again.
Maybe it was the seriousness of the news right now and me not wanting a deep, cerebral espionage thriller with dozens of moving parts, both past and present.
I will probably come back to this one at some point.
DNF @ 12%
I'm not sure what happened with this one. The author is usually one of my favorites and I usually don't have any problems with his books. This one, however, I didn't connect with. I put it down after the first major section and had no desire to pick it up again.
Maybe it was the seriousness of the news right now and me not wanting a deep, cerebral espionage thriller with dozens of moving parts, both past and present.
I will probably come back to this one at some point.
March 24, 2023
4.5⭐️
July 14, 2020
DNF 85%
I just couldn't push myself to complete this overly obtuse story due to the narration style. The Tourists is not a travel organization or a magazine. Rather it is an "independent" information gathering organization which is funded by nations that seem friendly to democracy. These seven countries meet when needed to get data on those countries that are hostile to democracy and openly or not so openly focused on taking extreme measures to impose their beliefs upon others. This group is comprised of a former unit of data specialists (spies) that once operated under an agency dealing with military/paramilitary activity in the U.S. When that group was abandoned by the government, the leader continued to use various agents to continue the work.
There are many extreme issues that various agents deal with on three continents in this story that keeps the pages turning. However, it was intentionally confusing at times with many characters that seem to have very limited information available for them to complete their job assignments. These individual were are often sent to places which were often extremely violent situations existed and the exchanges were often puzzling. Although body count kept climbing we would always know why.
I lost patience and interest. I decided that I didn't want to spend the final 50~ pages to see where it ended. This is not my first Steinhauer story but I don't think I would read any other in this series. I believe I am an outlier here so take what I say with a grain of salt. People that like International Espionage and Thrillers are bound to like the intensity of the plot far more than I.
I just couldn't push myself to complete this overly obtuse story due to the narration style. The Tourists is not a travel organization or a magazine. Rather it is an "independent" information gathering organization which is funded by nations that seem friendly to democracy. These seven countries meet when needed to get data on those countries that are hostile to democracy and openly or not so openly focused on taking extreme measures to impose their beliefs upon others. This group is comprised of a former unit of data specialists (spies) that once operated under an agency dealing with military/paramilitary activity in the U.S. When that group was abandoned by the government, the leader continued to use various agents to continue the work.
There are many extreme issues that various agents deal with on three continents in this story that keeps the pages turning. However, it was intentionally confusing at times with many characters that seem to have very limited information available for them to complete their job assignments. These individual were are often sent to places which were often extremely violent situations existed and the exchanges were often puzzling. Although body count kept climbing we would always know why.
I lost patience and interest. I decided that I didn't want to spend the final 50~ pages to see where it ended. This is not my first Steinhauer story but I don't think I would read any other in this series. I believe I am an outlier here so take what I say with a grain of salt. People that like International Espionage and Thrillers are bound to like the intensity of the plot far more than I.
September 26, 2020
Complex espionage tale that allows no comfort. It went beyond my ability to follow the corporate links at times as I was hoping for getting into some of the unique personalities, but that was not allowed.
Life is not simple. Put on your thinking cap before reading.
Library Loan
Life is not simple. Put on your thinking cap before reading.
Library Loan
February 16, 2020
Milo Weaver book # 4
What a confusing read this turned out to be. The story is layered with spies and their handles, past and present, working what it seems to be with an assortment of people who work for an agency embedded in the United Nations. Some say it keeps us on edge until the very last page because it’s hard to separate the truths from the lies, the good guys from the bad. I totally agree but is it a good read?
“The Last Tourist”, is a complex tapestry that weaves together a story of politics, espionage and trickery on a global scale. This saga is filled with unexpected twists and turns and has a large cast of characters all outfoxing each other. The sheer number of players and their individual agenda were far too many to follow and so hard to keep up with that I lost interest and “The Last Tourist” could not win me back in the long run.
I enjoy a demanding plot but on the other hand passing too much time deciphering what is being said is way too demanding and by far less enjoyable read. This book was not an easy read. I frequently had to think back who was who and who did what and who double-crossed whom. I guess the best way to read this book is to take notes or to make a spreadsheet…. The narration switches from first person to third person without a good transition, things are quite jerky and do not flow smoothly. But be prepared for an awful lot to occur at a breakneck pace…..such a chaotic presentation …. I am not saying this is a bad book, I simply did not enjoy it as much as the previous in this series….some you win and some you lose…This is the way I see it.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley
What a confusing read this turned out to be. The story is layered with spies and their handles, past and present, working what it seems to be with an assortment of people who work for an agency embedded in the United Nations. Some say it keeps us on edge until the very last page because it’s hard to separate the truths from the lies, the good guys from the bad. I totally agree but is it a good read?
“The Last Tourist”, is a complex tapestry that weaves together a story of politics, espionage and trickery on a global scale. This saga is filled with unexpected twists and turns and has a large cast of characters all outfoxing each other. The sheer number of players and their individual agenda were far too many to follow and so hard to keep up with that I lost interest and “The Last Tourist” could not win me back in the long run.
I enjoy a demanding plot but on the other hand passing too much time deciphering what is being said is way too demanding and by far less enjoyable read. This book was not an easy read. I frequently had to think back who was who and who did what and who double-crossed whom. I guess the best way to read this book is to take notes or to make a spreadsheet…. The narration switches from first person to third person without a good transition, things are quite jerky and do not flow smoothly. But be prepared for an awful lot to occur at a breakneck pace…..such a chaotic presentation …. I am not saying this is a bad book, I simply did not enjoy it as much as the previous in this series….some you win and some you lose…This is the way I see it.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley
April 26, 2020
I have enjoyed every book in this Milo Weaver story and this book was a find end to an intriguing series. The book opens in first person from the perspective of a CIA analyst. His life will forever be changed when he is assigned the task of checking out someone named Milo Weaver. Anyone having read this series will know that Milo was a part of a secret group of CIA operatives called The Library, and has managed to spend ten years off the radar.
This operation spans the globe and brings in a bevy of dangerous characters, situations and experiences. It is almost too much to absorb as their are many players and locations and keeping them all straight while reading this book should have earned me a degree of some sort.
Since spy novels are not my forte, this was a complicated, comprehensive read that took a lot for me to absorb. Having read the first three books in the series, The Tourist, The Nearest Exit and An American Spy, helped me to fit into Milo's world and all of the danger it entailed.
If you like deeper stories filled with intrigue that take you to the edge of your imagination, then I encourage you to pick up this book, The Last Tourist, and the entire series.
Many thanks to Minotaur and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
This operation spans the globe and brings in a bevy of dangerous characters, situations and experiences. It is almost too much to absorb as their are many players and locations and keeping them all straight while reading this book should have earned me a degree of some sort.
Since spy novels are not my forte, this was a complicated, comprehensive read that took a lot for me to absorb. Having read the first three books in the series, The Tourist, The Nearest Exit and An American Spy, helped me to fit into Milo's world and all of the danger it entailed.
If you like deeper stories filled with intrigue that take you to the edge of your imagination, then I encourage you to pick up this book, The Last Tourist, and the entire series.
Many thanks to Minotaur and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 10, 2023
Review from April 2020: After eight years, Olen Steinhauer finally revisits Milo Weaver and the tangled web of secret organisations, intelligence services, political maneuverings and intrigue he inhabits. Now, this series has always been a little farfetched with its conspiracies upon conspiracies, and this is admittedly the most farfetched book of the lot - but that doesn't make it any less of a gripping read, easily keeping me hooked as Steinhauer's works are wont to do. As always, I'm already eagerly awaiting whatever he releases next.
April 6, 2020
Olen Steinhauer’s Tourist books --- THE TOURIST, THE NEAREST EXIT and AN AMERICAN SPY --- appeared to be a trilogy, particularly when the author subsequently published a trio of stand-alone works, presumably leaving the world of Milo Weaver behind. So fans of the series will rejoice over this latest installment, though its complexity and reliance upon what has gone before almost demand a review of the prior novels before jumping into this one.
For those unfamiliar with the series, Weaver is a somewhat disenchanted CIA agent who runs a group of CIA-trained assassins who quietly and effectively solve problems in a manner that avoids recidivism. That program is suddenly brought to a halt. Weaver, along with some other retired agents, puts together something called The Library. It is an intelligence clearinghouse of sorts, gathering hard and soft information and selling it by subscription to the select group of nations that fund it. The arrangement works well until two things happen. The member nations decide that they want more bang for their buck. Weaver pushes back, and the parties are at a bit of an impasse. Shortly thereafter, it seems that someone has started up The Tourists again and is doing so with a vengeance. It is not Weaver; in fact, it appears that he is a target. There is an anarchist terrorist group in the mix as well. Weaver and his family go into hiding.
The CIA wants information from Weaver. After managing to locate him, they send a low-level desk jockey analyst named Abdul Ghali to his hidey-hole in a backwater Third World country with a list of questions that cover several topics. Ghali feels outclassed, and he is, at least at first. Sending him on such a mission is a mystery to both him and the reader, though the reason is ultimately made (somewhat) clear as THE LAST TOURIST develops into a book that is almost as much about Ghali as it is about Weaver.
The two men go through most of Ghali’s inquiries when they are suddenly attacked and find themselves on the run. Weaver is determined to turn things around for the most basic of reasons. He’s not out to save or change the world --- he simply wants to live safely with his family. That is going to be tough to do, as there are very few people he can trust. Some of them, especially the government types, have similar goals but for markedly different reasons. Consequently, a great number of activities occur at cross-purposes with each other. There are twists and turns as past enemies become allies, and vice versa, with the end result being that no one can really totally trust anyone else. Weaver may be too nice a guy to ultimately succeed, given that the enemy behind the curtain is not who or what he thinks it is. It’s something much more powerful. Ghali, meanwhile, gets a couple of major surprises, as well as the last word in THE LAST TOURIST. No peeking.
This is a complex novel that is worth the ride if you can hang on. I made frequent use of the e-book’s search feature due to the number of characters here, as I had difficulty keeping track of everyone. Steinhauer also stumbles when trying to draw his story within the confines of the real world, particularly with respect to certain aspects of American politics, where events have overtaken the narrative. That said, his concepts and displays of sleight-of-hand are fascinating and compelling from beginning to end.
If Steinhauer is inspired to return to Weaver’s world (if not Weaver himself), hopefully the urge will occur quickly, before the details of THE LAST TOURIST fade into the rearview mirror.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
For those unfamiliar with the series, Weaver is a somewhat disenchanted CIA agent who runs a group of CIA-trained assassins who quietly and effectively solve problems in a manner that avoids recidivism. That program is suddenly brought to a halt. Weaver, along with some other retired agents, puts together something called The Library. It is an intelligence clearinghouse of sorts, gathering hard and soft information and selling it by subscription to the select group of nations that fund it. The arrangement works well until two things happen. The member nations decide that they want more bang for their buck. Weaver pushes back, and the parties are at a bit of an impasse. Shortly thereafter, it seems that someone has started up The Tourists again and is doing so with a vengeance. It is not Weaver; in fact, it appears that he is a target. There is an anarchist terrorist group in the mix as well. Weaver and his family go into hiding.
The CIA wants information from Weaver. After managing to locate him, they send a low-level desk jockey analyst named Abdul Ghali to his hidey-hole in a backwater Third World country with a list of questions that cover several topics. Ghali feels outclassed, and he is, at least at first. Sending him on such a mission is a mystery to both him and the reader, though the reason is ultimately made (somewhat) clear as THE LAST TOURIST develops into a book that is almost as much about Ghali as it is about Weaver.
The two men go through most of Ghali’s inquiries when they are suddenly attacked and find themselves on the run. Weaver is determined to turn things around for the most basic of reasons. He’s not out to save or change the world --- he simply wants to live safely with his family. That is going to be tough to do, as there are very few people he can trust. Some of them, especially the government types, have similar goals but for markedly different reasons. Consequently, a great number of activities occur at cross-purposes with each other. There are twists and turns as past enemies become allies, and vice versa, with the end result being that no one can really totally trust anyone else. Weaver may be too nice a guy to ultimately succeed, given that the enemy behind the curtain is not who or what he thinks it is. It’s something much more powerful. Ghali, meanwhile, gets a couple of major surprises, as well as the last word in THE LAST TOURIST. No peeking.
This is a complex novel that is worth the ride if you can hang on. I made frequent use of the e-book’s search feature due to the number of characters here, as I had difficulty keeping track of everyone. Steinhauer also stumbles when trying to draw his story within the confines of the real world, particularly with respect to certain aspects of American politics, where events have overtaken the narrative. That said, his concepts and displays of sleight-of-hand are fascinating and compelling from beginning to end.
If Steinhauer is inspired to return to Weaver’s world (if not Weaver himself), hopefully the urge will occur quickly, before the details of THE LAST TOURIST fade into the rearview mirror.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
December 9, 2019
“The Last Tourist,” Olen Steinhauer’s fourth book in the Milo Weaver series, is supposed to be a stand-alone conclusion to a popular array of espionage thrillers that apparently George Clooney is enamored with. His production company has acquired the film rights. After grinding my way through the complex and twisting Tourist, I have decided that I should have read the other three to help me with my confusing journey. I’m not sure even Clooney will be able to put together a motion picture that will be decipherable.
I don’t know if I can even put my finger on the problem. Here’s a list of don’t likes that might help. There are too many characters with too many agendas. The characters are not easily liked and, therefore, fade away before they are supposed to. Their eye-chart names bounce around in uncontrolled frenzy. The idea of huge companies moving into usually government managed areas, including punishment for errant behavior, is confusing and not well defined. The complicated storyline is not well put together leaving the reader, at least me, scrambling to keep everything together. Dialogue is disconnected and not assigned to the characters in any recognizable pattern. I think that’s about it for my complaints.
I can’t remember the last time I was tempted to start a character list to keep things organized in my mind as I read. I don’t like doing that and didn’t do it this time either, preferring to stumble along, hoping to reach the last page with some sanity intact. I barely made it. Perhaps the author should have had made his own list to keep things discernable.
I liked the mechanics behind the writing. I thought it was scholarly and well produced. The plot was different. I also like the atmosphere of hovering threats and mysterious locations. There was a lot of intrigue, but it seemed more messy than complex. But looking at the good alongside the bad gives me no incentive to recommend this book.
April 13, 2020
The Last Tourist takes us back to Milo Weaver of “The Tourist” for the fourth time. It’s a decade later and since the tourism bureau has shut down, Weaver has taken his espionage skills and connections in a completely different direction though still using a metaphor. He is the head of the Library and the spies in his employ are librarians.
The Library is perhaps a quixotic attempt to balance the power through information. The Libary is employed by a committee of secondary powers in the developed and developing world to gather intelligence. First-class intelligence is not the sole province of the superpowers. But, someone seems to want to shut down the library. Milo and his team are on the defense, trying to understand who or what is behind the plot.
This is high-level espionage and counter-espionage involving government intelligence directors and ambassadors and business executives of the world’s great corporations. Milo and his irregulars hardly seem up to the task, though anyone who has read the series knows he has unexpected allies and clever tricks up his sleeve.
The Last Tourist improves upon reflection. When I finished, I felt very dissatisfied but thinking about it more, I understood it is right for the times. It’s hard to write a conspiracist thriller when the world is rife with real conspiracies. It is all too possible, and that makes it an uncomfortable book to read.
I received an e-galley of The Last Tourist from the publisher through NetGalley
The Last Tourist at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan
Olen Steinhauer
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
The Library is perhaps a quixotic attempt to balance the power through information. The Libary is employed by a committee of secondary powers in the developed and developing world to gather intelligence. First-class intelligence is not the sole province of the superpowers. But, someone seems to want to shut down the library. Milo and his team are on the defense, trying to understand who or what is behind the plot.
This is high-level espionage and counter-espionage involving government intelligence directors and ambassadors and business executives of the world’s great corporations. Milo and his irregulars hardly seem up to the task, though anyone who has read the series knows he has unexpected allies and clever tricks up his sleeve.
The Last Tourist improves upon reflection. When I finished, I felt very dissatisfied but thinking about it more, I understood it is right for the times. It’s hard to write a conspiracist thriller when the world is rife with real conspiracies. It is all too possible, and that makes it an uncomfortable book to read.
I received an e-galley of The Last Tourist from the publisher through NetGalley
The Last Tourist at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan
Olen Steinhauer
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
February 22, 2021
A story of espionage and not knowing who to trust. This is the fourth novel in the series and I think I would have benefited from reading the others first. None of the characters know who to trust or what to believe. Every country is telling everyone something different. All the operatives believe they are working for the greater good. I read few espionage novels so it was a confusing read. However, it was very fast passed and I was curious about who to trust and believe.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
September 22, 2024
Great spy thriller!
November 28, 2019
The Last Tourist by Olen Steinhauer- The fourth book in Steinhauer's "Tourist" series comes with Milo Weaver once again hunting and being hunted, sometimes for reasons he does not know. The narrative is elusive and confusing. It seems someone has reopened the formerly abandoned Department of Tourism, a clandestine branch of the CIA, and they are after Milo's head...again! If you can forget about continuity and plot, most of the numerous chapters are intriguing and well done, but as a whole there seems little to hang this story together. Characters come and go, then disappear for a couple hundred pages. The people that stick around are well drawn except for Milo, who seems out of breath and not up to the chase. I would say the best way to read this is in one sitting or take notes along the way. There are readers who enjoy this sort of espionage thriller. They will probably like this entry. I found it a difficult slog, and yes I read the first Tourist book years ago and came away with the same feelings.
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