“Steinhauer’s use of multiple perspectives allows him to lead readers down a suspenseful path, then double back and fill in the timeline with information from a new angle that forces total reappraisal. With all the switchbacks, though, one thing remains constant: Milo is fiercely dedicated to protecting his wife and daughter. His enemies can use that against him, but it also fuels his anger against them, creating an uneasy tension that lasts until all the major players have manuevered themselves into place. Even then, Steinhauer continues to redraw the boundary lines, leaving himself (and Milo) an opening for further exploits. It’s an ending that should please both Milo’s existing fanbase and newcomers alike.”

Ron Hogan’s terrific review of An American Spy in the most recent Shelf Awareness.

Source: shelf-awareness.com
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Required reading for spy fans | BookPage >>

Terrific mention in BookPage from Bruce Tierney. Says he:

Serious, gripping and lightning-paced, An American Spy should be required reading for fans of espionage fiction.

Thank you, Bruce!

(NOTE: As a commenter on Facebook pointed out, the link to this review should have a SPOILER alert. Consider yourself alerted.)

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Some South African Love >>

It’s always nice to get favorable attention from South Africa, where over the years I’ve gotten some really wonderful mentions. Thanks to Mike Nicol for this one on The Tourist. One of these days I’m going to have to visit…

#reviews#the tourist

Back on the Case: Elmore Leonard's "Raylan" >>

This just up: My NYT Book Review take on Elmore Leonard’s latest novel, Raylan. Check it out.

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Library Journal has its say

Despite the lack of a star, Library Journal’s review of An American Spy is quite stellar. Witness:

This follow-up to The Tourist and The Nearest Exit proves the adage that good things come in threes. With Milo Weaver as the conscience-worn hero, Steinhauer does for Chinese-Western intrigue what John le Carré did for the Cold War era of international espionage. A mesmerizing series for dedicated readers of spy fiction.

Pretty great!

(For those of you not in the publishing business—meaning, most everyone—I’m charting the pre-publication reviews put out by the industry magazines: Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal and…hopefully next…Kirkus Reviews. While the general public doesn’t read these reviews, librarians and booksellers do, which means they’re important to the success of any title, helping build momentum before the book hits the shelves.)

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