The Tourist

A Novel

By: Olen Steinhauer

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

In the vein of John le Carré and Graham Greene, this contemporary international thriller follows Milo Weaver as he is drawn into a conspiracy that links riots in the Sudan, an assassin committing suicide, and an old friend who's been accused of selling secrets to the Chinese. Once the CIA and Homeland Security are after him, the only way for him to survive is to return, headfirst, into Tourism.

©2009 Olen Steinhauer (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Weaver] is the perfect hero for such a richly nuanced tale." ( Booklist)
"Superbly accomplished at both plotting and characterization....highly recommended." ( Library Journal)

What a tangled web we weave....

This is an espionage spy novel. This is not an action thriller with fireworks every other page and feats of a super human strength... This is a novel that requires patience and thought as the story develops into an plot of intrigue and mystery. This novel is not for folks looking for Mitch Rapp or "The Gray man" type of action, this is more on the order of Silva and le Carre.... The characters are complex, the plot complex, and the ending fulfilling. Someone once said you can tell the quality of the novel by how long after you finish the book you continue to think about the characters; I won't forget these characters anytime soon!!! If you are into espionage novels that are complex cat and mouse spy stories I recommend you give this novel a try.

Great thriller. Hard to put down.

This is an interesting plot with surprises. It's all I expect from a thriller and the only reason I docked a star is because I listen to a lot of thrillers and they start to run together for me. But, this is definitely one that I really enjoyed.

listen carefully

this was one of the best books i've heard in awhile. certainly lives up to its excellent press reviews. the author deals with a complex interplay of myriad espionage and counter espionage agencies that are active around the globe and personal motivations that inevitably affect how these programs are carried out. i was interested from the beginning and couldn't stop listening. the book did require some careful listening, but i thought the narrator was excellent at differentiating the characters and keeping the story flowing. this is more a thriller of motivation and interaction than shoot 'em up, but there's plenty of action, too.

Creative Twist on Espionage

It can be a rather fractured story-line for audio; remember the names of the characters, places, and time periods in which they fit. The book is engaging, absorbing and considering the topic, inventive. Do not read the book if you are not prepared for a sad ending, which compelled me to write.

Highly recommended.

New favorite espionage writer

Wow. Steinhauer is a great writer. Great at plot twists that punch you in the face in the best way.

Entertaining

storyline was compelling and believable however the narrator's voices almost made me mark book as finished halfway into book

Spy detail

Liked performance and story line. Definitely can end up being a series of books that I would read. 

Boring listen

The story is marginally interesting, but I found my mind constantly wandering off while istening. The narrator is extremely boring and monotonous, its hard to stay interested.

Worth a listen

I liked the book. It was interesting, and an easy listen. I would have scored it as a 4 star book, but I couldn't stand the wife of the main character. I didn't think she was well written.

Reader was a 3 out of 5 at best. Strange accents given to some of the characters (Wife Tina and Boss Granger to be specific)

Intrigue at its best!

So many twists and turns. One of the best spy stories I ever read. Olen Steinhauer is to intrigue what Stephen King is to horror. I must read more of his books. Starting today I think I will find another one to read.