"An American Spy", Olen Steinhauer

Ah, summertime and spy novels, certainly this habit is accelerated by the season.  "An American Spy" is the third book in a series revolving around a clandestine spin-off form the CIA referred to as the Tourists and the protagonist is a multi-faceted member of this group, Milo Weaver.

These books are engaging to the extent that this one was read in two days, 380 pages in a rather small font.  The tale here is intricate, well woven together, and it seems especially informed about the business of international espionage.   We know that this is a long term "business" that has never gone away, but how would I know the extent to which this is an accurate picture.  I don't.

The NYT book review of two months ago suggests that it is representative of what we don't know.  It mentions that LeCarre, Greene, Fleming, McCarry and others of the best of this genre were all formerly part of the intelligence community, and it wondered whether Steinhauer has some experience as well.  His bio is limited and he is 42.  Oh well, it's not important.  The book is an entertaining page turner that is closer to literature than it is to the popular fiction that litters our local library's shelves.

A unique aspect of Steinhauer's books is that they are set in present, at least as close as they can be given the time it takes to write do the writing, editing and publishing.  "An American Spy" focuses heavily on the Chinese clandestine services and the governing system in China.  Whether accidental or in some way presciently seen, a high official "disappeared" from the system has the first name Bo(or last name from the perspective of Chinese).

Now on to my first Jo Nesbo book.  It's too hot to go outside and television is unwatchable much of the time.