Steinhauer's done a great job of "weaving" (sorry about the pun) a complex story fleshed out with varying locations, layers of storyline, and moderately complex characters. It's a page turner from the start- although it can at times be confusing and convoluted.

Steinhauer has a great way of blending the esoteric world of spies and 'Tourists' with contemporary and familiar cultural references and atmosphere. The locations are real and lend themselves well to the story, and the types of situations, (ie. names of brands and establishments) all make real world sense- creating a believable story which takes place in an unfamiliar world.

The back and forth nature of the storytelling can be slow to digest, and the complicated reasoning behind the who/ what/ where/ why can be confusing, but it all comes together in a beautiful and suspenseful (but not action packed) end... (although not a finality)!

I'm on to the sequel with bated breath...




***This was a landmark book for me, as it was the first one I read entirely on my Nook! Great experience overall.