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I liked this book a lot. It's a sort of goulash with elements from Budapest, Serbia, Northeastern Libya, and especially Cairo. The whole pot (I almost wrote "plot") is heavily seasoned by Langley, Va. Of course the whole stew is a puzzle, but the pieces ultimately fit together well.
This plot is reminiscent of LeCarre's best. The characters are not quite so good, but still promising. The environments are intriguing. The action is a little more cerebral than physical. Steinhauer's on the way to be ...more
This plot is reminiscent of LeCarre's best. The characters are not quite so good, but still promising. The environments are intriguing. The action is a little more cerebral than physical. Steinhauer's on the way to be ...more
This book, my first by this author, recalled the early ruminative spy pieces by John LeCarre, which drew me in with in-depth character studies. Following the trajectory of the main character, Sophie, is worth the price of admission, so to speak. Egyptian, Hungarian, Serb and American spooks play a game of national secrets and double agents that should engage any spy fan, all of this presented with a backdrop of the Arab spring taking place in northern Africa, the fall of Tunisian and Egyptian de
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The Cairo Affair was a fairly good novel of betrayal, espionage, and treason set partially in Budapest and Serbia but mostly in Cairo.
A newlywed couple David and Sophie, both recent Harvard graduates, spend their honeymoon in Budapest. During the latter part of their visit, they decide on an unplanned side-trip to war-torn Yugoslavia "to go; to see; to experience" the 'real' world. The remainder of the story significantly involves the effect on them of the experiences they had there and in part ...more
A newlywed couple David and Sophie, both recent Harvard graduates, spend their honeymoon in Budapest. During the latter part of their visit, they decide on an unplanned side-trip to war-torn Yugoslavia "to go; to see; to experience" the 'real' world. The remainder of the story significantly involves the effect on them of the experiences they had there and in part ...more
No heroes in this novel, just characters struggling to get a grip on the murky, muddeled and highly confusing events. As in real life, no one knows what's really going on, the reader is fed with tiny bits of information from a varied cast. No clear enemy, either - but lots of half good/half bad protagonists. Post 9/11, thinking-man's spy novel.
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I thought this one was classic Steinhauer, and I am a big fan. It certainly is espionage at it's strangest. Given all that, in the final analysis I thought OPERATION STUMBLER was aptly named.
Cheers!
Jim in MT ...more
Cheers!
Jim in MT ...more
This book was not up to the high standards of past reads by author. I felt it was somewhat slow and therefore took me longer to read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Interesting mix of good characters. The plot is not exactly what you expect, but that's a positive thing.
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Well written. Good characters. Compelling plot
Feb 28, 2014
Steve Anderson
marked it as to-read
Mar 15, 2014
Harris
marked it as to-read
Apr 14, 2014
James Rippy
marked it as to-read
Jun 09, 2014
Emily
marked it as to-read
Jul 31, 2014
Scott E
marked it as to-read
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review of another edition
Shelves:
on-deck-spy-thrillers
Aug 05, 2014
Mark
marked it as to-read
Apr 03, 2015
Brian
added it
Sep 01, 2017
Dasa
marked it as to-read
