Synopsis/blurb…..
Sophie Kohl is living
her worst nightmare. Minutes after she confesses to her husband, a mid-level
diplomat at the American embassy in Hungary, that she had an affair while they
were in Cairo, he is shot in the head and killed.
Stan Bertolli, a Cairo-based CIA agent, has fielded his share of midnight calls. But his heart skips a beat when he hears the voice of the only woman he ever truly loved, calling to ask why her husband has been assassinated.
Omar Halawi has worked in Egyptian intelligence for years, and he knows how to play the game. Foreign agents pass him occasional information, he returns the favour, and everyone's happy. But the murder of a diplomat in Hungary has ripples all the way to Cairo, and Omar must follow the fall-out wherever it leads.
American analyst Jibril Aziz knows more about Stumbler, a covert operation rejected by the CIA, than anyone. So when it appears someone else has obtained a copy of the blueprints, Jibril alone knows the danger it represents.
As these players converge in Cairo in The Cairo Affair, Olen Steinhauer's masterful manipulations slowly unveil a portrait of a marriage, a jigsaw puzzle of loyalty and betrayal, against a dangerous world of political games where allegiances are never clear and outcomes are never guaranteed.
Stan Bertolli, a Cairo-based CIA agent, has fielded his share of midnight calls. But his heart skips a beat when he hears the voice of the only woman he ever truly loved, calling to ask why her husband has been assassinated.
Omar Halawi has worked in Egyptian intelligence for years, and he knows how to play the game. Foreign agents pass him occasional information, he returns the favour, and everyone's happy. But the murder of a diplomat in Hungary has ripples all the way to Cairo, and Omar must follow the fall-out wherever it leads.
American analyst Jibril Aziz knows more about Stumbler, a covert operation rejected by the CIA, than anyone. So when it appears someone else has obtained a copy of the blueprints, Jibril alone knows the danger it represents.
As these players converge in Cairo in The Cairo Affair, Olen Steinhauer's masterful manipulations slowly unveil a portrait of a marriage, a jigsaw puzzle of loyalty and betrayal, against a dangerous world of political games where allegiances are never clear and outcomes are never guaranteed.
I have previously read and
enjoyed a couple of the author’s earlier books back in the middle of 2011 – The Istanbul Variations and
Victory Square, so was looking forward to catching up with his latest offering. Both of those books
concerned Eastern Europe in the aftermath of WW2 and the Cold War. The Cairo Affair has a more
contemporary feel with events concerning the Arab Spring in 2011, particularly
with regard to Libya.
Difficult to decide what to put
into a review and what to leave out, without basically re-hashing the synopsis
above. The narrative jumps between two timelines; the early 90’s and 2011. The delivery
of events is presented from the perspective of several of the main players
within the book; an approach which worked for me. I was reminded of a recent
read – Penance by Dan O’Shea where a similar construction paid off.
A few bullet points then ………Egypt,
Libya, Langley, Budapest, 2011, Yugoslavia, Serbs, Croats, 1991, America,
desert, marriage, honeymoon, affair, diplomacy, intelligence services, police –
both secret and other, heritage, freedom, loyalty, money, secrets,
surveillance, Mubarak, Gaddafi, assassin, death, politics, plans, plots, truth,
lies, trust, manipulation, cooperation, relationships, family, betrayal,
revenge, poetry and much more.
A few more bullet points and a
verdict ……. Interesting, enjoyable, clever, intelligent, stunning,
entertaining, educational, informative, eye-opening, satisfying and amazing.
Well-fleshed characters – not all
of them likeable and great detail, the plot and the premise for “Stumbler”, makes
you wonder whether Steinhauer has his own mole working inside Langley.
Time to dust off his other books.
5 from 5
Accessed via Net Galley. In the
UK – The Cairo Affair was released
last month.
Tracy at Bitter Tea and Mystery blog enjoyed and reviewed this here.
Col, this one looks a winner. I've read and enjoyed espionage novels set in Eastern Europe during the Soviet era. The Arab Spring of 2011 is going to be, if it isn't already, fodder for a lot of new spy fiction.
ReplyDeletePrashant - you're right on both counts - a winner and a new theme for future fiction.
DeleteI do wonder if recent events in Ukraine will trigger a new Cold War. Might be interesting to read about - but I think I would prefer less volatility in Europe though. Mr Putin does worry me though.
Well, he is certainly flexing his biceps. I think the Crimean issue has as much to do with retrieving Russia's lost glory and power as it has with righting a "historical wrong." After all, Putin is a product of the Cold War and the KGB. He knows the West can only do so much and no more given Europe's, particularly Germany's, dependence on Russia for its energy needs. The freakin' country covers half the atlas.
DeleteHe does seem to be holding all the aces! I just wonder if he has grander designs.
DeleteCol, I don't think he'll go beyond Crimea or the eastern part of Ukraine that's brewing unrest. He has his limits too. I don't see a Ukrainian version of the Prague Spring. Speaking at a marketing summit in California April 8, Hillary Clinton said this about Putin: "He is very difficult to read personally. He is always looking for advantage. So he will try to put you ill at ease. He will even throw an insult your way. He will look bored and dismissive. He’ll do all of that. I have a lot of experience with people acting like that. Go back to elementary school. I've seen all of that, so I’m not impressed by it."
DeleteHopefully he stops here.
DeleteIt would be interesting to hear Putin's assessment of Clinton. I don't think she's on my list of favourite politicians - though it is in truth a very short list! (Tony Benn - maybe more for his principles, as opposed to some of his policies.) When I think of Hilary I often am reminded of Whitewater.
Col - Oh, glad you enjoyed this. It's nice to know that there's some really well-written espionage fiction out there.
ReplyDeleteMargot, thanks. I have to say Steinhauer is one of my favourites currently writing this type of fiction today - albeit my list of sampled authors is quite narrow. I need to read more of it!
DeleteConfirmed by you and Tracy that this is a worthwhile read, onto my wishlist it goes. I have to be in the mood for novels such as these that are political suspense stories. But they are great reads once you find a good one. It's been awhile. Terrific review, Col and helpful metadata as well.
ReplyDeleteCheers Keishon. I hope you dig this one out and give it a go. I might be frequently wrong - but Tracy won't be!
DeleteThis was a new author to me when I read about him on Tracy's blog, and now you give him 5 stars! I thought I might try one of his earlier books, as I'm more interested in Cold War espionage than recent - can you recommend one? (and, btw, I have never read a book by someone called Olen...)
ReplyDeleteI had you pegged as a Robert Olen Butler fan, but hey I can be wrong .... sometimes!
DeleteHis first 5 are all post-WW2 Eastern Europe settings. They are kind of loosely connected I think, but I don't suppose it matters which one you go for. From memory and I read these before I started making loose reviews and blogging, I think I slightly preferred Victory Square.
I am very glad you liked it so much. That man can write. I have one more book by him to read and then I will be waiting for the next thing he writes. If Penance is along the same lines (in construction) I will have to push it higher up on the list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to my review.
Tracy, I'd read his shopping list if I could. Definitely try Penance sooner rather than later. I would like a second affirmative opinion!
Delete