The Nearest Exit by Olen Steinhauer

I did not read the first book in this series, 'The Tourist', but this book brings back the main character in that book, Milo Weaver, a covert operative for the CIA. Miles is one of the elite spies known as Tourists because, like visitors to a foreign land, “they appeared and disappeared.” Tourists are a secret sect of American agents that have no steady identity, no home, and not much of a moral center. Milo claims that he would rather spend quality time at home with his wife and daughter than traipse around the world robbing, maiming, and killing people. As espionage enthusiasts know, however, it is not that easy to quit.
The narrative opens in Budapest in 2007. A young and not terribly successful journalist named Henry Gray is enjoying the company of his Hungarian girlfriend, when he receives a surprising letter from Thomas Grainger, Weaver’s former boss. The letter states, “The story I’m about to tell you is dangerous to know.” Since Henry is a conspiracy theorist, this communication feeds into his paranoia. And so the roller-coaster ride begins, as Steinhauer dives into a tale of double agents, lies, intrigue, torture, and murder. Milo’s new boss orders to him to vet the statement of a potential defector, who claims that a mole working for the United States government is passing on vital secrets to China. Weaver endangers his already tenuous relationship with his wife, Tina, to ferret out the truth. He would like to close this chapter in his tortured life, but developments ensue that make an early exit strategy unlikely. By the time the last page is turned, it is clear that someone’s need for revenge has brought about chaos and carnage.
Steinhauer’s characters are indelible. Milo has a soft spot for children, but he seems to kill adults with little if any remorse and he commits countless illegal acts in order to survive and carry out his mission. Cynicism is at the novel’s core. Most of the men and women who work for various intelligence bureaus have no clear ethical code; like Milo, they do whatever is expedient. In addition, a powerful American politician pulls strings behind the scenes to further his own agenda. In Germany, a massively overweight, alcoholic, and brilliant woman named Erika becomes entangled in an operation that could have long-range consequences for both Germany and the United States.
The Nearest Exit presents a pesimistic world view without yelling at us that the world is full of bad actors; the author implies that for those who wish to face reality need accept the fact that in the real world, anything goes. Riots are fomented, governments are destabilized, women and children are slaughtered, and wars are waged, often for reasons that have nothing to do with national security. As Henry Gray says about his favorite subject, conspiracies, “If it can be imagined, then someone’s already tried it.” This book is filled with duplicity, violence, and innumerable twists and turns. It is a riveting tale about a man who would probably come in from the cold if only circumstances did not keep dragging him back to the addictive occupation that he claims he is weaning himself off of. It is a great read--I had trouble putting it down, which made for a couple of late nights.