Olen Steinhauer's The Nearest Exit sequel to The Tourist is fine as second acts go. I continued to enjoy Milo and his misadventures, although he has lost some shine since we last saw him.
The narrative picks up where The Tourist left off, with Milo Weaver reluctantly returning to his old life as a CIA operative. However, the focus shifts away from the physicality of the espionage game and more to the behind-the-scenes undercurrent. Still, there are plenty of thrills and intrigues in this novel. The author delves deeper into the backstories of secondary characters, particularly Milo's spouse, Tina. While this exploration of Tina's past is intended to add depth to the narrative, it ultimately feels forced and unconvincing. The lack of chemistry between Milo and Tina makes their relationship difficult to believe, and their actions often seem out of character. The real gem in the novel is Erika Schwartz, who brings fresh air to the story. However, it's clear that Steinhauer doesn't have as much affection for her as he does for Milo, and Steinhauer's descriptive word choices show some disdain for this character.
The ending of The Nearest Exit is somewhat disappointing. It feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many questions unanswered. The plot threads introduced in the novel are not resolved, and the overall tone is one of unfinished business.
While Steinhauer's writing remains engaging, the novel's focus on character development at the expense of plot progression and the lackluster ending make it a so-so follow-up to The Tourist—still a worthy read.

I liked 'The tourist', the first Milo Weaver book. Very very interesting. The bad guys are smart and interesting the good guys are sinister. The Nearest Exit was a fantastic sequel to The Tourist. Although the first half is somewhat slow, the second half more than makes up for it. Very enjoyable second book in the series. A bit complicated at times but generally a great spy read with lots of twists and turns.

This second book in the Milo Weaver series was a little weaker. I wish it weren't, but it is. I liked the first book, and the third one is strong! So read this one so you don't miss out on what happened between books one and two. In this story, Milo is dealing with things that lead up to book three. I did like it, overall, but I feel like something is missing. Maybe that is good, as it drives you to the next book! It's a crazy spy world, being a CIA tourist. I think this could be a TV series easily.

Thanks to Net Galley for my digital copy. This review is mine. A positive review isn't required.

Another rip-roaring adventure with Olen Steinhauer. This is the second in the series and starts off a bit quietly, then takes off running and is a mad dash to the finish. The spy thriller is layered with intrigue and interesting characters. I've already read the concluding book and will review it separately. Highly recommend this series, especially for fans of John Le'Carre and the Bourne series.

Another page-turning espionage thriller, the second book of the trilogy about Milo Weaver, increasingly reluctant “Tourist”, AKA secret agent, of a clandestine department of the CIA. A shocking order from his handlers leads Milo to get “creative” to keep his conscience clear, but this unexpected disobedience creates unintended consequences, a world of trouble and dangers to those he loves. Then Milo uncovers a mole who has been feeding top secret information to the Chinese version of the CIA, and gradually discovers a maniacal plan to land a devastating blow to the department Milo works for. This shocking act of revenge has severe repercussions for the CIA, as well as Milo personally.

Could not get into the first in the series, so I won't be trying this one. Maybe someday in the future!

The Nearest Exit is the second in a series by Olen Steinhauer featuring CIA operative Milo Weaver. I actually read The Tourist, The Nearest Exit and An American Spy one right after the other because they felt like they needed to be read all together. Perhaps in a different era they would have been one book instead of three but, alas, attention spans and all of that being what they are, there are three books, now I believe even more. Never-the-less, the three books feature poor Milo Waver a former CIA operative known as a "tourist" because he had no home base, family or loyalty to one place. He could move about freely without any ties. Now, however, he is settled down, has a family and a home and wants nothing except to live a quiet life. That is not to be. Honestly, do agents really believe they ever can leave the agency behind? So off he goes, back into the field hoping this will be a one-off kind of deal but, as we can see with the follow up books in the series, it is from that.

Don't let my sarcasm put you off. Olen Steinhauer is a brilliant writer. This series is one of the best espionage series I've read in a while. It's fast paced, gripping and has a ton of action. Obviously I enjoyed the series to date or I wouldn't have read all three of the books. I'm just jaded because I'm sick of governments and their spies and their wars and their killing. It's me, not the book. If you like spy thrillers you honestly will devour these books

You can get hooked on this series. Fast paced, action packed, all that stuff. Just not typically my style.

After unsuccessfully retiring from the CIA's supersecret department once before, Milo Weaver finds himself coming back into the Travel Department yet again in this chilling sequel to The Tourist. Milo is a Tourist; an undercover agent in a group so secret that no one knows about it, even others in the CIA. In The Nearest Exit, Milo is brought back once again, and as he proves himself to be trustworthy, he finds himself in increasingly dirty dealings that go against the moral code he thought had been beaten out of him in his previous years as a Tourist. With the hidden help of his father, he does his best to win back trust, meet the demands of the "Travel Department" and finds layers upon layers of deception from around the world that indicate someone knows about the Tourists. Which county is it, and how is it that they are able to pull the strings? Just to keep Milo's life even more interesting, he is trying to repair his marriage at the same time he's trying to save the world.

Fast paced, both chilling and thrilling, The Nearest Exit is a fitting sequel to The Tourist.

A really good book, left you wanting more and looking at things differently in this world. With all the action it really leaves you on the edge of your seat.

The Nearest Exit by Olen Steinhauer
Milo Weaver is back. This is the second book of the trilogy, the first being The Tourist, review to be found on Pick of the Literate on 10/19/20. Milo is again a tourist and not the obvious kind. He is a CIA tourist which is a secret group withing the CIA which seems to handle many of the black bag operations. Milo is tasked to do something he finds morally repugnant and true to the clandestine methods of his job, he hides his disobedience. The results fuel the plot.
The author has his main protagonist, Milo, re-evaluating his life and his morals. Steinhauer clearly shows the devastating impact a life of lies has on the liar and his family.
Steinhauer writes a devious plot with many twists, I enjoyed the book.

About: Milo has turned his back completely on his role in The Tourists organization. Sadly, his reputation has been tarnished. He must work hard to prove his worth in his new position at the CIA. He muct also keep his partnership with his father a secret.


Plot: With series, some books fizzle out as the series go on. Some remain steady. Some actually get better as the series progresses. This is the kind that gets better. I didn’t find the first book boring, but it was nowhere near as intense and impressive as this one. It’s the kind of book that has you asking the best kind of questions through the entire book. Rest assured that all the answers are given. In time.


Characters: Milo seems to be more comfortable in his skin in this book. The wife and daughter seem to be coping as best as they can. Especially since the daughter knows virtually nothing of what seems to be going on.


Narration: This book was narrated by David Pittu. He did a pretty impressive job. His voice is very similar to the person who narrated the first book. It’s probably why they chose him, but I have no way of knowing that information. Either way, he winds up narrating the rest of the series. I’m curious on what else he has narrated.

Good follow-up to the first in the series. We find our reluctant spy at it again. Plenty going on as in most spy-thrillers.

I like that it's more at an everyman level of being in a job you really don't want to do but must for one reason or another.

I could live without the graphic scenes. I just over that aspect of thrillers. I have an active imagination and don't need it filled in with the gore.

I was given an e-copy by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

This book picks up mere weeks following the first book in the series, The Tourist. Milo is back in the field...reluctantly...and being tested by his own people. He's fed up. Tina, his wife, and Stephanie, his daughter, miss him and he misses them. Tina isn't sure she can stay married to a man with so many secrets and he doesn't blame her but he can't let her go either. So he quits. But just because you leave the Company doesn't mean the Company has left you.

Another entertaining read in the series. If any of this is how our CIA and other agencies like it around the world behave and operate then I am terrified and kind of disgusted. What a huge expenditure of money, resources, and people's lives for spy games. Mind you, this doesn't mean I will stop reading these stories but I read them hoping they are just stories more than reality.

This is an incredible series that I have enjoyed reading. I sorta did it backward by reading book three first, then book one and now this is two. A great contemporary spy novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Olen Steinhauer has done a wonderful job of telling this story. Milo is a retired former CIA agent who has returned to work to solve a case involving his good friend and fellow agent. The book is very intense and definitely a page-turner. Once I started reading it was hard to put down. I read a free book via Net Galley and voluntarily chose to review it.

Once again Olen Steinhauer crafts a delightfully convoluted spy thriller featuring Milo Weaver. This one, like the first, grabbed me and drew me completely into Milo’s world of deception, subterfuge and danger. We learn more of his back story and the price a Tourist pays to do his job. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for this ebook of #thenearestexit to read and review.

Milo Weaver is back, book two in the series that takes you deep into the trenches of a secret CIA group known as Tourism. Complex and action packed plot that kept me engaged from beginning to end. And that end though, didn’t see it coming!

This is entirely readable as a standalone novel, but I recommend you check out the entire series. Steinhauer has a fan in me. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

This is a nice follow up to the first book in this series. It has enough background information to be a stand alone title, however, it is so nicely written and wonderfully complex, that I don't think many would read this without wanting to dive deeper into the series. If that is the case, I do recommend reading them in order.

The plot is nicely developed and the action is wonderfully done to keep your interest and keep you guessing. As always, the character development is on point and I thoroughly enjoyed this read!

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

While I find Mr. Steinhauers books rather long, and sometimes seem rambling, I am amazed at how he pulls it all together in the end. So, readers, hang in there. You will be pleased you did. We return to Milo Weaver’s journey through the vagaries of life as a Tourist. Milo is not a gung-ho CIA agent willing to do everything and anything required of him. But he is a capable agent. Despite what he has been brought up to do, he still has a conscience and is willing to stick to his guns when he feels things are wrong. That stand almost costs him his life when he refuses to kill a 14-year-old girl.

At odds with his orders, blamed for killing her, Milo finds himself in an untenable situation. You don’t say no to your Tourist boss. However, Milo’s life is spared due to lack of agents. Thus, begins Milo’s search for the truth. How he comes to conclusions, how he learns from outsiders where to look next and eventually comes to the final conclusion only to find out it isn’t, is fascinating. It keeps you guessing.

That is what makes a great writer. This book is worth the time and effort. The characters are richly detailed and brought to life by Mr. Steinhauer’s talent.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for an honest review. Milo is a spy, a spy with nothing to lose. This is not a book that I would tend to pick up and I am really enjoying the Milo series. Lots of espionage and roller coaster page turning! Totally recommend!