I read this ARC through the generosity of NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest opinion.

A very topical book about the FBI and a domestic terrorism group. I liked that it was set in 2017/2018. I also liked the concise writing, and the look into the inner workings of the FBI, warts and all. I found the plot complicated but not too difficult to follow. This is my first time reading this author, and also a deviation from my usual category of books, so I suspect if you like politically oriented thrillers, you'll love this one.
3.5/5.0 stars

I received this ARC book courtesy of Netgalley in return for my honest opinion. This was my first book by this author. It took me a while to get into the book, but once I did, I found it very interesting and wondered where the story line would go. I don't need to rehash the story as you can read the synopsis, but I enjoyed the book which was filled with a lot of intrigue and well written. I will definitely look for other books by this author.

Another great Steinhauer book! Continues to write engaging stories with believable characters.

Olen Steinhauer’s latest thriller The Middleman is an excellent look into the world of domestic terrorism. Special Agent Rachel Proulx, an expert in left-wing fringe groups, is the lead in the investigation of the overnight disappearance of hundreds of followers of revolutionary leader Martin Bishop. Family members worry and the media speculates what Bishop’s group The Massive Brigade could be planning next. Through this premise, the reader witnesses the internal conflicts of the undercover agent, the convert, the bystander, the government handler, the international money man, and several others.
Steinhauer’s writing is sharply attuned to the current political climate. Most of the story takes place in 2017 and 2018 with several allusions to current politicians. The provocative themes of financial gain, government conspiracy, and class warfare play out well as Agent Proulx searches for who is responsible for the crimes committed by the radical faction.
Overall, The Middleman is an authentic, stand-out thriller that has had me thinking: How far will anyone go to ‘protect’ the American people... and themselves?
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Mr. Steinhauer for an advanced copy to review.