Olen Steinhauer was recently profiled in Publishers Weekly about his latest novel AN AMERICAN SPY featuring the reluctant, contemporary spy Milo Weaver (preceded by THE TOURIST and THE NEAREST EXIT). The article, "A Literary Spy: Olen Steinhauer," discusses Steinhauer's journey to writing spies and what intrigues him about them. The article reads,
"Steinhauer's remarkable portrayal of the trilogy's Weaver has garnered comparisons with John le Carré. A huge fan of le Carré, Steinhauer calls THINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY 'a wholly literary novel.' It seems clear that Steinhauer, in that spirit is trying to marry literary devotion to craft and seriousness with the compelling narratives of genre. A lot of today's spy fiction 'is interested in how spies work,' he says. 'I'm interested in how people deceive each other.'"
Steinhauer also offers some interesting commentary on his writing process. He says,
"I write myself into a corner, then get stuck, then get an idea, then change everything... If it went smoothly, I'd be worried."
Publishers Weekly also gave AN AMERICAN SPY a starred review and said,
Read more"Steinhauer is particularly good at articulating contemporary spy craft—the mechanics of surveillance and intelligence in the digital age and the depth of paranoia endemic to the trade. In addition, his ability to create characters with genuine emotions and conflicts, coupled with an insightful and often poetic writing style, set him apart in the world of espionage fiction."
It's Tuesday and I'm feeling sassy, so I'm dubbing today March Minotaur Mystery Madness Day!
I pulled together two delicious mystery snack packs* for you to get your hands on. Click either box to email library at macmillanusa dot com and add your preference for "Combo A" or "Combo B" in the Subject Line (yes, yes, you can enter to win both!). Get those entries in before Thursday.
UPDATE: Contest now closed. Thanks to those who entered. Winners have been notified!
THE LOCK ARTIST, by Steve Hamilton: This Alex Award winning thriller is, as The New York Times Book Review said, "too good for words."
BAD BIRD, by Chris Knopf: Knopf kicks off his second Hamptons mystery with an explosive beginning, then pulls us back to the past of roguish lawyer Jackie Swaitkowski, and throws in a few twists before the end. Hold on tight!
THE KENKEN KILLINGS, by Parnell Hall: There are actually KenKen and crosswords in the pages of this book so you can solve this fun and quick witted puzzle mystery!
36 YALTA BOULEVARD, by Olen Steinhauer: Steinhauer earned this subtle and intelligent political thriller starred reviews from both Booklist and Library Journal.
PAST TENSE, by Catherine Aird: This elegant and mischievious whodunit earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly.
THE CURSE-MAKER, by Kelli Stanley: Booklist calls this one "an engrossing mystery, in which the first murder leads to a typically Roman orgy of revenge," with "fascinating and never heavy-handed information on Roman life," (yep, a starred review for this one, as well).
Let's not forget that our adult titles got some serious love this weekend at ALA Midwinter in the beautiful San Diego!
2011 Reading List:
Adrenaline
“The Nearest Exit” by Olen Steinhauer, Minotaur Books
Short List:
“Crashers” by Dana Haynes, Minotaur Books & “They’re Watching” by Gregg Hurwitz, St.
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