jeregenest's review against another edition
4.0
Steinhauer's most Graham Greene meditation on the moral nature of a spy thriller. I enjoyed it a great deal.
martyfried's review against another edition
5.0
At first, I had a hard time following this book, because it seemed to be kind of boring, so I wasn't paying attention. It seemed like some sort of romantic story, and most of it took place in a single restaurant with back and forth conversations about the actual plot in the form of reminiscing by the couple. Some of it was along the lines of Gone Girl.
But I rarely quit reading books, so I kept on, and then went back to skim over the previous story, where I picked up a couple of things I missed that made the whole thing make more sense. Not to say it made total sense, at least not right away. The problem is, both of them were from the intelligence field, and neither could be trusted to be 100% honest.
But it finally came together (not romantically), and there did seem to be some romance, even if each considered killing the other at various times.
But I rarely quit reading books, so I kept on, and then went back to skim over the previous story, where I picked up a couple of things I missed that made the whole thing make more sense. Not to say it made total sense, at least not right away. The problem is, both of them were from the intelligence field, and neither could be trusted to be 100% honest.
But it finally came together (not romantically), and there did seem to be some romance, even if each considered killing the other at various times.
treatyoshelfbookclub's review against another edition
3.0
I did it to watch the movie. It was decent. Not my usual genre tho lol
crofly's review against another edition
5.0
I had the pleasure of winning "All the old Knives" by Olen Stenhauer through a FIRST IMPRESSIONS giveaway. I was blown away! It's difficult to really narrow down this book to one genre. On the surface, it's a spy thriller; but when you peel away the layers of the very intense plot, it's so much more. As I began reading, I drew some comparisons to "Same time, next year," the brilliant play by Bernard Slate about a romantic couple who meet once a year for 24 years to catch up on their lives. In Stenhauer's novel, two ex -lovers meet at a restaurant to catch up on old times. But then it becomes a mystery novel. These aren't two ordinary individuals; they are CIA case officers who both regret their actions involving a plane hostage situation years ago in Vienna that ended tragically. This initially friendly conversation about the past soon becomes a chess game where the protagonists take turns trying to find out what the other knows. The reader is taken on a wild ride as Stenhauer slowly reveals what happened during that flight and who is responsible. I hadn't enjoyed the unraveling of a mystery this much since Julian Barnes' "The sense of an ending." The narrative is split up into chapters alternating between the male and female protagonist's POV. The ending is emotionally charged, yet completely satisfying. I could not stop reading this book, and was sad for the ride to have to end. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a complex and cerebral affair.
shoba's review against another edition
4.0
“All the old knives that have rusted in my back, I drive in yours”
Gaius Julius Phaedrus.
Throughly enjoyable. The love for a father figure and the despising of an old love for deciding simply to be a mother. Betrayal, trust and the vulnerability that comes with relationships.
Gaius Julius Phaedrus.
Throughly enjoyable. The love for a father figure and the despising of an old love for deciding simply to be a mother. Betrayal, trust and the vulnerability that comes with relationships.
jenaje's review against another edition
5.0
Another outstanding book by Olen Steinhauer. How is this not rated higher overall? Such a great concept, and the execution is there too.
raheezyyy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0