I see this novel has mixed reviews. I think that's probably because Olen Steinhauer's later novels are contemporary espionage thrillers and so appeal to a different audience, who don't appreciate what Steinhauer was trying to do here.
This novel is in the vein of Alan Furst: a dark, characterful and atmospheric literary novel with some mystery/thriller elements. As such, it's not super fast-paced, though it's hardly a slow or difficult read as some reviewers claim. The first few chapters are indeed a bit slow, but once the murder case starts in the fourth chapter it moves quickly enough. There aren't though many cliff-hangers and set-piece action sequences. What the author is trying to do though is show what life in Soviet satellite countries was like in the aftermath of world war two. In that, it reminded me of [[ASIN:0857204084 Child 44)], though I think 'Bridge of Sighs' is far superior to that overrated novel. It's all about the atmosphere of dread, hatred and terror, and it portrays them well.
If you like John Le Carre, Alan Furst, even Robert Harris, you'll like this. If you're looking for a Lee Child style thriller then you're not in the right place.
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Top reviews from other countries
Graeme Shimmin
Beautifully written literary thriller.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2017Verified Purchase
Adam Campbell
Quite good, a bit laboured
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2019Verified Purchase
Mr. I. D. Rhodes
Olen Steinhauer Bridge of Sighs
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2013Verified Purchase
david bosher
Great
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 August 2019Verified Purchase
Michael David Clark
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 October 2014Verified Purchase