The Cairo Affair by Olen Steinhauer — A New York Times Bestselling Spy Thriller

A standalone espionage novel of betrayal, deception, and dangerous secrets set against the backdrop of the Arab Spring.

When Sophie Kohl confesses to her husband — a mid-level American diplomat stationed in Budapest — that she had an affair during their time in Cairo, she expects anger, tears, maybe the end of a marriage. What she doesn't expect is a bullet. Minutes after her confession, her husband is shot in the head and killed. Olen Steinhauer

Instead of flying his body home to Boston, Sophie bolts to Cairo — the scene of the diplomat's last posting — seeking help from her former lover, CIA agent Stan Bertolli, to unravel the mystery behind her husband's assassination. But the deeper she digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes. 

American analyst Jibril Aziz knows more about Stumbler — a covert operation rejected by the CIA — than anyone. When it appears someone else has obtained a copy of the blueprints, Jibril alone understands the full danger it represents. Meanwhile, Omar Halawi, a veteran of Egyptian intelligence who knows exactly how to play the game, finds that the murder of a diplomat in Hungary sends ripples all the way to Cairo — and he must follow the fallout wherever it leads. 

Three players. One city. A whole world of political games in which allegiances are never clear, and outcomes are never guaranteed. Amazon

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Arab Spring — WikiLeaks revelations, the fall of Gaddafi, and a region on the brink — The Cairo Affair is emotionally rich and layered with intrigue, weaving a portrait of a shattered marriage into a labyrinthine geopolitical thriller that spans Budapest, Cairo, Libya, and beyond. Amazon

What readers and critics are saying:

• 'Elaborate, sophisticated… a long, twisty road full of cleverly placed potholes and unexpected turns.' — The New York Times 
• 'It has become de rigueur to compare Steinhauer to le Carré, but it's nearly time to pass the torch.' — Booklist 
• 'A genuine page-turner — cleverly conceived and intricately plotted. Steinhauer juggles political and personal loyalties with a master storyteller's sleight of hand.' — Joseph Kanon 

About the Author

Olen Steinhauer is the New York Times bestselling author of the Milo Weaver series, a Dashiell Hammett Award winner, a two-time Edgar Award finalist, and the creator of the EPIX TV series Berlin Station. The Cairo Affair is a standalone novel — the perfect entry point for new readers and a masterclass in modern espionage fiction. Amazon

Perfect for fans of: John le Carré, Daniel Silva, Jason Matthews, Charles McCarry, and Alan Furst.

Details: . | Publisher: Picador | Publication Date: March 18, 2014 | ISBN: 978-1-250-03613-1