What do readers think of All the Old Knives by Olen Steinhauer? Write your own review.

I am not a fan of spy novels but the description of this book peaked my interest. I think the author developed complex characters, although not always likeable.
The book was satisfying but not special but I would definitely read this author again.

"All the Old Knives" is good, but not Olen Steinhauer at his best. Two former lovers, one now an interrogator, have lunch. The story slowly diverges from each point of view by the use of flashbacks.
The prose is polished but the plot is tired. He simply doesn't do the Rashomon effect well. I expected more from this author.

I have read all of the Olen Steinhauer, he is one of my favorite authors, he is one of the most dependable professionals writing thrillers . But this book is very different from his usual writings. It's short,and takes place in a restaurant analyzing what went wrong yeas ago. The usual edge is not there, actually a little dull. Three stars.

I will preface this with the fact that this is the first book I've read of Steinhaurer's. This story takes place at a restaurant in Carmel-by-the -Sea. The meeting is between two ex-lovers, one still a spy, the other an ex-spy. They are revisiting a tragedy that took place when they worked together in Vienna 6 years before. There is a question of an agent being compromised. The brief story focuses mainly on these two characters with confusing flashbacks and a predictable outcome. I missed the thrills, twists and turns I've come to expect from mystery books. I'm not so sure setting a spy thriller at a restaurant …more table is particularly successful. However, given the quality of the writing, I would certainly explore other books by Olin Steinhauer. (less)