Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of The Middleman

The Middleman
trekie70 avatar reviewed on + 291 more book reviews


In the summer of 2017, something very odd begins to happen across the United States. One by one, people are breaking all ties with the modern world, discarding all their technology and identity and disappearing into thin air. Families are desperate for answers. The FBI begins to investigate after the disappearances are tied to a group identifying itself as the Massive Brigade, just one of many groups that have formed after the shocking 2016 election. The group seems to have no definitive agenda, claiming only to be preparing for the âchangeâ that is coming to America. FBI Special Agent Rachel Proulx is assigned the case and knows that with the country as divided as it is, finding the missing citizens could be the only way to prevent a major uprising.

âThe Middlemanâ by Olen Steinhauer is a riveting, timely novel about political unrest and the power of charisma. Set in the first year of the Trump presidency, it is easy to imagine opening tomorrow's paper and seeing a headline that emulates the plot of this book. The current political climate in
America is ripe for that same kind of uprising that takes place in this book and there are plenty of outspoken pundits on which the character of âMartin Bishopâ could be based. The story flowed well overall, although there were some slow points and the switching between storytellers was a little hard to follow at times. However, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it with a 3/5 star rating.

*A copy of the ebook was the only consideration received in exchange for this review.*