This is the third volume of the Eastern Bloc series. Again, I like how Steinhauer packed the history of Eastern Europe during the Cold War. In this book Brano Sev is often in his home village, but he also experiences a lot in Vienna. It shows very clearly how state employees, even those who work in the secret service center, trust their superiors blindly. They do not question whether something is going on correctly or not within their own ranks, but are always looking for the evil in the 'enemy'. Therefore, there is also an awful awakening when one must realize that one is misused and betrayed by one's own supervisor.
I like this series very much and Steinhauer is a master to pack the historical facts into an spy thriller. ( )

This is third book in the series set in an unnamed fictional Eastern European country, each book set in a different decade. We are in the 1960's now, 1967 primarily. The main character is Brano Sev, who appeared in the earlier books. He was the state security cop who was stationed with the murder investigators in the capitol city.
This book begins in Vienna in 1966, where Sev has been sent on a mission, and where he is set up to appear to be working against the state's interests. When he returns to the capital of his country, he is jailed, but saved from prison by his benefactor, a Colonel of the state security system, who gets him assigned to work in a factory. Six months later, he is sent to his home town, a small village far from the capital, where a suspected informant has recently returned. Sev is tasked with finding out what this man is up to. But, he is framed for a murder and has to flee. The man he was investigating takes him on a flight to Vienna, where things really get interesting.
I think this book is great, but I probably liked the first two books in the series a bit more. I think it might be that I found the moods of the time periods in those books to be more gripping. And, it seemed that the references here to Sixties' culture, mostly musical, were simply thrown in. Still, the book kept my interest and I read it quickly and with much enjoyment. I will read the last two books of the series soon. ( )

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I've previously read 'The Tourist', which was also excellent, though probably more of a mainstream spy novel.
'The Vienna Assignment' is particularly good because it doesn't do, as in the main character doesn't do, what you probably expect it/him to. At least, that's how I felt anyway.
It's set in Eastern Europe - and, as Vienna and Austria are in Western Europe - Western Europe, in the mid-sixties. It's about spies, about Socialism about suspicion and trust, betrayal and idealism when all the evidence points against it.
Atmospheric, intriguing and thought-provoking. Read it, you won't be disappointed. ( )

Unfortunately, I am again reading/listening to a series out-of-order. Bridge of Sighs was first, followed by The Confession. They began in the 1940’s and by the time we reach 36 Yalta Boulevard (the fictitious address of the East European country’s --we never are quite sure which, but is typically Soviet Bloc-- spy service, the Ministry of State Security.)

Brano Sev is sent/led/tricked (we’re never quite sure which) into going to Austria where he is framed for a murder. Relegated to a factory job by his bosses, he is resurrected for another in his home town where he accidentally kills one of his handlers - or is he?. Always one to follow orders and assuming he is part of a grand plan, he’s soon up to his ears in a nebulous labyrinth of betrayal and deceit, unable to trust anyone, and he begins to question his superiors orders.

In one of the great ironies, Brano really believes in the system, even as it betrays and beats him, and despite his knowledge of its corruption. He retains a child-like faith that’s at once simplistic and complicated. It’s confusing at times, but that confusion reflects Brano’s own.

There are some really good novels out there in the spy genre examining the gray netherworld of human actions where the protagonists stumble their way through a maze that often seems to have no end, and writers like Le Carre, Seymour, Cruz Smith, Furst, and others have fertile ground to display the misty world of human frailty. Add Steinhauer to the list.

Ludlum fans will not be interested. ( )

Started off well,then lost steam. ( )