Review: The Informationist by Taylor Stevens
Taylor Stevens's The Informationist introduces solitary investigator Vanessa Michael Munroe. Born in Africa to missionary parents, Munroe acquired a gift for languages and a taste for violence. After escaping Equatorial Guinea as a teenager, Munroe eventually developed a reputation for obtaining accurate data from any country and about almost any topic. Her skills and discretion command a high price.
When Richard Burbank, a Texas businessman, requests Munroe's services to track down his long-missing step-daughter, Emily, the investigator thinks about refusing the assignment. First, her specialty is economic data, and second, she has no desire to return to her native continent. Swayed by the high fee and the challenge, Munroe decides to help Burbank, although she only reluctantly agrees to all of his conditions.
The novel is infused with Africa. The complexities of national politics and the technological limitations are just the obvious problems Munroe faces when she returns to Equatorial Guinea. Munroe must also consider the landscape, infrastructure, and underworld bigwigs before she can determine how best to discover Emily's fate. In addition, the investigator is forced to confront the very people she fled from more than a decade earlier, threatening her emotional stability and putting her life at risk.
Taylor adds betrayal, multilayered emotional conflict, violence, and revenge to create a well-paced thriller that keeps readers fully engaged all the way through to the end of the epilogue. Although it's possible to figure out the bare bones of the mystery partway through the novel, the details are not obvious, and Munroe's ultimate solution to the case offers a few surprises. While The Informationist does not end on a cliff hanger, the stage is set for the next in series.
I listened to the unabridged audio edition (Random House Audio; 12 hr, 22 min), read by Hillary Huber, an excellent choice for the novel. Her subtle accents help readers connect to the characters and augment the global feel of the story. My full audio review will be published by AudioFile magazine.
Give it to me quickly: A well-plotted thriller/mystery that takes readers into the heart of modern Africa and into the mind of Vanessa Michael Munroe, a smart, violent, and resourceful information specialist; a story of love, betrayal, and the fight for survival.
These links lead to affiliate programs
Published by Random House / Crown, 2011
ISBN-13: 9780307717092
YTD: 43
Source: Review (see review policy)
Rating: B+
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
10 comments:
I like the sound of this one. Especially the Africa aspect. I'll be on the lookout for it. Might be one that my husband and I would enjoy listening to on a trip. Thanks for sharing!
So glad you liked this one. I particularly enjoyed the setting; I haven't read many books set in Africa. Loved the strong female character as well. Can't wait for the next book.
I don't normally read books in this genre, but your review has my interest piqued, and it might be something I would check out. I am glad that you enjoyed it, and like other commenters, I find the setting pretty intriguing. Thanks!
This sounds like a good read. I don't know if it's the book for me, I think it may have to go on my maybe list.
I like Martha´s idea of a maybe list. There are aspects of this one that appeal to me, but politics and violence are not among them.
Sounds like a really good read. intriguing. Added to my wish list.
I think I might enjoy this one.
I love a good mystery but this one has something a bit different. I like the world-wide and African aspect.
Sounds different in an interesting way. How cool that your review is being published in the magazine!!!
I love reading mysteries and thrillers set in places other than the typical North American or European large city setting. Might have to take a closer look at this one.
Post a Comment