The Informant

A Butcher's Boy Novel

By: Thomas Perry

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Married and living in England under the name Michael Schaeffer, the assassin known as the Butcher's Boy is the target of a Mafia hit team sent to exact revenge for his deadly campaign against the Balacontano family years earlier. Schaeffer kills all three attackers, but he knows more will come and needs to find whoever sent them to end it once and for all.

Soon Elizabeth Waring, now high up in the Organized Crime Division of the Justice Department, receives a surprise late-night visit from the Butcher's Boy. Knowing she keeps track of the Mafia, he asks her who the three men work for. Not knowing they have been murdered, she gives him a name: Frank Tosca, an aspirant to the Balacontano throne. In exchange, he tells her about a murder Tosca committed over 20 years ago.

So begins a new assault on organized crime, and the uneasy alliance between the Butcher's Boy and Waring, who trade current information for old secrets. As the Butcher's Boy works his way ever closer to his quarry in an effort to protect his new way of life, Waring finds herself in a race against time, either to convince him to become a protected informant or to take him out of commission for good.

Prolong the suspense - listen to Thomas Perry's first two books in this series: The Butcher's Boy and Sleeping Dogs.

©2011 Thomas Perry (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Perry offers a compelling, rapid-fire plot, credible Mafia and FBI secondary characters, an indictment of self-serving officialdom, and the old soul-shattering moral dilemma: what is truth?" ( Publishers Weekly)

Best BB novel yet!

I don't usually go for the serial killer books so rampant in the best seller lists lately, but I have to admit that, as in the "Dexter" series, I recognize the gleeful feeling when an anti-hero kills folks that need killing. Revenge is a superb plot-driver, and this book zooms along relentlessly, impossible to put down. I agree with the audible editor's opinion of Michael Kramer's delivery -- spot on, unsentimental, and with good inflection changes for various characters. I also agree that it would be best to read these 3 books in order.

I just finished it, and was amazed at the elegance with which Perry wrapped up the story. I never saw the ending coming -- one of the all-time best last-minute swerves that left me misty-eyed and jaw-dropped.

My new favourite author

Would you consider the audio edition of The Informant to be better than the print version?

I became an audiobook reader 9 years ago when I worked for a mission agency. When you wake up in the jungle in PNG because of the heat, can't get out of the mosquito net because of malaria carrying mosquitos and/or snakes, Audiobooks ara a great way to pass the time. Nowdays I don't read if I can listen,

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Informant?

Love the Butcher's Boy concept of riding the center line dealing to the baddies while avoiding the goodies with a healthy respect.

Have you listened to any of Michael Kramer???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Michael Kramer does a creditable job with this book as he does with other Perry books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

For years I have bought lots of

Any additional comments?

I don't know where Thomas Perry has been but I think it's a shame that his books haven't had greater exposure. I would love to see them on the screen one day.

alonzo

As far as thrillers are concerned this is little short of excellent. One feels that we should be less admiring of the 'BOY"however he evokes powerful sympathy. One is left with the feeling the world is a better place for his being in it, although there are times that we wish he had been less acomadating to his prime employers. well written, fast moving, an excellent plot and narrated very well, in all, a great book I will be looking for more.

The Best

This was the best of the Butcher’s Boy trilogy. Excellent story. Great suspense. Many surprises. And a gratifying ending. Read alone or in sequence. Narrator Michael Kramer is one of the best.

Great intrigue.

What made the experience of listening to The Informant the most enjoyable?

The gravity and near-monotone of the reader's voice add to the drama, although the slowness of his pace can sometimes be a bit irritating. The ins and outs of the plot yield surprises, and the pacing of the narrative keeps it all rolling along at a good clip.
The butcher's boy is a sympathetic bad guy and a great projection screen for your average guy omnipotent power fantasy. The female protagonist, though, is a flat, one-dimensional fantasy, less a screen for projection and identification, or even fascination, than a soft foil for the bad guys.

Exciting

The Butcher's Boy and the Justice Department Agent - very good opposites. Ending great. Reader Superior.

My new favorite…

author and book. Unlike too many authors, Perry’s characters are plausible and they grow in ways and for reasons that feel real. Action sequences are never ridiculous scenes like driving at full speed through city traffic, running lights with no consequences. Perfect? No, but Perry is so good that I’m glad I read my previous favorite author’s books first otherwise I would not have enjoyed them as much.

sucker for anything that's the butcher's boy

I was aware of the Butcher's Boy for many years before allowing myself to be pulled in by the fact that this was an Edgar Award winning novel by a first time published author (pretty sure my facts are correct--or close enough to count as correct). Anyway, I was hooked after page one and by the end was pretty darn sure I'd read the last word on the Butcher's Boy. I mean, who can keep a series going about a non-feeling, clinical-like, loner hit-man? Well, evidently, Thomas Perry can and did. When Sleeping Dogs came out I was in literary-thriller heaven and counted myself lucky that Perry managed a second book on the B Boy. However, last week, I sumbled upon The Informant while browsing. I couldn't hit the select button fast enough. I've been listending to it every spare chance I get and for a third time I am not dissapointed. Neither Perry, nor the Butcher's Boy series has lost a step. If you're familiar with the series, you know what to expect. If you're not, but you like mystery-thrillers, start with the Butcher's Boy first, Sleeping Dogs next and then The Informant. I give this series my highest recommendation. Oh--and I rarely comment on the readers/actors, but Michael Kramer is perfect for this series and this character. You go boy!

Worth every penny! Loved it!

What made the experience of listening to The Informant the most enjoyable?

The flow of the story was fast paced, but not too much so. There was duel suspense of the Butcher's Boy and the career justice officer.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the characters.

Which character ??? as performed by Michael Kramer ??? was your favorite?

I liked both hero and heroine. They were smart, conflicted and professional.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I just could'nt stop listening. I finished it in 2 days at the detriment of my sleep and work!

Please, Please, Please!

Thomas Perry sir, when are you going to regale us with tales of the level of the Butcher's Boy series or 'Metzger's Dog'? This was a reread (listen) for me, and O, how your craft doth flow! The frisson of surprise that you, the reader are pulling for a professional killer!
And of course, Michael Kramer's cool narration gives the low down on how the rotten crooks keep it on the down low.