The Informationist

A Thriller

By: Taylor Stevens

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Vanessa “Michael” Munroe deals in information - expensive information - working for corporations, heads of state, private clients, and anyone else who can pay for her unique brand of expertise. Born to missionary parents in lawless central Africa, Munroe took up with an infamous gunrunner and his mercenary crew when she was just fourteen. As his protégé, she earned the respect of the jungle's most dangerous men, cultivating her own reputation for years until something sent her running. After almost a decade building a new life and lucrative career from her home base in Dallas, she's never looked back.

Until now.

A Texas oil billionaire has hired her to find his daughter who vanished in Africa four years ago. It’s not her usual line of work, but she can’t resist the challenge. Pulled deep into the mystery of the missing girl, Munroe finds herself back in the lands of her childhood, betrayed, cut off from civilization, and left for dead. If she has any hope of escaping the jungle and the demons that drive her, she must come face-to-face with the past that she’s tried for so long to forget.

Gripping, ingenious, and impeccably paced, The Informationist marks the arrival or a thrilling new talent.

©2011 Taylor Stevens (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Stevens’s blazingly brilliant debut introduces a great new action heroine, Vanessa Michael Munroe, who doesn’t have to kick over a hornet’s nest to get attention, though her feral, take-no-prisoners attitude reflects the fire of Stieg Larsson’s Lisbeth Salander….Thriller fans will eagerly await the sequel to this high-octane page-turner.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Gripping international thriller

What did you love best about The Informationist?

The character reminded me of Steig Larrson trilogies The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. She seemed like a tragic but accomplished and smart girl.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The French lover

Have you listened to any of Hillary Huber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Well written with surprises all along the way. I loved this narration the story the characters and the locations. Only negative thing was so many places and characters it was difficult to remember where the story left off because I couldn't listen to the whole thing all at once.

Exciting Listen!

The Informationist was a very good book--and an excellent one to listen to.

The plot moved quickly, and with a strong female character in the lead, progressed through an exciting story. The narration was wonderful, and I really enjoyed every minute of listening to this novel. I consider it an excellent choice for your time and credit.

What a start!

I started listening to The Informationist while taking the train home on a Friday – usually the time I close my eyes and unwind after a full week. But this time my imagination was captured by Taylor Stevens’ tough-as-nails, mysterious new action heroine: information specialist Vanessa “Michael” Monroe. Some say her character is a bit over the top – too much of a butt-kicking Angelina Jolie – but what I find most interesting about her is Stevens’ own cult history past woven into Monroe’s intimate knowledge of the wilds of Africa. Hilary Huber’s cool and sultry tone fits Monroe’s character, and I’m looking forward to more from them in The Innocent.

Stays with you

Right from the outset, this book grabbed my full attention. Munroe is an exciting and resourceful "hero" with skills and a back story that make this book hard to put down. Setting the novel in Turkey, Africa and Texas makes a good thriller compelling reading. Days later, I'm still feeling the humidity, salt air and mud and hoping Munroe finds peace.

A great listen

I cant wait for another book by Taylor Stevens. Really enjoyed this, it was gritty,complex, but always easy to follow.

Not great, but not bad

This is one of the few book that I can honestly say that I didn't love, but didn't hate. I thought that at times the story was a bit slow, and some of the plot lines seemed a little to ramble on a bit long. One the positive side, when the action picked up, then it became more of a "had to keep listening" book for me.

Gritty and smart.

Where does The Informationist rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I rank it near the top of the other books in the thriller/suspense/adventure category.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. There were many situations out of which the main character had to think or act her way.

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

Yes. I was happy to have a long, involved task to complete while listening!

Totally enjoyable read

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

The reader was one of the best yet!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Some of the plot was predictable but setting and character development overcame.

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

I was heartbroken at one point...but don't want to be a spoiler...shocked and surprised.

Any additional comments?

One of my favorites...it is hard to not rehash previously told stories...but this one was unique and wonderfully done.

Lite Read - good travelogue

I think "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" has spawned a new genre of novel like this one-- girls with abusive pasts who grow up into emotionally crippled, gender ambiguous women. The novel is set in Africa and that makes up for a lot; the detail is good and it seems well researched. At times this book teeters on the edge of romance novel. It was a fast read, entertaining enough for a plane ride, and who knew one could purposefully dislocate a thumb to escape handcuffs. Reading really expands my horizons.

Keep Her Coming

If you like this genre, you'll love this book and the people who pepper it. Great characters, excellent plotting. Listened during bike rides, speed walks, drives to work and any chance I got. Give me more, please.