The Inquisitor

De: Mark Allen Smith

Narrado por: Ari Fliakos

A spectacularly original thriller about a professional torturer who has a strict code, a mysterious past, and a dangerous conviction that he can save the life of an innocent child....

Geiger has a gift: he knows a lie the instant he hears it. And in his business - called "information retrieval" by its practitioners - that gift is invaluable, because truth is the hottest thing on the market.

Geiger's clients count on him to extract the truth from even the most reluctant subjects. Unlike most of his competitors, Geiger rarely sheds blood, but he does use a variety of techniques - some physical, many psychological - to push his subjects to a point where pain takes a backseat to fear. Because only then will they finally stop lying.

One of Geiger's rules is that he never works with children. So when his partner, former journalist Harry Boddicker, unwittingly brings in a client who demands that Geiger interrogate a twelve-year-old boy, Geiger responds instinctively. He rescues the boy from his captor, removes him to the safety of his New York City loft, and promises to protect him from further harm. But if Geiger and Harry cannot quickly discover why the client is so desperate to learn the boy's secret, they themselves will become the victims of an utterly ruthless adversary. Mesmerizing and heart-in-your-throat compelling, Mark Allen Smith's The Inquisitor is a completely unique thriller that introduces both an unforgettable protagonist and a major new talent.

©2012 Mark Allen Smith (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not sure what I was expecting, but found this book rather dull.

Would you recommend The Inquisitor to your friends? Why or why not?

Considering all that's out there to read, I wouldn't waste your time on this one.

Did The Inquisitor inspire you to do anything?

About all I can say is that I didn't find him as vile as I thought I would.

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not sure what I was expecting, but found this book rather dull.

Would you recommend The Inquisitor to your friends? Why or why not?

Considering all that's out there to read, I wouldn't waste your time on this one.

Did The Inquisitor inspire you to do anything?

About all I can say is that I didn't find him as vile as I thought I would.

Great story, awesome narration

Thrilling thriller, but really brought the story to life was the amazing narration by Ari Fliakos. I could picture every character. Great synthesis between author & actor.

Promising debut

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Solid debut with a curious and sophisticated take on the traditional chase thriller. Most likeable torturer in history for sure, and a protagonist I would like to learn more about in future books. The storyline was perhaps a bit too single-tracked, but I was entertained the whole way.

Great thriller!!!!

Deep meaningful characters in a thrilling tale of redemption, beautifully narrated as always by Ari Fliakos!

Lost soul

I feel bad for "the Inquisitor). He's a lost soul, but has found his niche for his loner personality. He's good at his profession, but really doesn't understand why himself. It is revealed why by the end of the book. Sad, interesting, creepy.

Enjoyed it.

I enjoyed it. Characters we're well developed and easily to get involved with each emotion and action.

Thrilling Character Driven Story with A Heart

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

I don't know. I didn't read the print version.

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

The first two thirds of the book were written well, and were very interesting, but weren't actually all that "thrilling." I don't mean this as a critique. It did not detract from my enjoyment of the book at all. I'm just stating facts. I think that the entire first part was a great build up to the climax -- where all the excitement and fear and mystery happened.
The last third of the book was extremely intense. It did keep me wanting to listen...

Which character – as performed by Ari Fliakos – was your favorite?

I think Ari Fliakos is one of my favorite narrators of all audiobooks. I think he embodies every character to a perfect point.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think the part where our anti-hero, Geiger, has his "breakthrough" is especially engrossing. It was both sad and intense at the same time. It was well past my bedtime, but I couldn't stop the book. I had to listen to the end of that section. I felt awful and empathetic and scared all at the same time.

Any additional comments?

I wouldn't have bought this book if Ari Fliakos wasn't the narrator. Meaning, the only reason the book came on my radar was because I was searching his name. I'm glad i happened upon it, because it was an exciting and intense story about an extremely interesting character with a dangerous and kind of sickening job.

Wish it had been longer!

Approach with caution: the main character, after all, is a professional torturer. Still, I loved the characters in this book and was so sorry when it ended. Much too short. (A longer story might have also made the character's 'out of character' decision to help more believable.)

Well written -- at times, quite funny (the description of the torturer's visit to Burger King) -- and a stellar performance by Ari Flakos. I think this is the first time I've heard him read -- will definitely look at what else he's done. And I can't wait for the next book by this author.

Engaging story wrapped in narrative that hooks you

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

It was a surprisingly strong top tier read - story and narrator. Wasn't sure I'd like it but couldn't wait to jump back in on my commute each day to see how it all turned out.

What other book might you compare The Inquisitor to and why?

It falls into the Mitch Rapp/Vince Flynn camp - shorter, not as in depth in detail but certainly a fast read with the elements of suspense, revenge and the depths the inquisitor goes to for the truth.

What about Ari Fliakos’s performance did you like?

I liked it - took a bit to get used to as the narrator was a new voice for me - but it worked well as it adopted the persona of the key players in the story arc.

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

Parts made me squirm but not to the point of distraction from the overall story. Just enough to bring you into the inquisitor's mind and persona in full support of the story.