Helpful Score: 3
I received this book as an ARC. It is a very quick read. The setting is primarily Africa - Ecuatorial Guinea. I do want to look up some of the political and geographical references. I want to know if the depiction of the country and surrounding regions is accurate. A book that leaves me wanting to know more is always a good thing.
The main character Vanessa Munroe reminded me of the character is Steig Larsson's books. The story, setting, and how the book proceeds are different. Overall, an enjoyable book. I could also see this become a good movie.
The main character Vanessa Munroe reminded me of the character is Steig Larsson's books. The story, setting, and how the book proceeds are different. Overall, an enjoyable book. I could also see this become a good movie.
Cindy M. (cindymcc) reviewed The Informationist (Vanessa Michael Munroe, Bk 1) on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Improbable escapist fun. Strong heroine unafraid of violence. Quick read, and reminds me of an action movie.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 2
First Line: This is where he would die.
Corporations, heads of state, private clients-- anyone who can pay her rates-- want the kind of information that only Vanessa "Michael" Munroe can find. Born in central Africa, Munroe's past is as shadowy as the sources of her information.
Four years ago the daughter of a Texas oil billionaire vanished in Africa. He's never given up the search, and now he wants Munroe to try to find the young woman. It's not her usual line of work, but she can't resist the challenge. Pulled deep into the mystery, Munroe finds herself betrayed and left for dead-- but those who don't want her to succeed have no idea how powerful her determination and will to survive really are.
For those of you who read according to the "Fifty Page Rule," be forewarned: the first fifty pages of The Informationist are a bit slow going until Stevens has set her scene and hit her stride. Once that happens, hang on to your hats.
The political instability of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea as well as the unpredictable character of Vanessa Munroe make for an explosive combination in this book. When everything and everyone is potentially lethal, the reader is never certain where the next threat is coming from.
Other than the slow beginning, the only thing that really bothered me was the identity of the bad guy. Whether we admit it or not, most readers of crime fiction and thrillers want a puzzle to pit their wits against. In most cases that puzzle is who done it, and the usual first question we armchair detectives ask ourselves is "Who stands to benefit the most from this death?" Perhaps because I'm such a cynical creature, I found the answer all too easy to discover.
After reading this book, I did a little research. For those of you who are not familiar with Taylor Stevens' background, you may want to visit her website. She's every bit as interesting as her fictional character. (In fact, I'd give Stevens the edge in the fascination quotient.) As for Vanessa Munroe, I discovered that many were pairing her with another unpredictable, highly intelligent, super secretive character-- Lisbeth Salander. I've read and loved all three of Stieg Larsson's books, but I did not pair his character with Taylor's as I read. I will admit that there are similarities, but one is not a copy of the other. I wouldn't want to have either one of these women infuriated with me; there's no hole deep enough to hide from Lisbeth or Vanessa!
As a lover of exotic locations and strong, unpredictable characters, I recommend this book. I look forward to reading the next Vanessa "Michael" Munroe adventure.
Corporations, heads of state, private clients-- anyone who can pay her rates-- want the kind of information that only Vanessa "Michael" Munroe can find. Born in central Africa, Munroe's past is as shadowy as the sources of her information.
Four years ago the daughter of a Texas oil billionaire vanished in Africa. He's never given up the search, and now he wants Munroe to try to find the young woman. It's not her usual line of work, but she can't resist the challenge. Pulled deep into the mystery, Munroe finds herself betrayed and left for dead-- but those who don't want her to succeed have no idea how powerful her determination and will to survive really are.
For those of you who read according to the "Fifty Page Rule," be forewarned: the first fifty pages of The Informationist are a bit slow going until Stevens has set her scene and hit her stride. Once that happens, hang on to your hats.
The political instability of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea as well as the unpredictable character of Vanessa Munroe make for an explosive combination in this book. When everything and everyone is potentially lethal, the reader is never certain where the next threat is coming from.
Other than the slow beginning, the only thing that really bothered me was the identity of the bad guy. Whether we admit it or not, most readers of crime fiction and thrillers want a puzzle to pit their wits against. In most cases that puzzle is who done it, and the usual first question we armchair detectives ask ourselves is "Who stands to benefit the most from this death?" Perhaps because I'm such a cynical creature, I found the answer all too easy to discover.
After reading this book, I did a little research. For those of you who are not familiar with Taylor Stevens' background, you may want to visit her website. She's every bit as interesting as her fictional character. (In fact, I'd give Stevens the edge in the fascination quotient.) As for Vanessa Munroe, I discovered that many were pairing her with another unpredictable, highly intelligent, super secretive character-- Lisbeth Salander. I've read and loved all three of Stieg Larsson's books, but I did not pair his character with Taylor's as I read. I will admit that there are similarities, but one is not a copy of the other. I wouldn't want to have either one of these women infuriated with me; there's no hole deep enough to hide from Lisbeth or Vanessa!
As a lover of exotic locations and strong, unpredictable characters, I recommend this book. I look forward to reading the next Vanessa "Michael" Munroe adventure.
Kathryn Y. (coco45) reviewed The Informationist (Vanessa Michael Munroe, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Wow what a good book, I liked everything about it especially the exotic African locations.
Susan H. (hagen007) - reviewed The Informationist (Vanessa Michael Munroe, Bk 1) on + 27 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. It was not, at least for me, a "fast" read (3 days on and off). I had to think a bit while I read; it wasn't like a Patterson, but I enjoyed it. Will read more from this author and "Michael."
Dixie K. (kona-dixy) reviewed The Informationist (Vanessa Michael Munroe, Bk 1) on + 27 more book reviews
Fantastic thriller, well worth your time. Fast-paced read. Much of it takes place in an Africa that is unfamiliar but is still enthralling, even menacing. Reminds me a little of a Lara Croft movie without much of the scenes to get-in and stay-in shape; this book's characters have wealth and the abundance of gizmos for protection. The story has so much movement and action and a great deal of emotion and mystery.
Sharon M. (sgmensing) reviewed The Informationist (Vanessa Michael Munroe, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
This book had gotten such good reviews and I had such high hopes for it. It is an international intrigue sort of thriller, set in politically unstable and corrupt Africa. The characters were cartoonish or cardboardish, leaving me caring little for them. And there was just too much moving from one lethal set up to another for my taste. The writing was fine...this just wasn't really my sort of book.
