There are reasons they call this a "thriller" rather than a "mystery." A damaged, violent , and androgynous protagonist, Vanessa Michael Munroe, takes a break from her usual job of seeking information about developing countries to track down a young woman who went missing in Africa four years previously. The search takes place largely in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, which are presented as fairly precarious places for foreigners to hang out in. Two men who think Essa/Michael is pretty nifty accompany her on the quest, Fernando the smuggler, and Miles, the mercenary. It
was pretty thrilling. There's lots of Vanessa/Michael's backstory yet to reveal, so I think there might be a sequel or a series in the work. Hillary Huber isn't my favorite reader.
I was hesitant to get this based on the description, but was hooked by page 5. Ms. Stevens created an incredible heroine and I do hope it's not the last time we will see "Michael". The setting was new and though the plot complicated, it seemed completely believable. The action scenes were vivid and brutally realistic. If you want to escape with a thriller and a touch of romance, you will not be disappointed by The Informationist!
ReplyDelete