The Informationist by Taylor Stevens
Vanessa Michael Munroe is a hired gun of sorts, who's handsomely paid to gather information for corporations doing business in developing countries. She's an expert in analyzing the political and cultural practices in far corners of the world where few dare to tread. How she came to this line of work is buried in a past that's filled with both physical and emotional scars. Sometimes she uses all of Vanessa's charms to lure her subjects, other times the makeup and heels come off and Michael takes over.
This novel is set in Africa and the author did a fabulous job of research to set the scene for the reader. The jungle, the non stop rain mixed with heat, the government corruption all got under my skin. Other things got to me also. The writing was only okay. I found a lot of repetition and cliches. For me, it ruined some of the enjoyment of the story. Plus I found it difficult to read the words "Equatorial Guinea" over and over again in my head.
The Informationist is a book club selection. What I love about book club is that I have to read books I've never heard of and wouldn't normally be attracted to. It's rare that I would pick up any kind of suspense or thriller. But I like being pushed outside my comfort zone. The Informationist is full of twists, turns and heart stopping surprises. I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending, but then again, I don't read many mysteries or thrillers. I'm also not a serial reader so it's unlikely I will read more of Vanessa / Michael's adventures. But if suspense is what you like, I think you will find The Informationist a compelling and fulfilling story.
Vanessa Michael Munroe is a hired gun of sorts, who's handsomely paid to gather information for corporations doing business in developing countries. She's an expert in analyzing the political and cultural practices in far corners of the world where few dare to tread. How she came to this line of work is buried in a past that's filled with both physical and emotional scars. Sometimes she uses all of Vanessa's charms to lure her subjects, other times the makeup and heels come off and Michael takes over.
This novel is set in Africa and the author did a fabulous job of research to set the scene for the reader. The jungle, the non stop rain mixed with heat, the government corruption all got under my skin. Other things got to me also. The writing was only okay. I found a lot of repetition and cliches. For me, it ruined some of the enjoyment of the story. Plus I found it difficult to read the words "Equatorial Guinea" over and over again in my head.
The Informationist is a book club selection. What I love about book club is that I have to read books I've never heard of and wouldn't normally be attracted to. It's rare that I would pick up any kind of suspense or thriller. But I like being pushed outside my comfort zone. The Informationist is full of twists, turns and heart stopping surprises. I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending, but then again, I don't read many mysteries or thrillers. I'm also not a serial reader so it's unlikely I will read more of Vanessa / Michael's adventures. But if suspense is what you like, I think you will find The Informationist a compelling and fulfilling story.
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