Audiobook Review: The Inquisitor by Mark Allen Smith

• Listening Length: 8 hours and 48 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Source: Publisher

Geiger’s art is “information retrieval,” he can tell if someone is lying the instant the words are spoken. His methods aren’t always traditional, using physical and psychological means to obtain the information his clients seek. Unlike his competitors, he rarely draws blood, instead invoking so much fear in his “subjects” that they share the information relatively willingly.

One of Geiger’s restrictions is children; he refuses to work with them. Yet, when a case requires that he interrogate a twelve-year-old boy, the son of their “subject,”Geiger does something unprecedented: he rescues the child from his abductors, promising to protect him from harm. Soon Geiger and his partner Harry Boddicker, a former journalist, realize how determined their adversaries are to obtain the information they seek from this innocent child. The information presented to them upon the onset of the case was false, and Geiger and Harry soon learn that in order to guarantee the safety of this child, they must prevent one another from being killed.

Smith creates quite the unique character in Geiger. No first name, no history, no memory of his past and a high tolerance for pain. He reminded me somewhat of Robert Crais’ character, Joe Pike. Both Pike and Geiger seemingly are tough, cold-hearted guys, but beneath all that brute strength is a truly caring individual. Geiger, a man not known for his ability to communicate well, instead speaks volumes in his actions. Throughout the novel, the reader learns a bit about Geiger’s past, the events and situations that shaped him into the man he is now. The author skillfully weaves Geiger’s search for his own truth with the search for more information about the twelve-year-old boy they are attempting to keep safe.

Like Geiger, the pacing of this novel is quite intense. There are some pretty brutal scenes, but that’s to be expected given the main character’s line of work. Listening to the audio book production of this novel, narrated by Ari Fliakos, initially I felt no connection to the characters. The narrator seemed cold, the characters distant. In time, however, I recognized this as a sign of the narrator’s talent in portraying Geiger’s character. Eventually, as we learned more about Geiger’s character, I found myself forming a connection with him.

Bottom line: Smith provides a truly unique novel in The Inquisitor. Highly recommended.