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Geiger #1
The Inquisitor
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, The Inquisitor is a completely unique thriller that introduces both an unforgettable protagonist and a major new talent in Mark Allen Smith.
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, The Inquisitor is a completely unique thriller that introduces both an unforgettable protagonist and a major new talent in Mark Allen Smith.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2012
75 people are currently reading
1895 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
December 9, 2024
Am ales cartea datorita titlului și mă așteptam la un altfel de subiect. Surpriză! Un thriller foarte bun cu un subiect surprinzător. Credeți că inchizitorii din vechime au dispărut, în niciun caz, este o "meserie" care s-a transformat, dar nu v-a dispărea niciodată. Începutul a fost ușor confuz, dar incitant, iar ce a urmat a fost un roman pe care nu-l poți lăsa din mână. Nu seamănă cu niciun thriller cu care sunt obișnuită. Dacă vreți un thriller bun și diferit vă recomand Inchizitorul.
P.S. Aștept traducerea volumului 2, Confesorul.
P.S. Aștept traducerea volumului 2, Confesorul.
October 25, 2013
In The Inquisitor, our protagonist wakes up in New York City with no knowledge of who he is or where he's been, but possesses a keen survival instinct. Managing to get work on construction sites for cash, he eventually gives himself the moniker of Geiger and earns the trust of the local mob. His friends in dark places provide him with the economic means to utilize his true talents and start up his own company in "information retrieval." An unconventional business model, sure, but a man with amnesia has got to make a living.
For the past 15 years, Geiger has become extremely skilled in his chosen profession and knows the best ways to push people to their limits through psychological rather than physical torture. Whether working for the government or for criminal enterprises, Geiger has only one drive: to get to the truth (there's some pretty broad symbolism in his name; like a Geiger counter detects radiation, our Geiger can detect the truth amid his victim's desperate lies). When a child is brought to him under questionable circumstances, Geiger finds a conscience and helps the boy, Ezra, escape. In doing so, the walls his mind put up to keep out the demons of his past begin to crumble, threatening not just his safety, but that of those he's vowed to protect.
I thought I would be getting a fresh take on the thriller and, while this is a serviceable entry into the genre, it tells a safe, by the numbers tale. Like most of its ilk, it's completely implausible, but it is better written than most, falling somewhere between David Morrell and Robert Ludlum. Still, it has a highly-polished movie script feel to it. (In my mind, I was already playing casting director, and that's not a particularly good sign as it usually means I'd rather be seeing the movie version--by the way, I've settled on either Jeremy Renner or Daniel Craig to play Geiger; have their people call my people and let's make this thing happen, baby). The big reveal in the end is a letdown and doesn't really seem like the type of thing that would kick up all of the fuss in the novel.
The biggest problem for me was the character of Geiger himself. Seemingly emotionless not just in the interrogation room, but in life as well, Geiger isn't the type of character one can connect or empathize with. He approaches his torture with a cold, clinical precision, but I suppose we're supposed to see the moral core hidden deep, deep down in his psyche because he tries to actively avoid physical harm. His lack of relationships and his refusal to engage with the world outside the limited one he's built for himself make him seem inhuman. There's some definite overtones of Terminator 2: Judgment Day here. Like the Arnold Schwarzenegger character, Geiger is a badass mofo who protects the young Ezra and in a hesitating, halting manner, begins to express human-like emotions. It's dude-lit in which men get to envision themselves as steely-eyed, square-jawed, testosterone-fueled protectors willing to sacrifice themselves so that others may live. Like I said, we've been here before.
The one thing that should make Geiger intriguing, his repressed past with a father whose motivations are unclear, is never as fully explored as I hoped (is he trying to protect his son from a known danger, or is he just a sadistic survivalist intent on making his boy as tough as possible?). While we do begin to get a clearer picture of what the young Geiger endured, Smith isn't putting all of his cards on the table yet as this is clearly intended to be an enduring series.
The Inquisitor is what it is and, for what it is, it's fairly well done. However, the stock characters and lack of psychological depth means I probably won't be coming back for seconds.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder and at Shelf Inflicted
For the past 15 years, Geiger has become extremely skilled in his chosen profession and knows the best ways to push people to their limits through psychological rather than physical torture. Whether working for the government or for criminal enterprises, Geiger has only one drive: to get to the truth (there's some pretty broad symbolism in his name; like a Geiger counter detects radiation, our Geiger can detect the truth amid his victim's desperate lies). When a child is brought to him under questionable circumstances, Geiger finds a conscience and helps the boy, Ezra, escape. In doing so, the walls his mind put up to keep out the demons of his past begin to crumble, threatening not just his safety, but that of those he's vowed to protect.
I thought I would be getting a fresh take on the thriller and, while this is a serviceable entry into the genre, it tells a safe, by the numbers tale. Like most of its ilk, it's completely implausible, but it is better written than most, falling somewhere between David Morrell and Robert Ludlum. Still, it has a highly-polished movie script feel to it. (In my mind, I was already playing casting director, and that's not a particularly good sign as it usually means I'd rather be seeing the movie version--by the way, I've settled on either Jeremy Renner or Daniel Craig to play Geiger; have their people call my people and let's make this thing happen, baby). The big reveal in the end is a letdown and doesn't really seem like the type of thing that would kick up all of the fuss in the novel.
The biggest problem for me was the character of Geiger himself. Seemingly emotionless not just in the interrogation room, but in life as well, Geiger isn't the type of character one can connect or empathize with. He approaches his torture with a cold, clinical precision, but I suppose we're supposed to see the moral core hidden deep, deep down in his psyche because he tries to actively avoid physical harm. His lack of relationships and his refusal to engage with the world outside the limited one he's built for himself make him seem inhuman. There's some definite overtones of Terminator 2: Judgment Day here. Like the Arnold Schwarzenegger character, Geiger is a badass mofo who protects the young Ezra and in a hesitating, halting manner, begins to express human-like emotions. It's dude-lit in which men get to envision themselves as steely-eyed, square-jawed, testosterone-fueled protectors willing to sacrifice themselves so that others may live. Like I said, we've been here before.
The one thing that should make Geiger intriguing, his repressed past with a father whose motivations are unclear, is never as fully explored as I hoped (is he trying to protect his son from a known danger, or is he just a sadistic survivalist intent on making his boy as tough as possible?). While we do begin to get a clearer picture of what the young Geiger endured, Smith isn't putting all of his cards on the table yet as this is clearly intended to be an enduring series.
The Inquisitor is what it is and, for what it is, it's fairly well done. However, the stock characters and lack of psychological depth means I probably won't be coming back for seconds.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder and at Shelf Inflicted
May 1, 2012
Geiger is a torture artist, but he prefers to call his work "information retrieval." He has a special gift in that he can always tell when someone is lying. He also has a soft spot for kids, but he's not aware of how soft that spot is because he has never hung out with any kids. When twelve-year-old Ezra appears in Geiger's "studio," we begin to see a side of Geiger no one knew existed -- including Geiger himself.
The Inquisitor is one darned good debut thriller. Mark Allen Smith has some years of experience in the film and TV industries, so he's got a handle on dialogue, setting up scenes, and creating a smooth story flow.
Given the subject matter, the story isn't particularly high on the gruesome scale. There are some pretty squinky spots in the torture scenes, so take heed, thou of delicate constitution.
Best things about Geiger:
1) He has no TV in his home.
2) He doesn't eat garbage food. His first visit to a Burger King is a bewildering experience.
Worst things about Geiger:
1)Well....he tortures people.
2)Recovered memories. This was the one hokey thing in the story. Don't let it get to you. Give a hearty scoff and move on.
Best line in the book: "What's a Cobb salad?"
The Inquisitor is one darned good debut thriller. Mark Allen Smith has some years of experience in the film and TV industries, so he's got a handle on dialogue, setting up scenes, and creating a smooth story flow.
Given the subject matter, the story isn't particularly high on the gruesome scale. There are some pretty squinky spots in the torture scenes, so take heed, thou of delicate constitution.
Best things about Geiger:
1) He has no TV in his home.
2) He doesn't eat garbage food. His first visit to a Burger King is a bewildering experience.
Worst things about Geiger:
1)Well....he tortures people.
2)Recovered memories. This was the one hokey thing in the story. Don't let it get to you. Give a hearty scoff and move on.
Best line in the book: "What's a Cobb salad?"
September 2, 2018
Torture porn.
April 1, 2016
Το βιβλίο κυκλοφόρησε στα ελληνικά πριν λίγες μέρες, από τις εκδόσεις Κλειδάριθμος, και δεν άργησα να το αγοράσω και να το διαβάσω. Τις συγκεκριμένες εκδόσεις τις εμπιστεύομαι τυφλά όσον αφορά τα θρίλερ, μιας και κανένα από αυτά που έχω διαβάσει δεν με έχει απογοητεύσει. Το ίδιο συνέβη και με το βιβλίο του Μαρκ Άλεν Σμιθ, το οποίο σίγουρα με άφησε ικανοποιημένο.
Ο Γκάιγκερ είναι ένας επαγγελματίας βασανιστής με ιδιαίτερα μυστηριώδες παρελθόν, άσος στην ανάκτηση πληροφοριών, ο καλύτερος στον τομέα του και με σταθερή πελατεία. Σπάνια οι ανακρίσεις του έχουν αιματηρή κατάληξη, όμως δεν διστάζει να χρησιμοποιήσει επίπονες τεχνικές σωματικής και ψυχολογικής πίεσης στα θύματά του για να πετύχει τον σκοπό του. Όμως έχει έναν συγκεκριμένο κανόνα, μεταξύ άλλων: Δεν ανακρίνει παιδιά. Έλα όμως που τώρα θα του τύχει μια τέτοια περίπτωση - συγκεκριμένα ένα δωδεκάχρονο αγόρι. Και οι πελάτες αυτή τη φορά είναι πολύ επικίνδυνοι και με πολλά μυστικά. Και βιάζονται πολύ. Ο Γκάιγκερ θα αναγκαστεί να σώσει το παιδί, αλλά και τον ίδιο του τον εαυτό.
Το θρίλερ ξεχωρίζει κυρίως χάρη στην ιδιότητα και το βάθος του βασικού πρωταγωνιστή, ενός ανθρώπου με τρομακτικά παιδικά χρόνια, που κατέληξε να δουλεύει σαν βασανιστής. Θα έλεγε κανείς ότι ένας τέτοιος πρωταγωνιστής θα είναι αντιπαθητικός, όμως όχι, προσωπικά έγινα ένα με τα προβλήματά του. Επίσης συμπάθησα πολύ και τον συνεργάτη του. Από κει και πέρα, η πλοκή είναι ικανοποιητική, με καλές δόσεις μυστηρίου, δράσης και σασπένς, αν και σίγουρα υπάρχουν κάποιες ευκολίες και ορισμένα αναπάντητα ερωτήματα. Η γραφή είναι πολύ καλή, ευκολοδιάβαστη και εθιστική. Η ατμόσφαιρα αγωνιώδης.
Σε καμία περίπτωση δεν μιλάμε για αριστούργημα ή για ένα θρίλερ δίχως ατέλειες, αλλά σίγουρα το βιβλίο είναι τίμιο ως προς τις προθέσεις του, που είναι να προσφέρει δράση, αγωνία και ένταση, όπως και έναν ιδιαίτερα ξεχωριστό και περίεργο πρωταγωνιστή. Όσοι λατρεύετε τέτοιου είδους θρίλερ, νομίζω ότι δεν θα περάσετε καθόλου άσχημα διαβάζοντας το βιβλίο αυτό, που είναι και το πρώτο του Μαρκ Άλεν Σμιθ.
Ο Γκάιγκερ είναι ένας επαγγελματίας βασανιστής με ιδιαίτερα μυστηριώδες παρελθόν, άσος στην ανάκτηση πληροφοριών, ο καλύτερος στον τομέα του και με σταθερή πελατεία. Σπάνια οι ανακρίσεις του έχουν αιματηρή κατάληξη, όμως δεν διστάζει να χρησιμοποιήσει επίπονες τεχνικές σωματικής και ψυχολογικής πίεσης στα θύματά του για να πετύχει τον σκοπό του. Όμως έχει έναν συγκεκριμένο κανόνα, μεταξύ άλλων: Δεν ανακρίνει παιδιά. Έλα όμως που τώρα θα του τύχει μια τέτοια περίπτωση - συγκεκριμένα ένα δωδεκάχρονο αγόρι. Και οι πελάτες αυτή τη φορά είναι πολύ επικίνδυνοι και με πολλά μυστικά. Και βιάζονται πολύ. Ο Γκάιγκερ θα αναγκαστεί να σώσει το παιδί, αλλά και τον ίδιο του τον εαυτό.
Το θρίλερ ξεχωρίζει κυρίως χάρη στην ιδιότητα και το βάθος του βασικού πρωταγωνιστή, ενός ανθρώπου με τρομακτικά παιδικά χρόνια, που κατέληξε να δουλεύει σαν βασανιστής. Θα έλεγε κανείς ότι ένας τέτοιος πρωταγωνιστής θα είναι αντιπαθητικός, όμως όχι, προσωπικά έγινα ένα με τα προβλήματά του. Επίσης συμπάθησα πολύ και τον συνεργάτη του. Από κει και πέρα, η πλοκή είναι ικανοποιητική, με καλές δόσεις μυστηρίου, δράσης και σασπένς, αν και σίγουρα υπάρχουν κάποιες ευκολίες και ορισμένα αναπάντητα ερωτήματα. Η γραφή είναι πολύ καλή, ευκολοδιάβαστη και εθιστική. Η ατμόσφαιρα αγωνιώδης.
Σε καμία περίπτωση δεν μιλάμε για αριστούργημα ή για ένα θρίλερ δίχως ατέλειες, αλλά σίγουρα το βιβλίο είναι τίμιο ως προς τις προθέσεις του, που είναι να προσφέρει δράση, αγωνία και ένταση, όπως και έναν ιδιαίτερα ξεχωριστό και περίεργο πρωταγωνιστή. Όσοι λατρεύετε τέτοιου είδους θρίλερ, νομίζω ότι δεν θα περάσετε καθόλου άσχημα διαβάζοντας το βιβλίο αυτό, που είναι και το πρώτο του Μαρκ Άλεν Σμιθ.
July 21, 2016
When I first started listening to this I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. Then I was soon sucked into the story. Geiger is someone who can tell if a person is telling the truth or not. He tortures people to get the answer out of them. When a client brings him a 12-year-old boy to torture and find out where his father is located, Geiger has had enough. The story soon takes the reader on a roller coaster of a ride that made me cringe, gasp and even smile. This was such a good story!
May 5, 2020
Είναι ένα ωραίο ψυχολογικό θρίλερ που τα έχει όλα. Έναν συμπαθέστατο πρωταγωνιστή που είναι επαγγελματίας βασανιστής με πολλά παιδικά τραύματα. Τον φίλο του τον Χάρι που είναι άσσος στα κομπιούτερς. Επικίνδυνους διώκτες που δεν διστάζουν να βασανίσουν ένα δωδεκάχρονο προκειμένου να μάθουν αυτά που θέλουν. Γρήγορο με ένταση, αγωνία, βασανιστήρια, συναίσθημα, δράση, αίμα. Δεν κάνει κοιλιά, διαβάζεται ευχάριστα παρ όλο τον ερασιτεχνισμό του συγγραφέα, αφού είναι το πρώτο του βιβλίο. Θα το ευχαριστηθείτε αλλά μην περιμένετε να πείτε ουάοου!!!!!! Και απ΄ότι κατάλαβα υπάρχει και η συνέχεια ¨Ο εξομολογητής¨που ομολογώ ότι θα την διαβάσω.
October 31, 2020
(2.5 stars going towards 3) I finished reading this book like 2 hours ago, slept on it, then woke up with this headache because of the terrible Geiger-related dreams which were endlessly striking at my defenseless brain.
So, I still can’t quite wrap my head around this book but I applaud the author for playing with my sensations regarding the actions that were taken, however, were these sensations negative or positive? I can’t really decide yet.
Okay, let’s break it down because my ideas are still pretty crumbled up. At the beginning of this book, the author presents Geiger as a very cold-hearted torturer, yet one who stands by three strict rules and one of them is that he doesn’t mess with kids.
When the author started, let’s say, the excitement of the story, he started it off with Geiger accepting to do this one kid then him choosing to escape WITH the kid. Allow me to say, the flow of actions after that certain character-made choice got INTENSELY predictable. What a disappointment, to be reading yet another bad-guy-chases-good-guy-till-good-guy-wins book. Turns out, I was just a tiny teeny bit wrong, turned out, the story did have potentials.
The story proved to be the case of Geiger going soft and breaking mental barriers which were holding back a long forgotten past. A childhood.
Was the book realistic? Hell no.
Was it worth the time? Hell yeah.
Did I enjoy it? Eh.
The wording and phrasing of the author made me, at several points, want to throw the book and go to sleep. WHY would he make it so slow paced, so HARD to swallow down? A psychological thriller like The Inquisitor needed action more than description, messing around more than coldness and DEFINITELY more background than what was traced in between the lines.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Geiger, the ending threw me off, the description of the “torture session” were also the work of a genius but the protagonist had so much potential, why was the writing so unfair towards him? Such a character can make a revolution in the history of creative writing, only if handled right.
This book had so much potential beaming but was extremely abused by the author himself, I both salute and condole him for such a work. Will I read The Confessor? Only time will tell.
So, I still can’t quite wrap my head around this book but I applaud the author for playing with my sensations regarding the actions that were taken, however, were these sensations negative or positive? I can’t really decide yet.
Okay, let’s break it down because my ideas are still pretty crumbled up. At the beginning of this book, the author presents Geiger as a very cold-hearted torturer, yet one who stands by three strict rules and one of them is that he doesn’t mess with kids.
When the author started, let’s say, the excitement of the story, he started it off with Geiger accepting to do this one kid then him choosing to escape WITH the kid. Allow me to say, the flow of actions after that certain character-made choice got INTENSELY predictable. What a disappointment, to be reading yet another bad-guy-chases-good-guy-till-good-guy-wins book. Turns out, I was just a tiny teeny bit wrong, turned out, the story did have potentials.
The story proved to be the case of Geiger going soft and breaking mental barriers which were holding back a long forgotten past. A childhood.
Was the book realistic? Hell no.
Was it worth the time? Hell yeah.
Did I enjoy it? Eh.
The wording and phrasing of the author made me, at several points, want to throw the book and go to sleep. WHY would he make it so slow paced, so HARD to swallow down? A psychological thriller like The Inquisitor needed action more than description, messing around more than coldness and DEFINITELY more background than what was traced in between the lines.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Geiger, the ending threw me off, the description of the “torture session” were also the work of a genius but the protagonist had so much potential, why was the writing so unfair towards him? Such a character can make a revolution in the history of creative writing, only if handled right.
This book had so much potential beaming but was extremely abused by the author himself, I both salute and condole him for such a work. Will I read The Confessor? Only time will tell.
August 9, 2013
It was amazing! I love the plot truly.
I have no time to put on a review,this should be a quicky. But I really want a sequel!!
And I want more of Geiger's past. Sure, he's invisible, his dad taught him to embrace pain and all those cuts but it wasn't enough!! Like how did he come up with his name? OR what's he gonna do next? Will he contact Harry? How about his mom? Why he doesn't do kids? He's got no girl? He's not married? And Lily's craziness, I want it to be further explained. >.<
I like the twist about the package. Here's my confession: I wasn't paying attention to the first scene. It was actually the driving force of the plot.
A thrilling chase, a little heart warming, the scenes of Geiger and Ezra are a little bit funny The chilling thought of how he became "the" pain and still be sane. Well, he's actually insane and brutishly cruel in every context. I mean, he tortures people for a living! Come on! He's the devil incarnate.
I totally love his title. It suited him well. The title has already explained what he does and how he performs his job. Information Retrieval: and I thought I'd only hear it on computers. Kind of applies to humans too. He was scary but because of Ezra, Corley and Harry (well, Ezra triggered it), he became human.
It was a nice shift of expectation. What else can I say? The book is great. I wanted to give 4 stars but I feel like being generous somehow. Like Geiger
I have no time to put on a review,this should be a quicky. But I really want a sequel!!
And I want more of Geiger's past. Sure, he's invisible, his dad taught him to embrace pain and all those cuts but it wasn't enough!! Like how did he come up with his name? OR what's he gonna do next? Will he contact Harry? How about his mom? Why he doesn't do kids? He's got no girl? He's not married? And Lily's craziness, I want it to be further explained. >.<
I like the twist about the package. Here's my confession: I wasn't paying attention to the first scene. It was actually the driving force of the plot.
A thrilling chase, a little heart warming, the scenes of Geiger and Ezra are a little bit funny The chilling thought of how he became "the" pain and still be sane. Well, he's actually insane and brutishly cruel in every context. I mean, he tortures people for a living! Come on! He's the devil incarnate.
I totally love his title. It suited him well. The title has already explained what he does and how he performs his job. Information Retrieval: and I thought I'd only hear it on computers. Kind of applies to humans too. He was scary but because of Ezra, Corley and Harry (well, Ezra triggered it), he became human.
It was a nice shift of expectation. What else can I say? The book is great. I wanted to give 4 stars but I feel like being generous somehow. Like Geiger
March 22, 2013
You know what this book needs? A good dose of slash.
First half = very good.
There were even two small sections that were absolutely marvellous; kind of restoring my faith in contemporary fiction marvellous.
Second half = weak.
Smith didn't fully utilise all the plot elements he'd so carefully set up in the first half, and despite some nice imagery it fizzles away to something generically ordinary.
First half = very good.
There were even two small sections that were absolutely marvellous; kind of restoring my faith in contemporary fiction marvellous.
Second half = weak.
Smith didn't fully utilise all the plot elements he'd so carefully set up in the first half, and despite some nice imagery it fizzles away to something generically ordinary.
July 24, 2013
My original review can be seen here.
Please note: I originally read in February 2012; just updating the formatting.
My Synopsis and Story Overview: Geiger has no memory prior to arriving in New York on a bus - he doesn't even know his name. He is, however, able to create beautiful creations through carpentry, and, as it turns out, he has another gift - he is able to tell if someone is lying. He is in the Information Retrieval business - he ... "convinces" people to tell the truth through various methods and application of different forms of pain. He has few rules, but one of the main ones is that he never, ever works on children. When a client shows up with a last-minute change in plans that includes a young boy, Geiger takes the boy and goes on the run. Will he be able to protect the boy and keep himself and his partner alive? Will he be able to discover the truth behind what the client wants?
My Thoughts and Review: This is a unique story with a unique protagonist. Geiger is not a terribly sympathetic person - he is cold, distant, detached - almost schizophrenic in affect. However, underneath the surface, something is boiling and the reader finds herself strangely interested in what is happening to this mysterious man. The other characters are as memorable, as quirky, and as multi-faceted as Geiger. The story was highly engaging and, while occasionally fairly violent, should be one that most fans of suspense and thrillers should enjoy. I'm going to give one spoiler, for those who, like me, worry about such things. The cat comes through just fine.
Disclosure: I received a free ARC of this book from the Amazon.com Vine program in exchange for an honest review.
Please note: I originally read in February 2012; just updating the formatting.
My Synopsis and Story Overview: Geiger has no memory prior to arriving in New York on a bus - he doesn't even know his name. He is, however, able to create beautiful creations through carpentry, and, as it turns out, he has another gift - he is able to tell if someone is lying. He is in the Information Retrieval business - he ... "convinces" people to tell the truth through various methods and application of different forms of pain. He has few rules, but one of the main ones is that he never, ever works on children. When a client shows up with a last-minute change in plans that includes a young boy, Geiger takes the boy and goes on the run. Will he be able to protect the boy and keep himself and his partner alive? Will he be able to discover the truth behind what the client wants?
My Thoughts and Review: This is a unique story with a unique protagonist. Geiger is not a terribly sympathetic person - he is cold, distant, detached - almost schizophrenic in affect. However, underneath the surface, something is boiling and the reader finds herself strangely interested in what is happening to this mysterious man. The other characters are as memorable, as quirky, and as multi-faceted as Geiger. The story was highly engaging and, while occasionally fairly violent, should be one that most fans of suspense and thrillers should enjoy. I'm going to give one spoiler, for those who, like me, worry about such things. The cat comes through just fine.
Disclosure: I received a free ARC of this book from the Amazon.com Vine program in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2012
This blew me out of the water. Geiger is in the Information Retrieval business. Or in plain English, he's a professional torturer. But he rarely draws blood. He doesn't need to. He uses the victim's own psyche against him and draws it out until the victim tells the truth. Geiger has one rule, though. He doesn't work on kids. So when a kid is brought in, Geiger entire life plan changes. Geiger is such a fascinating character because he is partially a blank slate, even to himself, and because he knows that he has memories that he can't access. Ezra, the boy that he refuses to torture, is both frightened and fascinated by Geiger who does exactly what he says he'll do. Ari Fliakos, the reader, gives Geiger an otherworldly quality while ensuring that everyone else is most definitely of this world. Despite what he does, Geiger is like a lost angel with childlike wonder of the world around him. It's a fascinating, albeit not always comfortable, novel.
May 2, 2019
Mit dem Prolog steigt man direkt in den Beruf des Protagonisten Geiger ein: Er ist gerade dabei, einen Mann dazuzubringen, gewissen Informationen zu liefern - in dem er ihn foltert. Das war im ersten Moment etwas hart, aber dafür wusste man als Leser gleich, was einen erwartet.
Trotzdem ist das Buch nicht so brutal, wie es auf den ersten Blick scheint. Das liegt aber vor allem an den Protagonisten. Geiger ist ein wirklich sympathischer Mann, einzig sein Beruf ist eben sehr speziell. Er ist aber kein Masochist, der Freude am Schmerz anderer hat. Er sieht das Ganze wirklich eher pragmatisch und als Einnahmequelle.
Dazu passt auch sein Gehilfe Harry, der sich im Hintergrund darum kümmert, dass das Geschäft läuft. Der trockene Alkoholiker ist mir während des Lesens richtig ans Herz gewachsen, da er eine treue Seele ist, in der viel Gutes steckt.
Was an diesem Buch wirklich besonders ist, ist, dass die Grenzen zwischen Gut und Böse verschwimmen. Eigentlich darf man Geiger als moralischen Gründen nicht mögen, denn er foltert Menschen, andererseits handelt er auch sehr moralisch, sodass man ihn nicht verurteilt. Die eigentlichen Bösen sind andere, die sich mit Geiger und Harry anlegen und die Hauptstory ausmachen.
Diese hat mir sehr gut gefallen, denn sie ist wirklich spannend. Es ist kein klassischer Thriller, denn Morde und einen Ermittler gibt es nicht. Man bewegt sich eher in der Unterwelt, in der die Polizei außen vor gelassen wird. Es wird trotzdem - oder gerade deswegen - viel Action geboten, sodass man immer weiterlesen möchte und das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen kann.
Am besten war allerdings der trockene Humor, der sich durch das ganze Buch zieht. Und das bei einem eigentlich sehr ernsten Thema. Aber die Antworten, die Geiger und Harry geben, sind teilweise richtig komisch. Manchmal ist es auch einfach Situationskomik, vor allem weil Geiger doch sehr wenig Gefühle zeigt und man vermuten könnte, er geht alles sehr pragmatisch an. In ihm steckt aber noch mehr, was man erst nach und nach erfährt. Dadurch kann man Geiger auch besser verstehen und lernt eine weitere Seite kennen.
Für mich war das Buch ein Pageturner und an einem Tag ausgelesen. Ich freue mich immer noch über diesen tollen Fund im offenen Bücherregal. Von mir gibt es 5 Sterne und eine klare Leseempfehlung für alle, die mal einen Thriller ohne Schema F lesen wollen.
Trotzdem ist das Buch nicht so brutal, wie es auf den ersten Blick scheint. Das liegt aber vor allem an den Protagonisten. Geiger ist ein wirklich sympathischer Mann, einzig sein Beruf ist eben sehr speziell. Er ist aber kein Masochist, der Freude am Schmerz anderer hat. Er sieht das Ganze wirklich eher pragmatisch und als Einnahmequelle.
Dazu passt auch sein Gehilfe Harry, der sich im Hintergrund darum kümmert, dass das Geschäft läuft. Der trockene Alkoholiker ist mir während des Lesens richtig ans Herz gewachsen, da er eine treue Seele ist, in der viel Gutes steckt.
Was an diesem Buch wirklich besonders ist, ist, dass die Grenzen zwischen Gut und Böse verschwimmen. Eigentlich darf man Geiger als moralischen Gründen nicht mögen, denn er foltert Menschen, andererseits handelt er auch sehr moralisch, sodass man ihn nicht verurteilt. Die eigentlichen Bösen sind andere, die sich mit Geiger und Harry anlegen und die Hauptstory ausmachen.
Diese hat mir sehr gut gefallen, denn sie ist wirklich spannend. Es ist kein klassischer Thriller, denn Morde und einen Ermittler gibt es nicht. Man bewegt sich eher in der Unterwelt, in der die Polizei außen vor gelassen wird. Es wird trotzdem - oder gerade deswegen - viel Action geboten, sodass man immer weiterlesen möchte und das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen kann.
Am besten war allerdings der trockene Humor, der sich durch das ganze Buch zieht. Und das bei einem eigentlich sehr ernsten Thema. Aber die Antworten, die Geiger und Harry geben, sind teilweise richtig komisch. Manchmal ist es auch einfach Situationskomik, vor allem weil Geiger doch sehr wenig Gefühle zeigt und man vermuten könnte, er geht alles sehr pragmatisch an. In ihm steckt aber noch mehr, was man erst nach und nach erfährt. Dadurch kann man Geiger auch besser verstehen und lernt eine weitere Seite kennen.
Für mich war das Buch ein Pageturner und an einem Tag ausgelesen. Ich freue mich immer noch über diesen tollen Fund im offenen Bücherregal. Von mir gibt es 5 Sterne und eine klare Leseempfehlung für alle, die mal einen Thriller ohne Schema F lesen wollen.
Want to read
April 24, 2020
September 9, 2019
Ich möchte Geiger aus unerfindlichen Gründen seeehr gerne 😱 und freue mich auf Band 2 !
September 13, 2011
Geiger is a professional torturer. He has 3 rules and one of them is - he doesn't do kids. Then 12 yr old Ezra enters the picture. New twist on the thriller genre with this one. Reminded me of Beat the Reaper In that it was a fast read and you weren't sure where you were headed but couldn't wait to get there.
June 2, 2025
Interesting book... I really don't know how to feel about it.
If you are looking for a magnifying psychological novel that explores traumas and how they affect human perception and behaviour, then this book is perfect.
Sadly, it was quite boring for me and the writing style was bland, tasteless. While the action packed-scenes are well balanced, something was lacking... and it was not in character description. It was writing – prose.
If you are looking for a magnifying psychological novel that explores traumas and how they affect human perception and behaviour, then this book is perfect.
Sadly, it was quite boring for me and the writing style was bland, tasteless. While the action packed-scenes are well balanced, something was lacking... and it was not in character description. It was writing – prose.
January 16, 2012
Geiger’s mind was sent reeling away from the dark forest, defying the vision’s gravity and seeking refuge beyond it. But what came before him was a floating curtain, and then, as the curtain parted, it revealed the long shelf carrying all his session books: the black binders, the hundreds of Joneses, the thousands of pages filled with strategies and methods, reactions and conclusions. Geiger could see the faces of his subjects, he could hear every epithet and plea ever uttered, every sound a human can make in fear or pain. Confronting him was a compendium of the darkest of man’s arts—and a garish portrait of a monster that now, for the first time, he recognized as himself.
***
Geiger: Information Retrieval specialist. Interrogator. A torturer of a kind; a man with a strict moral code—something that cannot necessarily be said of his contemporaries. Mark Allen Smith’s first novel, The Inquisitor is a brisk thriller that hedges its success on an unconventional protagonist with a mysterious past.
In the off-the-books world of information retrieval, Geiger is a known quantity on a very short list. He’s efficient. He gets what he needs, and he does it without bringing extensive physical harm to his subjects. Mental anguish however… that’s an issue for another day. Geiger gets the call when the Jones—the individual he is hired to withdraw information from—needs to be broken without leaving bodily evidence to be mopped up in the aftermath. He lives a restricted, Spartan lifestyle, and adheres to a personal code of ethics. His past is a mystery, even to himself, but his talents are without question. When a not-entirely-on-the-level case is offered to him, Geiger is forced to decide whether or not to deviate from his code and interrogate a child—a young pre-teen named Ezra. Should he refuse, the information retrieval will fall to another in his line of work—a notoriously blunt instrument named Dalton.
The Inquisitor doesn’t try to hide its hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold roots: Geiger, though violent and at times highly unstable, is our man on the inside, the good guy with the shady past whose sins—dark though they may be—are not beyond absolution. Smith isn’t interested in challenging us with a thoroughly detestable main character; he wants us to sympathize with and, in time, understand Geiger’s behaviour. His past, his motivation, and his abilities create a wholly sympathetic social outcast with precious few confidants in his closed-off world. Yes, he has certain unscrupulous connections and has done some unforgivable things in his career, but his code, which removes him from his role as interrogator and installs him as Ezra’s protector, is noble and unshakable.
While Geiger is certainly an intriguing, Jason Bourne-esque personality, the book’s remaining characters run the gamut from the hard-on-his-luck “best friend” and accomplice, to by-the-numbers mobsters and are-they-or-aren’t-they government agents, and one very off-kilter sister, whose presence provides the narrative with a certain amount of pathos. The most fascinating of the side characters, interestingly enough, is Geiger’s vile counterpart, Dalton. The pairing of the two in the book’s third act offers the story’s strongest character development. Dalton is what Geiger could be, were he to completely discard his code of ethics.
The Inquisitor is at times an uneven experience. While I appreciated the lean and energized narrative (with its obvious allusions to Wikileaks), the quick character turns—the willingness to abandon a career so dramatically when ethically challenged—left me feeling winded. It was as if an earlier novel developing Geiger’s modes and methods of operation had been written and discarded in favour of what at times feels more like the second chapter of a series, and not an introduction. Though his interaction with Ezra works to humanize Geiger, it feels as though we’ve missed out on an opportunity to further explore his interactions with other Information Retrieval specialists. Granted this could be done in the future with prequels or flashbacks, should Geiger become the star of his own series, but as a singular instalment I found myself more fascinated with the implications and details of his dark industry than with any late-in-the-game character revelations.
In spite of these reservations and a forced, Friday the 13th hand-out-of-the-water climax that falls into slightly comic territory, The Inquisitor is still an exciting page turner, and I’d love to know where Smith takes the character from here. I just hope the road to Geiger’s salvation is a little rockier and more challenging from here on out.
***
Geiger: Information Retrieval specialist. Interrogator. A torturer of a kind; a man with a strict moral code—something that cannot necessarily be said of his contemporaries. Mark Allen Smith’s first novel, The Inquisitor is a brisk thriller that hedges its success on an unconventional protagonist with a mysterious past.
In the off-the-books world of information retrieval, Geiger is a known quantity on a very short list. He’s efficient. He gets what he needs, and he does it without bringing extensive physical harm to his subjects. Mental anguish however… that’s an issue for another day. Geiger gets the call when the Jones—the individual he is hired to withdraw information from—needs to be broken without leaving bodily evidence to be mopped up in the aftermath. He lives a restricted, Spartan lifestyle, and adheres to a personal code of ethics. His past is a mystery, even to himself, but his talents are without question. When a not-entirely-on-the-level case is offered to him, Geiger is forced to decide whether or not to deviate from his code and interrogate a child—a young pre-teen named Ezra. Should he refuse, the information retrieval will fall to another in his line of work—a notoriously blunt instrument named Dalton.
The Inquisitor doesn’t try to hide its hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold roots: Geiger, though violent and at times highly unstable, is our man on the inside, the good guy with the shady past whose sins—dark though they may be—are not beyond absolution. Smith isn’t interested in challenging us with a thoroughly detestable main character; he wants us to sympathize with and, in time, understand Geiger’s behaviour. His past, his motivation, and his abilities create a wholly sympathetic social outcast with precious few confidants in his closed-off world. Yes, he has certain unscrupulous connections and has done some unforgivable things in his career, but his code, which removes him from his role as interrogator and installs him as Ezra’s protector, is noble and unshakable.
While Geiger is certainly an intriguing, Jason Bourne-esque personality, the book’s remaining characters run the gamut from the hard-on-his-luck “best friend” and accomplice, to by-the-numbers mobsters and are-they-or-aren’t-they government agents, and one very off-kilter sister, whose presence provides the narrative with a certain amount of pathos. The most fascinating of the side characters, interestingly enough, is Geiger’s vile counterpart, Dalton. The pairing of the two in the book’s third act offers the story’s strongest character development. Dalton is what Geiger could be, were he to completely discard his code of ethics.
The Inquisitor is at times an uneven experience. While I appreciated the lean and energized narrative (with its obvious allusions to Wikileaks), the quick character turns—the willingness to abandon a career so dramatically when ethically challenged—left me feeling winded. It was as if an earlier novel developing Geiger’s modes and methods of operation had been written and discarded in favour of what at times feels more like the second chapter of a series, and not an introduction. Though his interaction with Ezra works to humanize Geiger, it feels as though we’ve missed out on an opportunity to further explore his interactions with other Information Retrieval specialists. Granted this could be done in the future with prequels or flashbacks, should Geiger become the star of his own series, but as a singular instalment I found myself more fascinated with the implications and details of his dark industry than with any late-in-the-game character revelations.
In spite of these reservations and a forced, Friday the 13th hand-out-of-the-water climax that falls into slightly comic territory, The Inquisitor is still an exciting page turner, and I’d love to know where Smith takes the character from here. I just hope the road to Geiger’s salvation is a little rockier and more challenging from here on out.
April 9, 2012
First Line: The client sat in an eight-foot-square room staring at a large one-way mirror that offered a view into flat, smooth darkness.
I can see many readers learning that this book is about a professional torturer and immediately deciding not to read The Inquisitor. They just might be making a big mistake because Geiger-- the main character in this excellent debut novel-- is one of the best characters I've come across in a long time.
Geiger is the best in the field of "information retrieval" (torture). What makes him the best is the fact that, while his competitors rely on physical pain to get the answers they're being paid to obtain, Geiger doesn't. He knows that the worst kind of pain is that of the mind. He also knows a lie the instant he hears it. Add to that three facts: he has a strong moral code, a past that he doesn't remember, and one rule that he will not break: he will not work with children.
When a client insists on a rush job and Geiger learns that the subject sitting in the torture chamber is a young boy, he reacts quickly. He rescues the boy, hides him from his captors, and promises to protect the boy from harm. But in order to keep his promise, Geiger and his partner, former journalist Harry Boddicker, have to find out why the client is so desperate to learn the boy's secret-- or Geiger, Harry and the boy will all face the very real possibility of death.
If you don't find the character of Geiger intriguing, you're probably not going to like this book. Fortunately I read every page of The Inquisitor and wanted more. Just enough of Geiger's childhood is revealed to help the reader understand why the character is the way he is-- and just what he might be willing to do to accomplish his goals.
Rescuing the boy is a trigger for his subconscious to begin revealing things that happened in his past, and while Geiger has all this to contend with, he's also got three killers doing everything in their power to find him, his partner, and the boy. It's all pretty serious stuff, but what takes this book above the usual thriller (besides a thinking adrenaline junkie's dream of a plot and a wonderful main character) are two of Smith's secondary characters.
Mr. Memz, Geiger's next-door neighbor, isn't your typical Vietnam vet. Memz gives us another opinion on the strange character called Geiger, and he certainly knows how to put his own stamp on the action.
In many ways, another secondary character, Harry Boddicker, is my favorite in the entire book, no matter how fascinating Geiger is. Yes, Harry has to check out Geiger's clients and keep the business running smoothly, but for most of the book's action, he's got his fragile, schizophrenic sister in tow. Harry's got to save himself, his sister, his boss, and a young boy-- and he attempts it all with class and with humor. If not for Harry's flip sense of humor in the face of disaster, The Inquisitor might have become too grim to bear.
With Harry's help, Geiger turns this book into something special; something I feel would transfer onto the big screen very well. And first-time novelist Mark Allen Smith does all this without writing a book that reads like a tarted-up screenplay. Bravo, Mr. Smith! Might we be seeing more of Geiger?
I can see many readers learning that this book is about a professional torturer and immediately deciding not to read The Inquisitor. They just might be making a big mistake because Geiger-- the main character in this excellent debut novel-- is one of the best characters I've come across in a long time.
Geiger is the best in the field of "information retrieval" (torture). What makes him the best is the fact that, while his competitors rely on physical pain to get the answers they're being paid to obtain, Geiger doesn't. He knows that the worst kind of pain is that of the mind. He also knows a lie the instant he hears it. Add to that three facts: he has a strong moral code, a past that he doesn't remember, and one rule that he will not break: he will not work with children.
When a client insists on a rush job and Geiger learns that the subject sitting in the torture chamber is a young boy, he reacts quickly. He rescues the boy, hides him from his captors, and promises to protect the boy from harm. But in order to keep his promise, Geiger and his partner, former journalist Harry Boddicker, have to find out why the client is so desperate to learn the boy's secret-- or Geiger, Harry and the boy will all face the very real possibility of death.
If you don't find the character of Geiger intriguing, you're probably not going to like this book. Fortunately I read every page of The Inquisitor and wanted more. Just enough of Geiger's childhood is revealed to help the reader understand why the character is the way he is-- and just what he might be willing to do to accomplish his goals.
Rescuing the boy is a trigger for his subconscious to begin revealing things that happened in his past, and while Geiger has all this to contend with, he's also got three killers doing everything in their power to find him, his partner, and the boy. It's all pretty serious stuff, but what takes this book above the usual thriller (besides a thinking adrenaline junkie's dream of a plot and a wonderful main character) are two of Smith's secondary characters.
Mr. Memz, Geiger's next-door neighbor, isn't your typical Vietnam vet. Memz gives us another opinion on the strange character called Geiger, and he certainly knows how to put his own stamp on the action.
In many ways, another secondary character, Harry Boddicker, is my favorite in the entire book, no matter how fascinating Geiger is. Yes, Harry has to check out Geiger's clients and keep the business running smoothly, but for most of the book's action, he's got his fragile, schizophrenic sister in tow. Harry's got to save himself, his sister, his boss, and a young boy-- and he attempts it all with class and with humor. If not for Harry's flip sense of humor in the face of disaster, The Inquisitor might have become too grim to bear.
With Harry's help, Geiger turns this book into something special; something I feel would transfer onto the big screen very well. And first-time novelist Mark Allen Smith does all this without writing a book that reads like a tarted-up screenplay. Bravo, Mr. Smith! Might we be seeing more of Geiger?
October 25, 2012
Time to enter the world of the mysterious Geiger- just Geiger- no other name- a character with layers of secrecy about him that are instrumental to his employment as an Information Retrieval specialist. As the story opens we witness Geiger's more unorthodox techniques to elicit information from imprisoned individuals- quite simply Geiger is a man that can extract the truth but who only works on his terms and at his own behest. He is a damaged individual mentally and physically, the causes of which manifest themselves throughout the course of the book, as he becomes involved in a shady interrogation. This puts him and those around him in harms way, becoming embroiled in a desperate race to uncover some damaging information and resulting in a tense and well-plotted thriller. The character of Geiger is extremely well-drawn and probably the most compelling aspect of this tale because as a reader you are genuinely intrigued by him and the complexity of the emotions he undergoes both as an individual and in his somewhat dubious but quite fascinating employment. Unfortunately, most of the characters are very reminiscent of a fairly bog-standard movie script- the partner, Harry, with the screwed up past and a mentally challenged sister who puts him in peril, Ezra, the cutesy kid complete with violin who gets kidnapped- then rescued- then kidnapped again and add to this the waitress in the local diner with the heart of gold, the earnest psychiatrist who seeks to plumb the depth of Geiger's mind but unsurprisingly finds himself caught up in action, and the disabled Vietnam veteran plying his trade on the streets as a memory man and waxing lyrical on the human condition whilst foiling the bad guys in their pursuit of Geiger and Harry. However, these fairly stereotypical characters all add to the mix quite effectively and did not impinge on my overall enjoyment of the book as a felt that the main plot itself was unlike many thrillers I have read and seemed fresh and new. A perfectly readable thriller whose excellent plot is slightly undermined by some lazy characterisation but still worth a read...
March 2, 2013
Ah, I don't even know where to start..
Firstly, I was mesmerized by the type of work Geiger does. Until I read this book, it never even occurred to me that "information retrieval" and the torture it includes is actually a form of art. So many different types and ways to inflict pain - physical, psychological, emotional; its array of creativity knows no bounds.
This book succeeds in questioning the reader's moral to the concept of torture. On the one hand, it is obviously inhumane and wrong, but this view is altered once one sees it from Geiger's point of view. He does not inflict pain for his own pleasure (as Dalton does), but does so to find truth. And one starts to wonder - if inflicting a certain type of pain is what drives a person to tell the truth, then so be it. Because truth is what we all seek.
Despite Geiger's strange personality, his dislike of closeness, his rigidity, and dark profession, it is impossible not to like this character. There is something magical about him, and one comes to admire his beautiful mind. I particularly enjoyed his relationship to Ezra, which displayed a completely different side to him. The vulnerable, protective side, the instinct to keep the child safe, even if it meant risking his own life. The similarities between them were heart-warming, particularly their deep love for music. That in itself spoke volumes. Near the end of the book, it was clear that there was an underlying closeness to Harry and Corley too, something they also came to realize.
Lastly, I must say the last chapter kept me on my toes; I was deeply hoping for Geiger to reappear somehow despite the drowning incident. I was seeking a happy ending, as I was not at all ready to say farewell to this character. I was overwhelmed with relief and happiness (something I have never really experienced with other novels) when at the end of the book it spoke of a man who scratched Cat's scar and then placed him over his shoulder - things only Geiger knew the cat loved.
I absolutely loved this book. I highly, highly recommend it.
Firstly, I was mesmerized by the type of work Geiger does. Until I read this book, it never even occurred to me that "information retrieval" and the torture it includes is actually a form of art. So many different types and ways to inflict pain - physical, psychological, emotional; its array of creativity knows no bounds.
This book succeeds in questioning the reader's moral to the concept of torture. On the one hand, it is obviously inhumane and wrong, but this view is altered once one sees it from Geiger's point of view. He does not inflict pain for his own pleasure (as Dalton does), but does so to find truth. And one starts to wonder - if inflicting a certain type of pain is what drives a person to tell the truth, then so be it. Because truth is what we all seek.
Despite Geiger's strange personality, his dislike of closeness, his rigidity, and dark profession, it is impossible not to like this character. There is something magical about him, and one comes to admire his beautiful mind. I particularly enjoyed his relationship to Ezra, which displayed a completely different side to him. The vulnerable, protective side, the instinct to keep the child safe, even if it meant risking his own life. The similarities between them were heart-warming, particularly their deep love for music. That in itself spoke volumes. Near the end of the book, it was clear that there was an underlying closeness to Harry and Corley too, something they also came to realize.
Lastly, I must say the last chapter kept me on my toes; I was deeply hoping for Geiger to reappear somehow despite the drowning incident. I was seeking a happy ending, as I was not at all ready to say farewell to this character. I was overwhelmed with relief and happiness (something I have never really experienced with other novels) when at the end of the book it spoke of a man who scratched Cat's scar and then placed him over his shoulder - things only Geiger knew the cat loved.
I absolutely loved this book. I highly, highly recommend it.
March 4, 2014
Have you ever started a book, movie, album, or even job with a preconceived idea of how it was going to be? This is often a dangerous thing to do. I guess that is a pretty odd statement for someone who is writing a review in order to give the next person an idea of what they are about to start reading. However, I must comment that this formulated, "idea," was the only complaint I had regarding the book, "The Inquisitor," by Mark Allen Smith.
In my mind, "The Inquisitor," was going to be the gory unraveling of the taboo, "profession," of torture. I actually held off reading this title for quite a while in order to get myself mentally prepared for the inevitable emotional content I was about to slog through. To my surprise, and I am ashamed to admit dismay, the novel I was about to read was not quite the horrific confession I expected.
"The Inquisitor," actually turned out to be a rather sweet story about an emotionally scarred man trying to protect one boy from the harsh world he himself had never been shielded from. I found the characters in this book to be very likable and the text was written as an easy read.
During this novel the main character, a professional torturer, experienced a lot of self reflection. I would think if one was employed in this type of profession it could create a lot of inner turmoil. Then again, I found myself having a hard time believing the idea that an individual skilled in the act of torture gives much reflection to the human condition at all. So while I found the main character in Smith's novel to be likable, I did not think him to be very realistic. Maybe that is the overall point to the story. Maybe defining a monster is not so black and white. In that case, "The Inquisitor," just may have been the gory unraveling I was expecting.
In my mind, "The Inquisitor," was going to be the gory unraveling of the taboo, "profession," of torture. I actually held off reading this title for quite a while in order to get myself mentally prepared for the inevitable emotional content I was about to slog through. To my surprise, and I am ashamed to admit dismay, the novel I was about to read was not quite the horrific confession I expected.
"The Inquisitor," actually turned out to be a rather sweet story about an emotionally scarred man trying to protect one boy from the harsh world he himself had never been shielded from. I found the characters in this book to be very likable and the text was written as an easy read.
During this novel the main character, a professional torturer, experienced a lot of self reflection. I would think if one was employed in this type of profession it could create a lot of inner turmoil. Then again, I found myself having a hard time believing the idea that an individual skilled in the act of torture gives much reflection to the human condition at all. So while I found the main character in Smith's novel to be likable, I did not think him to be very realistic. Maybe that is the overall point to the story. Maybe defining a monster is not so black and white. In that case, "The Inquisitor," just may have been the gory unraveling I was expecting.
June 22, 2012
"Geiger" (not his real name) is a specialist in information retrieval (i.e., torture). He is the best at what he does. He is also someone who doesn't remember anything about his life before a decade ago. As a result, he is engaged in sessions with a shrink just as two ominous events happen: the increasingly frightening dreams about his former life and involvement with employers who aren't what they claim to be. (The employers claim to be searching for the thief of a priceless work of art. They expect Geiger to "retrieve" the information of his whereabouts from the thief's twelve-year-old son.) The two challenges are intertwined. Geiger is unable to torture the boy because of what he suspects about his own childhood experiences (being someone's victim).
The story is further fleshed out by details of Geiger's partner in the information retrieval business, Harry. They (Geiger and Harry) have had a professional relationship for eleven years. Their personal relationship is limited to a weekly breakfast devoid of personal communication, and Geiger's use of Harry's skills as a computer specialist and gofer. Geiger and Harry's relationship with a dangerous set of clients puts their relationship in a new place. Harry is also custodian for his mentally ill sister--someone who has retreated into childhood. The damaged relationships in this book are at its core.
The novel is well written and consistently interesting. It works as something of a chase novel, as a book about psychological issues, and as an out-and-out crime novel. Geiger is both dangerous and somewhere on the odd end of the behavioral spectrum, but he is interesting and a figure of some sympathy (against the odds).
The story is further fleshed out by details of Geiger's partner in the information retrieval business, Harry. They (Geiger and Harry) have had a professional relationship for eleven years. Their personal relationship is limited to a weekly breakfast devoid of personal communication, and Geiger's use of Harry's skills as a computer specialist and gofer. Geiger and Harry's relationship with a dangerous set of clients puts their relationship in a new place. Harry is also custodian for his mentally ill sister--someone who has retreated into childhood. The damaged relationships in this book are at its core.
The novel is well written and consistently interesting. It works as something of a chase novel, as a book about psychological issues, and as an out-and-out crime novel. Geiger is both dangerous and somewhere on the odd end of the behavioral spectrum, but he is interesting and a figure of some sympathy (against the odds).
June 24, 2013
"The Inquisitor" is designed to be the beginning of a new series, and it's a very promising start. Featuring professional torturer, or 'information retrieval specialist' Geiger, one has a hard time imagining author Mark Haskell Smith being able to make him a sympathetic character, and yet he largely succeeds, in part due to an intriguing back story. Geiger seems to have no memory of his past, and his crippling migraines point to a losing struggle to hold back old traumas desperately locked away. When he is asked to extract information from a child he refuses, rescuing the child and setting in motion a series of events that may kill him, his partner, and the child he's trying to protect.
Geiger is reminiscent of both Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne, but it would be both inaccurate and a disservice to say that he's derivative of either. Whereas Reacher chooses not to be terribly communicative, Geiger honestly doesn't know how, and whereas Bourne is a superman with amnesia, Geiger is a flawed anti-hero holding back a tidal wave of sadness and pain.
Where the book falters is in making Geiger almost too much of a cipher, holding back too much too long, a risky proposition. There will be readers who won't wait most of the way through the book to find out what is driving Geiger's migraines, and that's a shame. The main mystery is a bit bland and predictable, but Geiger's such an interesting and unique creation it's a relatively minor quibble. I'm eager to see where Smith goes with his new creation.
Geiger is reminiscent of both Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne, but it would be both inaccurate and a disservice to say that he's derivative of either. Whereas Reacher chooses not to be terribly communicative, Geiger honestly doesn't know how, and whereas Bourne is a superman with amnesia, Geiger is a flawed anti-hero holding back a tidal wave of sadness and pain.
Where the book falters is in making Geiger almost too much of a cipher, holding back too much too long, a risky proposition. There will be readers who won't wait most of the way through the book to find out what is driving Geiger's migraines, and that's a shame. The main mystery is a bit bland and predictable, but Geiger's such an interesting and unique creation it's a relatively minor quibble. I'm eager to see where Smith goes with his new creation.
February 13, 2012
I'm very excited to have an Advance Reader's Edition, final copy due out in March.
UPDATE: The hardcover is due out on April 10, 2012 and can be pre-ordered on Amazon. I highly recommend this book if you want a unique reading experience. Because I don't have the final print, I am not allowed to quote from the text.
Main character Geiger is a man with a past unknown to himself and a present known to a very few. He is an expert in getting the truth out of his clients's targets, who have information they want. Geiger's approach is part physical intimidation, part psychic assault. He always knows when someone is lying, and he always gets to the truth.
Pain is a significant aspect of "The Inquisitor: A Novel" (so named presumably to avoid confusion with several other books by the same name). Geiger's own pain, borne from his obscure past, defines him.
Geiger's amnesia begins to come apart when he agrees to interrogate a twelve year old boy, despite his strict rule not to deal with children. And the action moves at a frightening pace to the very end of the book.
Many thrillers get your heart racing but this one got my knees shaking. Note of caution though - there is a lot of violence, so it's not for the squeamish reader.
UPDATE: The hardcover is due out on April 10, 2012 and can be pre-ordered on Amazon. I highly recommend this book if you want a unique reading experience. Because I don't have the final print, I am not allowed to quote from the text.
Main character Geiger is a man with a past unknown to himself and a present known to a very few. He is an expert in getting the truth out of his clients's targets, who have information they want. Geiger's approach is part physical intimidation, part psychic assault. He always knows when someone is lying, and he always gets to the truth.
Pain is a significant aspect of "The Inquisitor: A Novel" (so named presumably to avoid confusion with several other books by the same name). Geiger's own pain, borne from his obscure past, defines him.
Geiger's amnesia begins to come apart when he agrees to interrogate a twelve year old boy, despite his strict rule not to deal with children. And the action moves at a frightening pace to the very end of the book.
Many thrillers get your heart racing but this one got my knees shaking. Note of caution though - there is a lot of violence, so it's not for the squeamish reader.
April 26, 2012
Wow! What a ride. Never did I think that I would be simpatico with a person whose profession is torture - or in this book - information retrieval. This book grabbed me and never let go until the end. I simply could not put it down. It was non stop action - and not of the tedious car chase variety. The characters were well drawn; flawed and sympathetic. The plot was full of twists and turns. This is the best "guilty pleasure" book that I have read in a long, long time. I didn't give it 5 stars simply because, although this is Smith's first novel, I got the idea that he calculated everything in the book for maximum impact: a kid, a cat, a really bad guy(s), a flawed but likeable protagonist with a secret, his sidekick. Well you get it. But, hey it worked even though I did feel a bit manipulated.
May 29, 2015
3.5 or 4 stars .... can't decide.
So, this book is about torture ... or information retrieval as Geiger likes to describe it. Geiger is a professional. He has strict rules. One is, he won't work with children. When he is presented with a 12 year old boy, his first instinct is to walk away. However, he knows that if he doesn't perform his expertise, they will take him to someone who will. So, drastic times call for drastic measures.
I expected this book might be a bit gory . But, I was glad that overall, there was more story than gory.
In fact, the character of Geiger is intriguing ... would I be the only one wishing for a sequel?
So, this book is about torture ... or information retrieval as Geiger likes to describe it. Geiger is a professional. He has strict rules. One is, he won't work with children. When he is presented with a 12 year old boy, his first instinct is to walk away. However, he knows that if he doesn't perform his expertise, they will take him to someone who will. So, drastic times call for drastic measures.
I expected this book might be a bit gory . But, I was glad that overall, there was more story than gory.
In fact, the character of Geiger is intriguing ... would I be the only one wishing for a sequel?
January 9, 2012
This thriller examines torture, the people who implement it, and how it's used to get information quickly. The characters are fascinating, if not always likable. The plot is fast-paced and kept me in suspense right up until the wild ending.
Smith holds little back and The Inquisitor is not for the squeamish. Some of the scenes are graphic, but they fit in the context of the story. A few loose ends were left regarding Geiger, the main character, and I wish the details had been given in the end. Also, the POV character switches frequently, at times in the middle of a paragraph. I found this jarring. Aside from that, I was totally immersed in this book.
Smith holds little back and The Inquisitor is not for the squeamish. Some of the scenes are graphic, but they fit in the context of the story. A few loose ends were left regarding Geiger, the main character, and I wish the details had been given in the end. Also, the POV character switches frequently, at times in the middle of a paragraph. I found this jarring. Aside from that, I was totally immersed in this book.
February 8, 2023
Man, I really got sucked into this story! I listened to this book on Audio. The reader, Ari Fliakos did a really good job, and has a nice voice, and I loved the way he became Geiger the Inquistior! hehe!
It's about a man who tortures bad guys for a living, but he never draws blood and stuff like that. He always gets the truth. He also has flashes of himself as a kid, and what not. But anyway he does not torture children, and one day these guys bring him a boy, Ezra. Anyway, it's one heck of a ride from that moment on! I highly recommend this one! There is a 2nd book, but I can't find it anywhere to get my hands on it. I'll definitely read book 2 if I can ever find it!
It's about a man who tortures bad guys for a living, but he never draws blood and stuff like that. He always gets the truth. He also has flashes of himself as a kid, and what not. But anyway he does not torture children, and one day these guys bring him a boy, Ezra. Anyway, it's one heck of a ride from that moment on! I highly recommend this one! There is a 2nd book, but I can't find it anywhere to get my hands on it. I'll definitely read book 2 if I can ever find it!
February 15, 2015
Debut novel that grabbed me instantly. Such things don't last but this one did. Should have made me squeamish but stopped just short to my great relief. Original concept--at least to me. Every time I got that cocky "I know where this is going", I didn't. Still, the twists and turns were not beyond belief in this context. The only problem--I can't imagine a second book using this character. That's ok--once was pleasantly enough. No, I did not add extra points for the cat--but I confess to being tempted.
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