Synopses & Reviews
He is a professional torturer with a strict code. A mysterious past. And a dangerous conviction that he can save the life of an innocent child, in Mark Allen Smith's The Inquisitor.
Geiger has a gift: he knows a lie the instant he hears it. In his business, called “information retrieval” by its practitioners, Geigers expertise is priceless. His clients count on him to extract the truth from even the most reluctant subjects. Though he rarely sheds blood, Geiger does employ a variety of complex psychological methods to push his subjects to a place where pain takes a backseat to fear—at which point theres no turning back…
“As disturbing as it is compelling.”—The Washington Post
One of Geigers only rules is that he never works with children. So when his partner, former journalist Harry Boddicker, brings in a client who demands that Geiger interrogate a twelve-year-old boy, Geiger responds instinctively. He removes him to the safety of his New York City apartment and promises to protect him at all costs. But what could one boy know that could bring him so much harm? As Geiger and Harry race to discover why their client is so desperate to learn the boys secret, they find themselves up against a ruthless adversary—one who will stop at nothing to achieve his means. And time is running out…
“[Geiger is] one of the most utterly distinctive protagonists in a recent thriller, and one of the most unexpectedly sympathetic.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
Praise for
The Inquisitor
“Transfixing…nerve-racking…[Smith] successfully transforms Geiger into a sympathetic hero.”—The New York Times Book Review
“This is one of the best and most engrossing debut novels Ive read in years, and also one of the most original. Mark Allen Smith has created an unusual hero named Geiger whose occupation is torturing the truth out of people. Geiger is good at what he does, and so is Mr. Smith. The Inquisitor will keep you locked in a room for days.”—Nelson DeMille
“Remarkably assured…A swiftly paced narrative as disturbing as it is compelling.”—The Washington Post
“Information retrieval takes on a sinister cast in Smiths mesmerizing thriller debut…[Geiger is] a fascinating piece of work…This may be the most unusual and talked about thriller of the season.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“[Geiger is] one of the most utterly distinctive protagonists in a recent thriller, and one of the most unexpectedly sympathetic…Smith invests his first novel with psychological dimensions you might expect in a third or fourth book…A breezy, involving thriller that handily overcomes any resistance to its grisly premise and leaves you hoping for the return of its oddly winning hero.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“An adrenaline-fueled cat-and-mouse game…[Geiger] is a fascinating protagonist with a revealing backstory. A compelling debut thriller that blurs the lines between the good and bad guys.”—Library Journal (starred review)
About the Author
Mark Allen Smith, who lives in New York City, has worked for many years in both movies and television as a screenwriter, investigative news producer, and documentary filmmaker. The Inquisitor is his first novel.