The Inquisitor

Starred review from October 24, 2011
Information retrieval takes on a sinister cast in Smith’s mesmerizing thriller debut, whose hero, Geiger (aka “the Inquisitor”), makes his living torturing the truth out of people. When client Richard Hall, an agent for a private art collector, shows up at a Manhattan hideout with 12-year-old Ezra Matheson instead of the intended target, Ezra’s father, who’s stolen a valuable de Kooning from the collector, it triggers a protective instinct in Geiger. Rather than torturing the boy about his father’s whereabouts, Geiger takes the boy and goes on the run; Hall and his cohorts follow in hot pursuit. Smith tantalizes the reader with bits about the enigmatic Geiger’s past as well as his present. Graphic descriptions of torture coolly administered by Geiger show him to be a decidedly warped character, but he’s also a fascinating piece of work as he copes with the deadly agents determined to recapture Ezra. This may be the most unusual and talked about thriller of the season.

April 30, 2012
Ari Fliakos delivers skillful narration in this engaging audio edition of Smith’s debut thriller about the professional torturer-for-hire Geiger. This socially awkward, politely articulate, but nearly monosyllabic protagonist—who is perfectly portrayed by Fliakos—is the go-to guy for those in need of extracting information from people unwilling to share voluntarily. Though he seems to have no moral qualms about performing his job, Geiger does live by a strict set of rules, one being that he doesn’t torture children. When a powerful and ruthless client pressures Geiger to use his talents on a 12-year-old boy, he rebels against his employers, rescues the boy, and goes on the run. Fliakos’s clear, confident reading enhances this already darkly suspenseful story, keeping listeners glued to their headphones until the very end. A Henry Holt paperback.

In this riveting first novel, the hero is a professional torturer who euphemistically calls his business " information retrieval." But could he be a good guy, too? Narrator Ari Fliakos has great timing and dramatic sense. He adds significant color to all the characters. From the intense and well-controlled sessions in Geiger's barber-chair torture station to the musical musings of the profoundly schizophrenic sister of his partner, Fliakos pulls all the strings of the listener's emotions. His delivery captures the 12-year-old victim perfectly and easily differentiates the various thugs, hit men, and extras. This is a strange and exciting story for mystery and suspense fans of all stripes. M.C. (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine