The Inquisitor

A Novel

By: Mark Allen Smith

Narrated by: Ari Fliakos

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, Mark Allen Smith's The Inquisitor is a completely unique thriller that introduces both an unforgettable protagonist and a major new talent.

Critic reviews

<p>“Ari Fliakos delivers skillful narration in this engaging audio edition of Smith's debut thriller about the professional torturer-for-hire Geiger…Fliakos's clear, confident reading enhances this already darkly suspenseful story, keeping listeners glues to their headphones until the very end.” —<i>Publishers Weekly</i><br><br>“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…This is a strange and exciting story for mystery and suspense fans of all stripes.” —<i>AudioFile Magazine</i><br><br>“Smith is an excellent writer. He and Ari Flaikos, an excellent reader, pulled me into a mesmerizing tale about a man who practices the art of "information retrieval" for a variety of customers.” —<i>Tampa Bay Tribune</i><br><br>“Mark Allen Smith writes a compelling narrative that seems more sophisticated and stylized than we might expect from a first-times. He created material that could be potentially offensive – and was in the book's sole torture sequence – and managed to make it an expression of character.” —<i>Winston Salem Journal</i></p>

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not sure what I was expecting, but found this book rather dull.

Would you recommend The Inquisitor to your friends? Why or why not?

Considering all that's out there to read, I wouldn't waste your time on this one.

Did The Inquisitor inspire you to do anything?

About all I can say is that I didn't find him as vile as I thought I would.

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not sure what I was expecting, but found this book rather dull.

Would you recommend The Inquisitor to your friends? Why or why not?

Considering all that's out there to read, I wouldn't waste your time on this one.

Did The Inquisitor inspire you to do anything?

About all I can say is that I didn't find him as vile as I thought I would.

Great story, awesome narration

Thrilling thriller, but really brought the story to life was the amazing narration by Ari Fliakos. I could picture every character. Great synthesis between author & actor.

Promising debut

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Solid debut with a curious and sophisticated take on the traditional chase thriller. Most likeable torturer in history for sure, and a protagonist I would like to learn more about in future books. The storyline was perhaps a bit too single-tracked, but I was entertained the whole way.

Great thriller!!!!

Deep meaningful characters in a thrilling tale of redemption, beautifully narrated as always by Ari Fliakos!