The Innocent

A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novel

By: Taylor Stevens

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

With The Innocent, Taylor Stevens, the best-selling author of The Informationist, returns with another blockbuster thriller featuring the fearless Vanessa Michael Munroe.

Eight years ago, a man walked five-year-old Hannah out the front doors of her school and spirited her over the Mexican border, taking her into the world of a cult known as The Chosen. For eight years, followers of The Prophet have hidden the child, moving her from country to country, shielding the man who stole her. Now, those who’ve searched the longest know where to find her. They are childhood survivors of The Chosen, 30-somethings born and raised inside the cult who’ve managed to make lives for themselves on the outside. They understand the mindset, the culture within that world, and turn to Vanessa Michael Munroe for help, knowing that the only possibility of stealing Hannah back and getting her safely out of Argentina is to trust someone who doesn’t trust them, and get Munroe on the inside.

Tautly written, brilliantly paced, and with the same evocation of the exotic combined with chilling violence that made The Informationist such a success, The Innocent confirms Taylor Stevens’ reputation as a thriller writer of the first rank.

©2011 Taylor Stevens (P)2011 Random House

Really Good!! worth waiting for

I loved the first book, 'The Informationist' where we were introduced to the main character
Vanessa Michael Monroe. A female version of James Bond, Houdini and Lara Croft ... all rolled into one woman with true grit!!! She kicks butt all through the book, shows some of her softer side too. Gets the bad guys and saves the daughter of her best friend. All in all a very satisfying second read from Taylor Stevens.

Stevens Does not Disappoint

What did you love best about The Innocent: A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novel, Book 2?

Just like her first book, the Innocent, the character development of the main character is deep and the story suspenseful.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The story draws you in slowly and then totally hooks you. Some predictable turns and some not so predictable.

Have you listened to any of Hillary Huber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Huber does a nice job of varying voices and interpreting the story.

Any additional comments?

I'm waiting for another Michael Vanessa mystery... had wanted to start one as soon as I had finished this one.

Really Enjoyed A Wild Ride

I can't tell whether it is the fantastic performance by Hillary Huber (I would listen to her read the phone book) or the writing of Taylor Stevens. The story is delicate and the violence often and bloody. I do not like the subject matter (cult abuse of children) or the gratuitous violence and yet the book was hugely entertaining. The central character is compelling, if somewhat of a superwoman. I will read her next book as long as Hillary Huber narrates it.

Fast paced, good narration

Would you listen to The Innocent: A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novel, Book 2 again? Why?

I probably would listen to this book again although I generally do not listen to books more than once.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character and her complexities of character.

What about Hillary Huber’s performance did you like?

Great calming, smooth voice for such a sometimes violent , volatile story.

satisfying

narrator was amazing, she brought life to the characters. story was good, only issue is the author tends to repeat over and over Michael's abilities and skills as if we have forgotten. it would be like if Liam neesons character in taken repeated his particular set of skills line to every new character. having said that it is still very satisfying. Michael is a mysterious and enjoyable hero, I picture Charlize Theron. the pain she lives with and shells out is breathtaking.

Good follow up novel.

If you could sum up The Innocent: A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novel, Book 2 in three words, what would they be?

Interesting and engaging. A good follow up to the first novel.

What about Hillary Huber’s performance did you like?

Narrator accurately portrayed the personalities in the book and stayed true to the thoughtful, engaging story line.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A soulful woman handles a cruel job.

Really solid, plot line, very strong in development and character creation

Second in the series, maintains the silent recipe of plot development, tension, intrigue. Good character, delineation, good interplay between characters. A solid read.

Great Read

This is a really good second entry to this series. I highly recommend if you are in to mysteries/thrillers.

Mesmerizing Story Great Narration

I found both "The Informationist" and "The Innocent" kept me listening and not wanting to stop. Vanessa Michael Monroe is original, unlike any other lead character. Hillary Huber does an excellent job as narrator.

A disappointment compared to The Informationist

Taylor Stevens second novel is, unfortunately without much of what made her first novel so exciting to read. I think it might have scored it lower if it weren't for the excellent narration which did a great deal to smooth out what would have been a jumpy story line.
And while The Informationist kept me up all night listening, The Innocent tended to put me to sleep in many places...and I didn't even care to scroll back to listen over again.

Reading an interview of Ms Stevens, she expressed that she wrote this book in 6 months because she was broke. It shows..and thats sad. I sincerely hope she spends more time on her third novel...Vanessa Michael Munroe is a strong character and Ms Stevens has built a solid background of side characters that could take her a long way with more development of the story line and plot.

While the idea behind The Innocent is a good one, so much of the plot is shallow and without reasonable or believable development. Ms Munroes 'talent' of being an Informationist never comes to light-she isn't a researcher, in fact she seems to have others do this researching for her. She's now a tough woman with attitude and a tendency to knife people who piss her off. The intelligence shown in the first novel is gone from this one.

Better luck, Ms Stevens, on your third book. I hope you have more than 6 months to give it.