The Doll

A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novel

By: Taylor Stevens

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

“A heroine every bit as provocative as Stieg Larsson’s Lisbeth Salander.” –The Dallas Morning News

Haunted by a life of violence and as proficient with languages as she is with knives, Vanessa Michael Munroe, chameleon and hunter, has built her life on a reputation for getting things done—dangerous and often not-quite-legal things. Born to missionary parents in lawless Africa, taken under the tutelage of gunrunners, and tortured by one of the jungle’s most brutal men, Munroe was forced to do whatever it took to stay alive.
The ability to survive, fight, adapt, and blend has since taken her across the globe on behalf of corporations, heads of state, and the few private clients who can afford her unique brand of expertise, and these abilities have made her enemies.
On a busy Dallas street, Munroe is kidnapped by an unseen opponent and thrust into an underground world where women and girls are merchandise and a shadowy figure known as The Doll Maker controls her every move. While trusted friends race to unravel where she is and why she was taken, everything pivots on one simple choice: Munroe must use her unique set of skills to deliver a high-profile young woman into the same nightmare that she once endured, or condemn to torture and certain death the one person she loves above all else.
Driven by the violence that has made her what she is, cut off from help, and with attempts to escape predicted and prevented, Munroe will hunt for openings, for solutions, and a way to strike back at a man who holds all the cards. Because only one thing is certain: she cannot save everyone.
In this high-octane thriller for fans of Lee Child, Stieg Larsson, and Robert Ludlum's Bourne trilogy, Vanessa Michael Munroe will have to fight fast, smart and furiously to overcome a dangerous nemesis and deliver her trademark brand of justice.

Fabulous again

Another excellent story. Wished it would have been longer with more time spent on Michael's revenge.

Only complaint I have was not understanding her female companions rationale for some of her actions near the end of the book.

Fabulous, riveting!

Would you listen to The Doll again? Why?

The only hesitation regarding would I read it again is that there are SO many books I want to read. I'm voracious. But this whole series is among books I might read again if I had another life which let me double my reading!

What other book might you compare The Doll to and why?

If you liked The Informationist, Stevens' first book, you will like this one a lot.

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

Huber does a great job with this series. If I were writing a suspense book, I'd want her reading it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I appreciate the anguish and decisions the main character, Vanessa, goes through in trying to master her darker nature and overcome her deep wounds.

Any additional comments?

This book is as good as The Informationist. I felt the second one slipped just a bit, but now we're back up to a thrilling read.

Fast paced thrillers

What made the experience of listening to The Doll the most enjoyable?

Action packed throughout

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Doll?

The ending

What about Hillary Huber’s performance did you like?

Liked her read very much

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Pacing and action similar to her first novel

Got tedious

Usually enjoy the intricate plot lines of the series. But this one just seemed flat a tedious. Narration was the only thing that saved it.

Another wild and entertaining with badass Munroe.

If you could sum up The Doll in three words, what would they be?

Wild Entertaining Thriller

What other book might you compare The Doll to and why?

Hard to compare this to other books because Munroe is so unique. But perhaps the closest are the Beatrix Rose books.

What does Hillary Huber bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brings emotion and depth to a character that is so different that it might be difficult to form a good picture of.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, all the Vanessa Michael Munroe books are great!

Any additional comments?

Another wild and entertaining ride from Taylor Stevens. Her Munroe character is fascinating and complex: the product of a horrific childhood. Hillary Huber does a masterful job as the narrator of the Audiobook version. If you like complex, messy thrillers, I highly recommend "The Doll" and the other Munroe books and audiobooks.