This book introduces a great new action heroine*, Vanessa Michael Munroe, who doesn’t have to kick over a hornet’s nest* to get attention, though her wild, take-no-prisoners* attitude makes readers think of the fire of Stieg Larsson’s Lisbeth Salander.

    Vanessa “Michael” Munroe deals in information — expensive information — working for big companies, heads of state, private clients*, and anyone else who can pay for her expertise*.

    Born to missionary* parents in central Africa, Munroe took up with* a gunrunner when she was just 14. As his pupil, she earned the respect of the jungle’s most dangerous man, building her own fame for years until something sent her running.

    After nine years building a new life and career from her home base in Dallas, Texas, she’s never looked back.

    Until someone finds her. Munroe’s best friend, marketing consultant* Kate Breeden, refers her to* Miles Bradford, a security expert, who believes she’s the best choice to help Houston oil billionaire Richard Burbank find his adopted* daughter Emily. Emily went missing in West Central Africa four years earlier at 18 during a vacation.

    It’s not her usual line of work, but she wants the challenge*. Munroe returns to Africa, where she reconnects with her ex-boyfriend Francisco Beyard, who helps in the dangerous search for Emily.

    Author Taylor Stevens is the award-winning and New York Times best-selling author of “The Informationist,” “The Innocent” and “The Doll.” The books are published in 20 languages. “The Informationist” has been optioned for film by James Cameron’s production company, Lightstorm Entertainment.

    (SD-Agencies)