A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novella (Kindle Single) (Vanessa Michael Munroe Series)

In Taylor Stevens 2013 novel The Doll, Stevens's super-heroine Vanessa Michael Munroe helps take down a human trafficking ring--that is, after she is captured by it. The problem is, she's not satisfied. One of the ring leaders is still out there. In the 2014 novella The Vessel, Munroe meticulously plots--and exacts--her revenge.

The Vessel is a stand-alone story, with enough back-story to give some context for first-time readers of Stevens's books. But it is best enjoyed in the context of the series, especially as a follow-up to The Doll. Munroe is smart and stealthy, chameleon-like in her ability to blend in and sneak around. Whether staying the background to gather intel, or slipping back into the background after amassing a large body count, she leaves no trace.

Despite her vicious, murderous, revengeful streak, I root for Munroe because she is driven by compassion and justice. Like any good action hero, she is driven by a selfless pursuit to make wrongs right, seeking no recognition or gain for herself. If you read The Doll and ended up a little disappointed that Munroe was not able to get all the bad guys, pick up The Vessel. The bad guys get what's coming.

Taylor Stevens’ character Vanessa Munroe is patient. And she’s a killer. In The Vessel, she is after a very evil man who she is determined to exact her own brand of justice on. The author seems to have done her research well, knowing the people and places that her character has to go to and the things she has to do in order to carry out her deadly purpose. Munroe travels across the globe metamorphosing into whatever character (male or female) she has to to achieve her purpose. She gathers her intelligence by being who she needs to be and using whatever methods she deems necessary. Stevens is adept at describing these changes and at Munroe’s motivations for doing what she does. Despite that, where the book falls short for me, is despite the author’s explanation of the character’s motivations and feeling, I never feel as if I know her, of even if I’m rooting for her or feel anything all for this woman. This is my first introduction to this author’s work so I’m not sure if this is her style or she only adopted it for this novella. I found that I didn't care too much about Munroe, because I was held at arm’s length for the entire story. There was almost no dialogue in the book, just descriptions and a constant stream-of-consciousness that did absolutely nothing to make me understand Munroe or feel for her in any way. Maybe this is the author’s intention. After all, Munroe is a character who has experienced much pain and is not able to get close to anyone. Still, I want to be able to root for a character or wish them ill, or just feel something, and I didn't with Munroe. That being said, if you like a good globe-crossing thriller filled with intrigue and don’t particularly care if you get to know the characters then the vessel is for you.

Vanessa Michael Munroe is, except for Harry Bosch, the most interesting character in the mystery and thriller genre.

Chameleon-like she shifts character effortlessly. One minute she is a Eastern European worker; the next a pushy Noo Yawkah inconvenienced by being stood up for a non-existent appointment with the man she plans to kill. Her gender bending switches belie a deep and vicious feminism in which violence against women is avenged in a bizarrely selfless homicidal rage. Munroe, it seems, has little need of personal conscience because she maintains a highly developed social conscience. What this means is that bodies pile up and the world becomes a little better.

The Vessel is a novella, which is to say, it will end before the reader is ready. However, a little Munroe beats no Munroe any day. For those not yet acquainted with this twenty first century angel of death, the Vessel is the perfect introduction both to Munroe and to Taylor Stephens, her creator. Together they will dominate this genre for the next twenty years.

This is a great bridge between two novels (The Doll and The Catch) and is highlighted by a great narrative format that reflects on past motivations as it also moves the character forward.
Michael understands her reasons for violence, and though she abhors that part of her soul, she has reasoned that it is the only way to achieve a greater good.
I find her struggle with the power of her own rage juxtaposed with the need to be domesticated into a rightful society very compelling, and not at all cliched.
I recommend Ms. Taylor's entire series.....you will find a strong, stand alone woman, who does not need a man to complete her. Would that the real world had more like Michael Monroe.

This novella starring Taylor Stevens' protagonist, the unapologetic Vanessa Michael Monroe, is among the best of the series, all of which are excellent, fast paced reads. I especially enjoyed The Vessel because it is Munroe at her finest, intelligent, shrewd, and unflinching, in her determination to right what she sees as a wrong, both professionally and personally. I can't wait for The Catch which will be coming in July. Thanks Taylor for presenting Munroe in all the ways we find her so compelling a character. Block out the time when you sit down read because you won't be getting up till you finish.

Do you like strong, deadly, brilliant, conflicted female (the list of adjectives for Munroe is infinite) protagonists? I started out reading Taylor Stevens when I purchased The Doll. I loved it (OK, that's wrong, love may be the wrong word given the subject matter, but you know what I mean), and of course had to read everything else from the beginning. The Informationist was one of the best books I've ever read. Keep a search engine nearby so you can educate yourself about all the places the book takes you and make sure to look at the images so you can visualize the locations better. After I read The Innocent (Munroe #2), I waited a few months, then went back and read all the books in order, in preparation for The Vessel, followed closely by The Catch. I cannot wait to see Miles again (fingers crossed). I wish I were an artist so I could draw my images of each of the characters.

The Vessel is classic self-contained Munroe. It is also inexorable, like the tides. You know what will happen, but the journey Taylor Stevens takes you on to get you to that place is brilliant. Long live Munroe, and Taylor Stevens.

This author is mesmerizing. I had to force my wife to start her first book and then I was immediately in trouble because there were only three books in the series and she wants more. Not to mention the fact that she didn't get enough sleep for a whole week while she burned through the series.

This fast two hour read for lovers of Taylor Stevens' Michael Munroe is like throwing raw meat to a lion. This action packed shorty fills in the story between The Doll and The Catch, cleaning up some unfinished business in a most satisfying way. This is Taylor Stevens at her best, as The Vessel is chock full of detailed mission focused bloodletting by her driven heroine, Michael, who is also at the top of her game, utilizing all her accumulated skills as a chameleon, polyglot, knife wielding, gun toting, Alpha female.

This was the best 99 cents I've ever spent!!! A must read for fans, but if you haven't tried a Taylor Stevens novel, this novella is the perfect introduction.

Definitely worth reading it could have been a little more developed with the backstory. I do like the Vanessa Michael Monroe stories she is such a emotional cripple, individual some day, sometime I hope she get some emotionalRelease or relief