A perfect murder is committed in a cheap New York motel. A clever jihadist plans to bring down the dynasty who beheaded his father by unleashing chaos in America. Brought in first to help with the former, an ex-spy turned criminal investigator is sent to stop the latter in a desperate race against time.
Weighing in at a hefty 800 pages, I Am Pilgrim is a meticulous waltz of a book that moves forwards and backwards in time. The Pilgrim and the Saracen move around the Middle East in ever decreasing circles as the suspense mounts and each gets closer to their goal. Other characters swoop in and out of the dance as needed, nudging the two main characters closer with every chapter. With a fast pace, a complex plot and short punchy chapters, I Am Pilgrim is a fun read but - and here are the caveats - you need to accept the astounding coincidences and the odd plot hole that crops up. Also, like so many thriller writers, Hayes has not resisted the temptation to create a protagonist who is unbelievably brilliant at everything. Lastly, and perhaps more of a problem, is the streak of American jingoism which rears its ugly head from time to time. However, if you can suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride, I Am Pilgrim is an absorbing and thrilling read.
Read On: The Lion's Game by Nelson Demille is another thriller of a showdown between a New York cop and a Libyan jihadist. The Year of the Locust is Terry Hayes' next book, but that won't be published until next year.
