I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

What does it take to commit the perfect crime? If evidence includes available material, what would you call the things you have not found?
I Am Pilgrim (2013), an epic thriller novel written by Terry Hayes, describes both a murder mystery and a plot to unleash a cataclysm of biological warfare on the USA. It tells the story of Pilgrim (a retired undercover FBI prodigy) and Ben Bradley (an NYPD detective), both on the hunt for a mujahid, who is out to avenge his father’s assassination and obtrude the authoritarianism in Saudi Arabia, and to save their nation from the shadow of oblivion.

The murder of a young woman in a run-down hotel in midtown Manhattan during the 9/11 terrorist attack leads Pilgrim and Ben Bradley to undertake a challenging investigation that describes their journey from a public beheading in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) to a small-scale clinical trial, yielding the smouldering remains of three tourists in the barren wilderness of the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan, to the Turkish coast, in search of the faceless mujahid with a masterplan to commit an appalling crime against humanity.

This is Hayes’ debut novel, written with impeccable skill and verve; the kind of novel that he himself would like to read. Having navigated through this deeply engaging story, I found myself at a complete loss. Although the plot is highly visceral and has some cinematic elements, the narrative unravels a labyrinthine crime through modern-day investigative methods.

The two main protagonists of the story, Pilgrim and Ben Bradley, are indeed quite well-described and are not without their imperfections. On the one hand, Pilgrim is polished, suave, and has high mental acuity; however, owing to his commitment to a life devoid of a family, he comes across as an emotionally repressed individual. On the other hand, Ben Bradley is in touch with his emotions and is highly empathic, primarily because of his wife, Marcie; however, owing to an ongoing recovery from debilitative physical damage, he appears rough on the edges. Nonetheless, the two of them indisputably constitute a perfect team. The narrative leaves you awe-inspired by how both characters balance each other through their combined ingenuity, intelligence, and bravery.

Furthermore, although the mujahid is the antagonist in the story, Hayes’ lucid yet compelling writing style inevitably leads the reader to develop fondness for him, and for good reason: he is smart, capable, and insightful. Nonetheless, he has an anguish about him; an emotional wound that may never heal. This tends to make one sympathize with the mujahid and unconsciously justify his actions, notwithstanding their diabolical nature.

One of the most fascinating and futuristic, yet concerning, aspects of this novel is the potential use of biological agents in warfare. It alerts one to the prospect of the application of genetically engineered organisms and the technological sophistication with which one can use science for evil purposes rather than for the greater good.

Overall, Hayes has succeeded in capturing the essence of human emotion, having taken the readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, from empathy towards the antagonist to admiration for the main protagonists; moreover, his inventive storytelling provides detailed insights into the psychological imprints of murder and ingenuity involved in crime-solving and international espionage.

Undoubtedly, this is quite a long read, warranting patience and a certain level of perseverance. Considering the intertwining of events of the past and present of both the main protagonists and the antagonist, delivered through muscular prose, the need for plunging into fair amounts of detail is justified in order to impart an anthropocentric tone to the story. Despite its length, the story proceeds at a comfortable pace. Furthermore, this work of literature serves to guide aspiring authors to generate original compositions through elaborate research and fact-checking, highlighting to them the fact that one need not used highly embellished text to deliver an impactful story. I would most assuredly recommend this book for book clubs and for heavy reading over a summer holiday.

I enjoy reading elaborate works of fiction and thriller novels, which completely ensnare my imagination and retain my interest; hence, I would generously assign it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, considering its depth, factual accuracy, writing style, and humanistic nature.