I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes: The Best Thriller in Years!

I am Pilgrim is Terry Hayes’ debut novel and what a debut! It has quite rightly become an international bestseller since its publication in 2013. The book is by far the best thriller I have read in years. The book combines elements of espionage, crime and mystery in a nail-biting and intelligent way.

The story follows a former top agent from a secret American intelligence service. The agent known only as Pilgrim is reluctantly drawn back to active duty to solve a complex murder mystery. The murder quickly turns out to be a small piece in a much larger and sinister puzzle that threatens to bring the world to the brink of disaster.

Pilgrim finds himself quickly thrown into an intense chase that takes him from the skyscrapers of New York to the dangerous territories of the Middle East and on to the hidden nooks of Europe. Along the way, Pilgrim encounters a sinister adversary known as the Saracen.  A Middle Eastern religious fanatic with a brilliant mind who has his own plans to wreak havoc on a global scale.

Pilgrim, whose real name we never learn, is a complex character. He is intelligent, analytical and efficient, but he is also haunted by his past and the dark deeds he has been forced to do. Saracen is a thoroughly worthy opponent. He is both terrifying but also understandable in his motivation for his actions, making him a particularly dangerous and intelligent villain.

The structure of the novel is complex. It jumps back and forth in time and place, but Hayes manages to keep the reader engaged by constantly revealing new layers of the story. The many threads intertwine in a way that keeps the tension high – sometimes unbearable – from start to finish.

Terry Hayes’ style is sharp and detailed. He has a background as a screenwriter, which clearly shines through in his ability to create visual and evocative descriptions that could easily be imagined on a movie screen. Which has already happened since I am Pilgrim has been filmed with Tom Hardy in the lead role. The film will premiere in 2024.

I am Pilgrim is, as previously written, an impressive thriller that delivers both intellectual and adrenaline-filled entertainment. Terry Hayes has created an intense and often nail-biting narrative with characters that are detailed and nuanced described with a complex and gifted plot structure. I Am Pilgrim is a must-read book for thriller enthusiasts.