A breakneck race against time...and an implacable enemy. An anonymous young woman murdered in a run-down hotel, all identifying characteristics dissolved by acid. A father publicly beheaded in the blistering heat of a Saudi Arabian public square. A notorious Syrian biotech expert found eyeless in a Damascus junkyard. Smoldering human remains on a remote mountainside in Afghanistan. A flawless plot to commit an appalling crime against humanity. One path links them all, and only one man can make the journey. Pilgrim.'
Through Part 1 With everything going on in the world I had a hard time turning my brain off and starting the book. Tried several times this week and failed. Finally got into it yesterday Spoiler Dont have too much to say. Im more interested in the murder in the hotel than his back story right now. The murder seemingly using his book as a guide is cool. Im trying to pay close attention to all these people he meets in the back story incase they come up again in the current time line. I’d like to know how a NYC cop was able to find an ex spy hiding in Paris.
Part 2 Spoiler -Ben is an incredibly smart cookie to track him down like that - It took me way too long to stop picturing Matt Saracen as the guy plotting to unleash small pox on America. - Wild shot but is the woman that asked the question in the seminar is the killer. I’m really liking this book but the first person feels like a dumb choice so far. It’s great when we’re w the main character (whatever he goes by) but when he’s telling us about a Texas HS QB growing up in Saudi Arabia, or a cabinet meeting that he wasn’t there for - it feels weird. How does he know all that shit? I guess you can say he’s about to learn all that shit, but it seems dumb. Especially when he throws in a personal comment to remind us it’s in first person. Minor gripe, and it doesn’t take away from my enjoyment too much, but it throws me off at times. All that said, he does a really good job building characters.
I’m a little over halfway through. Enjoying it so far Through Part 3, Ch 28 Spoiler Not loving this part so far. Kind of hitting a wall. Hope he finds whatever he needs in Turkey and gets on to the next place. Using 500 year old mirrors to develop photos is p cool tho
Spoiler This was definitely the slowest part for me. All the Saracen backstory was fascinating so I felt like it took a step back for a bit, even with the photo developing technique being so cool/weird.
Part 4, Ch 18. Spoiler The pace has really picked up, thankfully. The side story w the Ingrid Kohl ties into the main plot. I dont see how it does , but that was a lot of work just for a plot device that gets Ben to Turkey. I'll probably finish this today. Getting into 'cant put down' territory at the end here
End of the book for me I remember reading, texting someone, then checking my phone for a response and 45 minutes had gone by. Was so engrossed.