Review of THE PAIN TOURIST by Paul Cleave

 4.5 Stars

Do not begin reading this book in the evening because you will end up sleep deprived the next day; there is certainly no hyperbole in describing this multi-layered thriller as compulsive. 

Eleven-year-old James Garrett was critically injured and left in a coma after a home invasion which ended with the execution-style killings of his parents.  While comatose, he constructed an alternative reality.  Nine years later he wakes up.  Having an eidetic memory, James, during his recovery, is able to recollect his imagined reality in detail, and it soon emerges that he created some events in his Coma World from what he overheard while unconscious.

Detective Rebecca Kent is tasked with finding the killers of James’ parents since the case was never solved, and there is concern that James and his sister Hazel might be targeted by the perpetrators not wanting to risk James’ remembering  something crucial from the night his parents were murdered.  Kent also re-opens a cold case when James inadvertently mentions details about another coma patient who once shared his hospital room.  And to further complicate her professional life, Kent is also investigating murders which imitate those of a notorious serial killer who operated in Christchurch.

Kent contacts a retired police detective, Theodore Tate, who now acts as a consultant for television crime dramas.  He originally worked on the Garrett murders, so she is looking for his insights, but Tate ends up being drawn into and deeply involved in all three of her investigations. 

Tension is felt in the opening scene and there is no abatement.  More than once I found myself holding my breath, and I did have to take an occasional brief break because the tension was almost overwhelming.  Characters are repeatedly placed in extreme danger.

Because the main characters are realistic and sympathetic, readers are concerned about the well-being of these characters.  For example, the viewpoints of James, Hazel, Rebecca, and Theodore are included at various points; because we are given access to their thoughts, we see their flaws and failings and understand their motivations.  They have all suffered major trauma so one cannot but care about them.  The villains tend to be more one-dimensional, evil with little evidence of redeeming traits.  Of course, this portrayal amps up the suspense because we know mercy will not be shown to anyone who crosses paths with them. 

I appreciated that the novel is not just entertaining but has thematic depth.  It certainly had me wondering what a patient in a coma actually experiences.  The reader is also inspired to think about pain tourists, people who are attracted to the pain and misery of others.  Are true-crime docudramas, podcasts, and books pandering to pain tourists? 

The book is dense, but the writer’s skill ensured I never felt lost.  In fact, I was left in awe at how cleverly the three investigations are interwoven.  The action never stops, and the 143 short, punchy chapters add to the fast pace.   

Anyone looking for a uniquely creative thriller with authentic characters, an intricate and twisty plot, and unrelenting suspense should definitely pick up this masterpiece of the genre.  Just be forewarned that it is addictive!