How do you catch a killer…
When the only evidence is a dream?
James Garrett was critically injured when he was shot following his parents’ execution, and no one expected him to waken from a deep, traumatic coma. When he does, nine years later, Detective Inspector Rebecca Kent is tasked with closing the case that her now retired colleague, Theodore Tate, failed to solve all those years ago.
But between that, and hunting for Copy Joe – a murderer on a spree, who’s imitating Christchurch’s most notorious serial killer – she’s going to need Tate’s help. Especially when they learn that James has lived out another life in his nine-year coma, and there are things he couldn’t possibly know, including the fact that Copy Joe isn’t the only serial killer in town…
I'm thrilled to be sharing my publication day review of The Pain Tourist today. Huge thanks to Paul Cleave, Orenda Books and Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me and for my advance copy of the book.
The Quiet People introduced me to multi-award-winning author, Paul Cleave and was amongst my favourite reads of 2021. I've not yet managed to catch up with his previous books but The Pain Tourist has reminded me that I need to rectify this as soon as possible. This is one of those books I would choose to put in the hands of anybody who wonders why I read crime fiction because it has everything I love most about the genre.
Part One opens with a terrifying scene which immediately makes it clear that this is going to be a rollercoaster of a read. The fear of a young boy who discovers people have broken into his house and are holding his parents hostage is palpable and even though we already know that tragedy is inevitable, the tension here is almost unbearable. As James's life hangs in the balance, the narrative deftly switches between real life and what is happening in his traumatised brain; it's an early window into what James experiences in his coma and is an irresistible prelude to everything that follows in this outstanding thriller.
It's not necessary to have read any of Paul Cleave's previous books as this is a stand-alone but it does feature recurring characters, including Detective Inspector Rebecca Kent who was the investigating officer in The Quiet People. This is a book which explores the events of the past as well as the present and Kent's own dramatic history means she is a wonderful protagonist who bears both physical and emotional scars. A brutal murder which looks like it could be the work of New Zealand's most notorious serial killer, James Middleton should be a grim reminder of the past for everybody who remembers the man dubbed 'The Carver.' However, it soon transpires that his despicable acts have inspired a new killer, quickly named 'Copy Joe'. There are chilling passages told from his first-person perspective which give an ominous insight into his plans – and perhaps even more unsettlingly, are part of a serious, uncomfortable topic which is explored with such candid perceptiveness.
I don't want to give a full explanation behind the title of the book as there is a really moving observation by a character which articulates it far better than I could. What I will say, however, is that with the apparently inexhaustible interest in true crime documentaries, films and books, Paul Cleave empathetically provokes readers to really consider the impact of this phenomena on the families of the victims, who too often become secondary characters in the headline-grabbing stories told about their murderers.
When Kent learns that James Garrett has woken up after nine years in a coma, she contacts Theodore Tate who was the detective in charge of the original investigation but has since left the police force. There are fascinating parallels between Kent and Tate, not least the devastating loss which irrevocably changed both their lives. They are such brilliant characters, not without their flaws but so utterly real, it's impossible not to become totally invested in the investigation and in their well-being. There is an almost constant feeling of dread infused throughout the novel and as it becomes evident that more than one killer may be active in Christchurch, it's never certain who the next victim will be.
The potential evidence of a crime discovered thanks to the crossover between James's conscious and unconscious states means The Pain Tourist just strays into speculative fiction but Paul Cleave writes with such authenticity, it's easy to completely believe everything that happens here is entirely possible. The links between real life and James's 'Coma World' are so very poignant at times, adding a fresh dimension to the story even as more shocking revelations gradually come to light.
The Pain Tourist is a superbly dark, intelligent thriller; nail-bitingly suspenseful, provocative and moving. Paul Cleave really is an exceptional author and just as The Quiet People was a stand-out read in 2021, so The Pain Tourist is one of my most memorable books of 2022. Highly, highly recommended.
The Pain Tourist is published by Orenda Books and can be purchased from their website, bookshop.org, Hive, Waterstones, Amazon or your favourite independent bookshop.
Follow the blog tour, details are below.
About the Author
Thanks for the blog tour support x
ReplyDelete