The first book to be finished by me of 2011 was a page turner that I accidentally started. It is a free download for the Kindle from Amazon, which was how I came across it (the publicity will help their print sales).

Painless by Derek Ciccone.

What the blurb says:

A fast-paced thriller mixed with a heartwarming story of redemption. A series of ominous incidents make Billy Harper realize there is something very different about Carolyn Whitcomb. But when a rogue organization called Operation Anesthesia learns of Carolyn’s “gifts,” Billy must risk everything to save the life of the little girl who taught him to live again.

What I posted as a review to Amazon:

Cons first: I found some of what the girl says to be far beyond the 4 years old that is claimed, even when she’s supposed to be intelligent, but that was the only thing that jarred and it didn’t stop me really enjoying the book. The rest of her character & what she understands is well developed and convincing.

I read this in just a few days, starting on my daily commute and then shunning films and TV programs in order to complete it – a real page turner!

I found this to be a thought provoking story about the value of pain. I don’t remember having lingering thoughts on life from any of the best of John Grisham.

As a particular plus, there was no gratuitous glorification of sex or violence, although both were there. There were places in the story where other writers would have gone to town in this, but what Derek Ciccone has done is far more fitting for a story about a child and a guy. The military aspects would draw in the male readers who wouldn’t normally go for this kind of story.

I don’t yet know if I will ever reread this book, but I will remember it.

The book portrays pain as a mechanism to stop us harming ourselves. Pain receptors didn’t come in with the curse of sin, but perhaps our distress at what we feel did.