Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Zero Days by Ruth Ware Narrator: Imogen Church
Published by Scout Press, Simon & Schuster Audio on June 20, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 368
Length: 12 hours, 30 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Hired by companies to break into buildings and hack security systems, Jack and her husband, Gabe, are the best penetration specialists in the business. But after a routine assignment goes horribly wrong, Jack arrives home to find her husband dead. To add to her horror, the police are closing in on their suspect—her.
For this author, I don’t even read the blurb; I just auto read her books. That said, Zero Days was in line with my interests with security, tech, IT and modern computer jobs. There was suspense and a mystery to solve throughout with a deep worry for Jack.
Jack and her husband, Gabe are testers for security systems at companies. Jack does the physical work of breaking in, or finding open doors or windows, following people into places or pretending to be a delivery person. Gabe does all the computer testing. He is on earbuds with her and often provides information about the floor plan or sometimes is able to hack electronic door systems.
Jack is caught at her car after the last job and questioned by police. She can’t reach Gabe or the people who hired them. Eventually, she is allowed to go home near dawn, only to find Gabe murdered. This begins her quest to find his killer. The police, unfortunately, are always after the spouse and have decided to arrest her even though she cooperated when exhausted with no sleep. She ends up on the run, not knowing how to solve who killed him.
Jack is physical and saavy at hiding, and knowledgeable enough about tech to not let the police catch her with cameras, phones or other methods. Slowly, she collects information to catch the killer. She gets a bit of help from her sister and Gabe’s best friend.
Jack really puts herself in danger as she is injured in an early dive over a fence. Then she falls for someone pretending to be her sister. She tries for help to get the last piece to the puzzle and is smart enough to avoid a trap. But she still is in horrid shape when she finally figures out everything.
Initially, it was slow with the grief and the running without any ideas. The running got more difficult and required more strategy and when Jack started to make progress on the investigation it was a race to the finish. I really enjoyed this exciting set of capers. I was thoroughly disgusted with the cops just taking the easy route and not really investigating.
Narration:
This narrator is often the one for this author’s books. I ‘m not knowledgeable about different inflections and dialects but the voices felt authentic. I thought the male and female voices were comfortable. We are totally in Jack’s point of view so that was a fit as well. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Imogen Church
Born in Scotland and raised in England, Imogen trained as an actress at The Drama Centre London, under Christopher Fettes, Yat Malmgren and Reuven Adiv. Since graduating several moons ago, she has worked extensively in theatre, film, commercials and comedy sketch work and she works regularly as a voice artist; she also spent several years underground enjoying success as a deliciously naughty cabaret artiste, making people laugh and generally being rude.
As a screenwriter, her first screenplay won the 2009 award for Best Feature Screenplay at the Reel Women Film Festival in Los Angeles.
About Ruth Ware
uth Ware grew up in Sussex, on the south coast of England. After graduating from Manchester University she moved to Paris, before settling in North London. She has worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language and a press officer. She is married with two small children, and In a Dark, Dark Wood is her début thriller.
| Rating Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Plot |
|
| Writing |
|
| Characters |
|
| Narration (Audio) |
|
| Overall: | |
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens @alleneskens.bsky.social @aeskens @MuratovicIlvana @mulhollandbooks @hachetteaudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks - February 22, 2025
- Read-along & #Giveaway:Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews @ilonaandrews @ilonaandrews.bsky.social @reneeraudman@AceBooksPub @acebookspub.bsky.social @nyliterary @TantorAudio @tantoraudio.bsky.social #Read-along #GIVEAWAY #LoveAudiobooks @BookwormBrandee - February 21, 2025
- Thrifty Thursday:Erin Nicholas edition #ErinNicholas #ThriftyThursday #KindleUnlimited #BoysoftheBayou - February 20, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I’m glad you ended up liking this one so much. It’s one I haven’t read yet.
Thanks. It’s out today.
I’ve only read one of her books and wasn’t into the heroine, but I’ve seen enough love spread for other books that I will definitely pick her books up at some point. Wow, this sounds exciting!
I enjoy them. This one is exciting.
This one sounds like a nail biter! Kind of like The Fugitive with Harrison Ford. I’d probably have to listen/read in one sitting. Wonderful review, Anne!
Exactly! I was thinking about The Fugitive with this. Suspenseful.
Since this is coming up for me soon, I’ll come back later to do more than skim. Wonderful to see that you loved it, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. I seem to enjoy all the Ruth Ware books.
I’m definitely adding this one to my TBR and I need to get the audio. I love Imogen Church’s narration. I really loved the author’s first two books and this one sounds amazing.
Thank you Katherine. I enjoyed it. It reminds me of The Fugitive or something. But I just keep thinking if it were me I’d be sunk. Since Jack was the only one with enough knowledge to solve it which she couldn’t do if locked up in jail.
I am the same. I just grab the audio and listen. This was well done and kept me hooked. Glad you enjoyed it as well.
Thank you Kimberly. Each book is so different but I like the overall puzzles and pace. And Imogen Church.
Love that for you! Just reading without reading the blurb. Risky 😉
Sure but I have some authors I really trust and then it’s easy and not so much of a risk. There are quite a few in series where I can do it.