Zero cover art

Zero

A Detective Kate Swanson Mystery, Book 1

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Zero

By: Matt Brolly
Narrated by: Rachel Atkins
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About this listen

A zero tolerance policy results in the death penalty for all crimes, no matter how minor. When a judge is kidnapped, and a ransom note demands the release of all prisoners awaiting execution, kleptomaniac Detective Inspector Kate Swanson is put on the case. But soon her boss also disappears. Under increasing pressure from her superiors, and caught between the security services and the growing social unrest, Swanson must race to find a man whose murdered wife and daughter link the missing men. Can she find him before it's too late?

©2016 Matt Brolly (P)2017 Audible, Ltd Cyberpunk Dystopian Mystery Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant  
all set for the next book and future developments. fascinating dystopia. Can't wait to get the next in series

riveting

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Brolly has done something quite interesting with this book. He has created a dystopian future in a fairly credible way where the lives of the populace are completely dominated by Zero Tolerance for crime. The method of execution of those convicted of even the most minor offences looms over the "City" and casts a constant shadow making this an atmospheric novel. Then Brolly has put a police procedural thriller into this future. As it's a relatively near future and development has been constricted there is virtually no new tech so apart from the societal changes and the executions it's a world that feels largely familiar.

The characters are decently drawn and fairly typical for the crime thriller genre though Swanson's kleptomania promises to provide some interesting sidelines as the series develops. Rachel Atkins does a very credible job with the narration. It's no easy ride in this one given that the lead character has damaged vocal chords!

If you can buy into Brolly's version of how the world has developed and I think most will, at least in a fingers crossed behind your back style, then this is a decent thriller with the dystopian background adding an interesting spice into the mix.

Brolly's Brave New World

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Thought provoking, fast paced thriller. Great narration and couldn't stop listening. Narrator really brought the characters and story to life.

Dystopian crime

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The future setting surprised me.
I needed to play back sections as you need to be fully focused on the plot and the many characters to ensure you don’t miss anything

Not what I was expecting

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