Zero Risk

Title: Zero Risk

Author: Simon Hayes

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Publisher: The Rubriqs Press Limited

Date Published: 2024

Book Length: 592

Format: Hardback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: 23 December 2024… Rob Tanner should have been enjoying a rare day off from his life-consuming work as Chief Operating Officer at one of the country's largest banks. But a panicked phone call from a senior colleague forces him to put his Christmas plans on ice: more than a thousand of the bank's accounts have seen their balances increased by a factor of ten. Exactly ten. Through the inexplicably simple addition of an extra zero. And when the inflated balances prove to be neither early Christmas gifts, nor a botched computer system upgrade, but the most sophisticated cyber attack in history, Tanner finds himself in the eye of a "Black Swan' storm no one predicted, but anyone could have anticipated.

Tanner enlists the help of brilliant American cyber security expert Ashley Markham, but the attacks only worsen: bank balances rise remorselessly and spread to all the nation's banks. The only clues to the hacker's intentions are cryptic daily emails, centred on Hieronymus Bosch's medieval representation of the seven deadly sins―and packed with colourful artistic and cultural references―taunting Tanner and the newly incumbent Prime Minister, James Allen.

With financial markets―and the very world as he knows it―on the brink of collapse, Tanner races against the clock to decode not just the bizarre emails but their deeper meaning, and the implications for who he can really trust. All the while, his former boss “The Toad” is seeking revenge... and answers of his own.

This enthralling, multi-layered debut follows the story of a disillusioned banker facing unthinkable financial Armageddon, where money has no value, stock and bond prices are meaningless, and the economy is destroyed. Can Tanner unravel the mystery of the hacker's obsession with Bosch, sin and retribution before modern society returns to the dark ages?

Book description:

·        A multi-layered, race against time, cyber-crime thriller with a simple, original, "Black Swan' premise that will keep you awake at night turning the pages… and questioning your dependence on modern technology.

·        An intriguing cyber-take on the locked room mystery; a whydunnit as well as a whodunnit, centred on the modern seven deadly sins.

·        Full of cryptic artistic and cultural references (or are they clues?).

·        A thought-provoking morality tale set in London at Christmas (via Europe, the US and Africa).

·        With short, sharp chapters and crisp dialogue from an ensemble cast… where the criminal may be the one person telling the truth.

·        And, at its heart, an everyday tale of love, loss and redemption.

My Thoughts: Zero Risk by Simon Hayes is a gripping mystery thriller set against the backdrop of the financial world. At 592 pages, this is a substantial read, but Hayes immediately hooks the reader with a hard-hitting opening and a cast of complex, intriguing characters. I couldn’t help but feel invested—pardon the pun!

The tension builds with every page, thanks to Hayes' exciting, fast-paced writing style. The characters are diverse, with some like Tanner displaying likeable traits, while others, such as Kellett, evoke fear and unease with their lack of charm and empathy. Hayes' portrayal of these characters brings them vividly to life, creating emotional stakes that deepen the story.

One of the book's standout features is Hayes' vivid descriptions, which immerse the reader in the action as though they were a bystander. From the frantic pace of COBRA to the sensory details of a Christmas meal that made my mouth water, the author's ability to transport readers into each scene is truly remarkable. While the book delivers sharp, engaging commentary on the financial world, it also weaves in softer, more human moments that make the story not only entertaining but also emotionally resonant.

In conclusion, Zero Risk is a captivating read that masterfully blends suspense, drama, and human complexity. If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat while offering deeper reflections on its characters and themes, this is a MUST READ.