Absolutely not what I expected but I loved this futuristic look at crime and the author put a great spin on it. Twisty, shocking and unputdownable… hoping to get my TBR down and read more from this dystopian universe Brolly has created!

Matt Brolly – Zero
A Detective Kate Swanson Mystery 1

23.04.25
Detective Kate Swanson is put on the case when a Judge is kidnapped, and ransom demands are made.

A very different read this time out with Matt Brolly. I did struggle in parts with this read and i think that's just down to its futuristic element.
It did still hold a good storyline but felt a little too different.

I loved both the previous books by this author that I read - Dead Eyed and Dead Lucky - but for some reason, Zero failed to engage me.

I don't know if it was because Zero is set in the near future, quite how near is not apparent, or because the prospect of this actually happening frightened me. There are times when, sitting listening to the news, a zero tolerance policy seems not only viable, but desirable.

But the death penalty for any crime, no matter how minor? And to put the offenders on display as they endure a long and lingering death? I think not, on both counts.

Mr Brolly, you certainly can write. I think it is the glimpse into a possible future that I do not like here.
On reflection I will award Zero 3.5 stars and stick to Mr Brolly's wonderful Michael Lambert series.

Thank you to Canelo via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Zero by Matt Brolly for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Gripping read from the start. Real page turner! Highly recommended

In all honesty, for me, this was a slow starter and I almost gave up. However, the story really picked up then and I was hooked. Very slow burner but worth a read. The ending suggests there may be a sequel, which I will read.

Mr. Brolly very much needs a new beta reader who knows grammar and syntax to help him frame his ideas better. I found this book unreadable.