Customer Reviews

Zero Option

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

David Stafford is a disgraced government bureaucrat, recently consigned to Siberia (Atlanta). Wendell Carson is a government bureacrat in good standing, but definitely on the take. His latest scheme involves a cylinder of the deadly "Wet Eye"--weapon of mass destruction beyond your wildest dreams--which he has acquired and is somehow planning to sell. The girl in the airport is mute but communicates in sign language and--get this--she is psychic, especially around bad guys. Throw these characters together and you have the makings of Zero Option, an improbable but gripping thriller.

So, will Carson really sell the cylinder for 1 million dollars? Will Stafford rehabilitate himself? Will the government do what is right or just try to cover up the loss of the cylinder? What do you think? Is this America? But, you will just have to read the book to find out for sure.

Is it perfect? Not quite. There are a few too many characters, especially in the beginning, and a few too many acronyms for government agencies and programs. Does it matter? No. Start reading and you quickly figure things out. This is a book that, as they say, you can't put down. Author Deutermann knows how to hold your attention, and he has worked with these guys, so he knows what he's talking about. Recommendation: get the book and start reading. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.

Very descriptive of the Monster and its workings. Could have been a little overly stated. As the story progressed my interest perked and suddenly it turned into a full fledged rampant read.
The chenical weapons of the world could reek more havoc than any army in history has. The sad fact is most countrys have a great array of these killers and the ability to produce many more. Let us hope that this fiction never turns into fact for the sake of humanity. The last fifty pages will surely give a cold feeling up your spine.

Without giving too much away, I came to a point in this book where I said to myself, "OK, if she's a mind-reader I'm just going to put this book down right now!" Well, lo and behold, she was a mind-reader - one of the weakest methods of plot advancement around - but I didn't follow through on my threat. I finished and, primarily, enjoyed this book. However, there IS no book really without the "mind-reading" character and I found her inclusion to be solely to help our hero learn what was going on. Deutermann didn't reach very deep into his bag of tricks this time. Otherwise, a top notch thriller.

This is my first book by this author, and I'm now scanning the reviews to see which of his other books I'm buying next. Yes, I was that impressed. Simply put, this was a darned good story. I listened to the unabridged audiobook, which is read by my favorite narrator, Dick Hill. As usual, Mr. Hill brought the book to life. It started by providing just enough information about the main character, FBI Agent David Stafford, and the problems in his office to make you want to see what would happen next to the poor guy who had just tried to do the right thing. From there, the story took off and kept my attention until the very last word -- literally. The interactions and inner workings of the federal agencies that are described appear to be very realistic and plausible -- which helped bring the characters and story to life. Although the book isn't really short, I can see why someone says it was "too short." The book is so good, you just don't want it to end. I highly recommend this book if you want a good read!

Not up to previous novels. Premise not believable - characters shallow and setting boring.

As a long-time fan of PT Deutermann, I was anxiously anticipating this new book - and I was not disappointed. By far better than Clancy's new snoozer. I read it so fast, that unfortunately, now I have to wait some time for the next one. Please write faster Mr. Deutermann, your fans await!!

Deutermann's other books would benefit by offering a tear-out Navy acronym cheat-sheet. This one is shy of acronyms. Wow, what a story! Deutermann has a great gift for narrative and the ability to paint rich, believable characters. Dave Stafford, the principal character, is the only one who doesn't come off as a butt covering macho bureaucrat. Highly recommended to anyone who likes believable action yarns.

This is my first P.T. Deutermann novel. It started out a little bit slow but was rich in background. By the time I reached the back cover I felt I knew my way around a DRMO. The story line is believable, current and frightening. By the end this book was moving like an inbound rocket. I definitely recommend it and will be looking for other Deutermann titles.

Didn't think it was possible, but this one is better than the first one I read of his.

What more can I say?...This book had interesting characters, believable actions, and a story-line that captures and holds your interest. I listened to the unabridged audiobook version and you simply cannot beat reader "Dick Hill" for drawing the listener into a book. He's my favorite. This was my first P.T. Deutermann book -- and it prompted me to pick up another of his. An excellent author and book!