What do you think?
Rate this book
Zero Sum #1
Zero Sum Book One: Kotov Syndrome
Kotov Syndrome is the 1st book in the international bestselling Zero Sum serial trilogy of Wall Street thrillers. The story begins with Kotov Syndrome, & continues in Focal Point & Checkmate.
- - -
Wall Street. Where intelligence agencies & the financial industry are strange bedfellows, & the two worlds are often intertwined in disturbing ways.
In this chillingly plausible scenario of a military/industrial/financial complex run amok, Zero Sum pits Dr. Steven Archer against powerful financier Nicholas Griffen in a conflict that raises troubling questions about our markets & our government.
Racing against the clock in a chase that spans continents, one man's battle to expose the Machiavellian machinations of a vicious Wall Street marauder forces him into a financial jungle populated by unscrupulous sociopaths – rogue intelligence agencies, Russian mafia oligarchs, drug cartels & terrorist networks.
- - -
Wall Street. Where intelligence agencies & the financial industry are strange bedfellows, & the two worlds are often intertwined in disturbing ways.
In this chillingly plausible scenario of a military/industrial/financial complex run amok, Zero Sum pits Dr. Steven Archer against powerful financier Nicholas Griffen in a conflict that raises troubling questions about our markets & our government.
Racing against the clock in a chase that spans continents, one man's battle to expose the Machiavellian machinations of a vicious Wall Street marauder forces him into a financial jungle populated by unscrupulous sociopaths – rogue intelligence agencies, Russian mafia oligarchs, drug cartels & terrorist networks.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2011
12 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 31, 2011
Russell Blake has a knack for writing stories relevant to the most recent headlines. His newest novel strikes so close to home, I guarantee it will leave you wondering if he knows more than his background would indicate. I found myself immediately drawn right into the nefarious plot at the heart of the Zero Sum trilogy, in which a Steven Archer, a successful, semi-retired entrepreneur prepares to shed some light on the unscrupulous activities of Nicholas Griffen, a disgustingly unethical Wall Street powerbroker. Yes, Mr. Blake once again creates an unforgettably dislikable character that you can't stop thinking about.
Unfortunately for Steven, and those around him, he grossly underestimates Griffen's ruthlessness, and the financially critical connections between Griffen and some extremely shady organizations. Drug cartels, Russian mob, neo-Nazi's and the mafia to name a few. Organizations that have just as much interest in putting an end to Archer's activities as Nicholas Griffen. Did I forget to mention that Griffen also manipulates the stock market for the Department of Defense? Apparently, there are some programs deemed too "sticky" to receive official funding, and Griffen has perfected a method of generating cash for our government's shadowy operators. As you can guess, they're not too happy with Steven Archer's expose either. Put it all together, and this promises to be a knock-down, drag out trilogy. I look forward to reading the rest.
Unfortunately for Steven, and those around him, he grossly underestimates Griffen's ruthlessness, and the financially critical connections between Griffen and some extremely shady organizations. Drug cartels, Russian mob, neo-Nazi's and the mafia to name a few. Organizations that have just as much interest in putting an end to Archer's activities as Nicholas Griffen. Did I forget to mention that Griffen also manipulates the stock market for the Department of Defense? Apparently, there are some programs deemed too "sticky" to receive official funding, and Griffen has perfected a method of generating cash for our government's shadowy operators. As you can guess, they're not too happy with Steven Archer's expose either. Put it all together, and this promises to be a knock-down, drag out trilogy. I look forward to reading the rest.
November 24, 2011
This review is for the entire Trilogy - Zero Sum Books 1 - 3 Kotov Syndrome
Russell Blake's Zero Sum - Kotov Syndrome Trilogy is truly amazing. I initially downloaded Book 1 because it was free and before I was done I had purchased the Book 2 & 3 bundle. This is my first time reading a book from Russell Blake and I felt privileged to have found a book written so intelligently with such a powerful impact.
Nicolas Griffen is a character that you will grow to despise. A Wall Street financier associated with organized crime and government agencies using the stock market to make huge amounts of money to the detriment of others. Dr. Steven Archer is determined to stop this activity by publishing a website to expose Griffen and his associates for what they really are. When he is discovered to be the owner of the website life is forever changed as he is now the target to be destroyed.
This trilogy will take you on a extremely fast paced and unexpected roller coaster ride of the fight between good and evil. Zero Sum is an addicting complex thriller that you will not be able to put down. I highly recommend this book, it is writing at it's best.
I look forward to reading more from Russell Blake.
Marilou George
Russell Blake's Zero Sum - Kotov Syndrome Trilogy is truly amazing. I initially downloaded Book 1 because it was free and before I was done I had purchased the Book 2 & 3 bundle. This is my first time reading a book from Russell Blake and I felt privileged to have found a book written so intelligently with such a powerful impact.
Nicolas Griffen is a character that you will grow to despise. A Wall Street financier associated with organized crime and government agencies using the stock market to make huge amounts of money to the detriment of others. Dr. Steven Archer is determined to stop this activity by publishing a website to expose Griffen and his associates for what they really are. When he is discovered to be the owner of the website life is forever changed as he is now the target to be destroyed.
This trilogy will take you on a extremely fast paced and unexpected roller coaster ride of the fight between good and evil. Zero Sum is an addicting complex thriller that you will not be able to put down. I highly recommend this book, it is writing at it's best.
I look forward to reading more from Russell Blake.
Marilou George
December 22, 2011
If you like your thrillers reality-based and chock full of action, Russell Blake's your man. The Zero Sum trilogy provides a devastatingly detailed portrayal of the pump and dump Wall Street stock scams, the players behind those scams, and the far-ranging consequences one man endures when he threatens a key Wall Street manipulator. Another reviewer described the books as a classic battle between David and Goliath, and I agree.
The action is fast-paced, the characters painfully flawed in their choices, the story-line far too close to reality for many an investment banker or government official. Settle in and prepare to be both entertained and educated when you read the Zero Sum trilogy. Blake is an author who easily walks the bright line between reality and fiction, leaving you wondering where truth ends and the story begins.
The action is fast-paced, the characters painfully flawed in their choices, the story-line far too close to reality for many an investment banker or government official. Settle in and prepare to be both entertained and educated when you read the Zero Sum trilogy. Blake is an author who easily walks the bright line between reality and fiction, leaving you wondering where truth ends and the story begins.
October 17, 2023
Good but a short story not a novel.
March 27, 2013
Like all mystery suspense novels, this one kept me intrigued all through it. It’s evident the author did his research and learned about the stock market and ways those on Wall Street can manipulate it to line their pockets. This information is layered in small doses so as not to bore someone unfamiliar with short calls, offshore accounts, and media manipulation to boost a stock’s performance.
It’s also frightening to think those in the U. S. government might’ve had a part in the global recession we’re recovering from.
The plot was well thought out and character development done in such a way I looked forward to learning more about the characters as the story unfolded.
I had several complaints about the story readers who like Nelson DeMille’s stories will not object too. It moved forward at a lackadaisical pace. A lot of time was spent telling about where the protagonist went to eat and what he ate. There were times I wanted to shake him and make him realize the serious situation he was in that he seemed to be naïve about.
All in all, I enjoyed this book by this new author, for me, and look forward to reading his vast selection of other thrillers.
It’s also frightening to think those in the U. S. government might’ve had a part in the global recession we’re recovering from.
The plot was well thought out and character development done in such a way I looked forward to learning more about the characters as the story unfolded.
I had several complaints about the story readers who like Nelson DeMille’s stories will not object too. It moved forward at a lackadaisical pace. A lot of time was spent telling about where the protagonist went to eat and what he ate. There were times I wanted to shake him and make him realize the serious situation he was in that he seemed to be naïve about.
All in all, I enjoyed this book by this new author, for me, and look forward to reading his vast selection of other thrillers.
January 27, 2012
I probably would have given the book 5 stars, except that, like most self-published works, it was in need of an editor. Truthfully, the story moved quickly enough that the grammar issues didn't bother me enough to slow me down, which is unsual. My only real beef with this one is that, while I knew that it was book 1 of 3, I didn't expect the book to end mid-story. Unlike most trilogies, there is no getting around reading the next book, I'm afraid...
April 8, 2012
Okay, not what I was expecting. Russell drew me in with his incredible research and now I have to read the other two. I don't read a lot of spy type thrillers, but every once in a while I get caught me. Give it a try!
October 7, 2011
As this is the first of a trilogy, I'll review it with the bundle of books 2 & 3.
October 11, 2012
Good fast read, loved the globe trotting fast paced thriller, very eclectic subject. Very much looking forward to the next installment !
October 21, 2012
I liked this book, but I was sad that ended right in the middle of the story...
Read
June 17, 201410% -- dnf
January 16, 2014
Hard time getting into this...
June 4, 2014
Fast paced, action packed.
April 6, 2015
Good read. Russell Blake does not disappoint and while this is a series the first book can be read as a standalone.
January 18, 2017
Very easy to read as far as chapter lengths go. The Wall Street part wasn't really an interest of mine but the author made it easy enough to read about.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews