Cold Zero

by Brad Thor

An Atria Book. Atria Books has a great book for every reader.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Spy Thriller, Action, Suspense

Hardcover

First published February 10, 2026

About the author

BRAD THOR is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-six thrillers, including COLD ZERO, EDGE OF HONOR, SHADOW OF DOUBT, BLACK ICE (ThrillerFix Best Thriller of the Year), NEAR DARK (one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year), BACKLASH (nominated for the Barry Award for Best Thriller of the Year), SPYMASTER (“One of the all-time best thriller novels” —The Washington Times), THE LAST PATRIOT (nominated Best Thriller of the Year by the International Thriller Writers Association), and BLOWBACK (one of the “Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time” —NPR).

COLD ZERO is on sale now. For more information, visit BradThor.com.

Reviews

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the Arctic the survivors must thrive until help arrives. Kasey Sheridan, CIA, and first officer Brett Sharpe also need to protect a device which can change the world and it’s creator from those who would steal it. Page turner from the beginning. Intense, fast paced and believable. I liked the main characters. Highly recommend if you enjoy spies and intrigue.

I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's lameville time for some of my usually reliable authors.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Brad Thor and Ward Larsen for some time now and was intrigued when I heard they had a story they wrote together. Cold Zero has nothing to do with the books they have written before apart from being a thriller with some great action in it. Oh, and some great characters subjected to a wonderful plot. I don't know if it's just me but I laughed out loud at some of the situations in this book. They are truly epic. I had no idea where this story would go or end and it took some twists that I didn't see coming. It was as I suspected very well written and it got a hold on me from the first chapter all the way to the end. Now I wonder if they will write more stuff together and if it will have Scot Harvath, David Slaton or Jammer Davis in them? I hope this will happen.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Brad Thor, Ward Larsen, Atria Books, and Emily Bestler Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to read the work of Brad Thor, I was pleased to see this collaborative effort with Ward Larsen. These two well-established authors recount a gripping story that has a little of everything for the reader.  When Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777 takes off from Hong Kong, everything seems in order. A long journey to New York ahead, passengers and crew alike are ready to enjoy the most advanced piece of airline equipment ever built. However, an emergency over the North Pole causes the flight to disappear from radars and plunges those on board into chaos. Sabotage brought the plane down and a crash landing onto the ice leaves only a handful alive with no means by which to communicate to the outside world. On the flight is a prototype that could change the world of warfare forever and it is sought after by many. The Chinese were sure they were getting it, the Americans had planned to take possession of it when a certain passenger on the flight hands it over, and the Russians come to learn of it after the crash. All three are vying to reach the wreckage first and take the technology for themselves. CIA operative Kasey Sheridan was tasked with bringing the tech and its inventor to the US, but things are spiraling out of control. She must work with Brett Sharpe, the flight’s first officer, to get out of harm's way and into American custody before anyone can get their hands on the prototype or the weather kills them all. It's a race like no other and there is no room for error. Brad Thor and Ward Larsen spin a captivating story that I could not stop reading!

I am quite intrigued about the collaborative work of Brad Thor and Ward Larsen. Having read all of Thor's novels and a few of Larsen's, I knew what awaited me. The storytelling was superb and kept me hooked from start to finish. The narrative developed well and kept me wondering what awaited me as things progressed. As the momentum built, I could see the authors depicting things in such a way that there was no getting out of the tension and trouble brewing. Short chapters kept the story clipping along and provided the reader no reprieve as things inched closer to disaster. The entire premise of the piece was so well presented that I was literally reading well into the night and wondering what could possibly go wrong next.

Characters are perfectly developed for this type of thriller, as their backstories connect with ongoing events. The thorough exploration of Kasey Sheridan's role was key to understanding everything that was taking place, as well as how things would soon take a turn. Use of characters from all three camps—Americans, Russians, and Chinese—helped add depth and tension to the story in ways that made it even better. While I expect this is a one-off, the connection I had to many on the pages of the book proved to make it something in which I was invested, which added to my enjoyment. Thor and Larsen have done well with characters in the past and this collaboration was no exception.

Surprises work well in thrillers and the authors made sure to pepper them throughout. There were so many moments that I was not expecting something, only to have it occur and develop before my eyes. The political and social twists made this story all the more enjoyable for me, keeping me guessing and hoping that things would not get too off the rails. I found myself gripped and unable to put the book down, which is a sign that this was just what I needed as I push through many books of late. I would strongly encourage more collaborations between Brad Thor and Ward Larsen, as this one worked so well!

Kudos, Messrs. Thor and Larsen, for one of the best thrillers I have read in a long while!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really interesting and exciting book. Enjoyed the audio thrill.

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Military rescue of a downed plane with special cargo and personnel at the North Pole. No help from Santa! 🎅

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

l was very much looking forward to reading this collaboration. Thor has been one of my favorite authors, and I've recently caught up with Larsen's work.

The majority of the book is set on the polar ice cap, where a plane carrying pair of CIA agents are smuggling a Chinese scientist was forced to crash by the Chinese.

A thrilling story of survival and the hope of evading the Chinese forces sent to retrieve them.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars ⭐️

I am a HUGE fan of Ward Larsen and an even bigger fan of Brad Thor. I was thrilled to be given this ARC, especially when I realized that this was their first collaboration together. Mr. Larsen has successfully used his real-life aviation experience to bring his David Slanton series to life and of course, Mr. Thor has created a favorite character of mine in Scot Harvath.

This new storyline centers on the attempted defection of the Chinese developer of the newest, greatest technological advancement in the Artificial Intelligence war. This Chinese scientist was in the middle of escaping with this new device to the United States, with the help of his CIA handlers, when the powers that be in Beijing realized what was happening. They just so happened to be on a commercial flight from Macau to New York when the defection was discovered and the decision was made to do "whatever it took" to stop them and to recover the device. Even if it meant bringing down the plane.....

And so begins an intense race by the worlds superpowers to find and recover what just may be the key to winning the next war. Nothing is off limits - sabotage, false trails, nuclear class submarines, tip of the spear operators - as major countries go to great lengths to try to hide the limits to which they are willing to go.

All of this time, the people stranded in the Arctic with the device are facing truly life-threatening circumstances, just trying to survive.

This is definitely a pulse pounding thriller with nonstop action. What I enjoyed the most though was the female main character - CIA Officer Kasey Sheridan. She emerged as a strong, intelligent character who continually has to think on her feet in what felt like never ending dangerous circumstances. I also enjoyed the 1st Officer Brett Sharpe who stepped up unexpectedly and ended up becoming immensely important to their survival. To me, the development of these two characters added to the strength of this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on February 10, 2026.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A plane carrying a defecting Chinese scientist and his CIA handlers disappear over the North Pole. Soon after, a Chinese ice-breaker and a Russian sub head for the wreckage site, not for survivors, but for the precious cargo that was also onboard. Cold Zero is a new series from these established authors, featuring CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and fighter pilot Brett Sharpe, and if this book is any indication how the rest of this series is planned, it will be a sure-fire hit. Non-stop suspense and movement keep the reader fully engaged as Kasey and Sharpe fight not just two world superpowers, but the harsh Arctic weather as they protect the defector and the secret weapon that came with him. There is absolutely no downtime in this thriller, just wall to wall action and some intense battle scenes. You couldn’t do any better for a first book in a series, and I can’t wait to read more. No-doubt-about-it five stars!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Dayle (the literary llama) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook Notes: A great audiobook experience. Easy to jump in and binge.

📖: A unique and entertaining thriller that’s very in line with Thor and Larsen’s oeuvre. Together they have created a meticulous and suspenseful icy adventure. Traversing continents and multiple agencies, everyone wants a piece of tech stranded in the Arctic. Who will get there first? And how will those still alive survive the storms… of both the environmental and human variety. It’s definitely a technical thrill ride.

My one big complaint, though, is that there are so many people and points of view, that the emotional connection gets lost. I don’t think we spend enough solid time with one group to have any depth to anyone. While I was curious how it would play out, I found I didn’t really care who lived or died through it all. I wasn’t attached to any of the people.

Still, I was definitely entertained. And I really hope this becomes a series because I’m craving backstory and depth to the main characters. I want to return to them and get more.

* I received a free audiobook from the publisher

[Steven Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

Take your anxiety medication before cracking open Cold Zero because Brad Thor and Ward Larsen have teamed up to create an icy and intense espionage and military thriller that will chill you to the bone.

If you’ve ever wondered how World War III could start, look no further than Cold Zero. A thriller that highlights how far world superpowers will go to gain a technological and military edge. Set in one of the most inhospitable locations on Earth, Thor and Larsen take readers on a frigid and desperate journey to survive the elements and enemy factions to deliver game changing tech to the US and simultaneously deliver a decisive blow to their foes

It’s exciting, entertaining, heart-pounding, cold-blooded stuff from two of the best thriller writers in the business.

[Jack Hance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was typical Brad Thor, fast-moving, not very complex plot, lots of violence. The characters are good, especially the protagonist, Kasey. The ending was a bit anti-climactic, the villain frankly… meh.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think a co-author collaboration is tough to pull off, but Brad Thor (one of my favorites) and Ward Larsen managed to do it very effectively in this thriller. I flew through it.

[Adah Udechukwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, action, total action.

Chapter one started with a bang. The type that ensures you read the novel till the end asap.

It's been a while since i read a fast paced action-packed novel and i enjoyed every page of Cold Zero

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

COLD that is for sure‼️ These two authors-Thor and Larson-have created an awesome thriller at the “top” of the world-North Pole. Chinese dissident, CIA, airplane over the North Pole, survivors, submarines, Navy Seals, Russian “Aurora”, weather elements, Sky Fire and a good couple of twists and turns. Enjoy

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good debut book for the duo of Ward Larsen and Brad Thor. It is an intense espionage thriller, with suspense and action. Great cast of characters and I liked how the authors told the story through the Chinese, American, and the Russian point of view. Crazy battle towards the end and then the cliffhanger ending?? It was a really good story and I hope to see a series out of it.
Thank you NetGalley and Altria Books for the ARC and the book will be out Feb. 10, 2026.

[Jkane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent spy novel, but 90% of it takes place on a frozen tundra, and so it wasn't all that exciting. Also, I had much higher hopes for a Brad Thor and Ward Larsen novel. The protagonist is a female CIA analyst, which was not what I expected. However, reading the synopsis of the novel again, I probably should've concluded that she'd be the main character. The book was ok, but certainly not great.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad Thor’s Cold Zero carries the same icy tension and high‑stakes survival energy that made Dale Brown’s Arctic Storm Rising such a fun read. Similarly, the Arctic becomes the setting, but this time the threat isn’t Russian forces. Instead, a Chinese security team is hunting the survivors of a downed aircraft, determined to reclaim a world‑altering device and its creator, both who’ve been smuggled out of China...Among the crash survivors are CIA officer Kasey Sheridan and co‑pilot Brett Sharpe, who must not only endure brutal conditions but also protect Sheridan's asset until rescue arrives. Thor keeps the tension high from the opening pages, delivering a fast‑paced, believable thriller that never loses momentum...I loved the characters, the relentless pacing, and the sense of authenticity through every chapter. A fun page‑turner from start to finish.

[Lisa Henderson-Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You to NetGalley and Atria books for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an adrenaline fueled story that will have you gasping for air in anticipation of future events.

A plane crash in the Artic has three countries in a race to be the first ones there. Sensitive information aboard this downed aircraft must be retrieved and depending on which country gets there first, dictates how it will be used.
This will have your at the edge of your seat, glued to each and every page.

[Frosty61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 * rounded up
Just what I was looking for - lots of action, unique setting, and a strong female protagonist. There are some drawn out passages about technology and political posturing, but overall the pace was pretty good and it held my interest. There's even a polar bear who helps our good guys a little.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, fast paced and enthralling. If I had to choose one word to describe this book it would be…solid.

[Riley MacLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall enjoyment: 1/1
Readability: 1/1
Immersion: 0.5/1
Characters: 0.5/1
Originality: 1/1

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collaborative effort between these two authors. Fast pace, exciting action. Perhaps a bit far fetched, but given the direction of AI, not unfathomable. Enjoyed it very much.

[Michael Schex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Gripping and fast-paced with short chapters. Hard to put down. Thanks to the Savannah Book Festival, I was able to obtain an advanced copy. Highly recommend.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

And Thor grabs the gold ring once again.
Absolutely riveting story of CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and her fight to bring back to the US
the brilliant Chinese physicist, Chen Li, who is defecting with his AI invention that could change the entire landscape of international espionage and warfare. When the plane they are on crashes in the Arctic wilderness, far from any signs of civilization, she knows that rescue is coming, but is it coming from friend or foe?
Working with the lone surviving crew member and former combat pilot, Sharpe, she must come up with a rescue option that will make sure Chen and his invention do not fall into the wrong hands, while battling the frigid temperatures and ferocious Arctic wild life.
Fabulous read with everything: terror, espionage, mystery, mayhem and absolutely intriguing characters.
Thor is a mastermind at writing the quintessential thriller.
Another story I hated to see end.
Bravo.

[Dirk Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like everyone else, I was excited when I heard about this collaboration between Brad Thor and Ward Larsen. And even better, I was given an early copy by NetGalley to review.
The novel opens with a great cat-and-mouse chase through Hong Kong. Action right off the bat. And it does not let up throughout the entire book. Constant scenes of action, suspense and surprise.
You can tell both authors brought all of their expertise to this book. Amazing descriptions of aircraft and all the intricacies, giving us a better and deeper knowledge to highlight the travails of those in the novel as well as heart-stopping action and great characters.
This is one of those novels that you wait and hope is coming and when you are reading, you don't want to end. As I flew through the pages, nearing the end, I kinda wanted the page count to be wrong and one more thing to happen to prolong my reading experience. Can not say enough good things about this novel.
The fact that I was sitting warm in my house while a winter cold front moved in and temperatures dropped down near -40, but I appreciated the description of the cold storm and the aches the characters felt while dealing with their own cold winter storm. I'm sure I was just shivering in support.
If there are to be any more novels written by Thor and Larsen, Sign me up. I'll be first in line.

[Einstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Zero is an ambitious tale with a mind-boggling storyline. It's a fast-paced thriller of political brinkmanship, paired with an impressive high-definition clarity of the power of Artificial Intelligence in modern warfare.

The novel is intriguing, bold, and contemporary in its writing. It provides readers with a major shift that the future of Artificial Intelligence would bring—the weaponisation of AI.

BLURB

Dr Chen Li, a leading Chinese scientist, has created a prototype technological marvel that will give the People's Republic of China a global military edge. This invention is set to revolutionise the Chinese military capacity, leapfrog the Western world military, and strip the American military of its global dominance

The creation of Sky fire, an Artificial Intelligence-powered weapon that is capable of taking control of software and the hardware of any military materiel, not only showed “remarkable success” but also showed its offensive potential. Dr Li, realising that the Chinese government wants to expand his invention globally to target the “digital infrastructure… and military systems” of the Western world, became nervous because his purpose in creating Sky Fire was to make it a stabilising force and not to be weaponised.

However, Dr Chen Li defected to the United States of America through the preemptive move by the CIA with the help of CIA operative, Kasey Sheridan

When the Chinese Ministry of State Security, headed by Zhang Tao knew of Dr Li's defection, they set out to arrest him and take possession of his creation. However, Dr Li beat them. The MSS fell hook, line and sinker by using Sky Fire to take control of a car on the streets of Hong Kong to escape.


Now, Kasey and Dr Chen Li are airborne to the United States on Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777. On the blindside, China made a countermove by shutting the turbo engine of the plane, belly landing it in the Arctic, on a snow floe.


The US's Cheyenne, China's Snow Dragon 2 and Russia’s Aurora are in a headlong race to access the Skyfire at a flashpoint in the Arctic, which brings us to the caption Cold Zero


ANALYSIS

KASEY SHERIDAN

Kasey was the most prominent character in the novel. She represented brilliance in the standard of the CIA's work. She was bold, purpose-driven and sympathetic.

She paid Assiduous attention to details because her work was of life and death. Besides, she was leading a flagship operation of the CIA to retrieve the world's most advanced technology.

She mirrored the key role women play in today's politics. Brad Thor gave a unique voice to women in his novel. Kasey reminds us that women have moved from the traditional stereotyping of weaker vessels to courageous and emboldened members of society who are capable of directing the course of key social policies

Kasey's leadership, direction and expertise challenged the norms and what society has accepted about women. With the right direction and coaching, she stood not as a mere CIA operative, but as a woman whose ideas and expertise mattered.


DR CHEN LI

He represents the various scientists at the forefront of advancing Artificial intelligence. He was a deliberate and conscious-driven scientist.

Though some readers will argue that Dr Li's act was treasonous to his nation, I’d argue that he did one of the most selfless acts in the story though he experienced significant emotional conflicts. His action was a matter of morality rather than patriotism

He defected because, the Chinese government wanted to weaponise his invention which was contrary to the purpose Sky Fire was created.


His bold decision signals that scientists are at the helm of scientific research and development must remain true to their duty to make the world a safer place to live. The purpose of their inventions is to elevate humanity rather than to reduce it to nothingness.

SKY FIRE

Sky Fire, the prototype revolutionary technology sat at the centre of the story. It presented the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. The use of Artificial Intelligence will determine whether it's a Pandora’s box for humanity or not.

Sky Fire was created as a stabilising force. In other words, to maintain a fixed state of global peace. With the Potential of Sky Fire, no war could emerge on the score of its ability to control both software and hardware of military systems. Leveraging its power, any burgeoning war could be easily nipped in the bud, preventing a Third World War. But it was secretly targeted to be weaponised.

Sky Fire is not far from reality. So, the militarisation of AI is not news. There should be an enforced ethical code that will govern the use of AI as a military weapon.



CONCLUSION

Cold Zero is a brilliant and powerful techno-thriller. It excels in its timely exploration of the militarisation of AI. The scenes are engaging as they are well-written. It is almost a literary genius and could be cinematically perfect.

My only concern is why it wasn't titled Sky Fire to highlight the theme of Artificial Intelligence.

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long before Riggs & Murtaugh redefined the buddy movie in the late 80s, Paul Newman and Robert Redford worked through mismatched character traits and attitudes to dazzle audiences with everything from bank robberies, fighting the Bolivian army, Great Depression era grifters and 'the big Con'. Despite critical and huge commercial success of their two silver screen outings with the same director, the duo looked far and wide though never managed a third collaboration. The BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID of the Action Spy Thriller Universe, Brad Thor and Ward Larsen, are rolling heavy into 2026 with COLD ZERO, classic techno-espionage fiction that puts cutting edge global threats and advanced military applications into the hot seat before they're on the public's radar. Blending action, political intrigue, clandestine operations, and espionage, COLD ZERO is vintage plot-driven adventure that's all verve, adrenaline and elbows. It's sang froid, it's Clancy-esque. It's COLD ZERO.

Starting out like a Bruckheimer/Simpson movie, COLD ZERO is a slam-cut manifesto, zooming along from an intelligence coup of a lifetime that could cripple China's military for many years to come to plane crash in a place where the wind blows cold and the ice burns colder. Almost homage to bad jokes of yore, a CIA officer, a Chinese scientist defector and a secret tech marvel leveraging transformative AI for military use make a run for it from Macau, only to converge in the icy wilderness near the North Pole. The Cold War is on again, burning bright and COLD ZERO means that this time, it's really cold. The ChiComs and the Russians have their eye on the Arctic; a geopolitical battleground where war is fought with bully diplomacy, territorial overreach, and military intimidation. A place where the guardrails of politics, dialogue and statesmanship are nonexistent. Arctic trade routes are up for grabs and seemingly, the USA is at the back of the bread line. A gallery of destruction, COLD ZERO showcases the US military machine moving mountains for a rescue mission in the most inhospitable place on earth, feasible and operationally sound on paper. Though when the skids hit the ice and the extreme cold, it's a totally different ballgame.

Truly ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD, COLD ZERO lets the 'Doomed Penguin' march, elements of LOST, SNEAKERS, WHITEOUT and GOLDENEYE in it's snowy footprints. As that, COLD ZERO is a novel as rejuvenating as glacial wind. There are no overbearing modern military Ubermensch RangerDeltaSEAL superhero types, a thriller exquisitely grounded in reality with deftly crafted everyday American service and intel members doing their damn best to counter the Commie horde. It reads like 1980s Clancy gold but it's more Thor than ever before and classic Larsen--a real treat for fans and lovers of good techno thrillers. It goes from COLD ZERO to hero in no time. It's a novel so good, it'll make ordering room temperature water at restaurants a cinch forever. Combining the talents of two bestselling authors with deep storytelling chops, COLD ZERO might become the de-facto way to wow adrenaline junkie readers. Keeping reader on the edge of arctic frozen wrath, COLD ZERO is a novel that hits with cataclysmic force. Come in out of the cold and try for COLD ZERO. It'll keep you frosty.







































Many thanks to Ward Larsen, Brad Thor, Atria/Emily Bestler for the contest and ARC copy. <3

[Lindsey Barger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Kasey’s mission was to exfiltrate a Chinese tech star who was under surveillance. Beijing knew he had connected with the CIA and didn’t want to lose the tool he created, but, when they moved in, he used that tool to confuse them and give Kasey’s team time to get them out of the country. What he didn’t plan for was his protégé using a tool of her own to bring down their plan in the middle of the Arctic Circle and put dozens of lives at risk. Will Kasey be able to keep her mission on track or will the combined threats of the incoming Chinese forces and those from the environment of their new battleground be too much to overcome?

Best-selling novelists Brad Thor and Ward Larsen partner up to bring readers a fantastic spy craft thriller in Cold Zero. Readers familiar with Thor’s Scott Harvath series or Larsen’s Assassin’s series will not be disappointed with this foray into new characters. Pulling on Larsen’s Air Force experience and Thor’s Homeland Security background, the pair write a novel that, while not quite pulled from today’s headlines, could be from the headlines of the not-so-distant future. This is a novel about worst case scenarios and the will to overcome them, even in the face of what appears to be a no-win setting.

I give Cold Zero 4 out of 5 stars. This was a solid 4 – it felt like there was something missing in several scenes. It was almost as if the duo hadn’t quite polished their partnership and weren’t playing off each other’s writing as well as they could. I have enjoyed both author’s independent writings so this was surprising. The best scenes were those around aviation and military tactics. Others, like standing outside in whatever clothing they found in the downed airliner for hours without experiencing frostbite or other health issues seemed like misses that should have been caught. Also – explosions on ice would likely cause ice melt that would, temporarily be liquid and refreeze quickly at these temperatures causing additional challenges with mobility and wet clothing. For two veteran writers with military experience, these were disappointing misses, but the overall plot and character development kept me hooked and wanting more. So much so that I looked quickly after finishing the book to see if there were promises of a series.

If you have enjoyed either writer’s other works, or if you’re a fan of novels like the Jack Ryan series, you will like this book. I picked up this book on NetGalley because I recognized the writers’ other thriller works. I’d also suggest this to readers interested in technology or the future of technology. With a central theme of an airline crash, gun violence, and war, this may not be the best book for all readers and I would direct it to more mature readers over 16.

[Ray Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars

Political thriller juggernaut Brad Thor teams for the first time with best-selling author Ward Larsen and the result is the nerve-wracking, edge-of-your-seat thriller of global intrigue entitled COLD ZERO.

First off, this novel is not part of the Scott Harvath series but a stand-alone for Thor. That being said, the tag team with Larsen may have produced the most harrowing story he has ever written. The stakes have never been higher, with a potential World War at risk while super-powers the Unite States, Russian, and China race to gain control of a piece of technology that would completely sway the balance of world power.

Unfortunately, this technology is aboard Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777 --- the most advanced jetliner ever built --- and it is about to disappear off the radar near the arctic circle around the North Pole. The action of COLD ZERO jumps from country to country amidst different locales as well as the passengers of the ill-fated Flight 777. Our first introduction of a global super-power is China, specifically their MSS agency or Ministry Of State Security, which is tracking a dissident who is fleeing with the technology they so badly seek to possess.

The man known as Dr. Chen Li has been extracted from China by CIA agent Kasey Sheridan and they board Flight 777 on its way to the United States. It will not quite make it there. The crew of the flight do not suspect anything and are powerless to respond when a hacker from China inserts a malware virus into the plane which completely shuts it down. The pilot is forced to make a dangerous landing on a sheet of thick ice. The plane lands hard and breaks up when it strikes an iceberg at the end of a frozen ramp. Several are killed and the handful of survivors, which include an injured Chen, Kasey, and First Officer Sharpe, must attempt to stay sheltered and care for the injured.

Sky Fire is the name of the piece of technology in Chen and Kasey’s possession that is so direly sought after. In addition to China, the USS Cheyenne submarine is in pursuit of the crash site in the arctic as well as a Russian sub named Aurora. Action bounces between the three countries and the various players involved in the hunt as well as the plight of the nearly frozen survivors of Flight 777.

As Chen is slowly revived, he shares with Kasey that Sky Fire has the ability to send a distress call, however, they do not want to use it and give away the exact location of the device. They eventually are able to receive messages from the U.S. rescue team who urges them to attempt to get to a weather station about nine miles from their current location and await air rescue from there. Of course, a huge storm is coming in and the likelihood of the injured survivors making it across the frozen tundra to any weather station is grim to say the least.

The race to get to the survivors first drives the narrative forward chapter by chapter. Thor and Larsen steer this story through one pitfall after another with the threat of World War constantly hovering above the action on the ice. COLD ZERO will literally chill readers with its’ dangerous premise and subsequently light a fire inside as the suspense burns brightly from start to finish in this perilous read.

Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter