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Zero Days
A new and dangerous computer bug is sweeping the internet. It's smart, quick, sophisticated, and developed by elite hackers working for a cybercrime syndicate.
It can break through an unknown flaw in the world’s most secure computer chips and cripple any system within seconds—the ultimate cyber weapon.
American cyber sleuth Chuck Drayton finds himself caught in the deadly crossfire of an unfolding cyber war. Chuck and his small team of investigators join a desperate race against the great cyber powers and an unscrupulous tech entrepreneur to stop the zero-day before it’s too late.
It can break through an unknown flaw in the world’s most secure computer chips and cripple any system within seconds—the ultimate cyber weapon.
American cyber sleuth Chuck Drayton finds himself caught in the deadly crossfire of an unfolding cyber war. Chuck and his small team of investigators join a desperate race against the great cyber powers and an unscrupulous tech entrepreneur to stop the zero-day before it’s too late.
336 pages, Paperback
Published November 7, 2019
7 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Ian Williams
6 books11 followersIan Williams is an award-winning journalist who has reported from across the world. He covered technology and business for the Sunday Times before moving to television. He was a foreign correspondent, based in Russia and then the Far East for Channel 4 News and NBC.
Ian has travelled and worked across China.
He lives in London.
Ian has travelled and worked across China.
He lives in London.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 30, 2019
Basically put this book is about a ‘Zero Day’ bug/virus that can infiltrate every thing that uses technology thus ultimately causing chaos and therefore is wanted, and being battled for by The Americans, The Chinese and The Russians
And that is a very very basic description of the book and the journey it takes
In reality the book is a really detailed look into hacking, cyber crime, the dark web, terrorism amongst other things and how this ‘Zero Day’ bug/virus has evolved and how much data etc now controls the world and US!!!!
It is fascinating it really is and best of all for me was the way it was explained, the subject is complex and it would be easy to ‘go above the heads’ of the average reader but however complicated the detail got in this book ( whether it be about hacking or algorithms ) the explanations were reader friendly and involving and it felt I was learning as well as being on a great adventure
The book takes you to Berlin, Myanmar and Ukraine amongst others and as the ‘Zero Day’ bug is being tested out by those that have it ( ie all traffic lights made to stop working in a random city or all water systems shut down in another ) you get the real sense of the apocalypse that could unfold via it
Strong sometimes scary and often unlikeable characters along with high octane action and thrills, subterfuge, lies, twists and turns all make this book unforgettable as well as relevant to the world we live in now
Don’t be put off by the ‘tekkie’ nature of the book as said it is written very much with all readers in mind and I really enjoyed not only the story but also all the information contained in it
9/10
5 Stars
And that is a very very basic description of the book and the journey it takes
In reality the book is a really detailed look into hacking, cyber crime, the dark web, terrorism amongst other things and how this ‘Zero Day’ bug/virus has evolved and how much data etc now controls the world and US!!!!
It is fascinating it really is and best of all for me was the way it was explained, the subject is complex and it would be easy to ‘go above the heads’ of the average reader but however complicated the detail got in this book ( whether it be about hacking or algorithms ) the explanations were reader friendly and involving and it felt I was learning as well as being on a great adventure
The book takes you to Berlin, Myanmar and Ukraine amongst others and as the ‘Zero Day’ bug is being tested out by those that have it ( ie all traffic lights made to stop working in a random city or all water systems shut down in another ) you get the real sense of the apocalypse that could unfold via it
Strong sometimes scary and often unlikeable characters along with high octane action and thrills, subterfuge, lies, twists and turns all make this book unforgettable as well as relevant to the world we live in now
Don’t be put off by the ‘tekkie’ nature of the book as said it is written very much with all readers in mind and I really enjoyed not only the story but also all the information contained in it
9/10
5 Stars
March 9, 2020
My first book by this author, I loved the premise of it. A Zero Day bug was compromising all the digitals, and it was up to the cyber sleuth Chuck Drayton to find a solution and the person controlling it.
The story was exciting in the broader sense where I was quite pumped up to follow the team all over the world, to catch the perp and prevent catastrophe. Characters were varied, and they imparted information at the right moment.
The writing was complexed, and being not a techie, it didn't really maintain my interest. The thrill of the ride and urgency of the moment was missing. The overall concept was fun to read. Overall, a good book for readers of cyber crime thrillers.
The story was exciting in the broader sense where I was quite pumped up to follow the team all over the world, to catch the perp and prevent catastrophe. Characters were varied, and they imparted information at the right moment.
The writing was complexed, and being not a techie, it didn't really maintain my interest. The thrill of the ride and urgency of the moment was missing. The overall concept was fun to read. Overall, a good book for readers of cyber crime thrillers.
January 7, 2020
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
For a techie book this doesn't really swamp you too much with the details. The vast majority is written in easy to read vocabulary and the more complex parts are explained multiple times, and eventually you do get the gist of what is happening.
We follow Chuck Drayton and a decently large cast of characters all across the globe as they try to work out who is controlling the Zero Days bug. There is no big event that is being counted down to, just a need to stop the small (but still catastrophic) events that have been happening. Some of the characters and likeable and some really aren't. Multiple people reappear with important info and to fill an important part in the team working against the Zero Days.
My one big problem? I didn't feel that much urgency and I was pretty confused by the ending, it didn't feel like there were a bunch of clues leading up to it, more like a big info dump that wrapped up the story. I almost found myself questioning why Chuck has travelled all over the world and did all of these things when the answer seemed to be right there the whole time. But, the clues that were provided (which I won't spoil) I was impressed by. I just struggled to have the big 'aha' moment at the end that a lot of these thrillers provide.
If you enjoy a cyber thriller you should check this out. You probably won't be disappointed.
For a techie book this doesn't really swamp you too much with the details. The vast majority is written in easy to read vocabulary and the more complex parts are explained multiple times, and eventually you do get the gist of what is happening.
We follow Chuck Drayton and a decently large cast of characters all across the globe as they try to work out who is controlling the Zero Days bug. There is no big event that is being counted down to, just a need to stop the small (but still catastrophic) events that have been happening. Some of the characters and likeable and some really aren't. Multiple people reappear with important info and to fill an important part in the team working against the Zero Days.
My one big problem? I didn't feel that much urgency and I was pretty confused by the ending, it didn't feel like there were a bunch of clues leading up to it, more like a big info dump that wrapped up the story. I almost found myself questioning why Chuck has travelled all over the world and did all of these things when the answer seemed to be right there the whole time. But, the clues that were provided (which I won't spoil) I was impressed by. I just struggled to have the big 'aha' moment at the end that a lot of these thrillers provide.
If you enjoy a cyber thriller you should check this out. You probably won't be disappointed.
June 15, 2020
An enjoyable read but not ****. Say about 3.5 ***
Vika seem borrowed from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and none of the characters really came to life but the plot moved along nicely but again not quite a page turner and with some mysterious twists that seemed to have been included for a potential film /TV script. The hero doesn't come to life...
Vika seem borrowed from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and none of the characters really came to life but the plot moved along nicely but again not quite a page turner and with some mysterious twists that seemed to have been included for a potential film /TV script. The hero doesn't come to life...
Read
December 16, 2024DNF a bit dry plus he has a gf
January 13, 2020
As described on the cover, this is very much a cyber thriller, it’s very techie, though never weighing the reader down as it’s all explained very well for even the biggest technophobe.
Hacking, Cyber terrorism, computer viruses and more, this is an action adventure spliced with tech and its spread across the globe from Berlin to Myanmar.
Burma or Myanmar is very prevalent as is much of Asia and it’s excellently described.
Chuck Drayton is a decent protagonist, and there are plenty of bad guys to keep him busy. Thrills and spills, and twists a plenty. It’s very much a switch off and enjoy type of book with an action movie type vibe.
A clever, entertaining and eye-opening read into the world of the internet and it’s darkest corners.
A cracking ‘Cyber’ Thriller and I happily recommend.
4 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Hacking, Cyber terrorism, computer viruses and more, this is an action adventure spliced with tech and its spread across the globe from Berlin to Myanmar.
Burma or Myanmar is very prevalent as is much of Asia and it’s excellently described.
Chuck Drayton is a decent protagonist, and there are plenty of bad guys to keep him busy. Thrills and spills, and twists a plenty. It’s very much a switch off and enjoy type of book with an action movie type vibe.
A clever, entertaining and eye-opening read into the world of the internet and it’s darkest corners.
A cracking ‘Cyber’ Thriller and I happily recommend.
4 🔥🔥🔥🔥
May 28, 2020
Well written and a clever plot. Only real issue was font size of the print
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews