What do you think?
Rate this book
Vector Zero
During terrible winter storm, the small town of Harper’s Glen has been cut off and quarantined by the United States Army. The people there are scared and alone while a horrible disease ravages their home.
Shelly is hiding, in mortal fear of her past.
Fallon is on the run, trying to protect his future.
Aldridge is relentlessly hunting him, using every military means available to him.
They are each struggling to endure the elements, each other and the army’s occupation. Their actions will decide the destiny of Harper’s Glen. Upon that outcome of their choices, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Shelly is hiding, in mortal fear of her past.
Fallon is on the run, trying to protect his future.
Aldridge is relentlessly hunting him, using every military means available to him.
They are each struggling to endure the elements, each other and the army’s occupation. Their actions will decide the destiny of Harper’s Glen. Upon that outcome of their choices, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2021
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Bryan McBee
4 books8 followersBryan McBee lives in Boise, Idaho, with his wife and daughter. After serving in the US Army for five years, he attended Boise State University, where he graduated in 2018.
Praise for Vector Zero:
"A rip-roaring work of fiction with plenty of suspense, surprises, action, and dread to offer readers." – READERS’ FAVORITE BOOK REVIEW of Vector Zero - 5 out of 5 stars
Full review here
"Distrust and deceit throw soldiers and civilians into a tailspin in this gripping tale." – KIRKUS REVIEWS on Vector Zero
Full review here
“This tale of ever-increasing contagion and the manhunt to run down the original source of the virulent killer is heavily dosed with science, suspense, and action…” PACIFIC BOOK REVIEW on Vector Zero
Full review here
Praise for Vector Zero:
"A rip-roaring work of fiction with plenty of suspense, surprises, action, and dread to offer readers." – READERS’ FAVORITE BOOK REVIEW of Vector Zero - 5 out of 5 stars
Full review here
"Distrust and deceit throw soldiers and civilians into a tailspin in this gripping tale." – KIRKUS REVIEWS on Vector Zero
Full review here
“This tale of ever-increasing contagion and the manhunt to run down the original source of the virulent killer is heavily dosed with science, suspense, and action…” PACIFIC BOOK REVIEW on Vector Zero
Full review here
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 1, 2021
Not going to lie, I went into this thinking a book about a virus taking over a town was the last thing I wanted to read about.
But I was very wrong! Vector Zero is a well-paced, strongly written thriller perfect to pass the time during sunny warm days as COVID-19 recedes from view. It follows several converging storylines in a small town locked down by the Army as a deadly contagion rages and McBee does a fantastic job making sure you have no idea who you should be rooting for. There's Fallon, on the run from a secret Army installation with information about illegal bioweapons experiments, his pursuer Colonel Aldridge and numerous residents of the sleepy town Harper's Glen as the virus spreads.
As the novel unfolds, McBee builds suspense by telling the story of Fallon's escape with domestic violence survivor turned nurse Shelly Christiansen interspersed with the Army's efforts to catch him and the growing militia movement in town trying to end the occupation. There aren't any wasted scenes here, and I was legitimately curious through to the end. McBee also expertly used his experience in the Army to tell a story only a veteran can. It's full of petty rivalries between officers, smart-mouthed soldiers and the banalities of life only the US military can create.
Beyond being just a good thriller, a story based on questioning government authority and differing stories about a deadly virus feels especially timely.
But I was very wrong! Vector Zero is a well-paced, strongly written thriller perfect to pass the time during sunny warm days as COVID-19 recedes from view. It follows several converging storylines in a small town locked down by the Army as a deadly contagion rages and McBee does a fantastic job making sure you have no idea who you should be rooting for. There's Fallon, on the run from a secret Army installation with information about illegal bioweapons experiments, his pursuer Colonel Aldridge and numerous residents of the sleepy town Harper's Glen as the virus spreads.
As the novel unfolds, McBee builds suspense by telling the story of Fallon's escape with domestic violence survivor turned nurse Shelly Christiansen interspersed with the Army's efforts to catch him and the growing militia movement in town trying to end the occupation. There aren't any wasted scenes here, and I was legitimately curious through to the end. McBee also expertly used his experience in the Army to tell a story only a veteran can. It's full of petty rivalries between officers, smart-mouthed soldiers and the banalities of life only the US military can create.
Beyond being just a good thriller, a story based on questioning government authority and differing stories about a deadly virus feels especially timely.
October 4, 2013
Fabulous book. The pace is steady and hard. The writing is excellent. I had a real sense of the weather and the cold through out the book. There are multiple plots coming together into a climatic finale that is well thought out and plausible. It was a great book to tear through in a sleepless night.
July 12, 2021
First thought...Who wants to read another pandemic novel while we are going through a pandemic. But a friend recommended the book and I had a few days off to relax, so I gave it a try.
It started off pulling me in. The story was making me not want to put down the book to find out what happens next. Unfourtanately, life gets in the way. So I had to tend to adult things like cleaning the hoise and doing laundry. But I jumped right back in to the story as soon as life let me.
Without giving any spoilers, I was very happy with my choice in actually reading Vector Zero. What I found out after I read the book, was that this was actually written many years before COVID.
If you need a quick smooth read Vector Zero is your next read!
It started off pulling me in. The story was making me not want to put down the book to find out what happens next. Unfourtanately, life gets in the way. So I had to tend to adult things like cleaning the hoise and doing laundry. But I jumped right back in to the story as soon as life let me.
Without giving any spoilers, I was very happy with my choice in actually reading Vector Zero. What I found out after I read the book, was that this was actually written many years before COVID.
If you need a quick smooth read Vector Zero is your next read!
January 8, 2025
Super interesting book. As a service member, there was lingo throughout the book that I enjoyed understanding.
What I found most interesting was how long the book takes to reveal who the actual bad guy is! It kept me interested throughout the entire read.
I felt most engaged at the last 75% of the book when things seem to get crazy.
What I found most interesting was how long the book takes to reveal who the actual bad guy is! It kept me interested throughout the entire read.
I felt most engaged at the last 75% of the book when things seem to get crazy.
March 6, 2023
Wonderful character developments, good changes with the conspiracies. Such a wonderful ride of emotions.
August 4, 2021
It’s an interesting experience to read about a fictional deadly virus while I’m living in a real-life pandemic. I’m fascinated at how well Bryan McBee captured the behavior of people being forced to quarantine and isolate considering he wrote this novel before covid was a glimmer in anyone’s eye.
There was a lot of suspense in Vector Zero with a little bit of horror and emotion mixed in. I enjoyed the story and loved that there was never a dull moment.
The only drawback is that there were a lot of characters who appeared for three or four pages, back story and all, who never again came up in the novel. It was difficult to keep the characters straight when there were so many coming and going.
Overall, I enjoyed Vector Zero and look forward to what McBee works on in the future.
There was a lot of suspense in Vector Zero with a little bit of horror and emotion mixed in. I enjoyed the story and loved that there was never a dull moment.
The only drawback is that there were a lot of characters who appeared for three or four pages, back story and all, who never again came up in the novel. It was difficult to keep the characters straight when there were so many coming and going.
Overall, I enjoyed Vector Zero and look forward to what McBee works on in the future.
January 21, 2025
No one is as they seem in this suspenseful novel that features a scientist with a deadly secret, a nurse with a violent past, and two army officers seeking vengeance. Oh, and there’s also a deadly virus set loose that kills anyone who contracts it—anyone not vaccinated, that is. The story is set in a remote town which the military has cut off from the rest of the world as they seek the virus’s creator and transmitter. This would be a great book to read in summer because it’s set in winter, and the author does a stellar job of world-building. You can feel chills emanating from the page. A riveting and satisfying ending makes this a very engaging read.
December 22, 2021
An excellent read!! You can tell that Bryan McBee was in the military because of his spot on detail of how military personnel act and speak from higher up all the way to the lowest rank. The pacing of the story was great as it flew by, and even though I wanted to slow it down and savor the story I buckled up and let it take me for the exciting ride it is. Character development is phenomenal and witnessing the fine touch Bryan added to each character as they evolved within the story was a wonderful experience. This is a MUST READ!
January 15, 2022
I enjoyed this story. It has a good plot with some nice twists and turns along the way. McBee does a great job of creating a believable atmosphere for his characters.
Unfortunately, the copy I read was poorly edited. I am thinking I have an early copy and hopefully newer copies have been corrected. It took away from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
Unfortunately, the copy I read was poorly edited. I am thinking I have an early copy and hopefully newer copies have been corrected. It took away from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
June 4, 2024
This book was fantastic! A compelling story delivered with crisp writing at a fast pace. Mr. McBee has an incredible knack for building atmosphere and making you feel like you are right there in the action. I look forward to reading his other books.
June 5, 2023
"Meh"
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews