Zero Day

by S. Hussain Zaidi

Mumbai is in a state of chaos. All traffic signals across the entire city have stopped working.

Shahwaz Ali Mirza, head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, receives an anonymous email claiming it to be a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. He quickly puts together a crack team that includes his protege, IG Cybercrime Vikrant Singh, and gets to work trawling the dark web for more information on this mystery attack. However, a move to bring forward the hacker backfires, leading to a second, deadlier attack on Mumbai's lifeline, the railway system.

It is their first brush with a zero-day vulnerability in the Indian government's system that could bring the country to its knees. Racing against time and investigating a case unlike any other, in Zero Day, Mirza and Vikrant face the most dangerous mission of their lives.

Genres: Fiction

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2022

About the author

S. Hussain Zaidi is a prominent Indian author, journalist, and screenwriter celebrated for his invaluable contributions to the world of crime reporting, investigative journalism, and storytelling. Born on February 28, 1962, in Mumbai, India, Zaidi has left an indelible mark on the literary and cinematic landscapes of India, particularly in the realm of crime and the Mumbai underworld.

S. Hussain Zaidi embarked on his career as a crime reporter, where he honed his skills in uncovering hidden truths and delving into the intricacies of organized crime in Mumbai. His early experiences as a journalist provided him with a deep understanding of the criminal world and its dynamics.

Over the years, Zaidi transitioned from journalism to writing and screenwriting, bringing his unparalleled insights and storytelling prowess to a wider audience. His unique ability to humanize the characters in his narratives, whether they are criminals or law enforcement officers, sets his work apart.

"Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts" - Zaidi's book "Black Friday" is a compelling account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. It presents a factual and thorough examination of the events leading up to the blasts and their aftermath.

"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" - This critically acclaimed book stands as one of Zaidi's most notable works. It meticulously traces the evolution of organized crime in Mumbai over six decades. The book offers a comprehensive and gripping account of the city's criminal history.

"Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands" - In this compelling book, Zaidi sheds light on the powerful and enigmatic women who played significant roles in Mumbai's underworld. He tells their stories with empathy and detail, providing a fresh perspective on the world of crime.

S. Hussain Zaidi's influential literary works have transcended the confines of the written word and made a powerful impact on the silver screen. Some noteworthy adaptations of his books include:

"Black Friday" (2007) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap.
"Shootout at Wadala" (2013) - Directed by Sanjay Gupta.
"Class of '83" (2020) - Directed by Atul Sabharwal.
"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among many others.

In addition to his contributions to the film industry, S. Hussain Zaidi has harnessed his creative prowess in the realm of film and web series production. His noteworthy productions encompass projects like "Bard of Blood" and "Scoop" on Netflix, as well as the recent addition "Bambai Meri Jaan," available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

S. Hussain Zaidi has played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging literary talents within the authorship realm. Notably, individuals such as Bilal Siddique, Neeraj Kumar (Commissioner of Delhi Police), Kashif Mashaikh, and many more have found their path to success as authors under his guidance. This mentoring initiative is facilitated through "Blue Salt Media," an imprint in collaboration with Penguin India.

S. Hussain Zaidi's work, both in literature and cinema, continues to captivate audiences with its gritty realism, engaging storytelling, and insights into the complex world of crime and law enforcement in India. His contributions have not only enriched the true crime genre but have also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring writers, journalists, and filmmakers.

Reviews

[Avani ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zero Day by S. Hussain Zaidi, a crime thriller novel which is set in Mumbai. The city is under attack and all the traffic signals across the cities have stopped working.

The book starts very well and is filled with suspense. The plot is fast paced as well as filled with exciting characters who play very prominent and promising role in this book.

In today's digital times, terrorists not only harm us with physical terrors but also with digital ones. Cyber crime is a very concerning topic these days and the book shows us this with it's exciting plot very well.

The book is a complete page turner and even better is the way it ended. Fully satisfied and truly enjoyed my reading journey with this book. I would recommend you pick up this book if you're someone who enjoys thriller crime novels.

[Aarti Arora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hussain Zaidi weaves an engaging tale of crime, terrorism, and cyber security. Two storylines run in parallel, and although the two stories were linked aptly, I find it a little baffling in the middle. Still, I like the twist at the end; it’s impressive and wrapped the story well. The characters are nice and believable.

The story is well-built up, keeping the police politics realistic. I like how certain terms and concepts were explained thoroughly in layman’s terms, such as Angadia, zero-day significance, and DDoS attack.

This book is suitable for a beginner also as the narration is simple, and the scenario is easy to imagine.

Read the full review on:
https://readreactreview21.wordpress.c...

[Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2022/0...

Zero Day is an intriguing thriller that revolves around DDoS attacks in Maharastra and ATS team trying to catch the hacker behind attacks.

This is plot driven story. We have few details on each character- their career background, personality, and relationship with each other. But they are all one-dimensional with one goal in mind catching the hacker. We see the flicker of emotions but they stay detached and don’t reach readers.

Author kept the focus on the best part of the story, the plot and suspense. Another thing that liked most is the technical aspect and police sytem and their work. Cyber terminologies and its description in layman’s language is interesting to read. It was scary how easy it is for hackers to send malware to any system, there is no way one can be fully secure from cyber threats and attacks which in a way proves hacker’s point.

Why 4 stars-

characters are one-dimensional so I didn’t care if and what happens to them. Romantic elements didn’t add much to story. I would have been fine without it. I wish layer of cyber terrorism was more discussed with more depth (we just see one of the newspapers writing an article on it and that’s it).

Overall, Zero Day is a thrilling, suspenseful, fast paced, and plot driven thriller on cyberterrorism.

I recommend this if you like,
Plot driven story
fast paced thriller
Nonstop action
Less focus on character
Well written Technical aspect
Simple and amazing details on Cyber terminology
Great twist and turns
Intriguing suspence

[Madhu MaBookYard - · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow a cyber crime protege Vikrant as he tries to uncover the anonymous tip and the DDoS attack that's been terrorizing Mumbai.
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My Rating : 4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱
- The story setting in Mumbai and the way the book started.
- The cheeky banter and the vibe between the inner gang
- The way every chapter ended with something to look forward to.
- The representation of Cyber crime and the repurcussions of it.
- Mizra and Vikrant. Honestly, they were amazing!
.
𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
The book starts really good and the mystery element of the attacks and the identity behind the one gets better every chapter. I loved the way the the author used the team formed and wrote the banter between them. Even though I wasn't a fan of the romance that was introduced in between, I liked the way every character had their own quirks and importance. Every chapter had something to offer and all the nuances of handling messy situation with media presence and the way certain things have to be done. Ahh the subtlety of handling a national emergency was done in such a way, you get emotional for the characters and root for them to solve the case! I loved the bond between Mizra and Vikrant, and I cannot stress enough how much I loved Mizras's decision making and his ability to turn any situation to his advantage. I was glad he was a part of the good guys! Especially the ending when they laugh? Omg the best! If you are looking for a crime thriller with a murder and a cyber crime investigation story with great characters, really good writing style and found family trope, this would be best for you!
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Thank you so much Harper Collins & the author for the gifted copy!
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Book 120 : April 2022 / Arc / Physical
Tags : Crime Thriller / Books by Indian Authors

[AANVI WRITES · Rating 4 out of 5]

Internet is like a lifeline as the entire world has gone digital, but the actual problem arises when it is used for illegal purposes. On the other hand the mention of the word terrorism is enough to give one goosebumps. Zero Day by S. Hussain Zaidi is a story is based on just this Cyberterrorism.

Let me summarize the plot briefly. Set in Mumbai, the city of dreams, Shahwaz Ali Mirza the head of Anti Terrorism Squad, receives a mail from an anonymous person. It informs him about the Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) in Mumbai, where the traffic signals are hacked and stopped from working. Just when the police is trying to figure out there's another stock awaiting. What happens next? Will Shahwaz and his team be able to bring back the city to normalcy? Read the book to know more..

Language is crisp, narration is medium paced and Characters are well placed and are relatable as well. The cover and the title have been chosen aptly to suit the contents.

Overall a book that casts it suspenseful magic from the first page....

[The Book Critiques · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 21st century where technology rules, we are not only vulnerable to physical attacks from enemies but also to a cyber attack which is more dangerous.
Zero Day is one such book that revolves around the topic of Cyberattacks.
When SP and IG Cybercrime were on a mission to catch criminals involved in child pornography, the entire Mumbai came to a halt as all the traffic signals across the city have stopped working. The head of the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism squad, Shahwaz Ali Mirza, receives an email from someone who called himself Muntaqim claiming this attack to be a Distributed Denial of Service. The email stated more such attacks are to happen soon.
The city was under threat, Mirza with the discussion with CM put together a crack team including IG and SP cybercrime to grab the culprit behind this mess.

Crime thrillers are always a delight to read especially when they are written in n nail-biting manner. The simple yet impactful narration kept me glued till the last page. After reading this book I realised the reason behind the hype about Zaidi's work.

[Aditya Sathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today I found a masterpiece of mystery thrillers & first 5 star book of 2022. Zero Day; the latest book by S Hussain Zaidi is unputdownable.

Mumbai is under attack once again but not by men with guns and bombs. This time the game is more sophisticated. DDoS attack hit the traffic signals of the city and bustling streets came to halt. Team of ATS, Cybercrime, and NSG is put to task. But is it just the cyber attack or there's more to it?

Mr. Zaidi has done a great work in writing this book. Language used by him is so simple and the narrative so fast paced, readers just get hooked on to the story. Once you start reading it, you won’t put it down until you have the answers to all the questions by the end of the book. I have finished this book with little over 200 pages in 6 hours. That too because I have to keep completing my tasks for the day on my job. If I could, I would have loved to finish it in one go. Full review is on my blog.

[Tarini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of my quick reads. As some of the users have already mentioned in their reviews, Zero Day deals with cyberterrorism and how hackers can cause havoc by fooling a common man. The hackers in the novel thought that they could get away with their crimes, Shahwaz Ali Mirza and his team worked smartly to uncover the clues from the dark web. The author S.Hussain Zaidi has done a good job with his narration style by using basic language and keeping me hooked onto every page. I would love to read more of his novels!

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 4 out of 5]

9th Book of 2022

S. Hussain Zaidi is a phenomenal author and I have always loved reading his work. He made me fan with his book- Dongri to Dubai and after reading “Headley and I”, I just got addicted to the world that he creates in his books. From non-fiction to fiction, he knows how to handle the words so that his readers won’t get disappointed by him. I have just completed his latest book named “Zero Day” which is published by HarperCollins in around 210 pages. This is a fiction story about how a cybercrime stops Mumbai’s traffic which leads to chaos and immediate action for the Police as well as Cybercrime department. The police officer Mirza and his colleagues – Vikrant and Deo start investigation regarding how this got possible for someone to execute in the Maximum City. Immediately, another such activity takes place again which reveals the severity of the situation. From here onwards, the race begins which takes you into the world of crime, terrorism and cyber-attacks.

It is very common for writers to write stories on murder or terrorism but it’s very gutsy from Zaidi to write a fiction account of what extreme can happen with cybercrime which we generally hear about in modern podcasts and tech channels. It is not very easy to frame whole story which is based upon this and yet keep it enough exciting for the readers to enjoy the cat-and-mouse game. I liked how author has kept things light for readers to understand as such topics can become pain to comprehend which could have become the major reason of people putting this book aside in between. Hussain has explained the complex terminologies such as DDoS attacks, cybercrime, Internet bots, dark web etc. in a simple manner even for someone from a non-IT background to get the theme.

Developing the characters in the most utopian way is an art for S. Hussain Zaidi and he proves it so wonderfully in both the worlds- non-fiction and fiction. Right from Mirza’s character to his colleagues and sub-ordinates, the way he handles the equation and chemistry between them makes you fall in love with their department even when Police department is something you can never fall in love with. Haha! Similarly, the way he brings in the angle of CM and his person being in the team for the investigation is handled so comically that there are many instances which makes you laugh. The dialogues are very nicely written because even in the tense situations, the way sarcasm for each other makes you smile keeps your interest in the story as well as these not-so-important but funny conversations intact.

Every chapter is like a small episode similar to the modern-day web-series format. Not a single chapter is written just for extending the plot but it brings the narration to the next level which increases your curiosity about what happens next. The way even the anonymous criminal is handled in the first half of the book is exciting as you don’t get bored of his repetitive acts. The twists and turns come at the right spot. Even the pre-climax and climax takes the plot towards another parallel story but the way all of it come together in the end makes it a fun experience. I liked the editing by the author and the crisp story-telling prowess that even with such complex concept, author completes the whole narration in just about 210 pages which is a very positive sign. Even the beginners can start their reading journey right from the thriller genre without worrying about how tough it would get for them.

I give this book 4.25* out of 5.

Thanks!

WRITING BUDDHA

[Richa Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mumbai traffic signals have stopped working, the city is in chaos. This is the city's first touch with DDoS attack, an attack that's novel and needs to fought back with vigour. Mirza the head of Maharashtra Anti-terrorism Squad puts together a team with Vikrant, the IG of cybercrime. Zero Day is the race against time investigation that unravels the politics and hidden truths of the cyber world.

The book is a thrilling masterpiece with the concise narration and action packed story. Page after page I could see myself grabbing onto the words and gasping at the intricate investigation that's full of ups and downs. The author has done a phenomenal job at not only explaining the difficult to understand internet jargon but also make it entertaining with the inclusion of police politics and their unconventional methods. The research, the chase and the strategies are so refreshing, it keeps you on the edge. This was my first book by Hussain Zaidi and I can certainly feel the hype of the India's number 1 Crime writer.

[Keshav Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another spectacular saga from Hussain Zaidi set in the city of Mumbai featuring protagonist Shahwaz Ali Mirza and his protege Vikrant Singh. The plot opens with the financial capital under a cyber attack with traffic signals across the city having stopped functioning leading to a complete turmoil.

Maharashtra Anti-terrorism squad's chief, Shawaz Mirza receives an anonymous mail that mentions of Distributed Denial of Services (DDoS) attack and warns of many more to come. A tactical team is constituted by the CM of the state led by Mirza himself, SP Samar Deo, DCP Kartik Vijayan and IG of Cybercrime, Vikrant Singh, to trace the roots of this cyberattack. A last minute addition to the team is a major with National Security guard, Shaina aliases as Nisha Suvarna. As they scour through the dark web to pick up any chats on such an attack, they are faced with a second deadly attack, this time on Mumbai's lifeline - The railway system.

There is also a parallel story of a human money trafficker known as Angadia, and how amidst a botched-up operation he gets killed. The railway police are trying to identify the victim and uncover his latest operation and the source of the huge stash of cash found in his bag.

As the crack team strives to obtain a breakthrough on the cyberattacks through a covert operation, the machination intensifies and as the first light of evidence dawns on them, they are startled by what they uncover - an act that was provoked by a web of deception and espionage steered by those at the echelons of power. Mirza and the team are now in a race against time to thwart another threat of cyberattack, a zero-day attack that aims to exploit the vulnerability of a recently commissioned government system and one that could bring the country to its knees.

The plot is fast-paced from the very onset and holds the reader on to the edge of their seat. The mentor-protege synergy was at its best, as usual, having worked in many cases before, and one could see a bond brewing amongst the team as they unleash their final assault to nail down the perpetrators. The re-kindling of romance between Vikrant and Shaina adds a flavor, but at no time, the story deviates from its core plot. The author has elucidated various terms and concepts in relation to the story that could be understood by laymen and beginners in a very simple manner. The press briefings to the frenzied media is an outstanding illustration of how much, when, and what information needed to be released, so as to not only keep the citizens dutifully informed, but also elude sensitive and vital clues and use them as a decoy to tail the perpetrators, enticing them to do the one fatal mistake that could bring down the final nail on their coffin.

A compulsively readable chiller for all thriller addicts and hoping to read more exciting work emanating from the author's stable where the pages turn themselves.

[kanchan bisht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is it a five-star?”
We all live in a technology era, and it keeps our daily lives on the fast track. However, like coin two sides, there are two sides to technology; where most things are just one button away for an Individual, the risk of crime is also high.

“Zero Day” by “S.Hussain Zaidi” is a fast-paced technological thriller that accurately captures how cybercrime can frighten the whole city. I thoroughly loved this action-packed read, and “S.hussain Zaidi” strikes a very relevant chord amidst the current events in metro cities like Mumbai.
While developing the plot, the author touches on exploring the psyche of a criminal to commit the crime. Though you will know who the criminal is, the lucid writing, captivating narration, and unexpected twists and turns will keep you at the edge to solve the mystery.
Plot:
Mumbai is in a state of chaos, and all traffic signals across the entire city have stopped working.

Shahnaz Ali Mirza, head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, receives an anonymous email claiming it to be a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. He quickly puts together a crack team that includes his protege, IG Cybercrime Vikrant Singh, and gets to work trawling the dark web for more information on this mystery attack. However, a move to bring forward the hacker backfires, leading to a second, deadlier attack on Mumbai’s lifeline, the railway system.

It is their first brush with cyberterrorism: a zero-day vulnerability in the Indian government’s system that could bring the country to its knees. Racing against time and investigating a case unlike any other, Mirza and Vikrant face the most dangerous mission of their lives in Zero Day.

Final Verdict:

Don’t be surprised if you find your tea has gone cold each time you feel an urgency to flip
the page while you read this cyber crime-loaded novel, the pace, investigation, and emotions are so intense and vivid you will feel like living in the story, and I must say this is the power of good writing and a five-star book.

[Kiranmayi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review on my blog:
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2022/04/bo...

All traffic signals in Mumbai city have suddenly stopped working, causing chaos, accidents and unrest; there are financial implications as well as multiple causalities. Shahwaz Ali Mirza, head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad along with Cybercrime IG Vikrant Singh, and his team start investigation immediately. Deo and Vikrant identify it as a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack and try to mask the identity and intentions of the hacker to reduce public outrage, as per Mirza’s advice.

Irritated as the cops deny him the intended fame and fear among the masses, the hacker Muntaqim launches a second cyber-attack, this time on the network of the local trains of Mumbai. While Deo is busy trying to trace Muntaqim on the dark web, Muntaqim has found a vulnerability in the Indian Government networks and is ready to launch a Zero Day attack.

Will Mirza’s team be able to identify and stop this Zero-day attack, who is Muntaqim and his reason for multiple cyber-attacks — this and more await the reader in the Zero Day.

While cyber-attacks have increased over the years, cyber terrorism as a topic is still niche in fictional writing. The author picks this topic and weaves a racy thriller around it with a very tout narration. From the word go, every single page is filled with adrenaline rush, as the author avoids any unwanted details or descriptions and sticks to the storyline all through.

The author provides authentic details on cyber security, how hackers exploit such vulnerabilities, and can even bring nations to a halt. The story also looks at the ugly side of bureaucracy, hierarchies and politics within them. All the main characters get equal footage and importance — Mirza, Vikrant, Deo, Vijayan, the reader is bound to admire each one of them for their specific personality traits,

I personally would have liked to read more about Major Shaina Verma and more of the antagonist’s perspective on these attacks. That aside, this book is one of the best thrillers of recent times, as it keeps the reader on the edge through, completely engrossing without leaving a loopholes.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and would highly recommend everyone to pick this, especially if you are a fan of thrillers.

[Kanika Arora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cyber-attack, a term that can send chills down one’s spine is in itself intriguing as well as horrifying. With a rapidly increasing number of cyber-attacks and the topic still niche in fiction, the author, S. Hussain Zaidi ventures into uncharted territory with a thriller plotline. Every page is filled to the brink with instances of varying ooh's and ahh’s with avoiding unwanted details or descriptions and sticking strictly to the storyline throughout the 224 pages of the book. You'll learn about hackers & cyber security and how an individual can be exploited or on a serious note how an entire nation can come to a halt on merely the clicking sound of the keys of a keyboard.

The characters are very accurately portrayed and are appealing. Each one from Mirza, Vikrant, Deo to Vijayan receives a rightful share of importance on the paper, which allows me to admire their individual personality traits as well as being realistic considering this type of plotline involves both sides of the coin (good & bad). However, this does not take away from how cleverly crafted both sides are in the plotline. The writing style of the author is classic and commendable with hints of subtle humour if you are a reader who knows the trick to reading between the lines, you would admire this book. In my opinion, a cyber-crime thriller can get boring after a while but hats off to the author, the technical details are thoroughly researched yet written in an easy to read & follow version.

This storyline is an interesting weave of cyber-crime, security and terrorism. I personally like how the story came to an end (not ruining the surprise here), nicely wrapped with an outstanding climax and no unnecessary drama.

[Suhasini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book that received a 5-star rating this year from my end. The reason for this 5-star is that this book never deviated from the plot and the pace is not too rushed nor the story was diluted anywhere to heighten or lower a particular character.

Generally in most thrillers, we get to see the super-hero traits or super-villain traits in one of the characters. But here neither the main protagonists were praised too much nor the other parties. All the characters were down-to-earth and were easily relatable.

As the story was set in Mumbai, sometimes Vikrant's (IG Cyber Crime) behavior reminded me of Manoj Bajpayee in the Family Man series on OTT. I am mentioning this point here just to mention how natural all the characters were developed in this book.

Mr. Zaidi's writing style is crisp and to the point. Nowhere, the story was exaggerated nor unnecessary drama was built up to lift some characters. In fact, in some places, we couldn't stop ourselves from chuckling while reading about the tricks and cunningness used to proceed further in this cybercrime investigation.

The moment people hear that it's a cybercrime thriller, most of them lose interest as some of those books contain too many technicalities. But Mr. Zaidi has used the technical stuff that's only relevant to the story and also explained that in comparison to the physical investigations. That had really added additional feathers to this book. So this book can be read by anyone and no technical expertise is required.

[Kriti · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Vikrant who is in charge of Maharashtra state police's cyber crime cell is trying to catch the suspect involved in child pornography, he gets the news that traffic signals all over the city has stopped working. An email sent to the head of Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad, Shahwaz Ali Mirza, confirms that it was cyberterrorism. And it would not stop here.

"Looks like Mumbai is under attack again, sir."

A meeting at CM's place is held devising strategies and what their next step should be to catch the culprit.
On the other hand, the Police sub inspector Dhananjay More was posted at the Railway station searching every passanger's belongings. It was not new for anyone that many criminal activities such as smuggling happened here. It was his first posting here and already he had witnessed a death of a man, who panicked when he saw the uniformed cops and climbed over the overbridge, throwing his duffel bag away somewhere.
But What More finds out in the bag is more shocking than anything.
While the investigation of the hacker is going on, there's another attack, this time the signalling system of the entire railway infrastructure stopped working.
The book is a fast paced thriller, both Vikrant and Samar Deo are on a mission to find the hacker and stop the chaos but the hacker is already two steps ahead of them.
Read the story to find out the what is the next move of hacker and how will Vikrant solve this case.

[Siddhant Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is an interesting read because the book explores an idea that is quite new and a crime that is a bit different from the usual ones we come across in books and stories. The plot starts off on a good note and it kicks off in the highest gear. The storytelling is imaginative, and Zaidi uses the idea of DDoS and plugs in age-old border disputes to up the ante. Another interesting thing about the book is that the technical details are just enough to set up the plot, but not enough to bore the reader. The idea of a cyber attack in the maximum city is a true nightmare, and Zaidi just brings it too alive with the concepts of botnets and darkweb. There are sub plots which are in play, and I liked how they keep the story alive. The things that didn’t work for me was that the second half of the book seems too simple and moved quite faster as compared to the first half. I would have loved a bit more build up before the reveal. The climax is well planned and closes the story beautifully.

The characters that form a part of the story are quite interesting as well and I liked how each of them have been given specific roles in the story. Another interesting aspect of the character development is that the detailing is something that Zaidi has focused upon and there are minute details that make an impact later in the story.

[Sameeksha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts on a thrilling note, making readers anxious about the unsolved crime. The plot is thoroughly engaging, introducing us to the crimes. The story also majorly focuses on how everyone randomly installs apps or clicks on a piece of fake news and ends up hindering their privacy.

The plot – although fictional and technical doesn’t make it a difficult read. The technical aspects are made simpler. The pace is medium, which helps readers understand the story at their own pace. The plot sets the reader into a thrilling zone, making it impossible to read the book in breaks.

The characters are well developed, especially the duo Vikrant and Mirza. Their ideologies and their way of solving crimes are commendable. The only character and incident which felt a bit forceful in the plot was the chemistry between Shaina and Vikrant. The duo added meaning to the ongoing events but somehow felt unnecessary. The language is crisp and understandable. The narration is engaging.

Overall this book is a must-read to understand the intensity of the crimes happening or can happen. The books shows us the impact of cyberterrorism on the citizens. 

[Khushie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A combination of one of my favourite authors and genres; this crime-fictional series by S. Hussain Zaidi is a treat for me!
I'm always so excited to read the adventures of Officers Vikrant, Mirza and the cameo appearance of Maj. Shaina. This one has a little more drama and cyber crime in it; the web-related jargon is well explained, the story moulded perfectly and every part gets a conclusion perfectly. I found the end a little dry as compared to the other action-packed endings (in the other books) but that's probably because the theme of this book was virtual, a war you couldn't see in flesh and blood and maybe that's why the end to the story—the victory—was also one you couldn't really see in flesh and blood.

All in all, Mr Zaidi is my FAVOURITE go-to person for thrilling fictional quick reads that you can finish on a short train ride from Mumbai to Pune. ;)

Pro-tip: If you've not read this series, start with the Mumbai Avengers–it's been adapted into a film, Phantom starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif and was directed by Kabir Khan—also a brilliant and underrated movie that will bring out the goosebumps, especially if you've witnessed the carnage of 26/11 Mumbai Attacks.

[Adithya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thriller with cyberspace as the war ground makes it educative and entertaining at the same time since one is least acquainted with cons of computer world.

DDoS attacks on traffic and railways depicted brings home the fact that dependence on tech is like a double edged knife. Also the book is sneak peek into politics at play even in matters of national security, as well as the veteran egos at loggerheads in police department!

Even current political situation is aptly put. Good thing is that the plot is on Indo Sino border having ramifications in financial capital of India (diversion from often used Indo Pak scenario), nevertheless terror outfit from Pak is at play.

Storytelling is fast-paced making it effortless read though jargon filled lingo applying brakes here and there. Stories run in parallels but linked to main story earlier than the reader biting his nail! Must read, be aware of phishing scams on internet pick pocketing your money to be used against your country and don't open every trivial URL.

[Aritri Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A common pattern among Indian thrillers is the itch to unnecessarily dramatize the plot and dialogues. This is a big put-off among readers. We definitely do not want to read romantic angles that are useless to the story line or meaningless rivalry with absolutely no contribution to the character development or plot.
Therefore, it was such a breath of fresh air when I read Zero Day. The book is crisp and keeps you on the edge with every turn of the page. There is no needless exaggeration of events or dragging the story to create drama. A cyber terrorism attack that cripples the law and governance system, coupled with enmity between neighbouring countries and the fight put up by our police force against criminal activities, makes this book an absolute winner. Even the sweet camaraderie between Deo, Vikrant and Mirza was extremely enjoyable.

Zero Day is one of the best short thrillers written by an Indian author I have read in a while.

[Honey & Anjali · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to thrillers, there's a lot of substance that people have to work with and yet at the same time, not nearly enough because every mystery is one twist away from either being a page turner or falling into yet another pile of predictable plots that fail to leave an impression.

Zero day encompasses different aspects of mystery thrillers, blending cyber crime with terrorism to deliver a fast paced and gritting tale that never leaves space for any loose ends.

With strong protagonists trying to save an entire city from being doomed by untangling the dark web to the corruption of the system at every level, the book slowly reveals all that needs to be revealed in due time making it both compelling and satisfying.

And although it does fall prey to the same old trope where women are mere plot devices, it manages to deliver what it promises.

I'd recommend it to my fellow thriller enthusiasts.

[Sitharaam Jayakumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating is actually 4.5/5. The book grabs the reader's attention right from page one and keeps him/her riveted till the end. The pace is maintained continuously. The plot is superb and the clever way in which the antagonist is tricked into revealing his identity is par excellence. The technical terminology is explained clearly so that a layman who is not too tech savvy can also appreciate the plot. This is very important as the book is based on cybercrime. The two scenes in which the city of Mumbai is brought to a standstill are described beautifully. My only complaint with the book is the identity of the criminal is revealed a bit early. Another thing is the female protagonist has not been given a sufficiently important role to play. But all in all it is a very good book and will hold the reader enthralled.

[Sukaina Majeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever stopped in between reading a book and felt like there was a proper movie going on in your head with characters, thrills, action sequences and so much so you could actually visualise and hear the sounds of two characters laughing at the end?
.
That's S. Hussain Zaidi for you. Zero Day is a crime-thriller that you must keep in your immediate-TBR because that’s how much I want the book to be read. The book starts with all traffic signals across Mumbai getting under attack and an immediate call is taken upon the attack which is declared as a terrorist attack on the city, though this time its through cybercrime.
. Read the detailed review here: https://thenightreader28.wordpress.co...

[Shivangi Tiwari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first S. Hussain Zaidi thriller and it didn't disappoint. Zero Day has all the elements of a well written thriller.

The plot was not easily predictable, there were round characters with their own flaws and judgments, the storyline was quite interesting and the end was very satisfactory tying the loose ends together. The theme of cyberterrorism was also very interesting to read.

The story is set in Mumbai, the anti terrorism squad chief gets an anonymous mail of a ddos, and he gets his protégé, Vikrant- IG cybercrime to get on the case, members of the team also include Mirza. Vikrant and Mirza race against all odds to deal with the attacks in this thrilling page turner.

Thank you @penguinindia
@reader_viddh
For my gifted copy.

[Anil Dhingra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zaidi writes really well. He provides so much information about the various security agencies of India and the various threats to the country.
In this book he deals with a cyberterrorism threat to Mumbai and then the whole country. As Mirza, the commissioner police anti-terrorism puts his team to work we are given details of the dark web and how it functions.
The police work is great and it's good to read about the good sides of cops as they try to prevent the cyber attack and also a terrorism threat from a top militant.
It is also eye opening to read about the Chinese threat to the country and efforts to underplay it.
A page turner.

[Siddharth Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bollywood Espionage thriller!!!

First fictional book of Hussain Zaidi that I read and must say it was a total masala plot. I haven't read other two books in the series. For a espionage thriller, it was quite flat. Movies like 'Baby' and shows like ' Special Ops' and ' Family Man' have raised the bar in this genre by having complex sub plots. I believe the story falls flat on these sub plots. If a ' Zero Day' would ever come, that is for us to see, but definitely can see this getting remade by some Bollywood Director in the near future.

[Advait · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot progresses steadily for the most part, although there are abrupt transitions which don't blend in as well as the author would have desired. The dialogues aren't up to the level of an engaging crime novel either, and often feel unnatural.

It does seem somewhat realistic with various law enforcement bodies interacting in the manner one would expect. However, the overall plot seems far-fetched and facetious, a longer story with a better developed storyline could have mitigated some issues.

Zaidi is a sharp investigative journalist, but an average fiction novelist.

[N · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this book was a colossal waste of my time. The city of Mumbai comes under a cyberattack which renders its traffic system dysfunctional and causes chaos all over the city. It’s a classic case of whodunnit but, in the cyber realm.

I love a good mystery thriller. But part of the reason I love the genre so much is because of the conflict-ridden element. This story had no conflicts. Things just magically fall into place for the heroes of the hour and it gets to a point where the story becomes extremely bland and predictable. Please do yourself a giant favour and skip this one.

[Siddhi Palande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zero Day by S Hussain Zaidi - "This is war, boys," he said. "A different kind of war. A war of wits that we will win only if we control the narrative." This war ensues in the digital space and can be chaotic beyond imagination.The story certainly keeps one intrigued. And if you finish this in a single sitting you will definitely get the feels. ©

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