Beyond Year Zero

by Lawrence Held

Cambodia – seething hotbed of desperation and vice. The Khmer Rouge fighters are long dead but their murderous legacy has left a population gripped by violence. Into this cauldron of psychosis and trauma steps CARL MEISSNER, a 32-year-old unemployed investigative journalist recently fired over his reporting of a paedophile scandal involving a prominent Sydney judge. Carl has been hired by a wealthy Sydney businessman to find his missing twin brother, last sighted in Cambodia. Forced to face his own demons, he sinks into Cambodia’s dark underworld of child pornography, human-organ trafficking, personal and political corruption, cannibalism, incest and drugs. Getting into this dangerous breeding ground of insanity is one thing. Getting out is another …

270 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2022

Reviews

[Melissa Trevelion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond Year Zero by Lawrence Held is a tantalizing debut fiction novel in the crime, thriller, and culture sub-genres.

Australian investigative journalist Carl Meissner finds himself unemployed over his reporting of a paedophile scandal involving a prominent Sydney judge. When Carl is approached by a wealthy Sydney businessman to travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to find his missing twin brother Danny Goldman he accepts the job.

Litle does Carl know he will be exposed to Cambodia’s dark underworld of greed, drugs, bureaucratic evil, and sexual exploitation. As a foreigner will he get the answers he seeks and find Danny, or will he get more than he bargained for?

Held paints a gorgeous and dynamic picture of Cambodia as an atmospheric backdrop to this dark and dangerous suspenser. It is a country rich in cultural heritage with its ancient temples and traditions but also holds a dark side.

This was a thriller that spun a deep web of mystery for its protagonist and readers to get lost in together, with twists in the tale timed flawlessly to shake up the narrative whenever we came too close to be feeling overly secure in what we thought was happening.

Readers can make a strong emotional connection to the tough but sensitive Carl Meissner as we learn about the past. His development is impeccable, and the author succeeded in displaying his actions and emotions. You can feel when he is lost and feeling the pressure of being overwhelmed by his surroundings.

The supporting cast of characters are well drawn, and readers will certainly be able to engage with them. The descriptions are evocative and vivid enough to make you feel like you know them whether it be love or hate.

Lawrence Held has done a great job in providing an intriguing read that also does much to educate the reader on the issues in some of the higher echelons of Cambodia society, politics, and the underworld forces. Shocking, chilling and highly readable, fans of crime fiction, and gritty mystery are sure to be compelled to finish this novel from cover to cover.

The saddest aspect of the story is that there are children and people all over the world who are being trafficked across borders for various reasons to be abused and have their lives ruined by monsters who have no regard for human life. The author is to be congratulated on tackling a diversity of difficult issues and doing it well.

The title and cover image will grab readers curiosity quickly. The more you examine this cover, the more moments of intrigue draw you in.

The author's highly unique and interesting voice is certainly a promising one in this genre and I’m looking forward to his next novel. I highly recommend.

Thank you, Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for the opportunity to tread and review.

[Sharyn P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carl Meissner may not be the most likable character, but he will do the job he has been hired for the only way he can.
Contacted by a wealthy family, unemployed investigative journalist Carl is asked to locate and bring home the missing brother, thought to be caught up in a pedophile ring related to the reason Carl became unemployed and current whereabouts is somewhere in Cambodia. What does Carl have to lose, the money is good and his family and work life had blown up.
Delve into the darker side of that portrayed in Phnom Penh Cambodia, which goes beyond sex, drugs and child pornography. This crime thriller has a title that says little for what to expect in the book, which only draws you in and once in, it is hard to not want to find out what happens next, will there be a happy ending, can anyone be saved, including Carl?
Thank you to Beauty & Lace for the chance to change up the pace with this dark (enticing) read

[Renee Hermansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond Year Zero is not for the faint hearted. It contains child pornography, human organ trafficking and cannibalism in Cambodia. These topics can be very confronting throughout.

Carl Meissner is employed to find a rich businessman’s twin brother, Danny. He sets off to Cambodia and is faced with all the mess, drugs, prostitution and corruption. Carl doesn’t have an easy time at all.

This book is captivating and educational in just how dark the underworld can be.

Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for my copy to read and review.

[Leigh Blackmore]

BEYOND YEAR ZERO is a gripping and thoroughly entertaining hardboiled crime thriller. Lawrence Held’s skill at packing in detailed plot development, action and characterisation is complex, with many well-realised twists and turns weaving the large cast and narrative together. This is a finely honed entry in the hardboiled crime genre. I read a lot of hardboiled crime fiction and I devoured this one from start to finish. Heartily recommended for fans of powerful drama and page-turning crime.

[Russell Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cambodia is a seductive country of Buddhist temples and all-night bars, muddy rivers and festering scars. It is against this edgy background that Lawrence Held’s novel “Beyond Year Zero” tells the compelling tale of an ordinary foreigner - Carl Meissner - caught up in a world of unbridled greed and sexual exploitation, which gives him more than a glimpse into Cambodia’s heart of darkness.

[James Knowlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Beyond Year Zero’ is both chilling and addictive as it drills down into Australian investigative journalist Carl Meissner’s increasing obsession with finding his quarry, missing millionaire Danny Goldman, on the mean streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia … while battling his own demons in a race to the bottom. A noir thriller in the tradition of great noir thrillers!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific read - honestly - this is one that you have to just prepare to sit from beginning to end. Carl Meissner's journey into the depravity of Cambodia is compelling. Pop this on the books to gift to others.

[Sean Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Far from being just another crime-thriller genre piece, this intelligent, dark odyssey combines existential self-excoriation and an urgent quest for answers and meaning with a descent into the brutal underworld of modern life.’

Sean Doyle, author of Night Train to Varanasi, book editor & agent

[Capt Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Beyond Year Zero’ is a retro noir crime novel set in Cambodia. It is a gritty tale in the style of Raymond Chandler’s ‘The Big Sleep’. It held me in suspense and urged me to read on. Indeed, I could not put it down until it was done. Gripping. I would thoroughly recommend it.

[Tien · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh premise was promising but I struggled with this character who suddenly switch from a decent investigative reporter to a serial killer?! And then, made excuses for his killings?! No.

[MonyKanchna Kunvuth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has all the ingredients to my liking especially the Cambodia part. But what a huge disappointment.