The Zero Game, by Brad Meltzer

This thriller looked promising, but it’s ultimately a little disappointing.  The Zero Game was my first book by Meltzer and based on it, I don’t particularly like his style, so full of flourishes that are totally unnecessary.

I had often heard people complaining about a book they read in which the author was nothing but a show-off, someone who just wanted the audience to be in awe of their immense knowledge of the written word.  Up until this novel I had never stumbled upon a book like that, but this one, even if not terribly, certainly would fit that mold.

The story itself wouldn’t be that bad if it weren’t so poorly developed.  We’re at first introduced to a couple characters and to what the game of the title refers to.  Then, after a tragic event, the story shifts in high gear with chases and fights that bring us to the end where all is revealed.

I also found this reading confusing and frustrating at times, but I cannot totally blame Meltzer for it, since it was, alas, an abridged version that clearly left off some key details that would have made the whole thing a bit clearer and more enjoyable, but my contempt of abridged books is well known...

Overall, a let down that might not prevent me from reading something else by this author simply because, reading through some comments on Amazon, many state that this is a good writer but this book is his worst.  Better luck next time I guess.

Grade: 5