I think Ruth Ware is entering her formula era. Overall a passable book as a reader, but a most definite purchase for libraries.

Jack Cross and her husband Gabe are pen testers which means they break into companies to see where their security weaknesses are. Jack does the actual physical breaking in and Gabe does the hacking. After a job goes sideways, Jack returns home to find Gabe dead. The police don't seem to believe her story and she has doubts that the police will even look for another suspect since she has a history with one of the police detectives. Jack goes on the run to try and find out what happens to Gabe.
This is very different than Ruth Ware's other books. It is very character driven and the mystery is more in whether Jack will be able to prove her innocence and whether she can find out who is behind her husband's murder than it is a whodunit. Some may find this disappointing but I quite liked the action and adventure.

15 Second Summary: Jack and her husband, Gabe, have unique careers breaking into corporations and finding security flaws. One night, Jack returns home from a job to find Gabe sitting at his computer with his throat slashed. Jack quickly becomes the prime suspect in her husband's murder and decides her only choice is to go on the run and not only prove her innocence but find out who Gabe's real killer is.

15 Second Review: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I've read many Ruth Ware books but this one caught me a bit by surprise. At first glance, the summary isn't something I would normally gravitate to as it's less "thriller/suspense" and more crime thriller, BUT I was pretty impressed with this one. The beginning started off a bit slow and I almost put it down after reading some extremely cheesy / over the top banter between Jack and Gabe in the first chapter but once he was gone the cheese died down. The middle of the book is where the plot really started to pick up as Jack started to get more leads into who could be behind Gabe's death. Ultimately, it was a bit easy to figure out who did it, but the why was interesting to unravel.

Ruth Ware is a rare author who never disappoints but who also never recycles a plot formula. Every book is a completely unique story. She’s written everything from locked room mysteries to gothic suspense and Zero Days is Ware’s take on spy thriller. It has Ware’s skillful pacing and plotting, but what really separates this from an enjoyable but average, forgettable spy thriller is Ware’s talent for character development, which is what kept me engaged and invested. When her lead character made some terrible decisions, I understood her motivations and logic as well as her flaws well enough that I was able to enjoy the suspense and root for things to turn around, whereas in most books those same decisions would have annoyed me because few spy thrillers are this character driven. Ive read all of Ware’s novels and was so grateful to read this one early. This wasn’t my favorite Ware book but I still highly recommend it without hesitation for anyone who enjoys this genre, this author, or both!

Another thriller by Ruth Ware. Murder mystery that will have you rushing to find out how it all ends.

Jack and her husband Gabe are computer specialists who specialize in finding flaws in security systems. When Jack returns home from a job she finds Gabe murdered in their home and becomes the prime suspect. On the run, Jack quickly learns that she can’t trust anyone.

Pretty easy to guess the bad guy but I still enjoyed the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ruth Ware's latest thriller will not disappoint some, different as it is from some of her earlier books. A thrilling and heart-pounding mystery. The story is of a couple who breaks in and tests the security of buildings and computers. After Jack, the wife, is caught during one of their tests and tossed out of the building, she arrives home to find Gabe, her husband , has been murdered.

Jack is the main suspect who goes on the run to clear her name and avenge her husband's death by conducting her own investigation, and confronting their colleagues and friends. Yet some of it was repetitive and that got annoying after a while. Ruth Ware is one of my favorite authors but this one didn't measure up to some of her past novels. I received an advanced digital copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review this book.

I’m a huge Ruth Ware fan, so I’m disappointed to have been so deeply let down by this book. It was dull and predictable, and I my found myself skimming numerous repetitive descriptions. The characters were difficult to connect with, and Jack was a forgettable protagonist.

Ruth Ware has done it again! The character development wasn’t lengthy but did the trick. I loved Jack’s resilience and perseverance. While some might feel she made some mistakes, I think she was properly portrayed as a grieving wife trying to do her best. I wouldn’t say I was surprised by any turn of events, but it was exciting nonetheless. I thought this was a little different vibe than other books so it was fun to look at a different type of mystery/profession.

I love Ruth Ware, I have eagerly awaited getting my hands on a copy of every new release, blocked time out in my schedule and usually sat and devoured the whole book in one go. But this time around something was wrong. I just could not get embroiled in the action, couldn’t find the characters at all believable, the story was weak and extremely predictable. And the final big reveal….wasn’t at all a big reveal. I almost quit multiple times, but I made myself finish, and while the story was just ok, it wasn’t great like it’s predecessors.

Zero Days by Ruth Ware will not disappoint you. This is an action packed book that makes you want to hold your breath until the very end. When Jack comes home one night after trying to penetrate the security of a corporate company, she finds her husband Gabe dead. After calling the police she soon finds herself in a nightmare like no other she has had before. Jack is soon the only suspect for Gabe's murder and she soon realizes that it is going to get even worse for her. Someone a few days before Gabe's death has opened a large insurance policy listing Jack as the benefactor. Now Jack must not only clear her name a the murderer, she must also find out who and why someone would do this to Gabe. The only person that Jack can trust is her sister Hel, but is she willing to put her family in danger as well. This one is full of twists and turns that you don't know who Jack can actually trust. When Jack is finding one clue it leads her to another that was bigger than the pervious one. She has to be one step in front of the police in order to out wit them and not end up being caught. By far one of the best books Ruth Ware has written.

3.5 stars. I’ve enjoyed a few Ruth Ware books and overall liked this one but it is not my fav. I thought it started off strong, however, the chase got a little redundant and I got lost in the tech terms. The main character was likable. This was suspenseful but lacked the unsuspected twists for me. Thanks for the early copy NetGalley and to the author. I will continue reading this author!

I consider myself a Ruth Ware fan in the sense that I’ve read everything she’s published - but tbh, this one has left me a wee bit underwhelmed. Described as Mr and Mrs Smith meets the Fugitive - this race to unmask a killer left me a bit bored and rolling my eyes at the improbable and impossible situations our heroine magicked herself out of with ease. The WHO/WHY behind everything also felt super rushed and half baked.

Just meh.

#ZeroDays #RuthWare #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc copy of this novel.

I love Ruth Ware's novels. Each narrative, while have strong female characters, is completely unique in subject matter and style. Zero Days is no different. While the story line was engaging, the characters well-developed, and the excitement level was constant, I just go tired of hearing about how much pain Jack had to endure. It was emotionally draining to see her suffer so much -- physically, especially. It was brutal and it was constant. I wish there was less focus on making this woman feel so much pain.

Zero Days by Ruth Ware is a thrilling mystery novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story follows the main character, Lizzie, as she embarks on a trip to a remote island off the coast of Scotland with her boyfriend, her best friend, and her best friend's boyfriend. The trip was supposed to be a romantic getaway, but things quickly take a turn for the worse when they discover that they are not alone on the island.

The plot of the book is gripping and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The writing is also excellent, with vivid descriptions of the island's harsh and unforgiving landscape, and the characters are well-developed and believable. As the story unfolds, the tension builds, and the reader is left wondering who can be trusted and who is keeping secrets.

One of the strengths of Zero Days is its pacing. The book moves at a brisk pace, with plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader engaged. The ending is also satisfying, with a twist that is both surprising and believable.

Overall, Zero Days is an excellent mystery novel that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. It has all the elements of a great thriller, including a remote and unforgiving setting, well-developed characters, and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended!

This book was incredibly disappointing -- poorly written, extremely predictable, and dull. Nothing like the tension and intrigue of her previous books.

A thrilling book that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns and shocks. Brilliant!’

Thank you to NetGalley and to Simon & Schuster for the free ARC review copy.

Overall, "Zero Days" by Ruth Ware was one of the most enthralling mysteries I've read in a long time. It took some time to get into the story, but once you're into the thrilling details, you won't be able to put it down.

When Jack's husband is murdered and she becomes the police's main suspect, she'll do anything in her power to find the real culprit. Armed with her knowledge of breaking and entering, a few good Samaritans along the way, and her unending love for her husband, Jack embarks on an journey that even she can't see her way out of. Readers will be sucked into Jack's world as they root for her to finish her quest before time runs out.

This is a great read for all fans of thrillers, hacking, and fighting for an unending love.

I have really enjoyed every other Ruth Ware book that I’ve read but this one felt very different. I struggled to get into the story and didn’t really engage with the characters. The chapters were very long which also made it a difficult read for me. It got a little repetitive for me.

Hired by companies to break into buildings and hack security systems, Jack and her husband, Gabe, are the best penetration specialists in the business. But after a routine assignment goes horribly wrong, Jack arrives home to find her husband dead. To add to her horror, the police are closing in on their suspect—her.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.