Zero Days by Ruth Ware

I devoured this in a couple of days because it's so well written and unputdownable. Read the review to learn why this thriller is a must read.

I discovered Ruth Ware last year, but hadn't yet read Zero Days*.

That changed a few weeks ago, when I spotted a copy while on a charity shop book crawl in Harrogate.

Zero Days, like Ruth Ware's other thrillers, is an excellent read. There are three standout elements across her novels.

Firstly, the writing paints such a vivid image of the characters and settings that it's completely believable. You're sucked in from the first chapter and become immersed in the characters' messy and problematic lives.

Secondly, each story is unique. The settings and plots give each a distinct personality. The Woman in Cabin 10*, The Turn of the Key*, One by One*, and Zero Days* all give original takes on the thriller model.

Finally, the main character undergoes a horrendous experience as the story develops and you're rooting for them to make it through. The lead characters endure a huge amount of anguish, but they always come out fighting (sometimes literally).

In Zero Days*, Jack is that character. She's a pen tester, so she tests companies' security systems for a living. The book starts with Jack on one of her assignments, supported by her husband.

But things start to go south when her husband is killed and she becomes the prime suspect in his murder.

Jack goes on the run and tries to track down her husband's killer and prove her innocence.

The research and plotting of the story are superb. It's been so carefully constructed that you feel every obstacle and setback that Jack has to navigate.

There was only a minor inconsistency in the plot towards the end, but it doesn't detract from the story at all.

I devoured this in a couple of days because it's so well written and unputdownable. If you love thrillers with strong female leads, this is one for you.

*Disclosure: If you buy books linked to my site, I may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops