Zero Days

April 17, 2023
This too-familiar thriller from Ware (The It Girl) centers on a woman devastated by her husband’s murder and her emergence as the primary suspect. Married couple Jacintha Cross and Gabriel Medway operate Crossways Security, a London firm that stress-tests security systems. After an unsuccessful assignment, Jacintha returns home to find Gabriel’s throat cut. Traumatized, she doesn’t call the police immediately, which pegs her as a person of interest. The situation becomes even worse when the widow gets an email informing her that Gabriel recently insured his own life for a million pounds and named her his beneficiary. Jacintha, who harbors hard feelings about the police after enduring an abusive relationship with a cop, goes on the run while trying to identify who’s behind the killing and why. Lackluster characterization and a shortage of surprises mar the cookie-cutter proceedings. Admirers of the author’s typically fresh takes on thriller staples will hope for a return to form next time. Agent: Eve White, Eve White Literary.