Zero Day

February 27, 2012
Baldacci's latest novel features a new character that is sure to be a hit with longtime fans and newcomers alike: military investigator John Puller. A seasoned combat veteran, Puller journeys to rural West Virginia to investigate a brutal mass murder. There, he teams with a troubled detective who helps him unravel an expansive conspiracy with grave repercussions for the nation. Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy both turn in winning performance, splitting the narration, with the former handling Puller and the latter haunted and beautiful police officer Samantha Cole. McLarty's rendition of Puller is stern, smooth, and composed, while Cassidy's Cole is dark, mysterious, and troubled. Together, the narrators capture the book's suspense and the protagonists' budding romance, hitting all the high points and displaying a great chemistry. A Grand Central Hardcover.

An Army CID warrant officer is sent to investigate the murder of a military family in a West Virginia mining town in this offbeat police procedural. The use of two narrators, Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy, is effective, given the dialogue-heavy text. Cassidy is particularly adept at changing accent and tone to differentiate the female characters, and the banter between her main character, Samantha Cole, and McLarty's John Puller convinces the listener with its ease and authenticity. Occasional sound effects are added to highlight the action scenes. The plot twists are never telegraphed by the author or the narrators, making this an engrossing experience. J.L. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine