J.D. Robb discussion
This topic is about
Zero Day
Monthly Book Discussion Library
>
Zero Day (John Puller #1) by David Baldacci - October 2019 Spoiler Zone
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
I'm really looking forward to read this one. To be sure I'll finish it this month I'll start it tomorrow :-)
Going to snag this one from the library asap. As always, looking forward to our discussion!
It looks like I have read this before (according to my GR list) and in reading the synopsis I am completely blank! I will be doing a re-read.
Patty wrote: "It looks like I have read this before (according to my GR list) and in reading the synopsis I am completely blank! I will be doing a re-read."At least you seem to enjoyed it the first time around. I'm curious how you'll like it the second time reading.
My best friend often can't remember the books she read after a few years and she always says that way she enjoyes them more than once :-)
Since the last few book discussions didn't work out the way I wished (either due to health issues or because I felt overwhelmed with the book after I finished it) I decided to try a different approch this time and hope it will be fine with you.I'll try to post my thoughts every day in the afternoon until I finish the book.
I started the book today and so far I'm not very thrilled. It starts rather slow, the style is not what I'm used to by this author, and there's a ton of abbreviations - some I've never seen before that have no explanation yet (FUI, J2, SCI will be explained 70 pages later?!?) others I think of as common for the military mystery/thriller genre (e.g. SAC, AWOL, CID) were explained.
So far of interest were: (view spoiler)
I finished chapter 21 and like the book a little more.I like Sam very much. The mystery is solid and so far I discovered not much to go on and look for suspects.
The style is still not my favorite part of the book so I hope it either gets better or I get used to it enough it stopps being an issue.
I've just ordered it from library.
I finished the book last night and it got way better (or at least I got used to the style). Since I started wondering I checked the other books by this author I read so far and realised they were all from the library (and of course in German) which explains a lot - the language is very sophisticated and I'd only recommend it for English language students at an advanced or very advanced level or those with exceptionally high frustration tollerance who don't mind to look up a handful words per page.The story gained pace and there were some (mostly very nice) surprises. It's difficult to say more without spoiling it for other readers, so I wait a few days.
A thought I had from the very beginning but moved to the background was it reminded me of Jack Reacher novels. I had to think quite to while to understand where it was comming from but when I finally grasps some of the similarieties it got even more pronounced in my oppinion. This again is something I think will be better to explain when more of you read it.
Mod
I'm loving the Jack Reacher series so hopeful I'll enjoy this as well!
Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I'm loving the Jack Reacher series so hopeful I'll enjoy this as well!":-)
just finished reading this one and I think it is my favorite David Baldacci book so far. I think I am going to continue this series
Mod
Mod
Mod
I haven't gotten to this one yet, but will return with comments when I do.
My copy is still "in transit" from state library system. Hope it comes fast.
I'm 36% in; will check back when I finish.
ok I love David Baldacci's work. This book for me was so dam depressing. Puller is nothing but a walking machine. He is so military that there is no emotion in the man at all. The government does not even care for its American Citizens and is willing to let them get blown to bits. Then you have his brother who is locked up for life because of treason and their father is going crazy. When Puller finally does feel something for someone she winds up dying. however with all the negative emotions from JP I did get the second book to start reading so I can only hope something good comes into his life.
Susan wrote: "ok I love David Baldacci's work. This book for me was so dam depressing. Puller is nothing but a walking machine. He is so military that there is no emotion in the man at all. The government does n..."Interesting, Susan. I didn't find it depressing at all, until the end at least. I was caught up in all the details and was really caught off guard by the unexpected death. Yes, I would definitely say that Puller is military to the bone, but you can see his humanity coming through in various places. I feel like maybe he uses his military background as a protective shell, but you could see that he was deeply affected by some people - I'm thinking of the elderly hotel owner that he tried to save in particular. And he certainly didn't just go along with the government - in fact he went out of his way to save those citizens who would have been destroyed as collateral damage.
There is definitely a similarity between Puller and Reacher, but not enough to bother me.
I think this is just the way Baldacci writes. His Memory Man series is very similar in our hero just struggles mentally along alone. Even though he has co workers and friends.
I wouldn't go as far as call the book depressing but thought it pretty bleak and Cole's death was the last think to nail down the similarities to many of the Reacher books. Her death was one of the few turns I really didn't expect, was somehow shocked at and didn't really like. On the other hand I think it makes it easier for the author to introduce other 'love interests' later in the series. Still this was one of the parts I'm still (almost two weeks later) so sad and distraught about.Susan wrote: "I think this is just the way Baldacci writes. His Memory Man series is very similar in our hero just struggles mentally along alone. Even though he has co workers and friends."
That's really a great point I didn't notice yet - even if I listen to Memorey Man only a few month ago. Thank you for pointing it out.
I'm still wondering why JP's brother is in prison. It says treason but as we'd seen in this book it can mean so pretty much everything or nothing with the military rules. I looked at the blurbs of the other books in series and hope we will learn more about it in 'Robert's' book later on.
Another thing I'd like to know: how realistic were the description of the political and military climate in the US in the 60's. I'm too young to have an idea, and spend my life until the late 80's behind the Iron Curtain - so even if I were older I'd have no idea about it. I would love if you can tell me more about it.
Just finished this last night and gave it 4 stars. While Puller was a bit too James Bond at times, overall I found him a compelling character. I will definitely read book 2.I didn't find this book depressing, however I'm still sad at the death of Sam. I liked her so much! Was hoping she would pop up in later books as a potential love interest, oh well...
I was just a wee babe in the 60's, but I'd say the political/military climate in the US was accurately portrayed.
Jo Ann wrote: "I will definitely read book 2....I'm still sad at the death of Sam. I liked her so much! Was hoping she would pop up in later books as a potential love interest, oh well...
...I'd say the political/military climate in the US was accurately portrayed."
I grabbed book 2 yesterday from the library and hope I'll finish my other started/planned book this week, so I can squeeze it into this month.
I'm on the same page with you about Sam. I was hoping we'll meet her again and will learn more about her life and past.
Thank you for answering my question.
Agnieszka wrote: "Jo Ann wrote: "I will definitely read book 2....I'm still sad at the death of Sam. I liked her so much! Was hoping she would pop up in later books as a potential love interest, oh well...
...I'd s..."
I'll be watching for your review of b2!
I'm reading it now, and I haven't peeked at spoilers!
Charlene wrote: "I'm reading it now, and I haven't peeked at spoilers!"Good for you! I'm glad you got it in time to join the discussion.
I really couldn't put this book down. I've lost a few hours of sleep tonight because of this compelling story. I felt for the two main characters and share your disappointment with the death of Sam. I think hanging on to our memories of a fictional character shows how good the author has written his new character's story. I look forward to the next book.
Charlene wrote: "...I think hanging on to our memories of a fictional character shows how good the author has written his new character's story..."You're so right!
Synopsis:
John Puller is a combat veteran and the best military investigator in the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division. His father was an Army fighting legend, and his brother is serving a life sentence for treason in a federal military prison. Puller has an indomitable spirit and an unstoppable drive to find the truth.
Now, Puller is called out on a case in a remote, rural area in West Virginia coal country far from any military outpost. Someone has stumbled onto a brutal crime scene, a family slaughtered. The local homicide detective, a headstrong woman with personal demons of her own, joins forces with Puller in the investigation. As Puller digs through deception after deception, he realizes that absolutely nothing he's seen in this small town, and no one in it, are what they seem. Facing a potential conspiracy that reaches far beyond the hills of West Virginia, he is one man on the hunt for justice against an overwhelming force.
David Baldacci is one of the world's favorite storytellers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 110 million copies in print. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America.