The Zero Hour

By: Joseph Finder

Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

When an ominous, digitally encrypted telephone call is intercepted by the NSA's spy satellites high over Switzerland, FBI Special Agent Sarah Cahill - irreverent, outspoken, a brilliant counterterrorism expert, a divorced mother of an eight-year-old boy - is urgently summoned to New York to investigate an imminent terrorist attack on lower Manhattan. Her investigation immediately turns into the desperate pursuit of a highly sophisticated and charismatic terrorist operative, known only by the code name Zero.

Sarah must direct an intensive, absolutely secret manhunt for an exceptionally dangerous man whose identity she doesn't know - even though he knows her intimately. Suddenly, Sarah and her young son are plunged headlong into a terrifying labyrinth of intrigue, an elaborate game of cat and mouse that imperils their lives, forcing Sarah to race to uncover a diabolically clever terrorist conspiracy... before the zero hour.

The audio includes an excerpt from Vanished, the first Nick Heller novel.

©1996 Joseph Finder (P)2010 Macmillan Audio

Another angry single mother attempting to succeed

What did you like best about The Zero Hour? What did you like least?

(Continued from headline) in a criminal justice position predominantly run by men who are contemptuous toward her strong desire to succeed except for one man, her partner, who stands by her sixth sense and intelligent decisions toward solving these horrific crimes. My involuntary dislike toward this woman, Sarah, is her obvious anger raging for the man she married and her coworkers. I am sick and tired of womens' attitudes in so many criminal justice books and TV portrayed as cynical, angry, distrustful and unhappy characters always trying to prove themselves worthy of their positions. Why can't they be be congenial and prove themselves without martyr tendencies? I see on TV and read enjoyable stories of female characters in these same positions who are beautiful, kind, smart and continue to win their coworker's respect without attitude, leaning on their proven success and naturally gaining respect and admiration by solving cases. Sarah, an over dominating, very angry single mother struggles to raise a boy while working a demanding job. Not easy but certainly do-able with a positive attitude which would help both she and her son. Instead she instills fear and therefore creates a feminine boy who others make fun of and of course sans friends. The story is otherwise thrilling and well written keeping us on the edge never knowing the perils of Sarah, her boy child and the villain so well portrayed. The twists of one of my favorite writers are alarming and greatly satisfys my imagination which is why I continue to order and read his books. What a great author he is and I am a very grateful recipient. Thank you Mr. Finder: You are genius!

Exciting but too much detail

This was a good story that held my attention. It got a little bogged down in technical details, most of which was unnecessary to the plot and just slowed it down. Also, of course, it's dated, almost obsolete, because technology and terrorism have progressed so much since this was written. Still, it is an exciting story.

Good story; a great deal of technical detail

Joseph Finder's books can be counted on to expand the knowledge of the reader/listener. Obviously he does a great deal of research into whatever area of expertise each novel involves. This book deals with the digital world.
I enjoy his works because I know, when I have finished, I'll have a better knowledge of the world in which he tells the story. Some of the detail does become excessive, however.
He shapes his characters well enough for them to take on a three dimensional quality in the listener's mind. And the story is interesting and well written. Bringing the eight year old boy into a central position, rather than a peripheral character, certainly adds depth to the story.

Brilliant Story, great narration

Yet again Joe Finder delivers another great story with plenty of twist and turns keeping you going from page one straight through to the very end of the story. I would call this a real page turner (if it makes sense to say that about an audio book). The narration really complimented the story very well. Would I recommend this, yes absolutely. In my opinion Joe Finder is one of the best thriller writers at the moment.

Intense

Would you listen to The Zero Hour again? Why?

I have listened to several Joseph Finder books and The Zero Hour is my new favorite. It was intense and exciting. A real thriller!!!

Good story but definitely outdated

What made the experience of listening to The Zero Hour the most enjoyable?

Well written and very intriguing.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

There were a few predictable areas. When she first met Brian, it's obvious he was the terrorist.

Which scene was your favorite?

Nothing stands out.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

If she were such a great agent, why in the world did she not check out the "helpful stranger in the strange city?" Very disappointed in that.

Good but dated at this point

This is or was a good story by Joseph Finder. It takes place in New York after the first World Trade Center bombing. So a lot of the discussion of the terrorist environment is very dated. It is fairly predictable but deep character stories and discussion of the technology then is good. Worked for spending time in the car.

Perfect 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I must say, from start to finish, you are locked in, a ride from the gate. I started on Sunday & finished on Tuesday. Recommended on all levels. Enjoy

Everything I've come to expect from a Finder book

I thought I had read all of Joe's books. I missed this one, and I really missed out. I'm glad I went back to double check his catalog. The technology, specifically the hacking and references to domestic terrorism are dated now, the latter making me somewhat nostalgic for simpler times. Regardless, the story holds up. Everything I've come to expect from a Finder book: strong characters, a fast plat, suspense, and action. As a reader, it's easy to become invested in the good guys; it's even easier to love hating the bad guys. The primary antagonist in this book is particularly interesting. He's intriguing in a way that makes him almost likable. Even when he's doing the unthinkable. His boss... that's the real problem. All the trouble really started there.

Uncanny portrayal of a pre-9/11 NYC terror event

Finder ‘s book is a suspenseful and detailed tale in which he captures the dedication of investigators and first responders in the context of the strange solipsism that New Yorkers inhabit. There are no saints or demons in the story—although the terrorist is best described as a sociopath with a personal fantasy of having a heart. (I could be overestimating him.) But I guess my point is that in Finder’s standalone novels most characters are written with nuance. The female protagonist is smart, strong and human. A reviewer on this site said “she” was sick of reading about scared female heroins. I didn’t find the protagonist to be scared as any kind of defining trait. Men around her are literally pissing their pants. It’s a scary story. I don’t think Finder capitalized on his protagonist being a woman to place her in positions to be physically tortured or captive. I hate that and won’t read that.
I liked the technical detail, but Finder’s clunky delivery of some of it right at the denouement of the plot is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.