"Satisfying Political Thriller"

What if staff members of U.S. Congressmen placed bets on whether certain portions of bills before Congress would be passed? And just what happens when the stakes become too high, resulting in murder? That is precisely what author Meltzer explores in his latest novel of political thrills and chills when Congressional staffers Matthew Mercer and Harris Sandler bet on the passage of a former South Dakota gold mine sale in an Appropriations bill. When a Congressional page absconds with Matthew and Harris' betting money, one of them makes the mistake of following the "page" and becomes the murder victim of wildcard hit man Martin Janos.

But the suspenseful journey really commences when the remaining staffer finds Senate Page Viv Parker's stolen nametag near the site of the murder. Fearing for his life, he enlists the help of seventeen-year-old Viv Parker, as together, the two attempt to find the significance of the land deal, traveling to South Dakota to solve the mystery behind the formerly defunct gold mine, all the while eluding the wily Janos. The pulse pounding adventures of this duo are imbued with a sense of realism from author Meltzer, who once served as an intern on Capitol Hill. Full of twists and turns, Meltzer's latest is a thriller complete with the scary reality of the underbelly of politics.

Reviewed by Sheri Melnick
Posted February 20, 2004

Summary

The New York Times bestselling author of The Millionaires and The First Counsel returns to Wash-ington, D.C., with the story of an insider's game that turns deadly.Matthew Mercer and Harris Sandler are best friends who have plum jobs as senior staffers to well-respected congressmen. But after a decade in Washington, idealism has faded to disillusionment, and they're bored. Then one of them finds out about the clandestine Zero Game. It starts out as good fun--a simple wager between friends. But when someone close to them ends up dead, Harris and Matthew realize the game is far more sinister than they ever imagined--and that they're about to be the game's next victims. On the run, they turn to the only person they can trust: a 16-year-old Senate page who can move around the Capitol undetected. As a ruthless killer creeps closer, this idealistic page not only holds the key to saving their lives, but is also determined to redeem them in the process. Come play The Zero Game--you can bet your life on it.