Zero Knowledge

Luc Starck is a man on the brink of disaster, the kind that leads to financial ruin and a probable prison term. When he hears about a potential lifeline involving bitcoins, he jumps at the opportunity. However, he is unaware he has walked into a trap from which he won’t emerge. His death doesn’t come as a shock to his wife, Gail, who has become Luc’s target of anger for his shortcomings. Duan, a friend of both Gail and Luc, knew that Luc was in dire financial straits but couldn’t foresee an outcome like this. As Duan attempts to comfort Gail, he is shocked to discover a billion dollars in Bitcoin in Luc’s crypto wallet. Police Officer Bernt Berg is nearing retirement when he is assigned the Starck case and is partnered with his daughter Lisa. The case becomes flummoxing as puzzling clues surface, and Gail is soon kidnapped.

Zero Knowledge is a fun and action-packed thriller where the surprises come left and right, and the motives are hidden, if not sinister. The mystery that enshrouds Luc Starck’s demise becomes the center of this intriguing story, yet four characters emerge as focal points. Duan is a cybersecurity expert still mourning the recent and tragic passing of his wife, Mina. Gail is torn between relief and sadness at Luc’s death. Duan and Gail offer each other comfort, yet they are also possible suspects in Luc’s death, an aspect of the storyline that the author effectively explores. The father-daughter, mentor-mentee dynamic between Bernt and Lisa lends a great deal of heart to the story and makes for a well-rounded book. Author Arnaud Pascolo has written a first-class thriller that will appeal to a broad section of mystery readers. Inventive, powerful, and balanced.