Zero Separation


  • ZeroAuthor: Philip Donlay
  • Performed by Luke Daniels
  • Published: Brilliance Audio, released on Audible March 2013
  • Category: Crime, Thriller, Mystery
  • four-half-stars

Donovan Nash has a secret he will do anything to keep. But he is the prime suspect after someone steals a 50-million-dollar executive jet, and FBI agent Veronica Montero puts him squarely in the crosshairs. As she digs, she discovers Nash’s secret – a revelation that, if made public, would stun the world.

Donovan Nash, the founder of Eco Watch, an environmental research company, and his partner and best friend, Michael Ross are flying their Gulfstream to Palm Beach. Getting caught in a thunderstorm forces them to divert to Boca Raton in Florida. This triggers a series of events, the magnitude of which no-one could have imagined. Michael is attacked and left for dead, the plane is stolen and Donovan crosses paths with FBI agent Veronica Montero. 

For a split second Donovan felt the air in the cockpit turn supercharged, the hair on his arms buzzed a brief warning, and the it seemed a flashbulb went off a foot in front of his face. Blinded, Donovan fought the spots that danced before his eyes and felt the sizzle of adrenaline hit his system. His ears popped from the pressure change, A moment later, he heard the deafening roar of thunder.

Donovan is hiding a secret that could ruin his life as well as that of his family and friends. Veronica Montero discovers Donovan’s hidden past and blackmails him into helping her with her plan to avenge her lover’s murder. They are drawn into life threatening danger, involving bio terrorism, murders, political intrigue and stolen airplanes. After a terrifying ordeal they just have one slim chance to stop a horrendous atrocity that would cause widespread loss of life. Which also looks likely to cost their own. 

I’m not a fan of an audiobook series with different narrators for each story so I took a chance with this one, since it’s the third book in the Donovan Nash series, (Luke Daniels narrating – so it was no contest) and actually, it can be listened to as a stand alone. There’s enough back information in the narrative, so I wasn’t ever lost with the storyline. It’s an exciting and tense thriller with an intricate plot and some amazing action sequences, in the air as well as on the ground. The fact that Mr Donlay is an experienced pilot, and is obviously very knowledgeable about aircraft and the associated technicalities, adds authenticity to the imaginative and dramatic story. 

Donovan saw the pain in her eyes. Her façade was breaking down and the vulnerability he’d seen earlier had returned. It wasn’t an act; it was something very real.

Donovan Nash is an intriguing protagonist with a complex background. I like the fact that he’s not a stereotypical action man, the type who’s an expert shot and never loses a fight sort of hero. His background unfolds as the story progresses revealing a complex, likeable and fallible character. Veronica Montero, on the other hand, is a woman on the edge, desperate to find the men who killed her partner and willing to go to any lengths to make them pay. The supporting characters are well defined and believable with realistic interaction. Great performance by Luke Daniels who never fails to deliver a perfectly voiced narration.

About the author

P.DonlayAs a young man, Philip Donlay’s life was shaped by two distinct events. At the age of seventeen, he earned his pilot’s license, and at eighteen was published in a national aviation magazine. The combination of these two passions: flying and writing, has led to successful careers as both a professional pilot and novelist.

His travels have taken him to over forty countries on five continents. Currently, Donlay divides his time between Minneapolis, Montana, and the San Juan Islands. He is the author of five novels, Category Five, Code Black, Zero Separation, Deadly Echoes, and the yet to be released, Aftershock.

Book links ~ Amazon UK Amazon US

Philip Donlay also has a Facebook page which can be found here

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