With New York Times bestsellers The Millionaires and The First Counsel, Brad Meltzer captivated thriller readers with his breakneck plotting, unforgettable characters, and razor-sharp dialogue. Now the acclaimed author returns to Washington, D.C., taking us behind closed doors and into the clandestine world of...

The Zero Game

Matthew Mercer and Harris Sandler are playing a mysterious game. It's a game almost no one knows about — not their friends, not their coworkers, and certainly not their bosses, who are some of the most powerful senators and congressmen on Capitol Hill.

It's a game that has everything: risk, reward, mystery, and the thrill of knowing that — just by being invited to play — you've confirmed your status as a true power broker in Washington.

But as Matthew and Harris quickly discover, the Zero Game is hiding a secret so explosive that it will shake Washington to its core. And when someone close to them winds up dead, Harris and Matthew realize this game is far more sinister than they ever imagined. As the bull's-eye turns their way, it's clear they're about to become the game's next victims. In a frenetic chase from the secret tunnels under the Capitol to an abandoned gold mine halfway across the country, the two friends realize they're no longer players in the game — they're pawns. On the run, they turn to the only person they can trust: a sixteen-year-old Senate page who can move around the Capitol undetected. As a ruthless killer creeps closer, this idealistic young page not only holds the key to their safety, but is the one person who can redeem them in the process.

Packed with high-octane suspense and heart-pounding action, The Zero Game is Brad Meltzer at his supercharged best.

"Behind-the-scenes glimpses of Capitol Hill doings are intermingled with tense scenes of jaw-dropping suspense. Meltzer has outdone himself; this is his best book yet." Library Journal

"[P]resses [Meltzer's] irresistible formula to the breaking point....It all ends up as a series of efficiently managed chase sequences that'll leave you breathless for no reason that you'll remember the next day." Kirkus Reviews

"Packed with plenty of backroom D.C. ambience and lots of action, the novel also boasts improved plotting and character development since Meltzer's last high-concept best-seller, The Millionaires." Mary Frances Wilkens, Booklist

"[A] rip-roaring novel of government intrigue....Janos...is relentless, as is the action, and readers will be left breathless." Publishers Weekly

"Meltzer is so good." Entertainment Weekly

"Gives the reader something akin to an electric shock." Associated Press

"An exciting novel filled with insider information about the inner workings of Congress." Roanoke Times

"Suspense...an exciting climax. The story moves along surely and swiftly...provides a convincing look into 'how sausage is made' on Capitol Hill." Memphis Commerical Appeal

Meltzer's instant New York Times bestseller and most well-received novel to date is now in paperback. Two young Washington insiders are playing a game no one knows about. It's a game that has everything — but behind this game is a secret so explosive it will shake Washington to its core.

The New York Times bestselling author of The Millionaires and The First Counsel returns to Washington, 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.

Brad Meltzer is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Tenth Justice, Dead Even, and The First Counsel. Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. Brad's writing has appeared in USA Weekend, London's Sunday Times, and Details magazine, and has been translated into over a dozen languages, from Hebrew to Bulgarian. Brad currently lives in Maryland with his wife (and high school sweetheart), Cori, who's also an attorney.