Gibson, William: Zero History

A fascinating story that, superficially, is the search for a very limited cult fashion production which uses pop-up stores, announced at short notice, for its sales.   A major ad-agency, Blue Ant, headed by
Hubertus Bigend hires Hollis Henry, an ex-musician, to track down the originator of the denim in
question.   She is not alone in the search and the book develops into a thriller with double-cross and
the use of much modern technology - the latter being what one expects from Gibson.   Set mainly in
London with an early excursion to Paris, the author makes excellent use of fictionalised locations that are definitely reality-based: none of this jumping in a cab at Hyde Park Corner for a five minute run to the Tower of London!   Clearly and simply written except when the technology demands the use of
specific words, I found it a stimulating and very enjoyable experience.   When the hugger-mugger is
over, the leading participants on the side of good are seen on an ekranoplan, a Russian ship/aircraft that skims the waves.   This is a real item and, co-incidentally, one appears in the book I am now
reading.