Title: Nine Lives

Author: Peter Swanson

ISBN: 978 0 571 35856 4

Pages: 320

Source: Review Copy from Jonathan Ball Publisher

Nine strangers receive a list with their names on it in the mail. Nothing else, just a list of names on a single sheet of paper. None of the nine people know or have ever met the others on the list. They dismiss it as junk mail, a fluke—until very, very bad things begin happening to people on the list.

First, a well-liked old man is drowned on a beach in the small town of Kennewick, Maine. Then, a father is shot in the back while running through his quiet neighbourhood in suburban Massachusetts. A frightening pattern is emerging, but what do these nine people have in common? Their professions range from oncology nurse to aspiring actor, and they’re located all over the country. So why are they all on the list, and who sent it?

FBI agent Jessica Winslow, who is on the list herself, is determined to find out. Could there be some dark secret that binds them all together? Or is this the work of a murderous madman? As the mysterious sender stalks these nine strangers, they find themselves constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering who will be crossed off next…

Official Summary

29 April 2022

I could not resist the bright cover of this book, the first time I saw it on social media, I could not resist adding it to my TBR. Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publisher for this stunning review copy.

When you open this book, you can expect to lose yourself. This is an intriguing, gripping read that crawls in under your skin and will keep you hooked until you reach the very last page. I loved this mystery, it was a fast, entertaining read. The fact that I had a hard copy of this book also added to the appeal. (If you visit the blog regularly you will know that I have a weak spot for a hard copy book.)

This was the first time I have read a book by Peter Swanson; I was quickly drawn into the story and quickly eager to see where it was going. The author keeps you on your toes and tells a story that never gives too much away. You are left guessing. I loved the scenery and felt myself easily picturing Maine as I flipped the pages. The characters are a varied mix of people – each one unique and interesting. I loved the hunt for the connection between these people. I will be keeping an eye out for another opportunity to read Peter Swanson’s work. This was hugely entertaining.

Nine people, living in different cities and who are of different ages all receive a letter in the mail on the same day.

Nine personally addressed white envelopes with no return address. Each envelope contains a single sheet of paper with a list of nine names, and nothing else. This is a list of people who will die, but how and when remains a mystery.

Can the FBI and local police solve this mystery in time? Can they find and keep these nine people safe?

This story was a unique mystery that keeps you guessing. You get to know these nine people, each one unique with a story that appears to have no links to the other people. I could not put this book down. It’s clever and stunningly intriguing, leaving you guessing from start to end.

This is one of the rare occasions where I could not pick a favourite character. The story is about nine people, each one very different from the others and the author allows you to get to know each one. While I might not have liked all of them, no one stood out. I did end up googling some of the poems that Caroline and Ethan talked about. This was a nice touch.

This is another addition to my loved list for 2022. The author tells a story which focuses on death, serving as a reminder that we are all going to die. Yet he shows how the knowledge of death approaching can lead to good, and how everyone responds differently. I found myself wondering how would react if I knew I was about to die. That sounds a little dark, but this book is anything but.

Mystery fans are in for a rollercoaster ride with an explosive ending when they reach for this book. Believe me, you will not want to put this one down once you open it. Go ahead, add this to your TBR. You can expect a unique mystery and if you enjoy the classics, the author makes mention of some of Agatha Christies work as well as some poems you simply must google.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough; it is a fantastic five-star read!

Also By Peter Swanson

Every Vow You Break

Abigail Baskin never thought she’d fall in love with a millionaire until she met Bruce Lamb. He’s a good guy, stable, level-headed, and kind, but right before the wedding, Abigail has a drunken one-night stand on her bachelorette weekend. She puts the incident—and the sexy guy who wouldn’t give her his real name—out of her mind, and now believes she wants to be with Bruce for the rest of her life. Then the mysterious stranger suddenly appears—and Abigail’s future life and happiness are turned upside down. He insists that their passionate night was the beginning of something much, much more. Something special. Something real—and he’s tracked her down to prove it. Does she tell Bruce and ruin their idyllic honeymoon—and possibly their marriage? Or should she handle this psychopathic stalker on her own? To make the situation worse, strange things begin to happen. She sees a terrified woman in the night shadows, and no one at the resort seems to believe anything is amiss… including her perfect new husband.

About the Author

Author bio from the author’s site

Peter is the Sunday Times and New York Times best selling author of eight novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year; and his most recent, Nine Lives. His books have been translated into over 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine. A graduate of Trinity College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Emerson College, he lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and cat.

Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this review copy. It is a beautiful addition to my bookshelf. Are you a Peter Swanson fan? What is your favourite book? Leave a comment below and I will add it to my TBR. Thank you for visiting again, your support is appreciated. Until next time…Happy Reading!