When I read the blurb and I saw that it was about secret societies at Harvard I was completely sold. I have always been fascinated by student life in American colleges and I have been curious about student secret societies since I was a teenager and I saw the movie about Skull and Bones (with Joshua Jackson and Paul Walker).

THE ANCIENT NINE is set in 1988 at Harvard University. The protagonist is Stephen Collins a young student attending university. When he receives the invitation to join one of the Final Club (the most exclusive clubs at Harvard), Stephen, a black student from one of the poor neighbours of Chicago, is surprised. The Delphic is an ancient and the most exclusive club at the university, its members are some of the most powerful and richest men in the world, but there are legends and mysterious disappearances linked to the club. Together with his friend Dalton, Stephen wants to find out the truth around the folklore surrounding the club, but someone is watching him and wants to stop him.

I found the plot intriguing and exciting. The author enriches the story with an history of both Harvard University and secret societies that I found fascinating and detailed. The more I read the more I wanted to find out about these clubs. The mysterious side of the story is often nicely interrupted by Spenser’s basketball practice, his entertaining love life, and his friendship with Dalton.

I found Stephen and Dalton’s unlikely close friendship interesting. Stephen is a black kid from the South Side of Chicago, raised by a single mother. He got into Harvard with a scholarship and he has to count every penny he spends. On the other hand, Dalton is a white guy coming from a rich family, who flies everywhere and stays in the best hotels. Despite their different backgrounds, Stephen and Dalton’s friendship is true and honest and I was glued to the page as they joined forces to find out more about the Delphic club.

Exclusive clubs, mysterious disappearances, secret rooms, and fascinating legends kept me on edge as I kept reading. Well-written, informative, and completely immersive, THE ANCIENT NINE will take you on a journey through the ancient halls of one of the most important universities in the world and through a story that will keep you absorbed, page after page.

This book was average for me. It started out as a page turner but really slowed down in the middle and picked up at the end. I love a campus novel and that part I really liked. I also liked the history of the ancient nine. It just seemed to go on a little longer in places than I cared for. Thank to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Fall 1988

Spenser Collins
An unlikely Harvard prospect, smart and athletic, strapped for cash, determined to succeed. Calls his mother—who raised him on her own in Chicago—every week.

Dalton Winthrop
A white-shoe legacy at Harvard, he's just the most recent in a string of moneyed, privileged Winthrop men in Cambridge. He's got the ease—and the deep knowledge—that come from belonging.

These two find enough common ground to become friends, cementing their bond when Spenser is "punched" to join the Delphic Club, one of the most exclusive of Harvard's famous all-male final clubs. Founded in the nineteenth century, the Delphic has had titans of industry, Hollywood legends, heads of state, and power brokers among its members.

Dalton Winthrop knows firsthand that the Delphic doesn't offer memberships to just anyone. His great-uncle is one of their oldest living members, and Dalton grew up on stories of the club's rituals. But why is his uncle so cryptic about the Ancient Nine, a shadowy group of alums whose identities are unknown and whose power is absolute? They protect the Delphic's darkest and oldest secrets—including what happened to a student who sneaked into the club's stately brick mansion in 1927 and was never seen again.

Dalton steers Spenser into deeper and deeper recesses of the club, and beyond, to try to make sense of what they think they may be seeing. But with each scrap of information they get from an octogenarian Crimson graduate, a crumbling newspaper in the library's archives, or one of Harvard's most famous and heavily guarded historical books, a fresh complication trips them up. The more the friends investigate, the more questions they unearth, tangling the story of the club, the disappearance, and the Ancient Nine, until they realize their own lives are in danger.

Review:

Lots of mystery and twists and turns in this book.

Set in 1988, but there is some skipping around in history to add to the mystery. What I was drawn to when I was first offered this book to read for review was the secret clubs and the mysterious disappearance from one in the early 1900's. It is very descriptive book, that sometimes gets a little bogged down by that. On the whole I was wrapped up in the mystery and could not wait to find out what would happen next. It also had a nice little love story woven in also.

3.5Stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

This is my first time reading a book by Dr. Ian Smith. The Ancient Nine is about a secret society from the African American male perspective. Just like with any secret society, you have to be invited to join the society. The Ancient Nine was suspenseful and intriguing. The way the story was written from Dr. Smith's experience at Harvard University.

The book was ok. With a little more polishing, it would make for a good made for television movie.

This book was an opportunity to learn some history of Harvard, while giving me a mystery on top of it. The story is very descriptive and it was a little slow to start. The research was impressive, the premise was clever and imaginative and the central mystery was definitely intriguing. And yet, the thriller aspect of the plot fell a bit flat, in my opinion.

The probability that the history of a Harvard secret society could be true fascinated me. Unfortunately, my interest waned a bit because of the lack of action. The very descriptive historical background does not help in sustaining excitement, even if it is necessary for the plot. However, I quite liked the characters, the codes and puzzles and the final resolve were definitely exciting. The suspense kept me turning the pages, mostly because I wanted to figure out what the big secret was. All in all, this was by no means a bad book, and it definitely improved towards the end. Ian Smith’s storytelling has this old-fashioned elegance that I really enjoy.
3.5 Stars

The Ancient Nine is a mysterious story about the intriguing hidden life of the elite final clubs of Harvard Universities. The story is well paced and involves a lot of history about something that I didn't even know existed until now. Connections are made and details revealed throughout the story in places where the reader wouldn't expect. There were times where the history and information about Harvard and the final clubs revealed would start to be unnecessarily detailed.

There is a real coming of age feeling to Spenser's story that I greatly enjoyed. When I researched Ian K Smith MD and found out The Ancient Nine and Spenser's experience with The Delphic Club was largely based off of Smith's own experiences, that only made me enjoy it more.

I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, "The Ancient Nine” drops on a day when its theme of “boys must be boys” contrasts strongly with the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, and the accusation that boys *were* boys, and they behaved inexcusably badly towards girls.

There is no place in 2018 for mistreatment of others because of their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Harvard, and many other universities have apologized for too long for allowing tradition to trump justice. Testerone is not an excuse for bad behavior.

I give Smith credit for honesty, and a clear love for his alma mater. While the pacing of the story was uneven (the middle dragged on for too long, and the end was somewhat abrupt), it was quite readable and kept me interested to the end.

If you enjoy secret societies and academic mystery then this will be a good book for you! I was a history major in college and enjoyed the research and hunting for facts so I loved the academic side of the story, the hunt for facts in old books and archives is something that felt familiar to me and made the story more real. I enjoyed the mystery and the search for answers. I also loved the details about Harvard and its history but I felt like the author was overly descriptive in a lot of places. The book could have used a little bit of a heavier hand with the editing. Overall though I liked the authors writing style and the main subject matter of the book so I look forward to reading more of his books in the future!

My rating: 4.5 Stars

It is Harvard College in 1988, and there is a secret club that Spenser Collins has been invited to join. It is one of just a handful of secret groups and is called the Delphic Club. Spenser just doesn't get it. This club is so exclusive, and he knows that he doesn't meet the usual criteria. So, he is certain that a mistake has been made. If not a mistake, then most certainly a prank. His friend, Dalton Winthrop, knows quite a lot about the Delphic Club, and helps Spenser to avoid any mistakes that might cause him to lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which is referred to as "punching in".

One thing that comes immediately to light is that the Delphic Club and its members are hiders of secrets, including the mystery of what happened to a student back in 1927. As Dalton uses the knowledge passed onto him by his great-uncle, the two students delve into the secretive history. They do have help from other sources, including old archives. Before long, Spenser learns about another club, which is the actual secret club within a club, and that is the Ancient Nine. This is where the story takes a turn.

The secrets that lie within were deigned to stay hidden forever, but that is not the case any longer, and now Spenser and Dalton's lives are in danger. While this is a fictional story, it is indeed based on actual events. This goes a long way into turning this story into a really superb mystery/thriller. The author is a medical doctor who has written several books about health and nutrition. This is of note because it is more than evident that we have a very seasoned writer who has penned these words. His talent shone through in The Ancient Nine.

It was thrilling to read of these clubs, the secrets and the danger. There is even a love story to be enjoyed. We are also entertained by a lively cast of characters. This is a very well-rounded novel and I am pleased that I was able to spend the day reading this. Be sure to pick up your copy of The Ancient Nine.

Many thanks to St. Martins Press for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you are a fan of Dan Brown’s “Robert Langdon” series (ANGELS & DEMONS. THE DAVINCI CODE) this is the book for you.

Set at Harvard University in 1988, student Spenser Collins finds an engraved invitation slipped under his dorm room door to “punch” for the most elite of the final clubs - the Delphic Club.
At first he thinks it is a prank as he is definitely not the stereotypical final club member. His single mother worked hard to make Harvard a reality for her son. So not sure of what it means, he asks his friend Dalton.
Dalton Winthrop seems more the type for the Delphic Club. But Dalton, thoroughly shocked, assures Spenser the invite is authentic. It is from Dalton that Spenser becomes aware of the deeply buried secrets the Delphic clubhouse conceals. While Dalton was not punched for the Delphic himself, he has heard many stories about the club from his great-uncle who is a member.

Dalton is highly curious about a group within the Delphic Club known as the Ancient Nine. These nine men are all-powerful and hold sacred the history – and the secrets - of the club. Dalton believes they may have gone as far as murder to protect its secrets. He hopes that through Spenser he can get answers as to what happened to a college student who, in 1927, entered the Delphic clubhouse and was never seen again. This will be a challenge though as no one knows the identity of these nine men, men who have taken an oath to preserve the club secrets as long as they live.

As Spenser explores the Delphic clubhouse for clues he can sense the power of those men who came before him. Every turn reveals expensive original artworks, massive furniture, rare books, and a trophy room. He is surrounded by portraits and photo of past members. The story slowly reveals hints that just create more questions for Spenser and Dalton. As they are drawn deeper into the web of secrets they come to realize that their lives may now be in jeopardy. Who are these Ancient Nine? Do they really exist?

I really enjoyed the bits of Harvard history given in the story. There have always been conspiracy theory stories related to Harvard and its secretive final clubs – and its famous alumni. Ian Smith writes beautifully of the clubs’ camaraderie and how these clubs, while offering a place for its members to withdraw from the larger hectic university life, also lent a feeling of superiority with their aura of secrecy and exclusiveness.

I enjoyed everything about the story – the perfectly timed pacing, the excellent character development, the tad of romance, the suspense.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance egalley.

This was a good thriller/mystery read for me. Spenser and Dalton grew up in two different worlds now both attending Harvard. Spenser is asked to join a famous all-make final clubs shrouded in history and mystery. Will they uncover the truth? Fast-paced read with plenty of drama and intrigue that really draws you into the story. I liked it.

Readers who are into a more intellectually driven mystery, who like streams of research information, will really enjoy this aspect of the book.

But, this book suffers from first-time writer syndrome: a need to make sure the reader sees everything as the writer sees it. This results in things like how evenly spaced dishes are on the table, how a garden is situated and the style of leather on a chair and what metal the studs are around the edging. The author goes so far as to add in a map of the area like we’re going to Middle Earth. It’s a university campus!

This book insists too much upon itself, trying too hard to beat a reader over the head with exactly how things look, and focussing less on how they feel. It sacrifices pacing for the sake of description.

Perhaps I could forgive this writing style if it weren’t for the fact that it didn’t seem like this novel knew what it wanted to be. A romance? A drama? A mystery? Academic research? A contemporary about male brotherhood? Contrary to popular opinion, books that try to be too many things usually suffer because of it.

There were too many things happening. Things that happened in huge chunks and took away from the flow of the storyline, because there wasn’t a main one. It was a full-on romance novel. It was a full-on contemporary about brotherhood. It was a drama. It was an intellectual mystery. It was a religious research paper. It was too much.

The author even included whole pages of library references and news articles and different kinds of research information that as the reader, should be told to me in a clear and concise way instead of making me read it. I’m not here to do the research, I’m here to be told a story.

For me, this novel suffers greatly from a lack of editing, and an overt desire to tell too many stories and not having an experienced enough writer at the helm who knows how to stick to a theme, pull back on the other elements, while also weaving them together into something that is digestible, that doesn’t lose its steam and isn’t so wordy.

It’s also disappointing that the author felt it was necessary to create characters that were overtly sexist and misogynistic. Sure it’s the 1980s and there’s a “boys club” element to it, but it is possible to write something like that without having naked girls ready to be used by the winning team of guys. Considering the author, and the main character, are PoC, you would think there would have been a more concerted effort to take those elements out of the story because they weren’t necessary. There are other rewards besides women that don’t seem to have a choice in being viewed as pieces of meat or trophies.

Because the impression I get from the writing, and the author, is these things weren’t problematic then and aren’t problematic now. That these kinds of things are looked back on with great affection.“Just like old times”, as Spenser says.

In the end, the payoff of the reveal to all the answers wasn’t interesting enough to make the time it took me to get there worth it. It also felt like a letdown. The perceived threats that float throughout the novel, is just that – nothing more than perceived.

This book all talk, little action. It’s a lot of research reading, a lot of late night library runs that are interrupted by irrelevant scenes that don’t really belong and should have been cut out.

would have liked this a million times better if it had focused on being a mystery. If it had found ways to make the threats more substantial and real towards Spenser and Dalton. And if someone had taken an axe to every unnecessary scene that was only included to allow the author to indulge himself and his latent sexism.

If you saw the movie The Skulls you have one of the threads of this book, only the book much better written and plotted. A sinister secret society may--or may not--be behind one of Harvard's Finals Clubs, uniting powerful men to influence global affairs and murder an undergraduate or two; plus hide centuries-old facts that would prove embarrassing to some modern institutions.

Two undergraduates take it upon themselves to investigate the old rumors. The trouble is that it's impossible to reconcile their obsessive and dangerous efforts with their personalities. They have no reason for the quest, and they risk death, expulsion and prison frequently. Equal space is given to their action-hero antics and what seems like a treacly young-adult story of earnest young undergraduates struggling with learning, love, sports and life.

The third major thread is minutely researched trivia about Harvard, which only occasionally and tangentially intersects either of the plots.

Each of the three parts--the Da Vinci Code action story, the Dobie Gillis teen romance and the Fun Facts about Harvard--is well done on its own, and should satisfy readers in those genres. But they clash when combined, and few readers are likely to be looking for all three types of story.

A brilliantly crafted mystery amidst layers of details. I was ensnared and intrigued from the start, and this one didn’t let go. The descriptions of Cambridge were as if I were there, and it’s subculture around Harvard was tremendous. Secret societies have even deeper secrets, and murder is apparently on the table as well. The details within the plot are masterful and interesting, and the line between fact and fiction is a thin one.
I loved this intelligent, suspenseful read!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's 1988 and for our narrator, Spenser Collins, life at Harvard is a far cry from his urban Chicago background. He embraces college life on the ivy covered campus and all that it has to offer. Spenser strikes an unlikely friendship with Harvard legacy Dalton Winthrop.

Much to his surprise, Spenser is invited to a reception and he learns that he is being considered, or "punched" for the Delphic Club, one of the secret societies. Dalton knows all about the Delphic, his great-uncle is one of their oldest living members and he grew up hearing stories of the club's rituals.

The Delphic Club, also know as "the Gas" is full of male privilege that is centuries old as is the mystery surrounding the club. Within the Gas, legend has it that there is another secret society which is made up of a group of alums know as The Ancient Nine. Besides being "some of the world's most prominent men", the Ancient Nine protect the Delphic's darkest and oldest secrets—including what happened to a student who sneaked into the club's mansion back in 1927 and was never seen again.

Spenser and Dalton dig deeper into the club and the guarded secret of Erasmus Abbot's disappearance. They are led an intellectually stunning mystery through various libraries, archives, and ancient books. The more they uncover, the more questions they have, and the more their lives are in danger.

There is something for everyone in this coming of age novel—mystery, romance, suspense—and Smith validates his storytelling with impeccable research. His writing is engaging and purposeful while he deftly guides the reader through secret society life. You will even find a bit of Smith himself in the character of Spenser. My only criticism is with how women were objectified. Smith does however stay true to the time period, but at times, the male privilege and 'good old boys' was a bit much for the female reader.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received this book for a review. I've never been anywhere near Harvard, and wasn't sure if I was even going to even enjoy the book since I'm not a thriller/suspense type of reader. Other than being a little slow, and not understanding what the first part had to do with the book until it made sense later on in the story, I surprisingly enjoyed it and was even shocked at several moments, up until the end of the story. I also kept wondering why if this group was so exclusive, why would they allow entrance by a black male from Chicago. Thankfully that and several other questions were answered by the time I finished the book and I enjoyed the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It has a lot of history about Harvard and other prep schools. The ending is definitely a bit of a twist, but a nice twist..

Spenser is a struggling student at Harvard. He is always low on money and does not come from the right background. He is from the south side of Chicago. So, fitting in with all the rich, preppy boys at Harvard is not so easy. When he receives an invitation to one of the exclusive clubs which Harvard is famous for, this adds a whole new element of complication to his college life.

Spenser does not understand how he can be selected for one of the secret clubs at Harvard. He does not fit the bill! Luckily his friend, Dalton is there to help. When these two discover the story about a death of a student years ago, it leads them into a tangled mess of a mystery which could get them killed.

Spenser is a great character. He is hardworking and determined. Then there is Dalton. He is the opposite of Spenser. These two together create a good team. I love their chemistry and Dalton’s no nonsense attitude really balances the two.

I adore the setting of this novel. The rich history of Harvard is the perfect backdrop for this story. And believe me, the author knew how to weave a great tale around all this history. With the Delphic (the secret society), The Ancient Nine ( a secret within the secret society), the old house with secret rooms, how could the reader not be captivated. This tale just seems to drag a little. It has the rich history and the secrets but not a lot of action to keep the story moving.

I received this novel from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley for a honest review.

A twisty mysterious ride through the depths of the Harvard libraries and the best local spots in Cambridge, I absolutely had a blast reading The Ancient Nine! If you’re a fan of mysteries and secret societies, like the Da Vinci Code and the Skulls, you will not want to miss picking this book up. This read flew by for me! I was completely engrossed in the story, and it had a good mix of history and details about the campus (Harvard) and town (Cambridge) to make it feel completely authentic. It even had a little romance! You will be completely hooked by chapter two!

About the Book

In the fall of 1988 Spenser Collins is a sophomore at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Spenser is an unlikely prospect for Harvard—a black male from the south side of Chicago raised by a single mother, and he’s one heck of a basketball player.

Spenser is best friends with Dalton Winthrop, a legacy at Harvard coming from a long lineage of Winthrops to grace those hallowed grounds. Dalton has the looks, the money, and the name to show his belonging at Harvard.

When Spenser is punched to join one of Harvard’s most exclusive clubs, the Delphic Club, both Spenser and Dalton are stunned. Sure, Spenser is smart, athletic, and a good person, but he’s also black, poor, and doesn’t have the “pedigree” that a club like the Delphic would usually look for.

As Spenser begins his journey with the Delphic, Dalton tells him of another secret—a club within the club called the Ancient Nine. No one outside of the Ancient Nine are sure of its existence, but Dalton may know more than most. His great-uncle was in the Delphic Club, and something Dalton has seen at his house makes him sure he is one of the Ancient Nine.

Desperate to know what the Ancient Nine was formed to protect—the club’s greatest secrets—Dalton and Spenser seek answers. Combing through the rarest books at Harvard, centuries-old newspapers in the library archives, and clandestine meetings with former members, Spenser and Dalton begin to discover that the secrets of the Delphic may be darker than they ever imagined. Now, they must discover the truth before they become the Delphic’s next secret…

Reflection

Most people can guess by the name of my blog (It’s Ph.Diva!) that I’m a life-long student and learner. So much of my identity is wrapped up in being a student and a member of academic tradition. A book like The Ancient Nine was an absolute delight for me to read. I have found myself on some seemingly doomed hunts through microfilm archives and crumbling books to find that needle in a haystack article (though the articles I seek rarely refer to a mysterious death).

Smith’s writing is so detailed that it was easy to picture all of the settings in this novel. I felt like I took a trip to Harvard myself. I loved the amount of historical information about the campus and the town that was sprinkled throughout. It made me feel like a part of the story, envisioning those late night greasy diners with the best cheesesteak in Cambridge, or the underground tunnel with study rooms where Dalton and Spenser meet to speak in private about their quest.

And then there is a bit of romance! Enter Ashley, a girl working at the University to get herself through community college. Spenser is instantly smitten, but Ashley keeps him at arms length. He’s a Harvard boy, and she can’t imagine he’d ever fall for a girl from the wrong side of town. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say that Ashley may be underestimating our friend, Spenser! I think Spenser may surprise her with his persistence and authenticity. I loved these moments with Ashley and at basketball practice when we see Spenser being a regular college student. They grounded the story in a way that was needed for it to feel believable.

I hope that you get a chance to read this one if it strikes your interest! Expect a LOT of great libraries, some pretty ancient books, and a fun mystery!

Ivy leagues. I have always been intrigued by those Academies of Excellence, and everything they include. Just looking at the premises of Yale, Stanford, or Harvard leaves me speechless and I can’t help my imagination go wild about what it might be like to be part of the Chosen Ones.

The Ancient Nine appealed to me right away. Fresh out of university, I should have wanted nothing but to stay away from classes and tall buildings filled with silly boys and cliques of young girls. Yet, the synopsis hinted at secrets and a free tour of one of America’s most famous university. I just couldn’t resist. I keep saying I am not one for history … The author made me change my mind!

The prologue, set in 1927, was enough for me to cling to the book. Guys at university are stupid, but when things take a bad turn and you are left with questions, you can forgive them! I was keen to follow the steps that led to back to Harvard and find out what was hidden behind this somehow cryptic and chilling opening.

1988: Spencer Collins, far from the usual wealthy guys striding the halls of the university, gets an invitation from an elite club. I had always assumed such clubs existed, but my knowledge of Ivy Leagues only depends on Suits characters saying they only hire from Harvard and Gilmore Girl’s Rory’s experience at Yale. I was coming a long way!

With a clever narrative filled with youth and its enthusiasm, Ian Smith handed me an invitation into a world I could only dream of. Better than this, he highlighted the good, the bad, and the terrible. Everything is scrutinized, from Spencer’s poor background and skin color to the power held by the famous heads drinking their weight in Vodka. The Ancient Nine isn’t a coming-of-age story. Yes, you get guys having fun and it seems so genuine you just happily tag along from your couch, happy you’re not living this kind of life. Yes, there is a bit of romance. You know I am not the biggest fan, but once again, the balance was perfect and just enough to let the reader picture life in the late 80s, movies and pop-corn included. I loved it!

In the middle of his busy life, Spencer and his rich-but-no-jerk best friend Dalton kick off a race against time, past and future, to better understand the Delphic Club trying to punch Spencer, and they dig more than inappropriate pictures of CEO or politicians. Suddenly, the cool idea of clubs turns dark and you are immersed in the history of Harvard. I never thought I would be engrossed in the plot the way I became. While drooling over Harvard’s libraries, I was falling into the pages of the old days, and the very old ones, learning about Kings and rituals, rumors and facts intertwined. Spencer and Dalton’s research to better understand why the Delphic is interested in a student like Spencer led to the darkest corridors of the school itself, raising questions every time the boys seemed to get closer to an answer about the clubs and their origins. More than a gym pass, they pledge to open doors you never knew existed, emphasizing the idea of brotherhood to the extreme. But Dalton knows more than what the shiny faces let on, and reveals the existence of The Ancient Nine, a group supposed to protect the club’s darkest secrets. Fed by stories from his uncle, one of the oldest members of the Delphic, Dalton holds many keys that will guide him and Spencer into the heart of Harvard.

I can’t explain how it happened, but Ian Smith worked his magic and I was captivated by the plot from the first page to the final one. Fresh blood, old stories, hours In libraries and clues to make your head explode, The Ancient Nine is an exciting trip to the past.