Member Reviews
What happens when you get a strange list in the mail with your name and 8 other strangers? This book was a fun fast paced triller that kept me guessing.
Unfortunately after low ratings, I decided not to continue this title. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thanks to NetGalley, BookClubGirl, William Morrow, and Harper Collins for this copy of "Nine Lives."
Nine names are on a list with no obvious connection between them, but they start meeting unnatural deaths. I still remember the big "reveal" at the end so that tells you that it was definitely memorable for me!
Peter Swanson is an author that I follow to see when he's releasing anything new - his books are consistently fun suspense reads!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Nine Lives</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>
<i>Nine Lives</i> by Peter Swanson is a mystery thriller that follows nine strangers who each receive a cryptic list with their names on it. As the people on the list start dying one by one under suspicious circumstances, the survivors must uncover the connection between them and the sinister plot that threatens their lives. The story weaves through multiple perspectives, each adding a piece to the puzzle as the characters race against time to solve the mystery before it's too late.
<h4>The Details</h4>
The concept of nine strangers receiving a death list is compelling and sets up an engaging mystery. This premise immediately grabs the reader's attention and promises a thrilling ride.
Furthermore, Swanson introduces a variety of characters from different walks of life, each with their own backstory and secrets. This diversity adds richness to the narrative and keeps the reader invested in their fates.
Also, the novel maintains a sense of suspense throughout, with tension building as the characters are picked off one by one. Swanson's pacing keeps the reader on edge, eager to find out who the next victim will be and how the mystery will unravel.
While the premise is intriguing, some plot twists and character connections are predictable. Seasoned mystery readers may find themselves anticipating key developments before they occur, reducing the overall impact of the reveals.
And despite the diverse cast, some characters lack depth and development. Their motivations and backstories are not always fully explored, making it harder for readers to form strong connections with them.
Also, the multiple perspectives and numerous characters can make the plot feel convoluted at times. Keeping track of each storyline and how they interconnect may require extra effort from the reader, potentially detracting from the enjoyment of the narrative.
<h4>The Verdict</h4>
Overall, <i>Nine Lives</i> by Peter Swanson offers an engaging and suspenseful mystery with a unique premise that draws readers in. The diverse cast and the tension-filled atmosphere are notable strengths, but the novel falls short with some predictable elements and underdeveloped characters. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking a deeply complex or unpredictable thriller, it provides an entertaining read for fans of the genre. Swanson's ability to maintain suspense and deliver an intriguing story makes <i>Nine Lives</i> a solid, if not standout, addition to the mystery thriller bookshelf.
(3.5 stars, rounded up to 4)
"Nine Lives" by Peter Swanson is a suspenseful rollercoaster ride that keeps you guessing until the very end. Swanson's skillful storytelling weaves together multiple narratives, each with its own unique twist and turn. The characters are complex and well-developed, adding depth to the intricate plot.
While the book certainly has its moments of excitement and intrigue, there are instances where the pacing feels a bit sluggish, and some plot points may seem predictable to seasoned mystery readers. Additionally, certain character motivations could have been explored more deeply to enhance the overall impact of the story.
Overall, "Nine Lives" is an engaging read that will satisfy fans of the thriller genre, but it falls short of reaching its full potential due to pacing issues and occasionally predictable plot twists.
Another great thriller from Peter Swanson. Kept me turning the pages quickly to see what was going to happen!
I have conflicting thoughts about this book. On the one hand, I found that the book moved very quickly and I didn’t mind the multiple perspectives which some reviewers didn’t enjoy. It was difficult to get to know any of the characters very well, but I was most intrigued by the list and the mystery and plotting of the story. Wanting to get to the why kept me reading, but once I got there it was a bit of a letdown. The resolution didn’t really make much sense to me. But what was really disappointing was that I’m not sure there was any way to figure out what was happening using clues throughout the book. The ultimate reveal of the villain’s identity and motivation were both head scratchers for me. I find this author’s work to be hit or miss and I’d say this one was mostly a miss, but not completely. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance copy of this book.
What a great book! Gives major Agatha Christie vibes, and I'm here for it. This is a book that has been on my TBR for some time and I'm so glad I finally read it. Peter Swanson is becoming a favorite author of mine. He knows how to write a mystery and keep the readers attention throughout. Highly recommend!!
*Thank you @williammorrowbooks for the #gifted egalley in exchange for an honest review.*
**3.5 stars**
Nine Lives is my first Peter Swanson book. It’s a reimagining of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Overall I enjoyed it. It was a very fast read/listen that kept me intrigued. I did think the end and reason behind the murders was bit ridiculous but I still enjoyed it. I have a few more of the authors books on my shelves and I will definitely give them a shot.
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley fir the e-arc I received in exchange for my honest review. Sorry for the delay!**
This was a good, but not great, book. It's definitely a riff off of the classic And Then There Were None by Dame Agatha Christie, and you can tell. The problem I have with books like this is when it has more than 2-3 "voices" the story is being told from, you don't get to know any of the characters in depth, and you lose connection. Of course, as more of them die, the deeper you get with those that remain. But still, I could have done with this book being told from 1-3 perspectives only. 3 stars, but I will definitely give this author another chance - everyone says that his book The Kind Worth Killing is really good, so I want to give that one a shot and see if it is.
I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the plot and characters. The author kept me hooked from page one!
3.5 Stars
An interesting mystery with multiple murders ultimately trying to figure out how all of these murders are connected. Reminded me very much of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. Peter Swanson's stories should be staples in the mystery-reader's diet.
Although I did find this book enjoyable it was quite different from Swanson’s other books. It was very unique but I sometimes struggled with keeping all the different characters straight.
Really wanted to like this one but it just did not work.Too many characters to connct with, not enough information around the plot. Almost dnf!
Thank you to William Morrow and Custom House for the copy of Nine Lives by Peter Swanson.
Nine Lives is a retelling of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, in which nine people receive a list of nine names (including their own), and one by one, bad things begin to happen to each person on the list.
While I do like different/multiple POVs, there were a lot of characters in this book and keeping track of all nine and being able to distinguish who was who, was difficult at times. I did really enjoy and appreciate the updated list being given to us between each section.
Overall, I was not blown away by this story/retelling of Christie’s original concept. This was my first time reading a book by Peter Swanson, and while this one might not have hit the mark with me, I did enjoy their writing style and will most likely pick up another one of their works.
Following nine characters that find their names on a mysterious list appearing in their mailbox, this story slowly unravels their shared history and the killer hunting them down one by one.
I like the premise here, a copycat tale of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None”, but the execution wasn’t there for me. It was hard to follow characters from the start, and it felt like just when the story finally picked up, it ended. The last chapter felt a bit like a throw-in, to make the reader feel better about the sadness precluding it. Will try Peter Swanson’s books again because I’ve heard great things, but this one unfortunately wasn’t my fav.
Swanson has delivered again! This thriller had me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. Highly recommend to those that love twists and turns.
This was my first Peter Swanson book. I have to say it won’t be my last.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
Very Agatha Christie but nothing surprised me and so while it was fine, it felt lackluster in the end.
Reminiscent of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, Nine Lives by Peter Swanson was a mystery that pulled me in from the beginning.
Nine lives, seemingly unconnected, receive a typed list in the mail...a list with nine names, including their own. One by one, the people listed in this strange letter are murdered.
Swanson writes this book in sections and at the beginning lists the names of the nine. Then we get one chapter per character, ending with the character that is murdered.
Slowly the FBI unravels the mystery and it's not what you'd expect.
This book probably would have worked better if I had actually read a physical copy instead of listening to the audio book. It was a little confusing with the many characters, but I did enjoy gathering the clues and trying to figure out the connection between the characters.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.