Eleven Numbers was my first book by Lee Child and it certainly won’t be my last!

This short story was the perfect introduction I needed to Child’s writing and I can’t wait to get stuck into more! Usually I don’t lean towards books that focus on investigations but this story has changed my perspective…

I found the writing style easy to read and loved the pace of the story… there was no unnecessary waffle and the story itself was packed full of action! I loved how so much was able to happen in such a short story. There were even some unexpected and clever reveals tucked in there! However, the rapid pacing was also where the story lost a star in my rating. Due to the speed of events unfolding (especially towards the end), I was left with a couple of unanswered questions…

Therefore, I rated this story 4⭐️ and would recommend it to everyone! It’s the perfect bite size story for any lovers of crime novels and anyone looking to dip their toes into a new genre!

I've read the entire Jack Reacher series, stopping only when Lee Child started collaborating with his brother (at which point the books dropped in quality). This is the first story of his I've read without Reacher, and it is very good. The plot is imaginative, complex, but easy to follow, with nice inventive touches. A very able but minor American academic mathematician is recruited to help the government with an operation directly involving the US president. His mission is a success, but he also succeeds in solving another very tricky problem unexpectedly set him at the very end. Child's language is crisp and spare - a delight. I hope that now Lee Child has handed Reacher over to his brother he will pursue new writing projects along the lines suggested by this short story. He is so much better at this kind of thing, both in terms of plotting and writing, than the vast majority of thriller-merchants out there.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this book. I did know I love the authors others books and was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Net Galley.

I found the main character engaging and relatable, even though I am far from being a math nerd.

I loved the peek into how intelligence missions may work, the pacing of the book was consistent and the author kept true to the main character until the end of the story.

I think this book can be an enjoyable read for fans of the author, mysteries or math.

#NetGalley #ARC #LeeChild #emmiebookwormdragon #tome #bluesky

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC copy.

This was not what I was expecting. I was thinking it would be more of a thriller or at least suspenseful. I felt like this story didn't offer much.

In the end, it just wasn't for me.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is a different type of story that I have read by Lee Child. Of the over 20 Jack Reacher stories I have read which have a lot of action, this one is done in a different vein. Taylor is a mathematics professor at a small cottage. He is preparing to attend a conference in Russia and will be leaving shortly. Ge suddenly gets a call and his plans now are cganged suddenly. He is still to attend the conference in Russia, but ge now has another objective/

To discover who is responsible for his new mission, what role he is to play and what events he encounters, then you need to read this book. The way the story ends is well worth it!

Great short story by a master of suspense. Lee Child keeps you guessing. Characters are believable 4 stars

This was a great that was full of intrigue. I loved the ending and thought that this was the plot lent perfectly for a short story.

This was exactly as basic as I expect popular best-selling fiction to me. And sure enough, it has a ton of great ratings and reviews.
The general audience doesn't seem to need or even particularly want to be intellectually challenged.
Child understands it and leans into simple in both concept and language. So here you have a simple story of some math-themed espionage.
I wonder if every character in Child's fiction has a sort of built-in Reacher levels of stoic heroism or if that's just all he can write. Because here you have a mild-mannered mathematician who suddenly turns into a superspy able to withstand a brutal political prison system. Um, yeah, sure.
And here are some more examples of basic, this time when it comes to the actual writing / editing:
a commander-in-chief who "radiated charm and charisma" - um, someone grab a dictionary and saying something was a mirror image but otherwise the same - yeah, that's what it means, again, a dictionary wouldn't go amiss.
At any rate, this was a quick mindless read that despite its various shortcomings will surely continue to dazzle the undemanding. Thanks Netgalley.

If you're looking to dive into a gripping short story, "Eleven Numbers" by Lee Child is definitely worth your time. The narrative is sharp and engaging, showcasing Child's signature style that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Child's ability to create tension and develop characters in such a compact format is impressive, making this story a perfect example of his storytelling prowess. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his work, this short story is a fantastic read that leaves you pondering its implications long after you've turned the last page.

Eleven Numbers is an intriguing short story, especially for a math nerd like me—the setup immediately caught my attention. However, the pacing felt off for such a short piece. A significant portion of the story is spent on exposition, which, while interesting, leaves the main plot and especially the ending feeling rushed. It had a strong premise, but I wish the execution had been more balanced.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review. I quite liked this, it was different from the books I normally read but I found it really interesting. 3.5 stars 🌟

It should be just another math conference—in Moscow, sure, but a math conference all the same. But for Nathan Tyler, whose claim to fame is being an expert in an obscure sub-specialty of mathematics (in other words: nobody will be recognizing him on the street), it's not quite as simple as that...because his set of knowledge is precisely what the US government needs. The question: how far is he willing to go in support of his country? And how far is the government willing to go to get what they want?

Now, math and I are not close friends. I went to a school for science and mathematics, where I aced a prestigious mathematics exam and qualified for the next, even more prestigious exam...upon which I took stock and decided that I'd rather be in my international relations class (or was it medical ethics?) than voluntarily take a three-hour, three-question exam that I was unlikely to pass. So the highlight of my interest in math was skipping the extra math and going to class instead. But I enjoy how much Nathan is able to pull from some simple sets of numbers, and how much tension Child is able to put into a story that is, you know...about math.

Of course, it probably helps that Child is not really telling a story about math: he's telling a story about politics and intrigue and spying and prison. I won't spoil the details, but this story does a satisfying thing of withholding details, and then dropping back to explain context, and then withholding details—a thing that I would hate in a full-length novel (as a rule, I don't enjoy it when characters withhold information from the reader) but that works in something of this length. I read this as something of a palate cleanser, and it's satisfying in length and speed of action. I'm still not here for full-length thrillers about politics (or, really, any genre that is about politics), but in this form? Yes please.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

In this past paced short story, an unknown math professor who was scheduled to attend a conference in Moscow suddenly receives alerts from the State Department not to attend. While deciding what to do he is contacted by extremely important people in our government who have a task for him to achieve. Eleven Numbers is a quick and interesting read.

Book Review: Eleven Numbers by Lee Child
I picked up Eleven Numbers because it combines several elements I enjoy—thriller, mystery, suspense, and an academic setting centered around a math professor. The novel did not disappoint, offering an engaging storyline with thought-provoking themes.

The protagonist, Professor Tyler, finds himself entangled in a web of government manipulation, espionage, and intellectual deception. One of the most humbling moments in the book was when Tyler and Bailey engaged in a deep mathematical discussion. The novel also serves as a critique of U.S. government politics and its double standards. At the beginning, the U.S. president paints Russia as the ultimate villain, only for Tyler to later realize that his own government is just as ruthless—using him as a scapegoat to extract information.

Tyler’s ego is masterfully played upon, with officials flattering him, an "American," as a world-class mathematician, the only one capable of solving a crucial puzzle. The irony, of course, is that many of the greatest mathematicians are not American, making the flattery an obvious manipulation. Yet, Tyler falls for it, only to be humbled later by a Russian mathematician who calls him "obscure." This moment mirrors his awakening to the realities of political and academic power plays.

The book also sheds light on bureaucratic corruption, as the U.S. government is willing to discard Tyler once he has served their purpose, despite having other means to obtain the information they needed. This added a layer of suspense and frustration, making it a compelling read.

Overall, Eleven Numbers is a solid thriller that delivers both intellectual and political intrigue. It effectively critiques power structures while keeping the reader engaged with its suspenseful twists. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers with a deeper, more thought-provoking narrative.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley . I was excited when i saw this book available for review . Its my first non Reacher book from the author. To be honest most of the maths flew over my head. Maths was never my strong point so that side of book wasnt enjoyable. It does have everything though that you want in a Lee Child book though. unpredictable but a bit to short. I dont mind short stories but this felt like it ended very quickly. Not as much action as a Reacher novel but interesting non the least. It was hard deciding on a rating to be honest. 3 seemed to low but it wasnt a 4 or 5 for me. I hope i get another opportunity in the future even though this wasnt a review raving totally about the book. but I wanted to give my honest opinion. So here it is .

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this short story, just 32 pages long but each a joy. Nathan Tyler is a Maths professor due at a maths conference in Russia. In spite of numerous warnings about visiting Russia he decides to go anyway. Then the President of the USA steps in and things dont go to plan from then on in.
I’ve noticed Lee Child likes using numbers in his books, equations, chances and sequences, this is no exception.
Worth reading.

#ElevenNumbers #NetGalley

Wow what a great short story!

Lee Child shows he can do Cold War spy thrillers.

Don’t be put off by the use of a mathematician professor recruited to work for his government, to coincide with a planned trip to Moscow to attend an international mathematics conference.

Great craft, expanding and opening up the plot; no page of the 50 pages is wasted, as the story goes back and forth to reveal multiple layers in this narrative. I was enthralled throughout. Lee Child is so reader friendly, an expert storyteller and master of his art.

Nathan Tyler is a terrific character to follow in this story. He is immediately likeable and we warm to him taken up by events beyond his control. Despite being intelligent, he is humble and values his life’s work. He is a reluctant agent of his government’s desire to get one over their old enemy. You feel Tyler gets involved as a patriot but also because of his love of mathematics and the chance to meet one of his heroes. You get the feeling it may not end well.

Well, read it for yourselves and let me know!
It is a one sitting, quick read and you’ll love it!!

Eleven Numbers: A Short Story by Lee Child is something far different than one would expect from the author of the legendary Jack Reacher series. Instead, this quick read is all about math and mathematician Nathan Tyler. But, as the publisher synopsis makes clear, spy stuff is also at work here.

Despite the advice from the airline, the State Department, and his boss, Nathan Tyler is headed to Russia for a mathematics conference. Tyler is sure that the Russians value and respect math. He is sure that the conference will an island of calm in a sea of chaos and noise. Besides, he is a man on a mission and operating on a need-to-know basis and other folks do not need to know everything that is in his head.

Of course, things go sideways. The questions are twofold. How did they go sideways? Is he going to get home, alive and in one piece?

A pleasant change of pace, Eleven Numbers: A Short Story by Lee Child is a fast moving and fun read. Even if you hated math in school and can’t balance a checkbook to save yourself, like me, you will learn a thing or two about numbers. Especially, eleven very important ones.

Recommended.

My reading copy came by way of a digital ARC, made available by the publisher, Amazon Original Stories, through NetGalley, after the publication date earlier this month. Good thing to for this reader as the Dallas Public Library System does not carry it.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

I am not a fan of short stories but enjoyed this one. The main character is very different from Jack Reacher. No violence but lots of smart thinking. I’d like to see this character developed into a full novel.

Too much traveling, too many warnings, and yet I didn't know what was happening. It was more confusing than intriguing. Not for me.