Today, for the first time, I’m diving into the realm of fiction book reviews. I couldn’t have picked a better book than Peter Swanson’s Nine Lives. Though it was published last year, I have only just had the chance to delve into its pages. Swanson has been one of my favorite authors in the Mystery/Thriller genre, especially since he published The Kind Worth Killing.
Nine Lives is a psychological labyrinth that hooks you from the first page. The story starts with a mysterious list of names that nine people receive, a list that drags them into a web of past crimes, betrayals, and life-or-death decisions. Each character, flawed yet relatable, soon realizes that their life is on the line, and we, the readers, can’t help but be drawn into their existential dilemmas. If the plot sounds familiar, it’s because Nine Lives revisits Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
Swanson has always been a master at creating deeply flawed but inherently relatable characters, and Nine Lives is no exception. Each of the nine protagonists comes with their own baggage, their own skeletons in the closet, making them both suspects and potential victims. This multiplicity of perspectives enriches the story, turning it into a multi-layered narrative that captivates the reader’s attention.
His writing style is what I would call “effortlessly gripping.” He doesn’t rely on cheap thrills or predictable twists. Instead, his narrative is smooth, his language crisp, and his plot developments are always well-earned. It’s a book you will have trouble putting down, but when you finally do, you will feel that strange mix of satisfaction and longing for more.
While Nine Lives could easily be categorized as a pure thriller, it made me think of deeper themes such as the morality of survival and the gray areas of right and wrong. It’s not just about solving the mystery. It’s about peeking into the human condition through extreme circumstances.
If you are a fan of intricately plotted thrillers that keep you hooked until the end, then this book is for you. Peter Swanson has once again proven his prowess in the Mystery/Thriller genre, crafting a story that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking.
I am a little late to the Nine Lives party, but I can confidently say it was worth the wait. If you haven’t read it yet, this is your cue to grab a copy and buckle up for a great read.
Have you read Nine Lives? Do you agree with my review? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Previous Book Review:
Roque Neto 