🚨 Book Review: Ninth and Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver (Kindle Edition)
A taut, cinematic short thriller that weaves seven lives into one explosive moment—Jeffery Deaver delivers a masterclass in suspense with this tightly plotted Kindle Single.
🧠 Overview
Published in January 2019, Ninth and Nowhere is a 60-page standalone short story that unfolds over the course of two hours in a gritty urban neighborhood nicknamed “Nowhere.” The story introduces seven strangers, each with their own secrets, motives, and emotional baggage:
- A young man looking to buy a gun
- A gang member making the deal
- A police officer on her final patrol
- A veteran haunted by combat
- A single dad in a custody battle
- An advertising exec hiding infidelity
- A businessman desperate for a fresh start
As their paths converge at a convenience store on Ninth Street, a single act of violence changes everything. Deaver masterfully builds tension through shifting perspectives, leading to a twist that reframes the entire narrative.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧩 Interconnected lives: The story explores how seemingly unrelated people can collide in unexpected ways
- 🧠 Psychological suspense: Each character’s inner world adds layers of tension and moral ambiguity
- ⏱️ Real-time pacing: The two-hour timeline creates urgency and a cinematic feel
- 🎭 Twist ending: True to Deaver’s style, the final reveal is both surprising and satisfying
“Seven strangers. Two hours. One tragic moment of violence that changes everything.” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.85/5 from over 6,800 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s tight structure, character depth, and unexpected connections
- 🧾 Some felt the short format limited deeper exploration, but most found it a compelling one-sitting read
- 💬 “Reminded me of the movie Crash—how lives intersect in ways you never see coming.” — StoryGraph reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 60 pages, it’s a quick read—ideal for fans of compact thrillers
- 📚 Standalone: No prior reading required; works independently of Deaver’s other series
- 🔞 Mature themes: Includes violence, trauma, and moral complexity—recommended for adult readers
🏁 Final Verdict
Ninth and Nowhere is a smart, suspenseful short story that showcases Jeffery Deaver’s ability to craft tension and character in a compressed format. If you enjoy thrillers that explore the ripple effects of a single moment—and how strangers can be bound by fate—this Kindle edition is a gripping pick.
