EVERYONE HAS SECRETS... SOME ARE JUST MORE DEADLY THAN OTHERS.
For twenty years, Madison Maxwell has lived under the shadow of 9/11, blaming herself for her father’s death when she was six—the choice she didn’t make, the words she never said.
Seeking a new start, she accepts an unexpected job offer at a Silicon Valley tech giant. But her new beginning takes a dark turn when she learns she’s replacing an assistant killed in a hit-and-run, and when she meets her charismatic VP boss, TJ Khan, his unsettling familiarity triggers the nightmares she’s spent her life trying to silence, making her question who he really is—and whether the tragedy that defined her life may not be over.
When a disturbing video finds its way to her—one that stops her cold—Madison’s world begins to unravel. Haunted by what she’s seen, she sets out to uncover Khan’s true identity—and collides with the covert mission of FBI Special Agent Markus Niles, who is racing to expose a shadow network and a diabolical conspiracy before it triggers a catastrophic cyberattack. And the closer she gets to the truth, the deadlier it becomes.
Is it a coincidence that Madison landed this job—or her one chance at redemption? Nothing is what it seems, and they all could be in for a reckoning no one saw coming.
Tick...tick...tick...
Get ready for heart-pounding twists, deception and danger at every turn. A suspense thriller that "hooks you from the first scene, delivering a shot of pure action and an emotional roller-coaster that will leave you breathless.” -- Cathy V.
"Pederson delivers an irresistible thriller… Every chapter races in this fleet-footed debut, teeming with twists and last-minute developments that will shock readers.” - BookLife
"An emotionally charged thriller that deftly weaves suspense with a profound exploration of trauma and redemption.” - Kirkus Reviews
L.V. Pederson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Alberta and in Film Production from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. He began his career as a film censor in Canada before transitioning to Hollywood, where he became a produced screenwriter. Following a life-changing event, Pederson developed a groundbreaking light therapy device for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), earning multiple patents and international recognition for revolutionizing the field.
Drawing on his cinematic background and lifelong passion for storytelling, Pederson creates narratives that seamlessly blend action, suspense, and emotional depth. His work often delves into themes of perseverance in the face of adversity, the redemption of unlikely heroes, and the search for meaning amid triumph and tragedy. Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is his debut novel.
Pederson resides in Seattle with his wife and son.
I thought this book was written like a movie. The POV is this general third person, where initially you think it’s the main character’s third person POV, but then you realise it’s like an outsider’s, kind of like when you’re watching a movie and you get to see what’s happening on multiple fronts, except for the bad guy, (I forgot the actual term for this POV).
Other than that, I thought it was entertaining, but nothing spectacular. There was a lot of telling rather than showing and the excessive use of exclamation marks and “?!” really got to me and was quite distracting. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters on any deeper level.
Overall, I think it’s a good book to read when you want fast paced, quick entertainment, but it’s not a story or writing that is very memorable and that will stick with you for any extended period of time.
Thank you to Booksirens for the ARC. I received it for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jump into the thrilling world of Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L.V. Pederson, a must-read for anyone who loves gripping thrillers with mystery and a touch of conspiracy. In my opinion, perfect for anyone from generation x to the young adult fiction reader. The tale weaves together suspense, action and unexpected turns, leaving readers wanting more.
Main Characters
• Maddie: As the main character, Maddie is hard to like at first. But after understanding her circumstances, you learned to love her quirkiness. Despite her past mental health struggles, she is very intuitive and observant but can be easily manipulated.
I consider it a strength that Maddie consistently seeks help for her problems. Maybe, it is not Maddie who has issues, but those who have been appointed to help her? You decide. Maddie proves that she's capable of extraordinary feats. • Niles: A complex character whose motivations are clear and less pure. He will solve the case that he has been working on his entire career, be damned the fallout. In my opinion, Niles creates a very dangerous plan involving two very young vulnerable players (Maddie and Will). • Khan: A character shrouded in mystery. Is he really the mastermind or just following orders from a higher power? Are there more Khan’s in the shadows? Hopefully, we will find out more. • Will: Acts as a grounding force amidst the chaos yet carries his own baggage. Does he help or hinder the investigation?
Who Should or Should Not Read the Book
Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is tailor-made for thriller enthusiasts, young adults (only because the emotional age of Maddie and Will is so young), and those who love a good conspiracy theory (most generation xers) and everyone else in between. If you enjoy a fast-paced read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this book is for you. However, if you prefer lighter, less intense narratives, or find conspiracy theories offensive, you might want to sit this one out.
Plot Summary
Set against a backdrop of intrigue and danger, Maddie, starts a new job, in a brand-new city, trying to make a new start for herself. But her old demons just seem to follow her. Maddie just cannot shake the feeling of being followed. Seeing the same people in strange clothing every day, are they following her? Is she going crazy? L.V. Pederson does any excellent job describing her feelings and explaining her paranoia. You feel sorry the lousy hand she is dealt in life.
Will and Maddie seem to be cut from the same stone. Does Will rise to the occasion or does he only let Maddie down?
Niles has been chasing Khan for years. Is he willing to make Maddie the sacrificial lamb to solve the case? Does he play the “only you can save your country card” on her. You will have to read the book to find out.
My Opinion
L.V. Pederson emphasizes themes of resilience with Maddie and Will. You must give him credit when creating these two characters and all the suffering that they had to go through. The action is non-stop and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through. As for Khan and Niles, it was the typical good vs evil scenario. I do look forward to future books with these same characters. Do I detect the start of a series? The storyline has a made for TV series vibe to it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Raconteur 888 for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I am honored to have the opportunity to express my first amendment rights as a free citizen of the United States of American, not all platforms allow this.
I think it’s a heads up to say this is a fiction book and not True Crime as have seen listed, although as the title suggests it is based on real events ( something I didn’t pick up when deciding to read the book, solely by the cover )
The story centres around Madison who lost her Dad in the 911 attacks and how she believes the main terrorist is still alive ( Mohammed Atta ) and via the CIA and FBI she unknowingly becomes the lead person in their race to find him ( they all also think hin to be alive ) as they believe he is organising an America wide attack that will start in New Orleans….chilling after recent events
It really is edge of the bed/seat stuff although taken with a big pinch of salt that I kept sprinkling it was though without doubt fascinating, scary, well written and I expect will cause more than a few conversations in certain circles
It really is unique and probably unsettling is a good way to sum it up
"Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds" by L.V. Pederson is a nail-biting thriller that pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the jaw-dropping finale. It’s the kind of book that grips you tightly, leaving your heart pounding and your mind racing as you try to piece together its tangled web of intrigue.
The story centers on Madison, a young woman seeking a fresh start as an executive assistant at a Silicon Valley tech company. But what begins as a promising opportunity quickly morphs into something far more sinister. Madison stumbles upon a dangerous secret about her charming boss, thrusting her into a world of conspiracy and danger that stretches far beyond the confines of corporate boardrooms. It’s a ticking time bomb, with each chapter counting down toward an explosive climax.
Be prepared for relentless tension. The plot races forward with the urgency of a stopwatch, and just when you think you’ve figured out where it’s heading, Pederson veers into unexpected territory. The twists are shocking, yet they don’t feel cheap or contrived—they’re the kind that make you pause, re-read a passage, and mutter, “I did not see that coming.”
Pederson’s writing style also deserves applause. She has a knack for crafting vivid, cinematic scenes that immerse you completely—whether it’s the sterile, high-stakes atmosphere of Silicon Valley or the darker, shadowy corners where secrets lurk. The dialogue is sharp and believable, and the pacing is good, always propelling the story forward without feeling rushed.
This is a genuinely fun book. It hooks you with suspense, keeps you guessing with twists, and leaves you breathless by the end. Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is a fantastic debut that promises big things for L.V. Pederson. If you’re a fan of high-stakes thrillers that keep you on edge, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.
Thanks to NetGalley and Raconteur 888 Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. “Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds” is scheduled for publication on January 10, 2025. And check out all of my reviews at my blog site, Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com). If you’re looking for a fast-paced, thrilling novel that reads like an action movie, look no further. “Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds” by L.V. Pederson will grab you from the get-go and hold you there until the final pages. In present day Silicon Valley, Samantha Dockett is killed by a hit-and-run driver. Now Madison Maxwell sits in the dead woman’s cubicle at Know, Inc., a tech giant with a charismatic VP who looks strikingly familiar to Madison. That’s because Madison’s past is striking. As a young girl, she waved goodbye to her father at Boston’s Logan Airport the day before her birthday, not knowing that a short time later he would be on American Airlines Flight 11 that crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Since then, Madison has been obsessed with the terrorist mastermind behind the World Trade Center attack known as Mohamed Attar, whose body was never found amid the rubble and destruction. And she quickly latches on to the belief that her new boss, T.J. Kahn, is in fact the supposedly deceased terrorist. Together with her newfound friend, computer geek extraordinaire Will, she sets out to prove that Kahn is really Attar, who never died on 9/11. Until the FBI and national security step in. Then things get really lively. There are a few moments where you’re likely to raise your eyebrows and say to yourself, if not out loud, “Now that’s a bit of a stretch.” But the story is fiction, so you accept the premise as is. The action, however, is genuine, and Pederson’s narrative and character development have you rooting for Madison from the start. Even when you’re able to say, “I saw that coming,” the turn of events still has the desired effect. The pace accelerates at breakneck speed over the last several chapters until the climax, and then Pederson neatly brings the story full circle without being corny. I fully enjoyed “Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds,” and highly recommend it. Five out of five stars for this thriller that will be hard to put down.
L.V. Pederson is a brand new author to me. I saw Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds, read the blurb, and there I was! I picked up my Kindle and began to read. After one chapter, I was hooked. The way the author has created such multi layered characters lends to the fact that this is an absolute page turner. I connected with Madison, the main character, almost immediately. I was so invested in her that I was on the edge of my seat a number of times as the chapters flew by. None of the characters are perfect. They all have their flaws, as we all do. Saying that, though, the ones that needed to be vilified definitely raised those feelings within me. I won't give away the plot. I am just going to say this is one emotive subject to base a thriller on. The tension racks up by the paragraph, never mind chapter. The reader is kept guessing until the last few chapters. This is one heck of an addictive read! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my gifted widget to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you for the opportunity to preview Nine Minutes and Eleven Seconds. Madison has lived with sadness most of her life. She also lives with guilt. Her father was killed in the 9/11 terror attack and she blames herself She moves from Boston to California to start a new job and begin a new life. She’s ready to start over but it’s just not that easy. When she meets the new boss she is reminded of something niggling at her brain. He reminds her of someone. Someone not at all in a good way. Madison soon discovers she’s beginning to feel more anxiety than she should and she suspects her new boss is not who appears to be. Soon Madison is engulfed in a plot she must handle because not only does her life depend on it so does the world.
This was quite different and although sometimes predictable an overall good read. 3.5 stars
This book reached out and grabbed me~pulled me in and I did not stop rolling until the last page! This seems like a short movie more than a words on the page book. It is bright and electrifying. The reality of fiction is clear in this story, with Maddie working for the company that a 9-11 terrorist works for… This is the meat of the story, and it’s really well done. The scary things that take place are definitely movie worthy for those who would watch… I enjoyed the locales and the details of the events.
[For this review only- The COVER ART is perfect ‼️]
My thanks to Raconteur 888 via NetGalley for the download of this book for review purposes.
Wow ummm well that whole book was unexpected heheheheh. I can definitely say I have never read a book like it. It was a fast paced book that had me having moments of worry for some of the characters for sure. The author did a good job keeping you interested and I really enjoyed getting so many povs in this story. This book kinda reminded me of a season of 24 in just the whole gotta solve this mystery or millions could die!!!! But it was a fun read and maybe below a 4 star rating but I bumped it a little because once the ball got rolling I couldn’t stop reading.
Riveting, fast-paced, page-turner! Everything I expect when I pick up a thriller.
A well written story that had me gasping and staying up late to binge read. Bits of historical fiction as it intertwines the attack on 9/11 with a fictional planned attack. The story follows the CIA and FBI as they work to stop one of the largest terrorists attacks America has ever seen. I felt the author handled the sensitive subject of 9/11 well and respectfully. The events read in real time for the second half of the book making it unputdownable.
Thanks to NetGalley, L.V. Pederson, and Raconteur 888 Press for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion
I really enjoyed this book from an author I had not heard of before!
I felt the story started off slightly slow but I know that's down to character building. After about 25% the story picked up and I was unable to put the book down!
The book has multiple POVs which is something I love in books.
I definitely would read from this author again as overall an enjoyable read.
Massive thank you for Book Sirens for the opportunity to read this!
This book was packed with action, and read like a movie! Such a unique read when it comes to storyline and how the POV is generally 3rd person, but retells the same situation through different perspectives. I really liked this one, and was surprised at all of the twists and turns thrown in along the way. I would definitely recommend reading this if you get the chance!
First, I would like to say thank you to NetGalley and Raconteur 888 Press for an advance reader copy of Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L.V. Pederson in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action-packed, thriller novel then this is the book for you. Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L.V. Pederson peaked my interest from the start and had me hooked from beginning to end. This was a very easy book to breeze through in a few days due to the fast paced nature of it.
The book starts off with the story of how Samantha Dockett is killed by a hit-and-run driver. Fast forward and Madison Maxwell is unknowingly siting in the dead woman’s cubicle at Know, Inc., a data mining company with a Vice President who looks so unbelievably familiar to Madison. As the book unfolds, Madison digs into her four boxes of past research on a man that changed her life for the worst. As a child, she waved goodbye to her father at Boston’s Logan Airport the day before her birthday, not knowing that the plane he was set to depart on would be the American Airlines Flight 11 that crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11.
Since that fateful day, Madison has been obsessed with figuring out what happened to Mohamed Attar, the terrorist behind the 9/11 attack, whose body was never found amid the catastrophic destruction of that day. That day changed Madison's life forever and she has lived with not only sadness, but guilt as well, for not telling her father to stay for her birthday and allowing him to get on that plane. After starting her new job at Know Inc., Madison's new boss, T.J. Kahn, smiles and she recognizes the corners of his mouth are strikingly familiar, she digs into her research and believes that he is Mohammed Attar. Madison attends a support group and becomes friends with Will, an extraordinarily talented computer hacker and they begin their research and journey to try to prove Madison's theory about Khan's identity.
Once Madison and Will begin to make progress on Khan's identity the FBI, CIA, and NSA get involved and quickly begin a plot to take down Attar once and for all.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and give it five stars, I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book kept me in the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. I’m not sure I would’ve chosen this book to read, but I’m so glad I got to read it. It’s now one of my favorites.
Madison lost her father on September 11th. She has regretted her last words to her father since then. Madison gets a new job in Silicon Valley and a way to help her resolve her feelings. (I don’t want to spoil any of the story).
This story is one of the longer thrillers I’ve read, but well worth it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review the book.
I defined enjoyed the book. it was gripping and kept me hooked till the end. Starting 20% was little slow but I understand that it's imp to build such complex characters. Loved agent Niles. Could not connect much with Will. When I started reading the book I wasn't expecting it be an intense read. But it kept getting intense and interesting. I know I liked the Thriller story when I am not able to guess what is going to happen and in this one I didn't see a lot of things coming so on the whole it was an interesting read.
Would love to read a sequel of this book.
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC 🙏.
If you were the only one that could help save your country from a terrorist cell implanted in strategic areas to cripple and take over the country would you say yes??? That's a heavy question with far reaching implications. I don't know if I'd have the strength to carry out that mission. They eliminate anybody that makes a mistake or is no longer necessary to their plan! I kept catching myself gritting my teeth and tensing up for a fight or flight reaction when things got intense and real, which was the last part of the book. This was a gripping suspenseful thriller through and through
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L.V. Pederson is a riveting thriller that expertly weaves together suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. This gripping tale is perfect for anyone from Generation X to young adult fiction readers, and it pulls you in from the very first page.
Main Characters
Maddie: At first, Maddie can be challenging to connect with, but her quirky personality and past struggles quickly draw you in. Her journey toward healing is compelling, showcasing her resilience as she confronts her past while navigating new challenges. The fact that she actively seeks help is a powerful testament to her character's strength.
Niles: A complex antagonist, Niles is driven by his obsession with solving a case that has haunted him for years. His morally ambiguous choices and willingness to use others make him a formidable opponent, especially for the vulnerable Maddie and Will.
Khan: Shrouded in mystery, Khan's true intentions remain uncertain throughout the book. Is he a puppet master or merely a pawn in a larger game? His enigmatic presence adds to the intrigue and leaves you wanting to uncover more in future installments.
Will: Serving as Maddie's grounding force, Will has his own demons to battle, making him a relatable and multi-layered character. Their partnership is vital to the narrative, balancing chaos with moments of connection and support.
Who Should or Should Not Read the Book
Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is tailor-made for thriller enthusiasts and anyone fascinated by conspiracy theories. If you enjoy fast-paced narratives with unexpected twists and emotionally resonant characters, this book is for you. However, if you prefer lighter reads or find conspiracy themes unsettling, this might not be your cup of tea.
Plot Summary
Set against the backdrop of a new job and a new city, Maddie’s life takes a dark turn when she becomes entangled in a chilling conspiracy linked to her past. After the death of a coworker and a series of unsettling events, Maddie becomes convinced that her boss, T.J. Kahn, may be connected to the infamous 9/11 terrorist, Mohamed Attar. As Maddie delves deeper into her investigation with the help of Will, the stakes escalate, drawing the attention of the FBI, CIA, and NSA.
The narrative expertly captures Maddie’s paranoia and emotional turmoil as she grapples with her past and seeks the truth. L.V. Pederson's writing immerses you in Maddie’s journey, making her fears and triumphs feel incredibly real.
My Opinion
L.V. Pederson has crafted a thought-provoking exploration of resilience and trauma through Maddie and Will’s journeys. The action is relentless, and the moral complexities of good versus evil keep you engaged throughout. The tension builds to a climactic conclusion, leaving readers eager for what’s next. This book has all the makings of a thrilling series, and I can’t wait to see where Pederson takes these characters next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Raconteur 888 for providing me with an advance copy of this exceptional novel. If you're looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and challenge your perceptions, Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is a must-read! Highly recommended!
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I hate, hate, hate reading self-published books. They are always sorely in need of an editor. They are often such a mess that they are borderline unreadable, and my fingers itch to mark them up with a red pen. If I had known this was self-published, I wouldn't have entered the giveaway. However, I'm happy to say that this book was much better than any other self-published book I've read. The copy was very clean, surprisingly so. Except for one thing. There's a character who drives a Jeep Scrambler. I'd never heard of one so I googled it, and found out they were made between 1981 and 1986. Apparently the author and his editor did not take the two seconds to also do that search. One character asks the other what year the Scrambler is and he replies, 1999. UGH. Such a simple thing to catch and fix. Aside from that, the story was pretty good. The last section was full of action and suspense and kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. Most of the dialogue was well-written, though if you find the phrase "motherfucker" offensive, you won't like this book. It's on just about every page. The characters were pretty well fleshed out, though I did question some of the reactions of Madison, and the bad guys occasionally veered into cartoon villain territory. I mostly liked the ending, though there was one loose end that wasn't tied up, which bothered me. Overall, I think this was a good debut novel. It's a political/action thriller, and I tend more toward psychological thrillers, but I am glad I read this one and I enjoyed it.
I must admit, I was truly moved by the ending of this book. As someone who typically avoids reading about the books I review, I found the element of surprise to be incredibly refreshing. It added an extra layer of intrigue to the entire process. Little did I know, this book would deliver such a captivating storyline with unexpected twists and turns. I believe this book will resonate with many, as it touches on a tragic event that affected so many lives. The author's clever writing and attention to detail made this a truly gripping read.
Madison starts a new job in Silicon Valley but soon realizes her boss has a deadly secret. As a young employee is found dead, she uncovers a high-stakes conspiracy that puts her life at risk. The FBI is involved, and a shocking revelation could lead to a deadly outcome. The time is ticking... The story combines historical events with modern-day suspense seamlessly, creating emotional and physical stakes for the character. The narrative is fresh, frightening, and captivating keeping readers on the edge of their seats. As a newcomer to this author's work, I am eager to explore more of his writing in the future.
Thank you Booksirens and Raconteur 888 for my ARC digital copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I started reading and it’s “Madison’s”, the protagonists, first day at work and she’s already written as the insecure, nervous and neurotic type that you just want to bitch slap into a near normal existence with a non-neurotic personality and a life. And so far, the only thing she’s done is start her new job, in a new city and met her new boss a Mr TJ Khan.
And so the nightmares she’s been having had begin again, well they never really went away, but they’re more intense now as she’s more sure than ever, that her new boss is in fact Mohammed Attar the 911 bomber, who conspiracy theorist have documented constantly thought got away and didn’t die on the actual plane that hit the North Tower. And along with Will, the young guy she met at her therapy session who has taken a shine to her, are invited to Khan’s house for an Independence Day barbecue.
During the party, Madison is accosted by Khan and upset they both leave. They are subsequently picked up by the CIA, FBI and NSA to be interviewed and recruited by Niles the lead agent, to take down Khan and all of his possible cohorts. But Khan is now suspicious that there is something about Madison but not that she’s with the FBI who she is helping. As things progress, Khan discovers something about her and now considers her a threat and he will deal with her the way he’s dealt with his other loose ends.
But the FBI are watching Madison, protecting her so will they get to her in time before Khan does? But they’ve also discovered where Khan and his cohorts are actually going to meet up, so can they stop whatever it is that is going to happen at the event, in time.
There-in lies the story, and to find out more you have to buy the book.
I was totally engrossed in this book, it was a real page turner and although I didn’t know what the book was meant to be about initially, I was totally mesmerised and drown into this thriller. The writing is impeccable and the short chapters (which I loved) kept you reading and fully engaged with the characters and the plot lines of the story. This book is absolutely brilliant and I have to say the best thriller I have read in quite awhile.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is a thriller about a group of Al Qaeda operatives that are unleashing another presumed attack decades after 9'11. It follows multiple POV's, agents, civilians and operatives, through the cat and mouse chase to prevent/allow this attack to happen.
This story covers the trauma, aftermath and impending fear that lives in everyone's hearts of another attack.
I am never really certain how I feel about books that revolve around 9'11 content. I am going to leave that statement as just that because I could go on for hours and I will run out of characters. I thought that the story was very intriguing. I was consistently on my toes. There was, I felt, too many liberates taken with regards to the certain characters roles within the plot but I'll say desperate times I guess. I also felt that this lead to some aspects and characters of the story to be very unreliable/unbelievable. I am still on the fence of how much I liked this story. 2.75-3 Stars.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me ARC access of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a thoroughly enjoyable read! I devoured this book in three sittings, it was that engaging. Imagine the September 11th mastermind was still alive and in America. That's what the author did. And what a masterful job. With minimal flights of fancy and with a knack for suspenseful, page-turning writing, Mr. Pederson crafts an all-too-real story that might be happening today.
A la Nelson DeMille's, "The Lion" character, TJ Khan is evil to the core, and set on crashing America's society into the ground. The fate of the country is in the hands of a young woman whose father died in one of the twin towers crashes. Working with the myriad acronistic US government agencies, with unbound resources, good versus evil converge for a last second showdown.
Taut writing, convincing characters and a believable premise all make "Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds" an engrossing novel. Well done!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Madison moves to California to start anew and maybe try to overcome her losses. Little she knows that her life will turn upside down in view of the challenges she will have to face. Her new boss does not put her at ease and estrange things start to happen at her new home; her work environment is also not welcoming, the only positive is getting to meet Will at the Survivor's Meeting. All intelligence agencies and the Army are looking for a terrorist that might not have died on the attack of 9/11, it's necessary to understand what he's doing and planning and Madison will play an important role in discovering the truth. Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is a rollercoster of emotions, fast-paced, well-written, it grabs the reader's attention from the beginning. Highly recommended! I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Madison leaves Boston and her painful early life having lost her father on 911, and accepts a job as an executive assistant in a Silicon Valley company. She learns that the woman in the job before her died a tragic death. Madison struggles emotionally, and she is gripped by intense fear when she meets her very charming boss. He reminds her of someone. Due to her intense research, Madison gets caught up with the FBI and CIA in a high stakes conspiracy. The story is a captivating and suspenseful thriller with links to a specific and horrendous historical event. I’ve never read anything by this author, and his character development and attention to detail is excellent in this complex book. With thanks to Netgalley and Raconteur 888 for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
I like my thrillers to move fast, and this one didn’t disappoint!
The opening to this novel is probably my favorite of any contemporary novel—it sucks you right in and gives you a jolt of adrenaline.
Our main character is Madison, who, as an adult, finds herself still battling with the trauma of losing her dad in 9/11. Her obsession over the event eventually pulls her into a complicated mystery that she races to solve in order to lay her demons to rest.
The book missed out on a 5th star from me because I felt the characters lacked a depth I craved and because I had to overlook events that seemed like convenient ways to move the plot along. Finally, much of this book’s action is set in Louisiana, specifically New Orleans. Like Hollywood often goes, this book also doesn’t quite capture what our state is like or how we talk. But, if you can watch Interview with a Vampire and be convinced that those actors are using a NOLA accent, then my criticism on this point will likely not take away from your enjoyment of this book.
It’s clear that the author is a talented writer: I laughed, I worried, my heart rate went up as the pages flew by.
I don’t want to give much of the plot away, but I will end with this: the mystery at the center of this story unsettled me greatly, and that is because it’s not at all implausible that 9/11 was just the beginning of a decades-long plan.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
**7/4/24: It is my understanding that many of the items that initially lowered my rating of this book will be addressed before its publication next year.
This book was everything that I would have never expected. After starting her job as an executive assistant, Madison noticed that there is something amiss about her boss. She can't help but investigate. Little does she know, this could be the beginning of a very deadly mistake. The real story seemed a little slow to start, which almost made me give up. I'm so glad I didn't. After a few chapters, I was at the edge of my seat and I couldn't help but stay up all night to finish it. Definitely worth the read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for making this book available to me in exchange for an honest review.