Nine Pines

by Kiersten Modglin

Nine Pines Inn is a safe place.
At least it was until a young girl disappeared during her stay.

On a mission to learn about her enigmatic past, Lennon understands one the truth lies at Nine Pines. But as the whispers and rumors surrounding the inn’s history pique her curiosity, the allure of the mystery still haunting the place draws her in.

In a small town where gossip is traded as currency, Lennon’s instincts about whom to trust will be put to the ultimate test as she seeks the truth about where she came from and just what secrets the old inn is hiding.

Miles away, Ingrid’s husband is lying.
At least his cryptic behavior would suggest he is.

Determined to get to the bottom of his suspicious activity, Ingrid partners with a stranger to test him. But when the woman who meets her husband for the setup suddenly vanishes, Ingrid finds herself buried beneath more questions than she started with.

Is there an innocent explanation for the woman’s disappearance? Or is the answer something much more sinister?

To the rest of the world, the missing girls have been forgotten. As both women dig deeper for clues, nothing could prepare them for the dark and disturbing truths just waiting to be unearthed…

Settle in for a heart-pounding, read-in-one-sitting domestic suspense packed with menacing secrets, catastrophic revelations, and a terrifying search for answers alongside two women who will leave no stone unturned.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2025

About the author

KIERSTEN MODGLIN is a #1 bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her books have sold over two million copies and been translated into multiple languages. Kiersten is a member of International Thriller Writers, Novelists, Inc., and the Alliance of Independent Authors. She is a KDP Select All-Star and a recipient of ThrillerFix's Best Psychological Thriller Award, Suspense Magazine's Best Book of 2021 Award, a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense, and a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Overall Book of 2021. Kiersten grew up in rural western Kentucky and later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now lives with her family. Kiersten's readers across the world lovingly refer to her as "KMod." A binge-watching expert, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her favorite people and evenings with her nose in a book.

CONNECT WITH KIERSTEN:

➜ WEBSITE: kierstenmodglinauthor.com
➜ NEWSLETTER: kierstenmodglinauthor.com/nlsignup
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ KMOD SQUAD: facebook.com/groups/kmodsquad
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ THREADS: threads.net/@kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ TEXT ALERTS: kierstenmodglinauthor.com/textalerts


Kiersten Modglin may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:

➜ kierstenmodglinauthor.com/events

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sorry, but this didn’t work for me. After it all was revealed it felt kind of pointless, it was like there was one secret too many and not exciting ones at that.

[daniela weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

kiersten's 50th book
and my favorite so far
dragged me in so easily
not even all its romantic
vibes could bother me. ♡

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good Kiersten Modglin book. Quick, fun, twisty read.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book completely blind as KMod is typically an automatic read for me, and this one is easily a top favorite!

This story is a well-crafted domestic thriller with a compellingly backdrop, genuinely surprising plot twists, and unpredictable characters. I suggest just going in blind but know that Modglin's talent for building suspense is truly noteworthy.

Side note: A massive congratulations to KMod on her incredible achievement of publishing her 50th book! This milestone speaks volumes about her commitment, ingenuity, and love for writing. The added bonus of spotting easter eggs of her previous titles made the reading experience even more engaging!

[Carol Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing

I love all of her books but this was a little confusing. Trying to keep straight who was who and who's mother was theirs. I really had to concentrate at the end for it to make sense.

[Kristen McClellan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was… incredibly boring. Read until the end in hopes the rave reviews would make it worth it. Where was the twist? It was mediocre. Incredibly disappointing.

[TwinreadsandReds-Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Zena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but bored the entire book. Nothing was exciting and it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat. Lots of characters and hard to follow the storyline. I used to get excited for KMod books, not so much anymore.

[Darlene Hayes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usually I love this author….
Nine Pines was so convoluted and confusing
It was ridiculous. So many characters were other people etc. not a fluid storyline at all. I don’t like to have to work this hard when I’m reading a fiction book

[Zizi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was twisty and a good thriller for fall vibes. 3.7

[Holly Cerutti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hit it out of the park!!

Oh my Kiersten, you did it again!! Book 50!! This is my absolute favorite now!! This book had it all!! Betrayal at it's best!!! Ingrid is my girl!! I would love a follow up book to see how her future goes!! That would be amazing!! I love how everyone's story intertwined with each other!! Absolutely amazing!!!

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

NINE PINES BY THE LITTLE LEGEND THAT IS KIERSTEN MODGLIN.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
First off I want to say congratulations on book 50. You are AMAZING and I just LOVE YOU.
The dedication was so sweet but so sad. 🧡
Book bingo is so fun to play along with as your reading. I read this book so slow so that I didn't miss any words and I still missed some 😂.
I think I loved this book just as much as I love HEMLOCK and I will be reading this one many times again in the future. Mrs modglin high five and BRAVO once again.
You smash these psychological thrillers perfectly.
I have devoured this book and everything has been put on hold until I finished this book.
Thank you for just being you and thank you for making me feel at home 🥰🧡

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Nine Pines the day it came out, curious to see what Kiersten Modglin had crafted for her 50th book—and let me say, the first 80% had me flipping pages like a madwoman. The eerie setting of the Nine Pines Inn, the dual storylines, the layered characters—it all worked. I was completely pulled in by the mystery of the missing girl and the creepy, isolated atmosphere.

The pacing in the beginning is near perfect. The suspense builds naturally, and the minimal love story was a nice touch—it added warmth without overpowering the central mystery. I honestly thought I was heading into a five-star thriller.

But then... the last 20%.

This is where things started to unravel for me. The twisty reveals should’ve been satisfying, but instead, they felt like they were grasping too hard to connect every thread. The explanation behind the missing girls, and how it all tied into one character’s backstory, stretched believability way too far. The reason behind the husband's bizarre behavior? That too felt unnecessarily convoluted—and not in a good “wow I didn’t see that coming” way, but in a “wait, what just happened?” kind of way.

I appreciate Modglin’s ambition here—she took big swings, and I respect that. But some of the logic just didn’t land. It felt like everything was being tied up a bit too conveniently, even when it didn’t make sense.

That said, it’s still a book worth reading. The ride is wild, and for fans of fast-paced psychological thrillers, the first chunk is absolutely thrilling. I just wish the ending had been as tight and grounded as the beginning.

Pros
Fantastic opening and middle: Gripping pacing, eerie setting, compelling characters.

Atmospheric tension: The Nine Pines Inn and small-town setting are well-developed.

Mini love story: Subtle but sweet, added emotional depth.

Dual timelines: Kept the suspense strong and layered.

Cons
Illogical plot resolutions: The final explanation for the missing girls and how it was all connected felt forced and far-fetched.

Weak character motivation: The husband's behavior and the girl’s setup to meet him were not convincingly explained.

Rushed conclusion: The final 20% felt more confusing than shocking—major threads were tied up in a way that didn’t quite hold up to scrutiny.

Final verdict: Not perfect, but still worth a read—especially if you're a Modglin fan or just love a binge-worthy thriller.

[Katrina (Catching up on Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dang… it just ended like that? That’s it? 😭

The story is told through two points of view for the most part. Ingrid knows something is off. She suspects her husband is lying, but is he cheating? She sets him up in a clever little test, and he appears to pass. Still, something doesn’t sit right with her. When Ingrid tries to track down the other woman, it’s like the woman vanishes into thin air and that’s when things really start to spiral. It’s a fast, twisty read, but that ending left me needing just a little more.

[Erin Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all...book 50!!!!
So freaking proud of you, friend!

Holy crap! I loved this one so much. A little romance and a lot of what the heck?!?! My favorite combo!

Kiersten has a wonderful way of capturing you from the very beginning and holding a grip on you until the very end! She's the epitome of great storytelling.

I love the guessing game and trying to figure out the twists. I rarely can which just makes the experience more fun! I loved the reflection on all of the previous books and the fun Easter eggs woven within.

Cool. 😉

[Meghann_84 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
I really enjoyed this one. When I was first reading this I thought wow how can Ingrid and Lennon be connected? The way she connected them was perfect! The plot twists were wild! This is why Kiersten Modglin is one of my favorite authors! I could not put this book down!
- E📖

[Stacy Legg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far favorite book by Kiersten Modglin. I was so invested that I read it in one sitting. Really enjoyed it!

[Kay Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new thriller from Modglin follows two story lines. Lennon, a young woman whose parents passed leaving her with the knowledge that she was adopted. The DNA results lead her to a small-town inn where she finds out her biological mother as been dead for years, her new aunt is a peculiar and prickly woman and her only source to family history, and the town holds some dark secrets and mysterious characters. And then there's Ingrid who suspects her partner of cheating, so she hires a woman who specializes in uncovering such truths. But after the encounter between the hired help and Ingrid's partner, things are even weirder.

I had absolutely no idea how in the world these two storylines would ever collide. But around the 60 percent mark, I started to out some of the puzzle together. I definitely didn't guess it all, though, and was totally blown away.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not vibing with this one. I didn’t like the twists, and dare I say, this was a little TOO twisty. It just made it seem far fetched.

[Amy Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nine Pines is a quick, intriguing mystery that blends small-town secrets, missing-person suspense, and just a touch of romance. As always with Kiersten Modglin’s books, I found myself flying through the pages. Her writing style is simple, fast-paced, and addictive. Her pacing is one of my favorite things. She knows how to keep a story moving without unnecessary filler.

The story follows Lennon, who checks into the Nine Pines Inn looking for answers about her past. The inn, once considered a safe haven, is now the center of whispers and mystery after a young girl disappeared during her stay. From there, the plot unfolds with a blend of curiosity, local gossip, and the weight of long-buried secrets.

One of the strengths of this book is its character development. Lennon is well written, and I appreciated the emotional layers she brought to the story. I connected with her journey, and while I didn’t feel deeply moved, I was invested in her outcome. The supporting characters also had just enough depth to keep things interesting, and the setting of the inn created a solid atmosphere.

That said, my biggest critique is that the book felt a bit like a sampler platter; a little suspense, a little romance, a little mystery - but not quite enough of anything to really dig into. I kept turning the pages wanting to go deeper, to uncover more secrets, or to sit longer in those moments of tension… and then the scene would change. It wasn’t that anything was missing, it just felt like each element needed a bit more space to breathe. A longer book could have allowed for a fuller payoff.

And the ending? No spoilers here, but let’s just say I need more information. There are certain threads that felt unresolved, and I couldn’t help but hope for a sequel or a spinoff to give us more closure.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in dual storylines, the characters are layered and interesting. Lennon is deep into a mystery, trying to figure out what really happened to a little girl who vanished from the Nine Pines Inn years ago. Ingrid, on the other hand, is trying to find out if her husband is cheating. The two storylines eventually come together, but I’ll admit when everything was revealed, I had to rewind and listen again just to connect all the dots. The ending felt a bit rushed and left me a little confused. I really enjoyed Ingrid’s storyline. There was a sense of found family with many of the townspeople, and I loved that dynamic. Lennon is definitely an overthinker and analyzes everything, which honestly made me wonder if that’s how I am. So I was able to connect with her.
The full cast brought the characters to life. The narrators, Jennifer Pickens, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Dawn Harvey, and Candace Fitzgerald did a wonderful job portraying their characters. I really enjoyed their tones and inflections used. They all had distinct voices and it was easy to tell which character was speaking.

A very special thanks to High Gravity Productions for the gifted ALC.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine Pines
By: Kiersten Modglin
Pub date: April 7, 2025
Publisher: Bitter House Publishing

FIRST off, CONGRATULATIONS on Book #50. She had a promo and I scored Room #10.
🌲
I don’t know how Modglin comes up with her ideas, but I am always up for EVERY RELEASE!!! The cover is stunning and the story kept my imagination on overdrive.
🌲
I always enjoy a small town story where you know there are plenty of secrets, lies and digging into someone’s past proves problematic.
🌲
Two story lines that weaved in a way that I never expected. A cheating husband, a possible DNA match, a missing girls, a country inn, a mystery, and a marriage put to the ultimate test. This one had my mind spinning to find out what was truly happening at Nine Pines.
🌲
Thank you for the bingo card. One of the fun things about this book is she listed all the titles of all 50 books. So much FUN and the titles fit perfectly with this story.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 i had every theory imaginable and also didn't trust a single person the whole time

[Molly DeWitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well… that took a turn.

[Brenna Chavez · Rating 3 out of 5]

my new fave author

I’m really starting to like Kiersten Modglin‘s books. This one was a very easy read under 300 pages. Just a few too many confusing characters. The twist at the end was pretty crazy though!

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Jenny Royster · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! This was great and twisty, thought I had it figured out but nope! I gasped at the end too, that's how I know it was good!!

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Journal Details
Book: Nine Pines by Kiersten Modglin
Format Read: Audiobook (6 hours, 8 minutes)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Quick Take
Strong atmosphere and solid twists, but the dual plotlines never quite harmonize.  Great narration saves a muddled mystery.

Full Review
Kiersten Modglin delivers another web of deceit and tension in Nine Pines, this time weaving two very different storylines: Lennon's stay at the eerie Nine Pines Inn and Ingrid's growing suspicion that her husband is cheating. 

For a while, it feels like reading two different novels stitched together—you're never quite sure how a small town mystery and a domestic suspicion will converge.  Eventually they do, but the journey there is a little bumpy.

The shifting perspectives and timelines can be confusing early on, but Modglin's knack for atmosphere and for writing flawed-but-believable characters keeps things from unraveling.  The psychological tension, the low hum of romance, and the sharp final twist all land well enough to make the listen a worthwhile one.

What really elevated this one for me was the audiobook narration: crisp, emotive, and perfectly paced.  It lent the story an edge that the plot itself sometimes lost.  I just wish the intersection of the two narratives had felt more organic and the resolution slightly more satisfying.  The mystique was there, but the payoff less so.

Features & Vibes
🎭 Dual timelines felt like passing ships
🌲 Small town secrets and creeping tension
💔 Deception, suspicion, and moral gray areas
🎧 Narration glues the story together

[Marie Wikle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous 50th book for this author. Making my way through all of her books.