Ninth and Nowhere

4 4 out of 5 stars | 4,996 ratings

Price: 1.99

Last update: 07-03-2024


About this item

Seven strangers. Two hours. One tragic moment of violence that changes everything.

In this electrifying short story by New York Times bestselling author of The Never Game Jeffery Deaver, the destinies of seven strangers intersect in ways no one sees coming. It looks like just another gray March morning in the tough urban district nicknamed Nowhere when seven lives converge: a young man intent on buying a gun; the gangbanger who cuts him a deal; a by-the-book police officer on a last patrol; an advertising executive keeping secrets from her husband; a veteran haunted by a combat death; a single dad in a bitter custody battle; and a sharp-looking businessman en route to a new job he desperately needs. Any one of them could have a dark motive. Any one of them could be walking into a trap. When the fog lifts, it will all be much clearer—that a single, shattering act of violence has marked each of them forever.


Top reviews from the United States

Beast's Beauty
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!!!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
I have always been a Jeffery Deaver fan but his shorts are even better. The way he intertwines yhe lives of five major characters with side characters in such concise and tight way but leave room to your own imagination is sheer brilliance.

The narrator is new to me and I am soooo loving his voice..perfect pitch, intonation and just enough ummph to make you want to listen.

Brilliant, I say, Brilliant!!!!!!!
A Lady
4.0 out of 5 stars NINTH AND NOWHERE: A Short Novella by Jeffery Denver (An Amazon Original Story)
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2022
Well, I actually liked this story a lot more than I expected to. I wasn't too sure from the start if it was really something I wanted to invest my time or money on, but I'm glad I stuck with it because it got really good and really interesting. There were a couple surprises I never, ever saw coming and Mr. Deaver reminded me of the old life lesson we tend to forget: never judge a book by its cover. Overall it was a very intriguing and fast paced tale that will have you questioning any preconceived notions you may have had.

My only real complaint would be that there were too many people to keep track of and no time to really get to know them. This aspect is also what makes the story so unique though since all of their lives intersect on one fateful day, time, and place. I also loved that everyone seemed to get the ending they deserved and the fact that good conquers over evil. It is definitely not a light read however and has plenty of language some may find offensive. Overall I still enjoyed this short but thrilling tale though and would easily recommend it.

Note: I read the kindle edition while simultaneously listening to the audio book. The narrator (JD Jackson) did a great job with his many voices, but especially all the men. The women were a little too breathy but not bad considering. There's no question that his narration enhanced my reading experience however and I won't hesitate to listen to more audio books by him ????
sue g
3.0 out of 5 stars A short story about 7 strangers and the possibilities and the twists life can take
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
a short story with memorable characters that I would like to see again.
A handful of people are brought together one morning at 9th and Nowhere in the city. A Police officer, an army vet, a black teen who needs a gun and the guy he gets the gun from, a man who stops to buy flowers for his teenage daughter white business man on his first day at a new job, and a white woman on her way to a meeting with at a hotel with a man who is not her husband.
EB
5.0 out of 5 stars A short burst of brilliance
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024
Some stories are twisty, others spiral around until you don't know which way you'll get through to the end.... Jeffery Deaver has fashioned a short, perfect little tale that shoots inward to a center core that explodes. Starting with characters who have nothing in common with each other, Deaver unwinds the tale by dropping a string of breadcrumbs for you to follow. So you read along, not sure where you're going... then you're with another character, and he starts dropping breadcrumbs again. It's Deaver, so you follow them.

I love stories like this: I'm puzzled and entranced and tempted to flip through the pages, but then I remind myself I'm in the hands of a master and it will be worth it.

And it was.
Blue Eyes
4.0 out of 5 stars Several different lives intersect randomly
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2024
A combat vet with PTSD, on the street begging for just enough to get a bottle of cheap wine. A young black man buying a pistol, reason unknown. Am older policeman reassigned for the day from desk duty to patrol. A woman leaving her house and sleeping husband, surreptitiously, to meet another man.

What is the final outcome?
C Wm (Andy) Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars For Max Pleasure, Listen to Free Audible Edition as You Read - BUT BEWARE the Profanities...
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2019
Brilliant, Complex, Thriller - Read Twice Back to Back

I recollect my professor in English Literature praising American short story writers. She asserted that, unlike novelists, writers of the USA excelled the Europeans because they wasted not a single word. I didn’t quibble with her, for she was a French immigrant and seemed to be far more wedded to the craft of reading and reviewing than I shall ever be.

In “Ninth and Nowhere” we have three or four stories intertwined into what feels almost as deep as a full-length novel. The first time I ‘read it,’ I actually listened to the free Audible edition using my Alexa Dot, while I assembled a new exercise bike I got through Amazon Vine. By the end of the story, I found myself a bit confused about who did what.

So, I stopped assembling, and read the book while also listening to the outstanding Audible narrator. Very rare that I actually read again after listening, but it was worth every second spent immersed in this thriller.

BLUSH FACTOR: As another reviewer indicated, this is not a work to read aloud to youngsters or your prayer group. Your elder may or may not care for the frequent eff-words. As for me, well, a few such profanities goes a long way, artistically, to set the tone. Still, I was so glued to every word that I was able to dismiss the excesses.

WRITING & EDITING: Professionally written and edited.

STAND-ALONE OR CLIFFHANGER ENDING: This is a stand-alone thriller.

PLOT OR CHARACTER: Complex intertwined plots but with surprisingly terrific character development.

BOTTOM LINE

One of the most terrific short stories I’ve read in many years.

Despite the profanities, I’m rating this at five stars out of five.
Michelle Sporlein
4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2023
Pretty good for how short it is. Love how all these strangers lives are intertwined. Will read more by author.
Ana Maria
3.0 out of 5 stars Not electrifying, but a decent short read
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2019
While `Ninth and Nowhere` didn't overly impressed me as a great written book, it was as interesting quick read. The book plays upon the way the life of people with little in common can collide. I liked how the drama of each character is captured, the author did a decent job of developing the characters in such a short story.

I read this book as a Kindle Single, with Audio narration; the Kindle experience on my smartphone was good, but I found the tone of the narration a little boring; the narrators tone was too linear, I almost didn't noticed as he switched between characters.

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