Customer Reviews

Nine

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Good character development - there's Alex, a homicide detective, with complicated family relationships. He investigates a murder where a large numeral 9 is left painted on the wall. Gripping plot -- the 9 goes on to be a 7 and 8 -- there's a serial killing in progress. What could NINE mean? Jan Burke develops great scenes showing how and why all the little individual pieces tie together into a Project Nine. A surprising twist adds to the flavor of the book.

I am a big fan of the Irene Kelly series and at first was a little reticent of reading a novel by Jan Burke that did not have Irene as the main character. Luckily I discovered that my fears were completely unfounded and that the quality of this novel is as good as the rest of Burke's work, if not better.

Four young men are the main participants in a group called Project Nine, whose mission is to take justice into their own hands by killing the criminals that are listed in the FBI's Most Wanted list. The members of the group are all former Sedgewick students, which is a school well known for harboring rich kids who have had problems in various areas (school, trouble with police, etc). The murderers use a very distinct method, and detective Alex Brandon finds clear similarities with a previous case in his career. The killer in that prior case ended up being murdered by his stepson, Kit, who was only eleven years at that time.

The author not only presents a highly interesting and complex plot in terms of the reasons behind the actions of the characters, but also does an amazing job in depicting Alex and Kit, and also in intertwining elements of their personal life into the story. Each time I grab a book written by Jan Burke I find myself surprised not only by the highly entertaining stories she creates, but also by the outstanding quality of her writing. This is probably why she has won numerous prizes, including the prestigious Edgar Award. This work has convinced me: besides waiting for the next Irene Kelly novel, I will grab anything this author writes!

It happens. You start a book with high expectations for whatever reason --- the inside cover summary, a friend's recommendation or, heaven forbid, some nebbish reviewer --- and you're disappointed. The converse also happens, however. You're not expecting much when you crack the binding on the book and the next thing you know you're halfway through the story before you even think about putting it down --- kind of like being abducted by aliens, without the probes, if you will.

That's the sort of out-of-body experience I encountered when I picked up NINE by Jan Burke. I wasn't really familiar with Burke's previous work, more by accident than by design, so I approached NINE with a tabula rosa impression, an impression that is now indelibly etched into my memory. NINE is as complex and gripping a thriller as you may well read this year.

The premise of NINE revolves around an unknown perpetrator or perpetrators who are dramatically and theatrically murdering the individuals listed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List. The first, a drug kingpin who executed a potential witness against him, along with the witness's family, is strung up and left to die with his lifeblood draining from him. The mourners who attended this gentleman's demise could be counted on the end of one stump. The unknown individual who hastened his journey to the other side of the veil is quickly heralded as a hero. As the remaining individuals on the FBI's list are dispatched with efficient and creative rapidity, the public is enthralled. Detective Alex Brandon of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is not among the cheerleaders, however. The executions bear an eerie resemblance to the murders carried out by a serial killer, now deceased, some ten years previous; they appear to be done for the purpose of carrying out a taunting message to Brandon. As his investigation continues, Brandon becomes more and more certain that The Executioners, as the media has dubbed them, are actually targeting him. Burke almost loses her way at the end --- the ending almost seems a bit contrived --- but she ultimately manages to pull things off, coming back in a satisfying epilogue to tidy things up quite neatly and satisfactorily.

NINE will introduce Burke fans to a whole new cast of characters. While the main focus of the book is Detective Brandon, the supporting characters are so interesting that they ultimately come close to high-jacking the book away from him. While NINE functions quite nicely as a stand-alone, independent work, it would seem a shame for Burke not to utilize Brandon and his supporting cast of characters in future novels. Whatever Burke might choose to do, however, NINE will undoubtedly bring a legion of new readers to her work.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

It is indeed a rare occassion when I rate anything (book or otherwise) with such a high rating, but in this case, a novel by Jan Burke, "NINE," deserve's it. I thought this writer's story about vigilantes (heroes or murders) was one of the best books I have ever read. And take my word for it I read plenty! A lot of characters to keep the reader on their toes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to read this book again.

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST THRILLER I HAVE EVER READ. I'M GOING TO WAIT A COUPLE OF YEARS AND THEN READ IT AGAIN.

THE CHARACTER'S ARE VERY INTERESTING, TO SAY THE LEAST, AND VERY WELL DEVELOPED.

THE PLOT TO KILL THE 10 MOST WANTED CRIMINALS ON THE FBI'S MOST WANTED LIST IS JUST GENIUS. AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THESE YOUNG MEN PULL IT OFF JUST MAKES ME GRIN. (I WON'T GIVE IT AWAY FOR YOU.)

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BOOKS WHERE I COULDN'T GUESS THE END, AND I USUALLY CAN. AND THE ENDING WAS FANTASTIC. IT ENDED EXACTLY HOW I WANTED IT TO. (WON'T GIVE THAT AWAY EITHER)

I NEVER WANTED TO PUT THIS DOWN; I NEVER GOT BORED; AND I COULD NEVER GUESS WHAT WAS COMING NEXT. NOW THAT'S A BOOK WORTH 10 STARS.

I cowardly approached Nine much as I did Flight in that I miss Irene and I knew neither Irene nor Frank were in Nine. I had a slow start as all the different characters were a bit confusing. As I have read all Jan Burke's books, I guess I should have more faith that she doesn't disappoint. I finally had to put Nine down around 12:30am only because I could barely keep my eyes open. The book has been summarized by others so I won't repeat. Just wanted to give my highest recommendation for another winner from Jan Burke.

Edgar and Agatha award winner Jan Burke has done it again with this exciting tale of serial killers who are applauded as heros because they systematically torture and kill some of society's worst criminals. Always one step ahead of the police, a band of villains take out even worse villains in particularly gruesome ways. Along the way, we meet Kit Logan, who killed his stepfather who was brutually murdering women in the same way the FBI's most wanted criminals are being killed. Kit, who has never psychologically recovered from his abusive childhood ,is on the trail of his long time friend Gabe, on the FBI list for suspected murder. Not only does Kit want to protect Gabe but also his beautiful sister Meghan, who Kit is secretly in love with. Meanwhile Sheriff Alex Brandon, in charge of the case, finds very few clues until Kit tips him off on connections leading to the murderers. As loved ones of both Alex and Kit are put in harm's way, the clock ticks away valuable time while the killers are making their final grandstand.

The characters of the good guys Kit, Meghan, Kit's ward,Spooky, Alex, and his nephew and uncle are well drawn; we come to know and like them. On the other hand, we don't learn much about the bad guys and their motives--why are they doing this and what are they trying to achieve. Nevertheless, Nine is an exciting story and I postponed several activities so I could find out the ending, which has a great buildup and a surprise twist.

Jan Burke's new thriller, "Nine," is a complicated suspense novel with so many characters and such a dense plot that it may confuse the casual reader. After finishing the book, I went back to the beginning to figure out exactly what had happened and why.

"Nine" deals with vigilantes who have decided to kill all of the suspects on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. They methodically track down these felons, then torture and kill them. Many people across the country applaud the vigilantes, since they are catching dangerous criminals who have thus far eluded the FBI's dragnet.

However, Los Angeles Homicide Detective Alex Brandon does not applaud the vigilantes; he considers them to be criminals, not heroes. As Alex gets more deeply involved in the case, he finds to his horror that the perpetrators may be targeting not just wanted felons, but him, as well.

Although Burke is a talented writer who knows how to build suspense, "Nine" has some glaring weaknesses. The vigilantes are cardboard characters whose motivations and behavior are implausible. Most of the dialogue is stilted and the plot becomes more far-fetched as the book lumbers on to its melodramatic conclusion. At almost 400 pages, "Nine" is too long, and it goes off in too many directions. Tighter editing might have helped the book flow more smoothly. Although "Nine" does provide thrills and gore galore, I did not find it realistic or truly entertaining.

Fans used to the Jan Burke's Irene Kelly character are going to be in for a rude shock when they pick this book up. Irene Kelly is gone and this book may signal the beginnings of a brand new series character as well as a more intense, graphically disturbing writing style. The results, while at times disturbing, created an intense read that makes this book live up to the billing on the front cover "a novel of suspense."

This is an exceedingly difficult book to review, as there are three main storylines of equal importance with numerous overlapping plot points. As such, I am forced to simplify greatly while trying to avoid giving away major elements of the plot. The main thing is to understand that this is simply a very good book.

As the book opens, Homicide Detective Alex Brandon of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has been called out to the site of a gruesome murder. Someone has been carefully hung upside down from the ceiling of a bathroom. The individual was repeatedly tortured and then, through the use of an anti-coagulant injection allowed to slowly bleed out through numerous small cuts into the bathtub until dead. He has been dead sometime but he is readily identifiable as Bernado Adrianos, one of the top ten on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. Along with killing him, his killer has also helpfully written the number nine in his blood on the bathroom mirror.

The killing reminds Detective Brandon of another case from many years ago involving Kit Logan. At this same time, Kit Logan is at his expensive home in Colorado. The victim of horrific child abuse, which is detailed graphically in the novel, he has tried desperately to put his past aside by isolating himself. But isolation has not turned out to be the answer and once again, his enemies seem to be moving in on him.

The third storyline involves Everett Corey who is a manipulative sociopath with twisted ideas fueled by his own past history of child abuse. He seeks revenge and as the third point on the abuse triangle he is going to stop at nothing to manipulate Logan and Detective Brandon to get his way. He has a plan and a machine and intends to get his revenge for perceived slights from many years ago.

The three storylines are steadily weaved tighter and tighter as the body count climbs until an incredible climax that covers the last fifty pages of this very enjoyable novel. At times, this book is very disturbing in that the theme of child abuse at various levels touched all three characters (as well as others in the work) and had major impacts on their lives. The child abuse sections are very graphic in description and as a parent I found them to be disturbing. However, these scenes are necessary to the work and not gratuitous as they provide fundamental explanations of character development.

As such, this is not an Irene Kelly book. The writing is intense with the characters having multiple levels of depth and complex emotions and motivations. This book lives up to its billing and then some and is well worth the read. From the jacket copy as well as the novel itself, it would not surprise me a bit if this turned out to be the launching pad for a whole new series and if so, Jan Burke has her work cut out for her to beat this one.

Malibu, California is the location of Sedgewick a school where the rich send their offspring who get in trouble with the law. These juvenile offenders bought their way out of jail time and while Everett Corey was there he put together a gang that stayed close friends once they left the school. These wealthy adults are, with the help of friends in very high places, kidnapping and killing the members on FBI's ten most wanted list.

They are not doing this for altruistic reasons but for the adrenaline high and to thumb their noses at authority. The group is also going after people they have a grudge against including LAPD homicide detective Alex Hartwick, Meg Taggert and former Sedgewick student Kit Logan. To lure this enemy threesome into a trap, they use the people that the trio care most for as hostages.

NINE is a dark and gritty urban noir crime thriller that is nothing at all like the author's Irene Kelly series. For the most part readers don't care about the villains or heroes one way or another. The good guys and gals are remote and distant while the villains are simply nasty so it is difficult to relate to anyone, yet the story line is very exciting and is full of action packed high drama and adventure.

Harriet Klausner