L. V. Pederson’s Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is a taut, high-octane thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seat from the very first page. With its fast-paced plot, intense action sequences, and a compelling central mystery, this novel is a must-read for fans of pulse-pounding suspense and psychological tension.

The story follows a protagonist who finds themselves entangled in a high-stakes, life-or-death situation, with only nine minutes and eleven seconds to solve a critical problem before disaster strikes. Pederson does an excellent job of crafting a sense of urgency and tension, with each moment feeling fraught with danger. The short, sharp chapters keep the pacing tight, making the novel feel like a non-stop ride filled with twists and turns.

The central premise is intriguing, and Pederson uses the countdown mechanism effectively, drawing the reader into the ticking clock of the narrative. As the story unfolds, the protagonist is forced to confront not just external threats but also internal struggles and dilemmas that add depth to their character. The stakes feel incredibly high, and the tension builds steadily as the clock ticks down.

The characters are engaging and multifaceted, with the protagonist’s vulnerability and determination making them relatable and easy to root for. The supporting characters also contribute to the intensity of the story, although some of their motivations and backgrounds could have been explored in more detail. Still, the emotional stakes of the narrative are solid, and the characters' responses to the unfolding crisis make them feel authentic.

While the pacing is generally strong, there are moments when the plot feels a bit predictable, especially for seasoned thriller readers who are familiar with similar high-stakes scenarios. Some of the twists are not entirely unexpected, but Pederson’s writing keeps the tension high, making these moments enjoyable despite their predictability.

In conclusion, Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is an engaging, fast-paced thriller that delivers plenty of action, suspense, and emotional depth. L. V. Pederson’s ability to create a sense of urgency and tension makes this a gripping read, even if some twists may feel familiar. Overall, it’s a solid choice for readers who enjoy intense thrillers with a ticking clock, dramatic stakes, and well-executed suspense.

Firstly, thank you to the publisher for the review copy. I had DNFed this book and will not be finishing.

Definitely an interesting POV. You think it's the main character then nope it's a third person. The story draws you in in Maddie going crazy or are strangely dressed people really following her.
It's a different style of thriller but pulls you in from the start. I'd say more YA based on characters. Pretty good story over all.

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds was an adrenaline packed read full of drama, intrigue, and suspense.

I enjoyed L.V. Pederson's writing style, it was easy to read. It had my interest from the very first chapter.
At times, I feel it could have been more condensed. It went on a bit longer than it maybe should have.

It was a solid read, I enjoyed it, but I don't think I'll remember it for too long.

3 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Recontier 888, and íL.V. Pederson for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so intrigued by the first half of this book. I couldn’t put it down! I did start to feel like it got dramatic and drawn out, particularly the last 25%. It seemed like the writing was better suited for an action script.

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was an interesting twist on a pretty generic plot! My husband and i don’t read a ton of the same books but i think this one will be enjoyed by readers of many genres!

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds, the story starts out small. A young woman is killed in a deliberate hit and run. Then shortly after, Madison gets the opportunity to replace the victim, working in a tech firm. Madison has never gotten over her father dying in one of the flights on 9/11, and sees this cross country move as a fresh start.

The first third of the book is Madison having suspicions about her intense boss, Khan. The second third is about the chase to understand, and the last third is the chase. The story picked up steam as it moved ahead, and was flying with action by the end.

The plot aims large, with a villain that has meticulously and patiently played the long game to mastermind a plot to rival the carnage of the original 9/11 terrorist act.

I read that the author has a background in film, and it shows, with crisp short chapters, and in the end, action that I could almost hear someone saying "Cut!" at the end. This is not a criticism at all. I just mean that it was easy to visualize this being played out on a screen because of the manner in which it was written, and his background explained that to my mind.

This was a relentlessly tense and action-packed read with a big storyline and a brave heroine. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley, L.V.Pederson, and Raconteur Press 888 for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely disliked this book from start to finish and forced myself to finish it. I do not even know where to start with this mess of a book. I liked the idea of a true event turned fiction. I did not like that this book took a catastrophic, traumatizing event of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the U.S. and posed the idea of one of the terrorists surviving. Appalling and not in good taste. IMO.

Another issue is that this book was in need of some major editing. The over use of exclamation points was off-putting and distracting while trying to suffer through the reading experience of this book. Has the author ever heard of a period, question mark, semi-colon and other punctuation marks? Geez, use your copy-writer and editor!!

For these reasons and so many more this book was not for me!!!!!!!!! I cannot and will not recommend this book!

Thanks to Netgalley, LV Pederson and Racounter 888 for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available

"One thing she now knew for sure: She had come close to evil that day—that was as clear as the smile on his face. And now she was even closer."


This one is action-packed and reads like a movie. A historical fiction about 9/11 and a wild goose chase as they try to capture the terrorist responsible. Many years later, they are still on the hunt for this terrorist and we also get to meet Madison as one of the protagonist. His father was one of the 9/11 victims and she finds herself in a close encounter with his father's killer (again). Things start to get messy and interesting and dangerous. This one is a page turner.

I initially enjoyed the first half of “Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds,” but I found it difficult to get into the story as it progressed. The second half didn’t resonate as well with me; it took several turns that felt unnecessary and detracted from the overall coherence of the plot.

L.V. Pedersen’s Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is a high-octane thriller that pulls readers into the murky world of Silicon Valley, where ambition, power, and deadly secrets collide. With a gripping plot and a protagonist who’s both flawed and relatable, this novel masterfully weaves suspense, intrigue, and a race against time into a story that’s hard to put down.

Madison, the protagonist, is trying to rebuild her life in California after a troubled past in Boston. Her new job as an executive assistant at a tech giant seems like the perfect opportunity to start fresh. But Pedersen wastes no time unraveling her fragile sense of security. The murder of a young employee sets off a cascade of events that plunges Madison into a conspiracy that stretches far beyond her new workplace.

What makes Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds so compelling is the way it immerses readers in the cutthroat environment of Silicon Valley. Madison’s charismatic yet unnerving boss adds an ever-present sense of dread, and her discovery of his deadly secret raises the stakes immeasurably. Pedersen’s portrayal of the tech world isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a key player in the narrative, full of ethical gray areas and hidden agendas.

Madison is a standout character. Her troubled past makes her relatable, while her determination to uncover the truth, even at great personal risk, is admirable. She’s not a perfect hero, but that’s precisely what makes her so engaging. Her vulnerability and resilience shine as she navigates the dark corners of a high-stakes conspiracy and struggles for redemption.

The plot moves at a breakneck pace, with the ticking-clock element adding a palpable sense of urgency. Pedersen keeps readers guessing with unexpected twists and shocking revelations. As Madison pieces together the truth, the story delves into the consequences of unchecked power, the ethics of technology, and the cost of pursuing justice.

The themes in Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds resonate strongly, especially in a world increasingly shaped by tech giants and their influence. Pedersen explores not only corporate corruption but also the lengths individuals will go to for redemption and justice.

Fans of thrillers that combine fast-paced action, psychological depth, and thought-provoking questions will find Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds an exhilarating read. Pedersen’s sharp writing and relentless pacing make it impossible to look away from the explosive ending.

Rating: 4.5/5

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L. V. Pederson is a really great story.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself gripped, turning the pages, not knowing what was to come next.
It was suspenseful, mysterious and unpredictable.

Firstly, hearty congratulations to L.V. Pederson for writing such a blockbuster of a debut thriller. “Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds” is the title of Pederson’s fast- paced novel published in January 2025. Guess what? Pederson worked as a film censor in Canada and a script writer in Hollywood, apart from being an entrepreneur and innovator! He brings all these experiences to bear in this thriller which I enjoyed reading!

The story begins with a young, attractive lady called Madison Maxwell joining Know Inc, one of the most renowned tech firms in the world. This, of course, is situated in the Silicon Valley. Madison wants to put her past life at Boston behind her- to make a fresh start in a place which seems so promising. She feels this firm and her position as Executive Assistant to the Vice President would fulfil her career dreams. The plot of the story that unravels is crisply woven together with apt back stories. This makes for very exciting reading.

Shortly into the job, Madison comes across people who are totally different from who they at first appear to be. She comes across several mysteries in that firm which folks don’t talk about. Circumstances force her into situations which test her endurance to the limits. To complicate matters further, there is a deeply personal angle from her past which resurfaces to haunt her.

The story brings back to the reader memories of that unforgettable tragedy- the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States. It is a gripping story which you must read for yourself! Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book!!! My biggest complaint would be an opinion more than anything which is I love a first person narrative and this book was written almost like a movie!

"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.

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of twists and turns and changing timelines keeps you engaged in the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds
by L. V. Pederson
Pub Date: Jan 28 2025

Welcome to "Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds" an absolute must read conspiracy thriller! I found it to be very well written, it kept me on the edge of my seat. A book I definitely could not put down until I finished it! I highly recommend this 5 star thriller!

Synopsis: EVERYONE HAS SECRETS... SOME ARE JUST MORE DEADLY THAN OTHERS. When Madison starts her first real job as an executive assistant at a Silicon Valley AI Giant, she has hopes to start afresh and put her troubled life in Boston behind her. But it is not to be. A young employee out for an evening jog turns up dead. Her charismatic VP boss fills her with unease. And when Madison uncovers her boss's deadly secret, her ordinary life is thrust into a high-stakes conspiracy the FBI is desperate to crack.

Many thanks to #nineminuteselevenseconds #NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC of this 5 star thriller!

Nine Minutes is a thriller that pulls you right in at the beginning when an executive assistant at a prominent tech firm is murdered in what was disguised as a hit and run, in the very first chapter. We are then introduced to her replacement, Madison, as she enters the firm for the first date of work. As Maddy meets her boss and co-workers, there are hints of her boss's nefarious past.

I wish the description of the book gave a little more detail on what the book was about. I assumed the thriller would have been about company secrets and conspiracy and it was more of an action-based novel. I gave the book three stars because it did move the story along and I liked the author's style, and some characters, but that was rounding up as this book had way too many farfetched coincidences as part of the plot. Madison is connected to her boss thought incidents that happened when she was very young, yet they still both remembered very detailed components of their engagement and the second half of the book felt like an action movie. Before I knew who Madison's boss was, I hated his style as he entered work every day looking for his minions to blatantly worship him, and it seemed sexual harassment and blurring boss/employee relationships was the norm. So, the stereotypical tech company on an exaggerated scale.

I probably would have passed on this book if I knew it about catching terrorists, but I think someone who likes the subgenre of this thriller would enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I thought this would be a thriller based in a Silicon Valley tech firm. I didn't grasp that the book's title refers to the 9/11 WTC terrorist attacks. This may be triggering to relatives and friends of the victims. Others may consider this uncomfortable reading and wish to avoid it. The book includes fictional characters who lost close family members in the attack, and they are described with sympathy and sensitivity. The author is a screenwriter, and the story is well-written and emotional, with intriguing characters and attention to detail. I envision it as a TV series or movie.

A leading character, Maddie, has moved from Boston to Silicon Valley to escape a past that has left her distraught. She has suffered from anxiety since childhood. She has been offered her dream job as an executive assistant in a tech firm, Know Inc. She lost her father in a plane that crashed into the Twin Towers at the time of her 6th birthday. She has never overcome her grief and blames herself for not insisting on a later flight so he could be present for her birthday. She remembers very little about what happened at the airport that fateful day. Her ongoing anxiety made her an unsettling subject, and she failed to calm down in her new surroundings. She learns that she is replacing a female worker killed in a hit-and-run. Her new boss, T. J. Khan, is popular, charismatic, and supportive of all the employees, but she is warned that he is a womanizer and that it is best not to be alone with him. Her unease is compounded when he reminds her of someone from her past. Maddie fears that she is developing paranoia because she notices the same man on her bus each day. Is he following her, and why?

Due to frequent disturbing dreams, she attends a Support group for those who lost family members on 9/11. There, she meets Will, who lost his parents. They quickly develop a friendship. His humour and presence calms her, and she feels he is the only person she can trust. They confide in each other, and she tells him about her growing fear that her boss reminds her of somebody. Will works as an expert hacker to protect companies and compares Khan's photo with that of Mohammed Atta, director of the 9/11 attacks. He was thought to be sitting beside Maddie's father when the plane crashed. The results are inconclusive. Maddie was obsessed with learning about M. Atta and wrote a thesis about him at university.

Will next hacks into a highly secret and protected CIA website, and the result proves that TJ Kahn and M. Atta are the same person following Kahn's extensive plastic surgery. Proof that Atta left the airport and was never on the plane has arrived from Germany, and the sender is murdered. More deaths follow.

The FBI, CIA, and National Security have joined forces to track down Mohammed Atta. They have examined the attacks' trauma, aftermath, and chaos, and Maddie has come to their attention due to the intrusion into the CIA website. They suspect a deadly plan to attack the critical infrastructure of electricity and water with the terrorists already in place. Niles, from that group, has been working on the case for years. He sets up Maddie in a dangerous plan to entrap Atta. She is brave in her determination to bring him down. She is very observant but easily manipulated.

The story is tension-packed and suspenseful. It kept me engaged throughout. Recommended for readers who enjoy a fast-paced story and are not disturbed by the premise and conspiracy theories based on a factual background. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the much-appreciated ARC. The date of publication is January 28, 2025.

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.