L.V. Pederson is a new to me author. Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds had me hooked from the start and kept my attention to the very end. It's a gripping thriller that reads like an action movie in your mind. We follow Madison Maxwell. After Samantha Dockett is killed in a hit-and-run accident, Madison takes over her position at Know, Inc. The VP of Know, Inc looks very familiar to Madison. Madison has an interesting past. Her father was on American Airlines Flight 11 that crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. This trauma has impacted her life deeply and she becomes consumed with trying find Mohamed Atter. He is the terrorist behind the World Trade Center attacks and his body was never found. She's convinced he is still alive. She becomes convinced that her new boss is Mohammed Atter. I really enjoyed this story!

I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to Net Galley and Raconteur 888 Press for the ARC. A little bit conspiracy, a little bit thriller. Madison’s new job at a tech company takes on an unexpected twist. Her new boss seems familiar. Suddenly, she finds herself involved with the FBI and her whole world unravels. Great page turner.

Great thriller that kept me up late into the night! Madison is an executive assistant at KNOW T.J. Khan is her boss and she has a strange feeling she's met him before. Then she meets Will at a support group as she continues to have nightmares about 9-11 as her father was on the plane that crashed into the towers. To add to her distress, she sees the same man on the bus every day; Is she being followed? Then we have Schmidt, a blogger/podcaster who knows an American visiting Berlin has a videotape of the 9-11 coverup. Madison discovers an even bigger plot against America but isn't sure how to stop it. It's a scary thrill ride to the end to discover if these evil geniuses can be stopped!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for a fair and frank review.

I did not like this book at all. I tried hard and got almost halfway but it just jumped back and forth all the time. There was n9 plot and the characters were just wishy washy.

I have had a really good run of 4 and 5 star reads towards the end of 2024 – I knew it was too good to be true!

As I Brit, I did not register the hint in the title of 9 Minutes 11 Seconds – from the blurb it sounded like it would be a crime thriller set in a Silicon Valley office. What it is, however, is a 9/11 conspiracy theory story and boy, is it bad!

I have so many things to say about this book and I don’t think any of them are particularly nice, there are no redeeming qualities - it’s one of the worst books I’ve read in the past 5 years. We’ll start with main character Madison, who reads very much like a young, female main character written by an older, male author. She is unlikeable, she is difficult to empathise with and she is incredibly unrealistic. At the start of the book, she is sexually harassed in front of an entire office of her new co-workers by her older boss and takes it as a compliment. She is then taken aside and warned by a fellow female coworker to be careful if she’s ever alone with the boss as he likes to do ‘more than flirt if you’re up for it’. How does Madison respond to this? ‘That’ll be the day’. Firstly, what does that even mean, and secondly, what woman that L.V. Pederson has ever met would respond this way?

We soon find out that Madison’s father was a passenger on one of the planes that hit the World Trade Centre on 9/11. The crux of the plot, it is revealed, is that Madison believes her boss is actually one of the terrorists involved (who was sitting next to her father on the plane), but with plastic surgery is now living it up as a CEO in Silicon Valley. I had originally thought she had been chasing him down and got the new job to expose him or something, but this actually seems to be just an idea she has in the spur of the moment. As well as the blatant misogyny, the book is actually quite racist, with the phrase ‘Dirty Arab’ being used multiple times, as well as the fact that the only character who is not a white American is ‘obviously’ a terrorist in disguise.

The plot is completely unbelievable and unrealistic at every turn – Madison decides to confide her idea in a man she has only just met on a first date. It turns out that not only is he a secret billionaire, but he is also a computer hacker who has access to a company that do fully automatic facial recognition and comparison. When this isn’t as accurate as they’d like, he then hacks into the CIA to use their software instead – I mean, really!

The writing style is also dreadful - the dialogue is stilted and the parts set in the FBI just use cliched sentences, rather than actually having a realistic conversation. As a trigger warning, there is also self-harm depicted in this book, as well as suicidal thoughts.

When I got to the casual hacking of the CIA’s database, I gave up and DNFd - it is one of the worst books I’ve read in the last 5 years. With unrealistic characters, a plot so bad it’s laughable and stilted dialogue, as well as the sexist and racist remarks running throughout, I highly recommend avoiding this book. Thank you to Raconteur 888 for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for a (very) honest review.

Madison discovers on her first day at a Silicon Valley company that she was hired because her predecessor had died. She soon discovers that her boss T.J. Khan looks oddly familiar and soon she realizes why and also who he resembles to. With the help of her friend Will, she gets confirmation of this, too and the plan of revenge starts forming in her head.
Suddenly though, Madison and Will find themselves in the FBI office and Madison is forced to join a secret mission to catch her boss before something terrible happens.

It's slow-burn, got more exciting towards the end. The plot twists weren't that jaw-dropping and would have expected more curveballs in general. For me there was the most potential in Will's character, I wasn't sure about his intentions until the end.

I may have not been the target audience for this as I'm not American, but I think my biggest problem with this book was probably the general conflict of my values ​​- I absolutely did not like this topic. That kind of organized crime is just something I'd rather not hear about, and the fact that some of the characters were based on a real-life event really annoyed me. It seemed kind of out of place to use that as the source of inspiration. The numbers 9 and 11 in the title are not coincidental .

This was a rather good thriller I must say. Pederson certainly knows how to create a good, thrilling and surprising plot. After all, the catastrophe, well one actually happened in his narrative whereas most of the time the protagonist manages to stop the villain just before any real horror happens. This is what I expected and I’m glad I was not proven right.

However, I unfortunately didn’t really connect with the main characters, with Niles a little but not at all with Maddie and Will. I’m glad that the italicized internal monologue was not so prominent towards the end of the book as I did not really need it. In general my main critique is the interpersonal, especially the relationship of Will and Maddie. It felt forced, very quick and therefore confusing. I find it hard to believe that Maddie would trust someone so quickly and also that she’d just agree to the Paris trip for instance. It kinda went against what I though her character was.

While I felt the characters and their relationships were a bit rushed I rather enjoyed the general plot. I liked the background story, I like the links of the FBI set up, the inclusion of the crazy conspiracy theorist (though I’d have liked some more of it), the inclusion of identity alteration and so many other details that made the narrative‘s tension come to life.

This book is on its way to being a movie. This was a great thriller. I did not see the twist coming and I read a lot of thrillers and mystery books. This book has a great pace and felt believable. There was so much tension I stayed up till 2am finish this book because I needed to know the answers! Check the triggers to see if this is for you. I was invested in all the characters in this intense thriller!

Thank you, Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is the first book by L.V. Pederson, and I can't wait to read more! I really wasn't sure if I was ready to read anything, even fiction, related to 9/11, however, I'm glad I did. This book is a roller-coaster of emotions, and had me eagerly devouring it! The plot is excellent, the characters well-developed, and the story told with reverence to those events, and tying it all appropriately to the tale being told. Great story, great book, grab it on January 28, 2025!

#NetGalley #NineMinutesElevenSeconds

This book was so cool it felt very much like a spy thriller. Like who killed the coworker and is she next and why did the coworker get killed. I also loved the setting of it being in a silicon valley job. Very much did they do it to protect the company vibes

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.

What a book! Literally couldn’t put it down. Creative plot and great story telling! Good character development and a good twist on a true event. Cannot wait for the next one from Pederson!

Maddison lost her dad in 9/11. She’s just taken a new job in a new city hoping for a fresh start, but there’s something about her new boss that’s familiar.

This fast paced action/thriller was a fun read.
This book is written similar to a movie. You jump from
Different POV’s like you would movie scenes which is something I hadn’t read much of which was fun!

This book didn’t have a huge amount of character development which I don’t mind but I did feel like things happened too fast between certain character. That’s just a personal preference of mine though.

This is a good debut novel and a fantastic read for anyone who likes Liam Neeson thrillers and conspiracy theories.

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L. V. Pederson is a twisted thriller about a woman who is desperate to escape her 9/11 tragedy survivor's guilt. She begins a new job as an executive assistant but red flags go up on her first day. She understandably struggles with anxiety and is awkward socially. Her apartment is nearly empty, as is her life. But she meets someone who empathizes with her plight. She soon becomes a target from all sides and relies on her gut instincts to dig her way out..

This novel is not what I had hoped for and expected and left me disappointed. Rather than enjoying my time with it, I found myself skimming and eventually gave up on its infuriating main characters and predictability. It is also too farfetched to be believable. Unfortunately, this is a DNF for me but it will appeal to others who enjoy action thrillers.

ARC Review: Nine Minutes, Eleven Seconds
Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you, Netgalley and Raconteur 88!

Nine Minutes, Eleven Seconds is a gripping, emotionally charged novel written with the intensity of a cinematic thriller. The book hooks you from the first scene, delivering a shot of pure action and an emotional roller-coaster that will leave you breathless.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This story deals with the tragic events of 9/11.

The narrative begins with six-year-old Madison, who struggles between the desire for her father to stay with her and the guilt of feeling selfish for wanting to keep him from his flight. That devastating moment changes her life forever—her father was on one of the planes that day.

Fast forward to the present: Madison, now an adult, faces an unimaginable opportunity. She unknowingly steps into a chance to confront and possibly get even with the man responsible for planning the attack. The question looms large: will justice be served, and at what cost?

This story’s strength lies in its heart-pounding pacing and deep emotional core. The scenes are written with vivid clarity, almost as if the reader is watching a high-stakes movie unfold. Madison’s inner turmoil and journey of grief, resilience, and reckoning are profoundly moving.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, deeply emotional thriller with complex moral dilemmas, Nine Minutes, Eleven Seconds delivers in spades. It’s a story about the scars of tragedy, the weight of justice, and the strength it takes to face the past.

From start to finish this 9/11 thriller pacing kept me hooked, each chapter leaving me excited to see what happened next. The book balances suspense with human connection with solid character development throughout. While I found some of the dialogue a bit forced at times, it didn’t detract much from my overall enjoyment. Pederson’s ability to craft compelling characters and a heart-pounding narrative made this an easy four-star read for me.

Well this was a twisty thrill ride. A definite action story and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Not a fan of 3rd person.personally.

Thanks publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else.

A thrilling tale of secrets, ambition, and danger, set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley. The story follows Madison, a young woman eager to leave her troubled past in Boston behind as she embarks on her first real job as an executive assistant at a prestigious tech company. However, her hopes for a fresh start quickly unravel when a young employee is found dead after an evening jog, casting a shadow of unease over the seemingly idyllic corporate environment.

From the outset, the tension is palpable. Madison's charismatic VP boss initially seems like a mentor; however, as the narrative unfolds, he becomes a figure of suspicion that fills her with dread. Madison begins to uncover layers of deceit, leading her to discover a deadly secret that thrusts her ordinary life into a perilous conspiracy. The stakes are raised when it becomes clear that the FBI is involved, desperately trying to unravel a crime that echoes an unprecedented event from the past.

What sets Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds apart is its exploration of the duality of human nature—how ambition can mask darker motives and how the pursuit of success can lead to dire consequences. Madison's character is relatable and well-developed, drawing readers into her internal struggle as she grapples with her newfound reality. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as revelations unfold and the clock ticks down to an inevitable confrontation.

This gripping narrative is a blend of mystery, suspense, and a touch of psychological intrigue. A riveting page-turner that will leave readers questioning the true nature of the people around them. As the shocking revelations come to light, readers will find themselves holding their breath, wondering who can be trusted and what the ultimate cost of uncovering the truth will be.

Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds is a must read! It follows a young woman, Madison, who lost her father on 9/11. Years later, still grieving and riddled with guilt, she decides it's time to move on and try to create a normal life for herself. Little does she know her fresh start is not at all what she is expecting and will send her spiraling right back to where it all began. This book was action packed, suspenseful, and emotional all at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Raconteur 888 for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Have you ever read a book and feel like you’re just watching a movie in your head? That was this book. The storyline flowed so effortlessly that it painted a crystal clear picture.

We meet Madison, a 9/11 survivor struggling to live her life and thinking she’s crazy with all her “conspiracy theories.” Until she realizes, she’s not as crazy as she thought she was! In today’s world of technology and advancements, this storyline can present itself as plausible, thereby making it very real in our current events.

This true-crime thriller is a rollercoaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end! It was a fast read with a satisfying ending! Thank you to Net Galley and Raconteur 888 for this free ARC book in exchange for my candid review.