Book Review: Nine Lives

Nine Lives

By Catherine Steadman

Nine Lives stands out in the thriller genre for its unique premise. I have never read another book involving a cat-collar camera that reveals WAY TOO MUCH information, more than the main character should know (both logistically and legally)!

 I devoured this book in two days, and while I almost guessed some of the plot twists, I did not guess them all. Overall, I found this an intriguing and satisfying read. The sense of unease while reading, potential unreliable narrator, and the voyeurism definitely reminded me of The Woman in the Window.

Francesca “Frankie” Green needs a fresh start after a divorce (her husband cheated and they never were able to have children). The only thing going right for Frankie seems to be that she has a leg up on the real estate ladder. Due to being made redundant from her marketing job, she received a large payout that allowed her to buy a gorgeous, fully renovated townhouse in an exclusive neighborhood in London. But is this house too good to be true? She finds out the neighbors are hiding secrets, including the tragic past of the house.

Over the course of her first week there, we find that Frankie’s new neighbors are very friendly. Are they too friendly? While a friendly neighbor named Matt is attractive and congenial, she is suspicious of him. Should she trust her instincts or chalk it up to past relationship trauma?

Her cat “Blue” is a Persian Blue and wants to explore the neighborhood, leaping over garden walls and even going into the neighbors’ houses. On the first day, Blue returns with the words “HELP ME” scratched into her collar, and this leads to Frankie engaging in sleuthing and putting herself in danger. That is all I can say without revealing too much!

My Thoughts

I found myself picking up this book to read this book in the middle of the night, which was a mistake because I couldn’t go back to sleep. LOL

At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like this book, because I am a little burned out on “neighbors have secrets” domestic thrillers, but I felt Nine Lives was a fresh take on this type of story.

Catherine Steadman is the author of several other thrillers I have enjoyed, including Something in the Water (2018), a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, and Mr. Nobody.

Thank you to Ballantine and Bantam and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

CW: mention of miscarriages, DV, among others.