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Game of Nines
“I have just committed the perfect murder. You have one week to catch me, or I will vanish...and strike again, nine years from today.”
FBI agent Sarah Cole is stunned to receive an invitation to the “Game of Nines,” the most secretive and longest-running murder puzzle in history.
Thrust into a mystery that has confounded law enforcement for decades, she proves to be an unexpectedly formidable "player"—and might finally end the deadly game once and for all.
From James Patterson, the world’s bestselling author, and starring Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) and Morena Baccarin (Deadpool), Game of Nines is a pulse-pounding murder mystery full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.
Please This audio drama is for mature audiences only. It contains violence and strong language. Discretion is advised.
Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.
FBI agent Sarah Cole is stunned to receive an invitation to the “Game of Nines,” the most secretive and longest-running murder puzzle in history.
Thrust into a mystery that has confounded law enforcement for decades, she proves to be an unexpectedly formidable "player"—and might finally end the deadly game once and for all.
From James Patterson, the world’s bestselling author, and starring Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) and Morena Baccarin (Deadpool), Game of Nines is a pulse-pounding murder mystery full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.
Please This audio drama is for mature audiences only. It contains violence and strong language. Discretion is advised.
Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.
Audible Audio
First published August 7, 2025
189 people are currently reading
1036 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
958 books356k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 799 reviews
August 14, 2025
Fun.
Rushed.
The romance angle wasn’t needed.
Rushed.
The romance angle wasn’t needed.
August 13, 2025
James Patterson and Max DiLallo present this ‘straight to Audible’ piece of great thriller writing. Using multiple voice actors, the story comes to life as an FBI desk agent is sent a mysterious letter from one of the most notorious serial killers in recent history. The Nines Killer commits murder every nine years and chooses three individuals to solve the case over a few days. FBI Agent Sarah Cole works with two others to capture the killer before they go into hiding for nine more years. Patterson and DiLallo deliver a gripping audio thriller.
FBI Agent Sarah Cole is book-smart and enjoys crunching numbers for others to help capture criminals. However, she receives a letter directed to her with a chilling message:
“I have just committed the perfect murder. You have one week to catch me, or I will vanish...and strike again, nine years from today.”
Agent Cole is chilled to the bone, as this letter was surely from the Nines Killer. They offer three people from across law enforcement, creating a rag-tag group to solve things.
Forced to become an active agent, alongside an LASD investigator and an Israeli special agent, Sarah Cole works through the various clues and tries to solve things before the killer slips through their hands once again. It will take a great deal of effort to catch a killer, but no one has yet met Agent Cole’s number crunching abilities. James Patterson and MaxDiLallo deliver a great thriller that packs a punch with quite the twist.
I have read a number of thrillers by James Patterson, both individually authored and collaborations. Sharing the reins with Max DiLallo has worked again! The narrative is balanced by much action and quick development. Patterson’s traditional short chapter recipe, even in this audio-based story, works to push things along. The characters serve to entertain the listener effectively, while providing many angles for synthesising. The twists are both personal and chilling. The authors deliver a high-impact story right to audiobook, perfect for a short roadtrip.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DiLallo, for keeping the reader hooked from start to finish!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
FBI Agent Sarah Cole is book-smart and enjoys crunching numbers for others to help capture criminals. However, she receives a letter directed to her with a chilling message:
“I have just committed the perfect murder. You have one week to catch me, or I will vanish...and strike again, nine years from today.”
Agent Cole is chilled to the bone, as this letter was surely from the Nines Killer. They offer three people from across law enforcement, creating a rag-tag group to solve things.
Forced to become an active agent, alongside an LASD investigator and an Israeli special agent, Sarah Cole works through the various clues and tries to solve things before the killer slips through their hands once again. It will take a great deal of effort to catch a killer, but no one has yet met Agent Cole’s number crunching abilities. James Patterson and MaxDiLallo deliver a great thriller that packs a punch with quite the twist.
I have read a number of thrillers by James Patterson, both individually authored and collaborations. Sharing the reins with Max DiLallo has worked again! The narrative is balanced by much action and quick development. Patterson’s traditional short chapter recipe, even in this audio-based story, works to push things along. The characters serve to entertain the listener effectively, while providing many angles for synthesising. The twists are both personal and chilling. The authors deliver a high-impact story right to audiobook, perfect for a short roadtrip.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DiLallo, for keeping the reader hooked from start to finish!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
October 30, 2025
Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 5 stars**
Narrators
Max DiLallo
Shailene Woodley
Morena Baccarin
Sash Roiz
Ben shenkman & cast
Audio 5 stars**
Narrators
Max DiLallo
Shailene Woodley
Morena Baccarin
Sash Roiz
Ben shenkman & cast
August 9, 2025
I listened to this on audible, and it was actually pretty entertaining! It was done really well, and I love Shailene Woodley, so I was glad to see her on here.
I've never read (or listened) to anything James Patterson, but this inspired me to maybe read something else by him.
I didn't expect the twist, like at all, so that was great. I also liked how we got explanations of how the killer made it work.
I've never read (or listened) to anything James Patterson, but this inspired me to maybe read something else by him.
I didn't expect the twist, like at all, so that was great. I also liked how we got explanations of how the killer made it work.
November 23, 2025
Game of Nines by James Patterson and Max DiLallo is a fast, audio-first crime thriller that feels like listening to a TV miniseries. The story follows FBI agent Sarah Cole, a brilliant numbers-and-patterns specialist who’s more comfortable behind a desk than out in the field. That changes when she receives a chilling letter from a serial killer who claims to have committed the “perfect murder” and challenges her to catch him within a week—or he’ll disappear and strike again years later. It’s a tight, propulsive setup with lots of action and a puzzle that kept me thinking right up to the final moments.
Sarah is a great main character because she isn’t the typical action-hero agent. She’s analytical, anxious, and very aware of her own limitations, and that makes her growth throughout the story more satisfying. I liked hearing her wrestle with the pressure of suddenly being the one person this killer has chosen as an opponent. The more she digs into the Game of Nines, the more personal it feels, and that tension comes through clearly in the audio.
The supporting characters add a lot of color and conflict. Sarah is paired with other investigators who each bring their own style and baggage into the hunt for the killer. There’s plenty of friction, second-guessing, and clashing egos, which keeps the quieter investigative scenes just as engaging as the big action moments. I never felt like the story stalled—each scene either moved the plot forward or deepened our understanding of the people involved.
The real standout, though, is the audio production and the cast. Shailene Woodley does a fantastic job as Sarah Cole. She nails that mix of smart, vulnerable, and determined, and her performance really anchors the whole story. The rest of the cast—Morena Baccarin, Sasha Roiz, and Ben Shenkman—round the world out nicely, each giving their characters distinct voices and attitudes. Together they make this feel like a full-cast drama instead of a traditional single-narrator audiobook.
Overall, Game of Nines is a quick, gripping listen with lots of action, a clever central concept, and enough twists to keep you guessing all the way to the end. If you enjoy serial-killer puzzles, ticking clocks, and cinematic-style audiobooks, this one is definitely worth queuing up.
Sarah is a great main character because she isn’t the typical action-hero agent. She’s analytical, anxious, and very aware of her own limitations, and that makes her growth throughout the story more satisfying. I liked hearing her wrestle with the pressure of suddenly being the one person this killer has chosen as an opponent. The more she digs into the Game of Nines, the more personal it feels, and that tension comes through clearly in the audio.
The supporting characters add a lot of color and conflict. Sarah is paired with other investigators who each bring their own style and baggage into the hunt for the killer. There’s plenty of friction, second-guessing, and clashing egos, which keeps the quieter investigative scenes just as engaging as the big action moments. I never felt like the story stalled—each scene either moved the plot forward or deepened our understanding of the people involved.
The real standout, though, is the audio production and the cast. Shailene Woodley does a fantastic job as Sarah Cole. She nails that mix of smart, vulnerable, and determined, and her performance really anchors the whole story. The rest of the cast—Morena Baccarin, Sasha Roiz, and Ben Shenkman—round the world out nicely, each giving their characters distinct voices and attitudes. Together they make this feel like a full-cast drama instead of a traditional single-narrator audiobook.
Overall, Game of Nines is a quick, gripping listen with lots of action, a clever central concept, and enough twists to keep you guessing all the way to the end. If you enjoy serial-killer puzzles, ticking clocks, and cinematic-style audiobooks, this one is definitely worth queuing up.
August 23, 2025
I assumed this would have the quality of a cheesy made-for-tv movie, but it still fell short of my expectations, for several reasons:
1. THIS IS NOT AN AUDIOBOOK. This is a radio drama, which is a different medium that's existed for over 100 years. The fact that this is being marketed as an audiobook is so annoying to me. Listening to this is not the equivalent of reading a book.
2. The plot is too contrived and convenient. I like the premise of the Nines killer and the flashbacks to the previous murders, but the story is just too brief and it feels like a connect the dots that goes in a straight line. And yet, even for such a short book it felt like it was running in circles. How many times do we have to watch them try to question someone just to be told, no?!
3. The dialogue was bad, and the voice acting only made it worse. Shailene Woodley sounds like she's 20 and the guy who plays Yuri (sp?) sounds like he's 60 but they're supposed to have romantic chemistry?? More than that, wtf is with Yuri's accent? He's supposed to be Israeli, but he sounds like a bad Puss in Boots impression. He ruins every scene he's in, which is most of them.
4. The characters are all completely flat, even for a mystery novel. They all feel like generic NPCs pulled out of a "Mystery Novel Stock Characters" binder. This is especially true of the minor characters, making it hard to care about any of it.
5. SPOILER. Worst of all, this story violates the literal first rule of mystery!! The killer can't be the narrator! While some people might see this as being a mind-blowing twist, it's actually just a cheap and hollow shortcut. Most people won't be aware of the 10 Commandments of Mystery by Ronald Knox, but I'd at least expect the authors to be. Commandment 1 is literally "The criminal must be someone mentioned in the early part of the story, but must not be anyone whose thoughts the reader has been allowed to follow." But this story just has the narrator lie to you the whole time until they decide to finally come clean, which is trash storytelling. I saw the twist coming a mile away, except I assumed it had to be one of the other two detectives because it couldn't possible be the narrator! Guess I underestimated just how low-quality this story was.
1. THIS IS NOT AN AUDIOBOOK. This is a radio drama, which is a different medium that's existed for over 100 years. The fact that this is being marketed as an audiobook is so annoying to me. Listening to this is not the equivalent of reading a book.
2. The plot is too contrived and convenient. I like the premise of the Nines killer and the flashbacks to the previous murders, but the story is just too brief and it feels like a connect the dots that goes in a straight line. And yet, even for such a short book it felt like it was running in circles. How many times do we have to watch them try to question someone just to be told, no?!
3. The dialogue was bad, and the voice acting only made it worse. Shailene Woodley sounds like she's 20 and the guy who plays Yuri (sp?) sounds like he's 60 but they're supposed to have romantic chemistry?? More than that, wtf is with Yuri's accent? He's supposed to be Israeli, but he sounds like a bad Puss in Boots impression. He ruins every scene he's in, which is most of them.
4. The characters are all completely flat, even for a mystery novel. They all feel like generic NPCs pulled out of a "Mystery Novel Stock Characters" binder. This is especially true of the minor characters, making it hard to care about any of it.
5. SPOILER. Worst of all, this story violates the literal first rule of mystery!! The killer can't be the narrator! While some people might see this as being a mind-blowing twist, it's actually just a cheap and hollow shortcut. Most people won't be aware of the 10 Commandments of Mystery by Ronald Knox, but I'd at least expect the authors to be. Commandment 1 is literally "The criminal must be someone mentioned in the early part of the story, but must not be anyone whose thoughts the reader has been allowed to follow." But this story just has the narrator lie to you the whole time until they decide to finally come clean, which is trash storytelling. I saw the twist coming a mile away, except I assumed it had to be one of the other two detectives because it couldn't possible be the narrator! Guess I underestimated just how low-quality this story was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2025
"I really enjoyed this story. Although it was short, it was very well done. I just wish it had been longer! Also, Shailene Woodley was absolutely amazing—I could listen to her narrate every audiobook in existence."
August 10, 2025
Listened to this on audible and it’s okay. Good plot and storytelling but the main characters motivation lacked substance. No rhyme or reason
August 20, 2025
This was okay, like all things Patterson these days it is rushed. With some good editing the plot holes and inconsistencies could have been ironed out. The voice actors are awesome but the writing was cringe and ridiculous at points. They were like what is phoenix, never heard of it? They acted like it was a brilliant idea that there might be more than one killer? Like all Patterson's writing the police act linearly as his mind does and they are lead around instead of thinking ahead. Fantastic concept. Great audio actors! Poor writing.
August 18, 2025
The story started okay except for the unrealistic premise that the chosen law enforcement officers would follow the killer’s rules. I was close to giving the book 4 stars until the ending. The ending felt rushed with the killer confessing too quickly. Despite the big twist, I found the ending unsatisfactory and disappointing. Since this was a short audiobook, not sure why the authors didn’t make the book a little longer and not rush the ending.
Still not a fan of the sound effects and noises during the performance. In a few places the sounds made it difficult to understand the narrators and the action that was happening. Glad it was free.
Still not a fan of the sound effects and noises during the performance. In a few places the sounds made it difficult to understand the narrators and the action that was happening. Glad it was free.
January 31, 2026
A fast-paced, entertaining murder ‘game’.
August 24, 2025
The entire book felt rushed and half-finished. A lot of the clues didn't make sense. I don't understand why succinylcholine was chosen as the murder weapon. This medication is identified in episode 4. The technician explains that the medication is usually harmless unless injected intravenously. This isn't true. Ingesting succinylcholine is considered a medical emergency and can cause chemical burns to the mouth and intestines. Towards the end of the book the narrator goes into a manhole and discovers an underground drug lab. She uses a NIK test which is said to turn blue, indicating that the substance is an opiate like succinylcholine. Except, succinylcholine isn't an opiate, it's a paralytic. It wouldn't have reacted with a NIK test because it is not a narcotic. I understand that it was a succinylcholine derivative and not the original medication, however, in order for this derivative to react to a NIK test it would have to be an opioid and not an opiate. It's also stated that Meredith dies 13 minutes from taking her birth control at the cafe. If the succinlycholine derivative was so potent why did it take so long to kill her when standard succinylcholine shows it's effects within 30 seconds? I hate to get all caught up with this one fact but the premise of the book was that the killer was creating unsolvable locked room murders. It felt cheap to have the murder method be revealed as a magic mystery pill.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
The stars are mostly for the narration, which of course was absolute CINEMA.
A quick whodunnit - somewhat rushed but overall it was good maybe just not my niche.
A quick whodunnit - somewhat rushed but overall it was good maybe just not my niche.
October 11, 2025
Tbh I only listened to this cuz I ran out of listening hours on Spotify and this was free on Audible😅 not a bad listen, tho. Short and decently entertaining. Romance was stupid but I understand why it happened.
August 13, 2025
This was a very very entertaining audible!!
Although it was short, it’s WELL WORTH IT!!!
Although it was short, it’s WELL WORTH IT!!!
September 2, 2025
Shailene Woodley’s narration was good, but the male character’s narration annoyed me- he was supposed to be Israeli but his accent wasn’t at all.
January 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Very entertaining but predictable, the romance subplot was so unnecessary
Very entertaining but predictable, the romance subplot was so unnecessary
September 28, 2025
Wasn’t expecting to love this the way I did. I was cheering for her so hard, even through the end! There needs to be a sequel! I need more!
August 19, 2025
I liked the voice acting but the story was predictable and the dialogue was insufferable "who even knows what a phoenix is?"..... umm literally everyone ...
October 4, 2025
I read this through Audible. It was fast moving, suspenseful, but I felt as if I was listening to an episode of a TV series. The narration style is not for me.
August 13, 2025
GAME OF NINES
“I have just committed the perfect murder. You have one week to catch me, or I will vanish... and strike again, nine years from today.”
Sarah, an FBI agent, receives an invitation, along with 2 other detectives to the Game of Nines, the most secretive and longest-running murder puzzle in history.
Will this team be the ones to finally catch the killer and end this deadly game?
If you like murder mysteries and audiobooks, then you have to check this one out! It’s faced paced, entertaining and keeps you engaged. I really enjoyed it.
Can you figure things out before the ending?
This audio is also dramatized with all the sound affects making it feel like you’re listening to a movie. And I feel like I could listen to Shailene Woodley narrate any audiobook. She did such an awesome job as well as the others, Morena Baccarin, Sasha Roiz and Ben Shenkman.
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a short entertaining murder mystery audiobook!
*This was also free with my audible subscription*
“I have just committed the perfect murder. You have one week to catch me, or I will vanish... and strike again, nine years from today.”
Sarah, an FBI agent, receives an invitation, along with 2 other detectives to the Game of Nines, the most secretive and longest-running murder puzzle in history.
Will this team be the ones to finally catch the killer and end this deadly game?
If you like murder mysteries and audiobooks, then you have to check this one out! It’s faced paced, entertaining and keeps you engaged. I really enjoyed it.
Can you figure things out before the ending?
This audio is also dramatized with all the sound affects making it feel like you’re listening to a movie. And I feel like I could listen to Shailene Woodley narrate any audiobook. She did such an awesome job as well as the others, Morena Baccarin, Sasha Roiz and Ben Shenkman.
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a short entertaining murder mystery audiobook!
*This was also free with my audible subscription*
August 8, 2025
I listened to this audible original whilst working and it was really exciting. Excellent acting and voice work. You can tell it's JP. I'd recommend. Would've been nice to have a as a full book.
August 13, 2025
A solid 4 1/2 stars for me! I loved how it was like listening to a movie!! I wish they were all narrated like this! Not my usual genre, but it was a fun listen⭐️
August 29, 2025
Compelling short story! My only beef was the inaccuracies related to pharmaceutical products. Maybe next time the authors should consult a pharmacist for accuracy/plausibility of the lethal agent 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
Game of Nines by James Patterson delivers edge-of-your-seat suspense that grips you from the first page to the last. Patterson masterfully weaves together compelling characters and an intricate plot, revealing each twist with perfect timing. A thoroughly engaging thriller that keeps you guessing until the final reveal.
September 4, 2025
Entertaining, but nothing special. The “romance” angle was filler and didn’t add anything. Story was generic, but the twist did get me.
September 17, 2025
5 // audiobook // LOVED THIS
December 30, 2025
5 Stars!
So good! Excellent narration!
So good! Excellent narration!
January 30, 2026
Just wow! 😮 this was very fast paced and a quick listen! For sure recommend but be prepared for some twists. I did not guess at all who it would be… 🤯
December 29, 2025
Finished in one sitting ✨✨✨✨✨
Displaying 1 - 30 of 799 reviews