Ninth Square

By Gorman Bechard

Book Overview

When a man's body is discovered in one of New Haven, Connecticut's sleazier motels, it appears to be a simple case of a prostitute killing a john. A case that's quick, clean, and easy - just what the police chief likes. But, as William Shute and his fellow detectives investigate, it becomes clear that appearances are deceiving. This case will be anything but quick and easy. The pressure's on to wrap it up before the arrival of the Sons of God, a large religious group that will soon descend 60,000-strong upon New Haven for a rally at the Yale Bowl. But the dead man refuses to cooperate, and Shute finds himself in a race to identify the murder suspect and prove her innocence before the trigger-happy Federal agents find her. Quick, clean, and easy. Right?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765301466
• ISBN13: 9780765301468
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 319 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

The Hooker book

Not really a book on how to be a hooker. Just the affectionate title for a great read, that starts with the murder of a sanctimonious religious hypocrite, and careens through the City of New Haven to an exciting conclusion. It's a grab-you-by-the-throat-and-refuse-to-let-go-until-you're-done type of crime novel. Oh, yes, and hookers play a big part in the plot.

Not your run of the mill mystery novel ...

I'm not generally a fan of detective stories, mysteries, or crime novels. Ninth Square is a fascinating read as it seems to break the boundaries of it's classified genre. Bechard's style is genuinely engaging and has a very natural feel, not at all forced. The prose reads like thoughts.The bulk of the novel is written in the first person and makes you feel as if you are in the head of the main character, Detective William Shute, reliving the memories of the week-long series of events which make up the plot of the novel. The story is fast paced and engaging and Bechard doesn't solve the mystery (or allow the reader to solve it) until the end. It is absolutely packed with red herrings, believable red herrings, as any good mystery should be. Bechard has a real talent for writing likable characters, which, when coming from a misanthrope such as myself, is saying a lot. When I give it a second read - and you can be sure I will give it a second read, as with all of Bechard's tales, be they feature length films ("Psychos in Love"), experimental shorts ("The Pretty Girl"), or literature ("The Hazmat Diaries", "Ninth Square"), once is not enough - I look forward to seeing what I missed the first time around by not knowing the outcome. I hope that Bechard plans to bring Detective Shute back in future novels, but until he does, I highly recommend giving "Ninth Square" a good read.

HOT!

Ninth Square has some of the kinkiest scenes I've ever read in a mainstream thriller, as Det. Shute explores the underbelly of internet escorts and made-to-order porn. The chapter about the Green Acres theme song is a CLASSIC! (I was was laughing so loud, my roommate thought something was wrong.) Just a completely entertaining read, with wonderfully familiar locations (Who in Connecticut hasn't eaten New Haven pizza?), which poses the theory that we ALL have kinky little secrets (even those in the religious right whose kink is to stop people from enjoy themselves). Can't argue with the truth!

Fast paced, sexy, and fun!

I picked this up because I'm such a fan of Bechard's first books, Second Greatest Story Ever Told. While nothing like that book, I still could not put this one down. A perfect airplane read, with short chapters that end with a line that MAKES you turn the page and keep reading! I read the first half on a flight to Chicago, then found myself sitting up in my hotel room until 4 AM finishing it. I want Detective Shute to rescue me!

A real page turner!

One of those books that you literally can't put down because the chapters are so short, you get suckered into reading just one more. Fast, VERY sexy, with great dialog, and it pokes fun at those who need it most (including Yale). Give this one a shot.