Im an avid reader of military fiction and real event books with book case to substantiate my claim that feel are worth reading again and keeping within my collection, Nine lives is one of them books in my opinion . For a first time writer I was amazed how I was drawn into the character so quickly with the event with in story shocking at first as it would to any normal person but through the book as story unfolded as I was getting drawn in or should I say sucked in , Paul character started to feel that nothing could shock him anymore, and that was the way as the reader I started feel I was that involved in the story , I was becoming immune to daily routine of his everyday life of Paul as he was within his life that there was no kicks , nothing could shock him with no conscience now reeling him back to normality as the story unfolded to breaking point
The point that change his life, that was so simple to humanize him again was the icing on the cake for me.
Well done Paul Smith , I can’t wait for your next book Graham
Nine Lives (Hardback)
Nine Lives (Hardback)
NINE LIVES
A novel by Paul Smith
Manchester gave him violence.
The Army taught him how to use it.
Bosnia showed him what war really looks like. Northern Ireland showed him how quietly it can be done. By his early twenties, he’s recruited into The Det — a secret special forces unit used for jobs that can’t be acknowledged. No paperwork. No protection. If it goes wrong, they deny you. If it goes right, it never happened.
What begins as deniable kills for the spooks drags him deeper — into mercenary contracts, gangland violence, and a life where survival costs more each time.
He should have died nine times — bullets, bombs, fire, himself.
Until one girl reaches into the wreckage
and saves him from losing his last life.
Cold. Honest. Uncomfortable to read. Relentlessly British.
Nine Lives is for readers who know the war doesn’t end when the fighting stops.
👉 If you like your war fiction real enough to leave a mark, this one is for you.