This is a Lee Child short story and is not part of the Reacher series instead focusing on a mathematician sent on a high stakes' assignment in Russia. Dealing with foreign intelligence and a cryptic series of equations. A quick read that was fun and had a surprise twist I just didn't see coming.
Those mathematically inclined may be interested in this though it does get into the security aspect of things as well. Fast paced and now my husband needs to read this as this is one of his favorite authors.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Lee Child (http://www.leechild.com) is the author of more than 30 novels. Eleven Numbers was published earlier this month. It is the 11th book I completed reading in 2025.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this short story as G.

Unlike most of Lee Child’s publications, this one does not involve Jack Reacher. In this short story, the main character is math professor Nathan Tyler at a small US university. He is approached by the President of the US and a select group of US Intelligence officials and asked to take on a special mission.

US intelligence has obtained the authentication algorithm for the Russian nuclear arsenal. It was created by famed Russian Mathematician Arkady Suslov. The algorithm uses a Kindansky number as the password, a field of mathematics familiar to Tyler.

Tyler is asked to travel to Russia, meet Suslov, and hopefully get a handle on which of 11 nine-digit Kindansky numbers is the key. This is made more difficult at the last minute when it is learned that Suslov has been imprisoned for speaking out against the regime. Tyler is naive to the machinations of the government, but learns quickly, there are few he can trust.

How will Tyler be able to meet with Suslov? Will Tyler be able to learn the algorithm key from Suslov? Will he make it back to the US? Can he trust his own government?

I enjoyed the hour spent reading this 30-page thriller short story. I have had the opportunity to read several other novels by Lee Child. Among them are: Night School, Past Tense, No Plan B, and In Too Deep. I have enjoyed them all. I give this story a rating of 3.8 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Wow.

What a ride.

Eleven Numbers is a short story packing one heck of a punch. It plays like a fast paced movie or full novel.

I think Eleven Numbers has changed my thoughts around short stories. I don't tend to invest time in short stories as the experience I've had up until now haven't compelled me to read more of them.

There is skill in being able to deliver an intriguing story that feels complete in a limited amount of space and this is what Lee Child has accomplished with Eleven Numbers.

The storyline is easy to follow and builds mystery and suspense- with some great reveal moments.

What really surprised me is how a story about a mathematician in Moscow could be so entertaining.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Side Note:
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Eleven Numbers.

Being a fan of Child's Reacher series, I was excited to try this new short story with a new character. In Eleven Numbers, Child introduces us to Nathan Tyler, a mathematician who will tell you that he's a nobody. Turns out, he has a pretty big math brain and wrote his thesis on a specific type of algorithm that both the US and Russia are interested in. I enjoyed this story and really enjoyed Tyler, though it was a tad unbelievable as a nobody that he caught on so quickly to the nefariousness of the government to outwit them. I both read and listened to this title to get a feel for the writing and the narration and think that the narrator did a good job with the mellowness of Tyler though the switch at the end made me rethink that a bit. I very much look forward to Child continuing this character if he can because I'd like to see what trouble Nathan can get into next! Thank you to Brilliance Audio, Amazon Original, and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a classic Lee Child story, with the elements that make him such a wonderful thriller writer evident even in this tighter, shorter form. There was even a well-laid twist I hadn't seen coming. If I had to pick something I wanted more of, that would be the lead up to the end because I didn't quite want to leave the story, but I understood why it unfolded the way it did.

This short story suggests that fans of the Jack Reacher series are going to enjoy seeing where Childs goes now that he has moved away from that long running character.

This is a sharp and spiky story of a math professor who gets caught up in – well, it’s not espionage exactly, but it’s definitely secretive double dealing between countries. The plot is original and absorbing, the action is to the point, and characterisation quite strong. There’s a nice little kicker at the end that will stay with you.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, and it definitely whetted my appetite for Childs’ next non-Reacher novel.

I received this short story as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is an excellent story from a master story teller. The main character, a mathematician from a small university, finds himself in a unique and potentially dangerous situation. The story includes intrigue, adventure, espionage, and a few surprises, all wrapped up in a small bundle.

This was my first Lee Child book, and it definitely won’t be my last! I picked it up expecting a quick, light read, but wow—this novella packed a serious punch. Despite its short length, it had everything I love in a thriller: action, intrigue, and a tightly woven plot that didn’t waste a single word. The pacing was just right, moving at breakneck speed without feeling rushed.
What really impressed me was how much depth was packed into such a small space. The tension was palpable, the stakes were high, and every moment felt intentional. I kept thinking, Okay, I know where this is going, and then—bam!—a twist would throw me off course. It had that classic, sharp storytelling where every detail mattered, making it impossible to put down.
If this is just a taste of what Lee Child has to offer, I’m already excited to dive into more of his books. I can see why he has such a loyal fan base, and I have a feeling I’m about to become one of them!

“Eleven Numbers” by Lee Child is a gripping short story that delves into a tense, action-packed scenario involving Reacher, a familiar character from the Jack Reacher series. In this story, Reacher is pulled into a situation where numbers are the key to solving a dangerous puzzle, showcasing his sharp intellect and strategic thinking. Reacher finds himself in a high-stakes situation where his ability to decode a series of seemingly random numbers becomes crucial to surviving and outsmarting his adversaries.

Things I Liked:
• Tension and Suspense: Lee Child is great at building a sense of urgency and dread, which keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.
• Character Depth: Reacher’s personality shines through his actions and decisions, even in this short format. His calm, methodical approach to danger adds complexity to his character.
• Clever Plot: The puzzle aspect of the numbers and the way it’s integrated into the narrative makes the story feel like a clever game of wits.

What the Author Did Well:
• Pacing: The story moves at a quick pace, creating a sense of constant tension without sacrificing character development or plot.
• Dialogue: The dialogue is sharp and to the point, reflecting Reacher’s personality and making the exchanges between characters engaging.
• Twists and Turns: Lee Child incorporates effective twists, keeping the reader guessing and heightening the stakes throughout.

The story has a suspenseful, almost noir-like feel to it, blending mystery with action. There’s a sense of cool, calculated danger, and Reacher’s methodical approach to solving problems brings a calm, almost detached intensity to the story.

Only a writer of Lee Child's caliber could pack so much intrigue in such a short story. Great characters, a fast paced story and unexpected twists, everything you expect from Lee Child. Highly recommended

This was my first Lee Child book. I wasn't disappointed. It packed a ton of intrigue into such a short story!

I've been slow to get through many books so far this month, so I've been super appreciative of Eleven Numbers, a very short story from Lee Child. When I say short, I mean short: this is around 30 pages, and I was done with it in about half an hour.

I was a little worried as to how Child would possibly be able to fit the plot of an entire thriller into such a short amount of pages, but somehow it works. I think that's testament to a good writer who knows exactly how to balance pacing. Obviously, there's not a huge amount of detail here, and you'll rush from one plot point to another, but there's just enough information to give you everything you need.

The narrative of Eleven Numbers revolves around a secret Russian code, and the US government's plot to crack it. The protagonist is Nathan Tyler, a mathematics professor who is central to cracking the code. For such a short read, Child fits in a surprising amount of drama, and the plot was thrilling enough that I would have happily read an expanded version of the story. There's even a fun little twist hidden in here that I didn't see coming.

I've never read anything by Lee Child before, but now I've read Eleven Numbers, I'm certainly more interested in reading a full novel of his. I presume that's kind of the point of this short story. Still, I've very much appreciated this bite-sized read: it's perfect to get you out of a reading slump and have a miniature thrill injected into your evening.

This is actually a short story that feels more like a scene from a longer book. An American math professor goes to Russia for the U.S. government and ends up in a Russian prison. I just felt like there was more story to be told. Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing an ARC.

This was an excellent quick read! It was very engaging and easy to read. The plot had a twist I didn’t expect which made it even better.

The punch that this story packed! WOW. I could easily see this story being developed into a movie, as that is how it played out in my brain. Somehow the author developed a plot and a character as well as a twist within 50 pages. I’m certainly impressed. I thought this could have easily been expanded into a full book from a short story, and I really enjoyed it. Shockingly, this was the first that I have read from this author, but now I know that it will not be the last. I really enjoyed it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reading copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Eleven Numbers by Lee Child is a masterful demonstration of how less is more. Within just 50 pages, Child weaves a gripping tale that combines psychological intrigue, high-stakes tension, and a narrative elegance rarely seen in short fiction. Tyler, Jacob, and Suslov are characters that leap off the page, each one embodying the precarious balance between intellect and instinct.

Child’s skillful use of numbers as both a central theme and metaphor elevates the novella beyond a simple thriller, inviting readers to reflect on the ways patterns shape their lives. The story’s brevity is its strength, delivering a powerhouse of emotion and suspense in a way only a writer of Child’s caliber could achieve. Fans of his previous work and newcomers alike will find something to appreciate here.

Eleven Numbers is nothing short of a literary gem, compact in size but monumental in impact. A must-read for anyone who values sharp, intelligent storytelling.”

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for the Advanced Readers Copy of the novella. Boy, did I get lucky and all the opinions are my own.

Nathan Tyler is a math professor at a small college in the Midwest when opportunity literally knocks at his door. Before he knows what is happening he is being sent to Moscow to an elite mathematical conference to meet with a renowned Russian elite mathematician. Unfortunately something crashes into his way and we are left wondering if Nathan will be able to use his mathematical prowess to find his way back home, I don't normally love short stories, but this amazing book from one of my favorite authors, Lee Child, felt amazingly complete and compelling. Thanks to NetGalley, and Amazon Original stories for the opportunity to read this advance reader's copy. Loved it.

Lee Child is one of those authors that i've been intrigued by for a while, but have somehow never picked up. So when I saw this short story on NetGalley, I went for it.

I'm normally not really a fan of short stories, mostly because i feel like a lot of authors have a difficult time with the pacing in short stories or novella's. But this was actually a really enjoyable read. I was immediately engaged in the story, the pacing was consistent and the author managed to wrap the ending up in a satisfactory way. I immensely enjoyed Lee Child's writing style, it's so well thought out and he manages to keep the story flowing in such a nice way.

I did however, as i do with most short stories, wish for this to be longer. But this did kind of feel like a prologue, so who knows, maybe Nathan Tyler will be back for a full sized novel in the future?

I'm definitely picking up a more books by Lee Child in the future, his writing style is really just right up my alley.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me with this short story.

A compelling quick read!

My first Lee Child book and I really enjoyed it. A look at modern day espionage, taking advantage of heightened tensions between nations, whilst using everyday citizens. Clever plot and I would recommend it.

Eleven Numbers was my first Lee Child book, but after this, I’ll definitely be reading more from him. An exciting short story which picks up right away and keeps up the pace all the way through to the end. As someone studying a STEM subject, the mathy-ness of the book was fun, if a bit unrealistic. The only real critique I have is that the book ends somewhat abruptly, but it does wrap up the plot in a conclusive way, so I can’t complain too much. Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read!