But why is his uncle so cryptic about the Ancient Nine, a shadowy group of alums whose identities are unknown and whose power is absolute? They protect the Delphic's darkest and oldest secrets-including what happened to a student who sneaked into the club's stately brick mansion in 1927 and was never seen again.ĭalton steers Spenser into deeper and deeper recesses of the club, and beyond, to try to make sense of what they think they may be seeing. His great-uncle is one of their oldest living members, and Dalton grew up on stories of the club's rituals. Founded in the nineteenth century, the Delphic has had titans of industry, Hollywood legends, heads of state, and power brokers among its members.ĭalton Winthrop knows firsthand that the Delphic doesn't offer memberships to just anyone.

These two find enough common ground to become friends, cementing their bond when Spenser is 'punched' to join the Delphic Club, one of the most exclusive of Harvard's famous all-male final clubs. He's got the ease-and the deep knowledge-that come from belonging. Calls his mother-who raised him on her own in Chicago-every week.Ī white-shoe legacy at Harvard, he's just the most recent in a string of moneyed, privileged Winthrop men in Cambridge. Ian Smith's novel is unmissable.' -Harlan Coben, author of Missing YouĪn unlikely Harvard prospect, smart and athletic, strapped for cash, determined to succeed. 'Pulls you into the depths of a secret world from the first page.

Ian smith the ancient nine