The Never Game

Jeffery Deaver

May 2019 · A Colter Shaw Novel Book 1 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

The first installment in Jeffery Deaver’s Colter Shaw series—the inspiration for the upcoming CBS original series TRACKER starring Justin Hartley!

The son of a survivalist family, Colter Shaw is an expert tracker. Now he makes a living as a “reward seeker,” traveling the country to help police solve crimes and locate missing persons for private citizens.

“You’ve been abandoned. Escape if you can. Or die with dignity.”

Hired by the father of a young woman who has gone missing in Silicon Valley, Shaw's search takes him into the dark heart of America’s cutthroat billion-dollar video-game industry. When another person goes missing, Shaw must ask: Is a madman bringing a twisted video game to life?

Encountering eccentric designers, trigger-happy gamers, and ruthless tech titans, Shaw soon learns that he isn't the only one on the hunt: someone is on his trail and closing fast....

Named a Crime Novel of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, The Never Game proves once more why “Deaver is a genius when it comes to manipulation and deception” (Associated Press).






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TRACKER is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Used under license.

Ratings and reviews

The Never Game (Colter Shaw #1) by Jeffery Deaver Content Rating 18+ Genre Thriller/Mystery Publication Date May 14th, 2019 The Never Game, written by Jeffery Deaver is the first book in a new thriller series featuring the very likable character, Colter Shaw. Although I have not had the pleasure of reading any other books by Jeffery Deaver I have heard good things. When I recently found one of his books on NetGalley I jumped at the opportunity to read and review. This story was very well developed, researched and painstakingly thought out. I did find the beginning a little slow but felt that was due in no small amount of background information given, as is sometimes needed with the first novel of this caliber. I must admit that I am not a fan of the gaming culture, but I did find that Deaver was able to present the story in such a way that you don’t have to be a lover of all things video games. I liked the way the author weaves the plot of the book with Shaw’s survivalist familial background. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about how Colter grew up with a paranoid father, intellectual mother and two siblings. Deaver does give us little hints to a subplot, and I am looking forward to seeing where that takes Shaw, but that is all I am willing to say about that. The main plot is filled with deception, greed and plenty of twists and turns and a little touch of romance. I did find Colter Shaw to be somewhat of a paradox, on the one hand, he was intriguingly complex and enigmatic, and on the other hand, he presents himself an uncomplicated and straightforward a what you see is what you get kind of guy. These characteristics made him interesting and likable, a character that you want to get to know better. Deaver does an excellent job surrounding Colter with a very well developed group of secondary characters that add mystery to the story. I am looking forward to reading where Shaw’s “reward-seeking” will take him. ***I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion .***

Delightful, compelling read, with lots of vivid description. I read it rapidly and can't wait for the next one.

Very good!

About the author

Jeffery Deaver is the #1 international bestselling author of more than thirty-five novels, three collections of short stories, and a nonfiction law book. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He's received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world, including Novel of the Year by the International Thriller Writers and the Steel Dagger from the Crime Writers' Association in the United Kingdom. In 2014, he was the recipient of three lifetime achievement awards. A former journalist, folksinger, and attorney, he was born outside of Chicago and has a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a law degree from Fordham University.