Having read many of Jeffery Deaver’s other novels and listened to him speak at the Crime Writer’s Festival in Harrogate I was delighted to have the opportunity to read a book with a new character. Colter Shaw is an intriguing creation. He was home schooled and taught from a very early again a series of “Nevers” by his father in order to survive. His parents were both very well educated and you are intrigued from the outset about what caused Colt’s father to shut the family away from civilisation in the middle of nowhere.
The story opens with what appears to be an episode from a computer game and the significance of this becomes apparent later in the book. It is obvious from the outset that although Colter goes after rewards offered in relation to missing people he is not a hard boiled killer and only takes on those cases he feels are deserving. The story becomes embroiled in the world of Silicon Valley and Colter has to learn about gaming. He is a person who continually works out the percentages in events and the likelihood of outcomes. He is also wary about technology and makes his notes by hand explaining that this way he owns them in a way he would never to if he typed them into a computer.
The ending of the story leaves the door open to develop our understanding of Colter’s early life and what brought his family to their life cut off from the world. An exciting new series and I look forward to discovering more about this fascinating character.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

The bottom line here for me is that Colter Shaw is just no Kathryn Dance or Lincoln Rhyme. He’s okay; he has some unique character traits and is undoubtedly two steps ahead of me which makes for a good read but he’s not especially likeable and most notably he’s just not as compelling as his predecessors.

That aside, the plot really is quite clever provided you give it enough time to build fully. There are so many sub-plots working together here, with a host of characters to keep an eye on as potential suspects in a series of crimes. Whilst this absolutely kept me interested and only reaffirms how insanely clever Deaver is it did make for quite a slow burn.

Colter Shaw works for himself, having heavily paid his dues as a detective previously. Now, Shaw picks his cases by responding to missing person reward ads - all the financial gain for much less stress or personal investment. All he needs to do is think like the perp and track their victims to hopefully find them in one piece. And he’s pretty good at it!

In this case Shaw is looking for a series of missing people who appear to be the responsibility of a single tactical villain. Every move is calculated, a well-established game and the victims have every chance of being able to beat this game if they’re resourceful; it’s all part of the murderers fun.

I liked the concept, although have to acknowledge it’s been done many times before, and I thought the tie to the gaming industry was pretty interesting - especially given that the chapters were essentially laid out like levels. But unfortunately Deaver suffers from some pacing issues here, making this book a bit of a hard slog. That, combined with an underwhelming protagonist compared to his usual work made for a disappointing first book in the series.

I won’t give up on Deaver; his work is usually so compelling that I’m almost surprised he penned this. But this time I’ll have to admit that this one just wasn’t for me.

This is the first book in a new series by Jeffrey Deaver. It features Colter Shaw, an investigator of missing persons with an intriguing past. The main story takes place in the high tech world of Silicon Valley and, as usual with a Deaver novel, you get a great insight into the lesser known details of this area. I love that I learn so much when I’m reading his books and the facts are woven through the story so well.
Colter Shaw’s early life is referenced throughout and I’m sure will continue to move forward through the following books in the series. I thought this was a great start to a new character and I’m eager to read more- keep up the good work Mr Deaver!

Time was that I would buy every Jeffrey Deaver that come out, I just devoured them. Then when I came across them I had to check publication date as I could not always remember whether I had read them or not. I have even bought them again – by mistake and got a little way in and the whole plot comes back to me. So I was delighted to have the opportunity to review The Never Game in which we are introduced to a new series featuring Colter Shaw.

Colter is an interesting character in more ways than one. We learn of his background: his parents and siblings and the way he has been raised in remote California, home schooled without the advantages of modern life and tech-free but with the emphasis on survivalist principles and his father’s admonishments “never do ….” Colter always works on percentages, calculating risks and likelihoods as he discovers more information.

Colter has been trained to survive and has extensive knowledge about the environment, tracking, guns and as such is entirely suited to his line of work. He works to recover missing people and is not paid as such, but receives a reward and it is this work that brings him to Silicon Valley where 19 year old Sophie Milliner has gone missing – and her father Frank who is posting the reward of $10,000.

As ever, our hero is somewhat of a loner and a mystery. He seems to have an awful lot of resources and contacts which are invaluable in his work. In Silicon Valley Colter’s investigation leads him to learn more about the multi-million dollar industry that is gaming, whether Nintendo or the more sophisticated, and newer games like Fortnite.

Jeffrey Deaver at his best. I found the details about the gaming industry informative and fascinating although, for myself I cannot see the attraction. Very thought-provoking. Great plot, great characters and a clear winner.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Colter Shaw is a private investigator whose new case spirals into a computer game being lived in real life. His enigmatic background both helps and hinders him.
Good solid thriller

An engaging puzzle of a thriller, full of twists and introducing a new breed of 'hero' who you'll definitely want on your side!

Yep Colter Shaw works for me! What an intriguing protagonist, his approach to his 'job' is fascinating and I've even started thinking in percentages - lol!
He is a fascinating 'hunter' and uses the skills taught to him by his parents to help people who need help finding others. He is a lonely figure but seems confidence and secure in the life and career he has chosen.
This is a thriller, that immerses the reader into Shaw's world of kidnap and the psychology of the criminal mind linked to the multi-million pound video gaming world. I'm not a gamer, but I was fascinated with this world of video games and its ability to put people into virtual worlds. It's also a current thread about how playing such games can alter and affect the reality of the players.
I was intrigued by this book and despite the pace slowing at times, really enjoyed the twists and turns and working out the puzzling threads as the story developed. It's also clearly the beginning of a series and I'll definitely be reading more.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the review copy.

Although I was aware of Jeffery Deaver as an author, I have never read any of his previous titles.
From the beginning you can see that he is an accomplished author. The characters have depth to them. The plot line is relevant to living today.
I did feel that it was a little slow getting started and was a bit disappointed that the end was really the setting up of the next book in the series.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Another great read from a great author. New character for me Colter Shaw who is a man of mystery. Would highly recommend if you are a Jeffrey Deaver fan.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for an advance copy of The Never Game, the first novel to feature Colter Shaw, a man who finds missing people for the reward money.

Shaw is in the Bay Area for a private project when he is alerted to the disappearance of 19 year old Sophie Mulliner. The police don’t appear interested so her father is offering a reward. Shaw gets more than a straightforward missing persons case when he starts investigating.

I enjoyed The Never Game which is an exciting read with plenty of twists and turns, in fact vintage Deaver. The novel has two plot lines, the main one being the hunt for Sophie’s kidnapper and his motive and the secondary one the private project he is undertaking. This project has roots deep in Shaw’s past and is gradually expanded on over the course of the novel but not to its full extent and as the novel ends in a cliffhanger for this plot it is fair to assume that it will run throughout the series. I’m not sure what to think about this. I like the way Mr Deaver reveals just enough at key points to whet the appetite without annoying the reader with too much secrecy but I’m not the biggest fan of running plots into several novels as I’ve always forgotten the detail by the time the next one arrives.

I really enjoyed the hunt for Sophie’s kidnapper which is exciting and action packed. It held my attention from start to finish with all the developments and twists. Obviously as it’s a thriller realism isn’t high on the priority list but a clever perpetrator and a smart hunter in the form of Shaw more than make up for this lack. It should be noted that the novel is set in the Silicon Valley gaming community which I thought might be a turn off but in fact is very interesting, not the actual gaming which seems rather pointless to me but the politics and motivations involved are fascinating and scary (that part I had no difficulty in believing).

Colter Shaw is an interesting proposition. The son of survivalists he was home schooled and has some unusual skills like tracking and duh! survival. There is, however, much more to him than a man who earns his living from reward money. What that is is not specified in the novel but adds to his air of mystery. He seems a smart, honourable man so I was delighted to make his acquaintance.

The Never Game is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Have read many Jeffery Deaver and most famous are the Lincoln Rhyme novels, but this is a new one for me, the main character Colter Shaw is rather a strange person was bought up on a sort of commune and reminds me more of an Indian by the way he tracks, scales rock faces, etc but on all accounts when he was growing up he didn't have access to internet, phones, only a radio phone for emergencies, but now a man he has a job if you like as a rewarder, ie: he looks for missing people only missing, for rewards, but not a bounty hunter. The book shows promise very different from his normal style, and quite a joy to read. It did start quite abruptly and then changed just as quick as the author has started back to front, but halfway through it seems to sort it's a way around so you get the drift.! I take it it will be another series as the way that it has been left. Good standalone enjoyable, and like the different style writing from Deaver on this one. I would like to thank Netgalley, and Harper Collins UK for a forward copy to review.

This is the start to a new series with a great new protagonist in Colter Shaw. He had an unconventional childhood that has equipped him with a very unique skill- set which he uses to earn a kind of living seeking rewards...searching for missing people and claiming reward money if he finds them alive. He is choosy about which jobs he takes, researching both the victim, and the people who want them found before deciding. Shaw is a very intriguing character and we are skilfully drawn into his story, with snatched glimpses into his past alongside his current investigation which involves kidnapping and murder. This investigation draws the reader into the gaming world, but lack of experience gaming didn’t detract from my interest as explanations are well done and didn’t require massive technical knowhow ( I may have skimmed an occasional passage!) You quickly grow to like and respect Shaw, as he’s honest in his transactions even when occasionally acting without the law. There is a deeper story line which will clearly continue through the series and it has this reader completely hooked. My first Jeffery Deaver book, but it certainly won’t be my last.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Jeffrey Deaver novel.

This story introduces Colter Shaw, a private investigator of sorts who makes a living by finding missing people and claiming rewards. Colter is a bit of a mystery man, though he obviously has a background or training in survival and tracking.

This case begins in Silicon Valley, California, and centres around the disappearance of 19 year old Sophie. Colter takes up the case and tries to find what has happened to the young woman before time runs out.

A bit slow to get going but an interesting, twisty story with well developed characters.

I actually didn’t want this book to end because I am a little bit in love with Colter Shaw. Think Jason Bourne as a civilian! Deaver’s new protagonist is a ‘reward seeker’ and goes after kidnapped or missing loved ones for cold hard cash. This irked a bit a first and made me question his motives and character - but that is his job. He works with law enforcement not against them. He works for families and is very good at what he does.

Shaw is a well-developed character with a fascinating backstory. I have zero interest in gaming or Silcon Valley. However don’t let this part of the narrative put you off. Deaver has expertly used just enough of this world to drive his plot. I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Always a fan of Jeffery Deaver and The Never Game didn’t disappoint. Was hooked from the start and didn’t have to wait for anything to happen as it was continuous throughout the book. I would like to have known a little more about Mack as I think he would be an interesting character. Think this could be the start of a great series like the Lincoln Rhyme books. Shaw would have a lot of adventures that keep readers going for a long time. Great book and would absolutely recommend.

Jeffrey Deaver is an international bestselling author who’s best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series, starting with The Bone Collector. Whilst I am a massive fan of Lincoln Rhyme, I was really excited to meet a brand new character. Colter Shaw, the protagonist in this new character-driven investigative series definitely doesn’t disappoint.

Shaw, a reward-hunter (not a bounty hunter, not a police official or consultant, but someone who chooses to investigate cases where families have placed a reward for a happy outcome) is drawn to the kidnap case of a young woman. It turns out the perpetrator is serial, and he ends up getting drawn into a series of kidnappings based around a popular video game. Shaw is not someone into gaming, coming from an extreme home-school survivalist background, so everything is explained adequately for a non-gamer to understand. The hook at the end of the day, is not the video game tie-in or the background of silicon valley, but the plot of a murderer and kidnapper – and the life of a new victim, 7-months pregnant woman is now at stake, ramping up the pressure. That being said, I do enjoy video games, so this was a treat for me.

Shaw is a man who at times makes it all seem too easy. He’s incredibly intelligent, patient, cool under pressure. He’s charismatic and has sex appeal and is noble to boot. He’s incredibly well trained, has access to a lot of resources and seems to not struggle financially. If there was anything I could say about this book that was negative, it might be that Shaw is a little too perfect, that everything seems to come a little too easy to him. His hook is his upbringing and background – a home schooled childhood, off the grid, being taught by two very well educated parents that have blocked themselves off from the world, and we don’t know why. As the story develops we learn about his survivalist father, paranoia, intrigue and a deepening mystery about what happened to his father and brother 15 years ago and why.

The subplot of Shaw’s family is honestly just as gripping as the actual plot of the story – and this is what’s going to keep people waiting eagerly for the next book, as it feels like we barely scratched the surface.

The characters are all well written, the pace is constantly moving forward with short snappy dialogue and concise descriptive details that really paint a picture. I read the book in a few short days, eager to figure out what was going on. Deaver has created another intelligent, driven character but one that feels entirely different to Lincoln & Sachs or Kathryn Dance – his previous crime investigators. Definitely one to follow.

The Never Game is a fresh, exciting thriller and I can’t wait for more. Five Stars.

3 for neutral! I could not get into this book. I tried on a few occasions and just could never do it. Will update if I am ever able to, and will give Deaver another try if I am not able to.
Will let the members of Chapter Chatter Pub know about its upcoming release!

As a huge Jeffery Deaver fan I was really looking forward to reading this book, but initially struggled to get into it.
I really liked the main character, Colter Shaw, who makes a living finding missing persons and I look forward to more of his investigations in future books, but the Silicon Valley storyline didn’t hold a lot of appeal for me personally. Still a decent read, but not my favourite by this author.

Unfortunately this is very much a review of two halves - starting with the positives, the central character is well developed and an engaging personality. Readers will warm to his back story and the credible levels of highly developed detecting skills he deploys. The plot, too, is novel and of its time, so congratulations to Mr Deaver for setting a story around a computer game and its links to real crimes. However, the book seems to lose its trajectory after the first case is solved by the central character, Colter Shaw. The writing seemed to lose its fluency and dialogue, in particular, was very tedious to wade through. Perhaps more ruthless editing was needed but this did not prove to be a book that was hard to put down. Others may find more to like, but for me I'd have to say 'disappointing. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in return for an honest opinion.

I used to look forward to books by Jeffrey Deaver especially the Lincoln Rhyme series, however recently I have struggled with his writing. Unfortunately I could not engage with this novel. Might give it another try.

Oh what a splendid book, with a fascinating plot too. Computer games are not for me but I can see how they become addictive. Mr D does a great job of demonstrating these addictions when game play comes to life. Lots of dead ends (no pun intended) as I guess a good game should have and the end result is a story that is a good mix of both real game play and real life game play.

Very well worth your time.