I thoroughly enjoyed this book with its complex plot and engaging characters. It also offered something of an insight into the video gaming industry, past and present, and took a realistic look at where things might be heading.

The book introduces a fascinating new character called Colton Shaw, raised in the wilderness by survivalist yet academic parents. As a result, Colton has unique skills and insights which make him ideal for his chosen career as a finder of missing persons and reward hunter. His character is the best thing about this book - he has a heart and morals, but is quite able to take decisive action and deal with the bad guys as necessary. He's an expert tracker and knows a lot about forensics and psychology.

There is a very strong sub-plot about Colton's father - how and why he died, and the big secret he took with him, leaving only clues. So much more to be revealed! I'd happily read the next in the series as it's so intriguing.

Having read Captivated, the introduction to this series with Colter Shaw as the main character. My apologies to Mr Deaver but Colter Shaw is no match for his previous books.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
This was a fascinating and enjoyable read and so glad this is a start of a series - it's going to be just soooooo good!
Colter Shaw is a man of (as yet) undisclosed private means. He earns money by finding people in return for offered rewards - but he has a heart and a certain integrity which means he'll accept lengthy payment plans or waive a reward entirely if he feels it's the right thing to do. Raised on a vast 'compound' by previously academic but turned-survivalist parents with his brother and sister, Colt has been trained in bush-craft and wilderness survival skills by his father Ashton. He now travels the country in his RV pursuing any investigation taking his interest, but with a unique skill of assigning percentages to the likelihood of actions and scenarios.

It all begins to kick-off in Silicon Valley where a 19yr-old student, Sophie Mulliner, has been abducted. Her father, Frank, has offered a $10,000 reward. A keen bike-rider, she was last seen at a local café where, like everyone in Silicon Valley, customers are glued to their laptops. With the police not appearing to investigate Colt does their job for them, ultimately leading to an abandoned warehouse.
In the same area another kidnapping takes place, of a blogger; now working closely with the police, Colt's investigation leads this time to a forested area.
A further kidnapping occurs, leading to a slowly-sinking ship in the harbour.

We are led through twists, turns and red-herrings and taken into the world of computer gaming, fake news and possible election-rigging. We really get the picture of gaming-obsessed people, the tech giants who produce them and the amount of money involved.

What's the connection between the kidnappings and the provision of specific helpful items at each scene? Can Colt get it worked-out to avoid a death?

A mystery of a back-story is also developed around the death of Colt's father Ashton, and I'm certainly looking forward to being able to follow that through in the future series.

Yes, I really like Colt Shaw and his unique mind.

Big fan of Jeffrey Deaver, but this copy must be in the very early stages. The number of spelling and grammar mistakes and the randomness to the line spacing on the first few pages has put me off already. I’d rather wait for the final issue to be released.