Jeffery Deaver is one of the true doyens of crime fiction and it is always exciting when he introduces a new strand to his vast body of work. I don't think he will ever better his outstanding Lincoln Rhyme series but Colter Shaw is certainly going to be one to follow. Not exactly a bounty hunter, he is more of a rewardist, trying to solve mysteries for which a reward has been offered. This novel has a very contemporary feel as the crimes being carried out are based on the different levels of a video game and the story races to an exciting and gripping conclusion. I look forward to more in this promising series.

Annoyingly the text was all morphed into each other which made it difficult to read, but overall it was an enjoyable read which I would highly recommend.
Although this was a new character it didn't feel alien and information was drip fed throughout the novel which helped with pacing and the story.
I will certainly be looking out for more titles featuring the lead character and his methods.

From the bestselling and award-winning master of suspense, the first novel in a thrilling new series, introducing Colter Shaw.

"You have been abandoned."

A young woman has gone missing in Silicon Valley and her father has hired Colter Shaw to find her. The son of a survivalist family, Shaw is an expert tracker. Now he makes a living as a "reward seeker," traveling the country to help police solve crimes and private citizens locate missing persons. But what seems a simple investigation quickly thrusts him into the dark heart of America's tech hub and the cutthroat billion-dollar video-gaming industry.

"Escape if you can."

When another victim is kidnapped, the clues point to one video game with a troubled past--The Whispering Man. In that game, the player has to survive after being abandoned in an inhospitable setting with five random objects. Is a madman bringing the game to life?

"Or die with dignity."

Shaw finds himself caught in a cat-and-mouse game, risking his own life to save the victims even as he pursues the kidnapper across both Silicon Valley and the dark 'net. Encountering eccentric game designers, trigger-happy gamers and ruthless tech titans, he soon learns that he isn't the only one on the hunt: someone is on his trail and closing fas

This was a fairly good book. I did struggle a wee bit through the middle though. Glad I persevered as overall i did enjoy it. The main character was interesting but the storyline a little bit far fetched for me.

I did enjoy this book and the plot. A very unique main character and storyline. The new Shaw character that we're introduced isn't all that he seems. The ending sets up the stage to learn more about him in the next book which I will read. I was going to give four stars, however as it's a new character, I've given five as there is much promise for an excellent series. I wasn't sure about the first Lincoln Rhyme book, and then became hooked. I hope his young lady on the bike who he met at the cafe is in it. I've been a big fan of Jeffrey Deaver for so many years and have read every book, except the Bond one, and not one have I not enjoyed

Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for this book and I have to be honest and say I also one a pre-release copy via Jeffery Deaver so I was really happy.

I am absolutely addicted to Jeffery’s books and read a preview of the new Colter Shaw character so was really hoping this would be good and it was.

Shaw is a great character and the story line was brilliant the interactions between other characters are well done. I loved the story line and it was a well written book.

I'm not into gaming and there was something elements to the book I struggled with but my nephews helped me understand (I'm only in my 50s!).

I would definitely recommend this book and lets hope Colter Shaw's character blooms like Linoln Rhymes and I can't wait for the next book.

Review also published on Amazon stowv55

Loved this book, five stars. For the full review see it at https://joebloggshere.tumblr.com/post/186066749981/the-never-game-by-jeffery-deaver-i-loved-this

A bit of a slow burner this book. I sort of struggled to get into it and glad I persevered as it turned into a very enjoyable book.

Student Sophie is kidnapped and imprisoned in a Warehouse. She is left 5 objects which, if used wisely, will allow her to escape.
Maverick investigator Colter Shaw agrees to investigate her disappearance, he has had success in the past and works for reward. When Henry goes missing the circumstances are different but once again he is left with 5 objects to help save himself.
This is classic Jefferey Deaver, loaded with twists and turns it’s fast paced and gripping.
I raced through this, and for the most part enjoyed it. I especially liked the way Colter Shaw’s character was developed, I found him engaging and likeable and there is clearly to be a follow up to this book so watch this space!

#TheNeverGame #NetGalley I read the short story that preceded this first novel and it didn't really gel for me but I promised that I would try the first story and boy am I glad I did!! This was a cracking read! I love all the Lincoln Rhyme novels, but this was a completely different take following the life of Colter Shaw a modern day bounty hunter. Full of action and lots of twists and turns kept me reading way into the night so that I could read just one more chapter!! A nice tease at the end for the next in this series - cant wait! A brilliant 5 stars from me.

With The Never Game, it has become very apparent to me that I just don't vibe with detective style novels. I know that Colter Shaw isn't a detective but he is in all but name. It follows the same format and builds plot points that I'm sure are due to be picked up and concluded as the series progresses. However, I don't really think I'm interested enough to continue past this book.

The story is interesting enough, don't get me wrong, I'm just thinking of the bigger picture. The characters are pretty bland, excluding Detective Standish, who seems to be the only fleshed out character. The main protagonist, Colter Shaw, is less James Bond and more someone's grandfather. He just feels so out of place. He doesn't seem particularly charismatic or personable, he's basically a very plain character who is helped by a very good supporting character and a fairly well done, twist-filled plot.

3 stars for me. Nothing groundbreaking, nothing horrendous.

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

I received my e-copy of this book via Netgalley.

There are some American dramas that quickly leave me disheartened because it becomes very obvious that we speak a different form of English to those in the US and I am left second guessing, but thankfully, this was not the case with The Never Game.

I found the main character Colter Shaw a very complex character but also very engaging. To my mind this was what I would call a very masculine story although there were quite a few females within it.

I did not find the plot compelling but the fact that it was so multi-layered meant it was very interesting especially, the stories of Colt's background.

I liked the way Deaver concluded the book, no hurried explanations or implausible conclusions; it came to a thoroughly satisfying juncture ensuring the reader was more than ready for the next book in the series.

Very screwed up story but so good. You will second guess and question everything then get a nice twist at the end...

People are going missing, some survive, some die, Colter Shaw finds himself wrapped up in finding out what's been going on. It would appear that an online game is the source of the kidnappings where people are left with items to survive or perhaps they'll die.
I enjoyed the concept of the book and love Deaver as an author, but I found there was a lot going on in the book and it was a little long winded in places which was a shame.

These psychological thrillers get me everytime, I convince myself I know what's going to happen and then I'm proven wrong, not complaining I actually love it. That's how these type of books should be and this one is a masterpiece. It's so current,very gripping and a real page turner I could not put it down

Another Jeffrey Deaver masterpiece! A chilling, psychological read. The story takes you on a fast paced ride through the world of gaming and shows the sinister, dark side of what happens in murderous games.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough - convinced I knew what was coming; I should have known better when reading at the hands of the psychological thrill master.
The only thing I was left wanting, when I’d turned the last page....was more.

Packed with action and suspense. A true page turner. This will keep you gripped until the very last page.

I really liked the sound of this book; I have never read any of Deaver's books before. I still haven't read one of his books. Having plodded through nearly 20% I still couldn't connect with the story or the character of Shaw. Unfortunately, it's a DNF, only the second one in over 150 books with NetGalley. Maybe the plot speeds up later and I am being unfair as lots of other reviewers enjoyed it. It's all down to personal taste.

I'm a huge fan of Jeffery Deaver's books - no one does twists quite like him. Well, other books maybe. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy this one, it was more that is was a little "meh" in comparison. Maybe I was missing Lincoln Rhyme?

I have read all Jeffery Deaver books, am a huge fan . And wow has he done it again with "The Never Game" it is the first in a new investigative series and features new character 'Colter Shaw. This book certainly takes you on a ride, stay alert because you don't want to miss/skip a thing. HURRY with next in series please.