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.

I really enjoyed that it jump straight into the story on page one, not really sure what’s going on but I loved that tense situation. sitting on the edge of your seat introduction.

We quickly learned that Shaw is our detective but not a detective. I really liked Shaw and thought he was pretty relatable and easy to follow. I was super intrigued by his job of collecting reward money.

I LOVED the idea that the chapters were made into levels just like a game.

However, I did struggle to read this, I really had to force myself when I hit the half way point but I’m glad I pushed myself through it. I found it to be a fast read to begin with, then very slow and then fast again. There’s definitely a lot of twists to keep you going but I need find myself not wanting to bother reading it some days...

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.

Jeffery Deaver introduced us to his new protagonist, Colter Shaw, in his short story Captivated, which certainly piqued my interest in this, his new series. This is the full blown first book and it proves to be a gripping and highly suspenseful read. We learn more about Shaw's background growing up in remote California, with his well educated and academic survivalist father, Ashton, his mother, Mary Dove, and his siblings, reclusive elder brother, Russell, and his younger sister, Dorion. Home was The Compound, where all the children were home schooled with none of the trappings of modern life and technology, which meant no TV or phones, but there was an extraordinarily well equipped library. Colter is knowledgeable about guns and the environment, acquiring the skills to become a gifted forensic tracker. Raised by his father on a number of rules and philosophy, and a particular lifestyle, Shaw is a man of few words, largely a loner, physically and emotionally resilient, but with a defining sense of wanderlust that drives his inability to settle or commit to a long term personal relationship.

There is some mystery about aspects of Shaw's life, such as the financial resources he has at his disposal. What he has settled into is a remarkably successful career in finding missing people. He is guided to potential missing people and rewards offered for locating them by his friends, Teddy and Velma in Florida, who are keeping an eye on his home there. Shaw has a number of background players who support his investigations. He ends up making his way in his Winnebago to Silicon Valley, California, where a distraught father, Frank Mulliner, is offering a reward he cannot afford to anyone who can find his missing 19 year old daughter, Sophie. The police have shown little interest in the case, so Shaw looks her into odd disappearance. Using his extensive experience and research, Shaw allocates percentages into the possible options of what could have happened that are major drivers into the decisions he makes. He has a strong interest in maps, and he maps the areas that his investigations take him to. Shaw finds himself into the unfamiliar world of gaming and murder, whilst the acquisition of stole papers take him back into his personal history and what happened to his father.

Deaver is a complete pro when it comes to writing a riveting thriller with his new protagonist, Colter Shaw, an unusual character with a unique personal history that has shaped the man he is today, a man who needs to live at the edge, who needs to take risks to feel alive. There are twists galore in the book, just when you think you know where it is all going, it moves into an entirely different direction. What really proved a highlight for me was the detailed insights and observations of the US gaming industry, both the game makers and those who live to game, people whose lives are entirely consumed by their primal need to meet the challenges that competitive gaming companies provide. The premise made in the book about where the gaming industry could end up does not feel that far fetched, given our contemporary world of fake news, dirty politics and political machinations. All in all, this was a fantastic read and I have no doubt Colter Shaw and this new series will prove to be popular with crime fiction and thriller fans. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. It has received several 5 Star reviews and I regret to differ. This galley was so peppered with typographical errors it spoiled any enjoyment. It needs saying because proof readers are going to have one hell of a job correcting the text.

Beyond that, the protagonist Colter Shaw, is an interesting character. Different. He generates an income by following up rewards offered by individuals to help find missing persons. He is good at it. An individual schooled in survival and tracking techniques by his father. When a student is kidnapped from a park in CA her disconsolate father offers a $10,000 reward for her safe return. The nub of the story that is composed around the lucrative video gaming industry. I have never played a video game and could not develop any interest in the plot. It's a pity. It just wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed this book, great story line, great character development and an engaging read. Shaw as a character is quite different from Mr Deaver’s past writing and a welcome addition, he is presented to us full developed and the story is very well crafted and engages with interesting scenarios both action and intellectually, again a good read from a master writer. Highly recommend, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

This is classic Deaver - twisty turny plot, fun new character with a mysterious past, clever tricks to trap the baddie. An excellent start for a new crime thriller series!

Colter Shaw finds himself involved in the case of a missing girl. Her father and ex-boyfriend are desperate to find her and offer a reward that they can barely afford. The case predictably becomes quite involved and appears to be linked to a video game. Without spoilers Colter finds himself in many dangerous situations in his quest to find answers. After hearing of Jeffrey Deaver and his excellent reputation I felt it was time I sampled on of his books. However, I was disappointed in that the story dragged in places. I also expected more clever detail in intelligence and tracking than there was. It promised much but seemed a little disjointed and convenient in places. The ending left a lot to be desired and while I understand this is to encourage reading the next in the series, it left me feeling flat and not interested enough to bother.

When you pick up a Jeffrey Deaver you know you are in for a cracking read

This one introduces Colter Shaw a man who makes his living tracking missing people for the reward money.

The plot revolves around the gaming industry and I found it quite hard to get into not being a gamer.

That said there was enough going on to keep me interested

I look forward to the next one as Colter seems a fascinating character.

So the copy of this book I received was horribly edited - more like a first draft written by someone who has a broken space bar on their keyboard.
The fact that I powered through and took the time to work out what the words were supposed to say says a lot about this book. That is, that I really wanted to read it and find out what happened next! Even though it was really difficult to physically read, I still couldn't put it down as it was such a page turner.

The story is extremely modern, set in the Silicon Valley and the world of pro gamers. Deaver has clearly done his research into this world and it shows, with only a few implausible moments (e.g. a pro gamer using a Dell computer - fairly unlikely). This is a fairly classic "who-done-it" plot in a modern high tech setting.

While I enjoyed the story and the setting, I found it hard to really like or connect to any of the characters. I felt like they weren't terribly well developed or consistent. The only character I actually enjoyed really was probably Officer Standish. Perhaps because this is set to be a series following Colter Shaw we are meant to slowly warm up to him and get to know him over the course of several books.

So for me, the big conclusion and really the last third of the book didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Like, I just didn't feel the motive was strong enough or made enough sense. (view spoiler) So for me, I found the last section of the book to be a bit of a let down.

Overall, It is an enjoyable thriller and a good page turner but I doubt I will be following Colter Shaw any further in his adventures.

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review

A new lead character for Deaver and a great introductory novel, I'm really excited to see where this new series takes us.
A twisty thriller with lots of switches and red herrings, I always end up tied in knots but absolutely love this author.

A typical Jeffrey Deaver story, well researched, well planned with plenty of twists to the plot. Introducing a new hero and obviously the first of many featuring Mr Shaw.
Being the first of many I hope the story was a little jerky in places and some plot twists slightly predictable but still very enjoyable. A book to put on your shopping list.

The phrase "number one international bestselling author" is normally found affixed before the name of Jeffery Deaver who has over the years produced a prodigious output of mystery and crime thrillers. There is no doubt that he knows how to produce a winning formula with plenty of mystery, thrills, chills and action contained in his books. Here, the first in a new series we are introduced to investigator Colter Shaw who specialises in locating missing people.

The story starts with Colter trying to rescue a woman who is trapped on a sinking boat. The narrative then goes back forty eight hours in time to recount how we got to this dramatic situation. Two days may not seem a long time but in this period there will be several kidnappings, killings, arson and there is even time for some love interest.

With its short punchy chapters the reader should be prepared to hold tight as they are taken on a roller coaster ride with lots of action coupled with plot twists. Colter is on the trail of a kidnapper who appears to be playing a deadly game with their victims. Expert in tracking and survivalist skills we learn of Colter’s backstory and that there is also a mystery to be solved regarding his late father.

This will make a perfect read for the beach or on a journey as the reader does not have to expand too much intellectual energy. Personally I found the continued use of abbreviations and acronyms a little annoying but I suppose those who are used to this genre are familiar with these terms. I’m sure there will be more books featuring Colter Shaw in the future which will be equally successful for the author.

This looks like the start of another excellent series fromJeffery Deaver. The story was exciting and Colter is a very promising character. I not only enjoyed the main storyline but also the back story which is very promising. Strongly recommended