I thank NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me with an early ARC copy of this novel, which I freely chose to review.
I read The Never Game, Deaver’s first novel in the Colter Shaw series, some time back. That was my first experience reading Deaver, and when I was invited to read this novel, I thought it would be interesting to see how things had evolved, as I had not read the two titles in between.
This novel is quite similar, in some ways, to the previous one I had read, although with some notable differences. One of my main queries (the only important one) after reading the previous novel was about a certain sense of disconnect with the protagonist, who makes his living by collecting rewards for solving all kinds of cases (this novel starts with him trying to trace and recover an important part of a miniature and fairly portable nuclear power station, but it soon becomes a case of protecting and finding two missing people, a mother and daughter on the run), has a fascinating past (he was brought up by survivalist parents, especially his father), and demonstrates an amazing set of skills. Things have moved on since then, though, and Shaw, who had many matters pending at the time, some very personal, is now in a different place, has connected with his family, has set many things to rest, and despite his professionalism and his dedication to duty, there is more of the human being surfacing at times. I enjoyed that, particularly the relationship teacher/student (father/daughter?) that develops between him and Hannah towards the end of the book. There are some evident parallels between him and the girl’s father (they seem like mirror images of each other at times) that make the final part of the story shine brighter. Beyond Shaw’s cool façade, it is evident that he cares, and that made him, at least for me, much more interesting from a psychological point of view.
I don’t think readers who haven’t read the rest of the books in the series need to worry if they grab this one first. I am intrigued by what happened in between, but despite some brief references to it in the book, the details are not revealed, don’t encroach on the current story, and those who want to go back and read the rest won’t have to regret any spoilers (not important ones). We share in Shaw’s memories sometimes (and some of the other characters as well), but these are punctual episodes and only help round up the character and his skills, while giving us clues as to his upbringing. The cases do not follow on from another novel; we jump into the action as one of the cases is solved and the other one develops soon after, and we are given enough information to follow the events, although, as you might imagine in this kind of books, things aren’t always exactly as they seem to be.
The story is narrated in the third person, and although we follow Shaw’s point of view for a lot of the story, we also get to see things from the perspective of Allison, the mother being hunted, those chasing after them, other investigators involved in the case, and some characters who play smaller (but still important) parts. I recommend keeping your wits about you as you read this novel, because no detail is too small, and Deaver is very clever in what he chooses to show us, and where he chooses to interrupt a memory or end a chapter. Do not assume you know what has happened, because he knows how to turn things around.
Some readers complained that the beginning is slow and that there is too much detail about the miniature nuclear power station (they call them ‘Pocket Suns’, and I liked the name), but I did find it fascinating, especially at a time when nuclear energy has become more of a controversial subject than ever. The story offers an interesting angle on the matter, as it does on leaks of state secrets, and irrespective of what one’s opinion might be, reflecting on such topics is always important. Domestic violence and alcoholism also play a part, as do betrayal, corruption, guilt, lies, family ties, social media... I think by the end of the novel most people will have wondered what they would have done faced with the protagonists’ choices and many might be surprised by the answers. I am still pondering some of the ethical issues the novel raises, and I appreciate the non-judgemental attitude of Shaw. I wish many more people were that open-minded.
The main characters are well-drawn, and I liked the dynamics between mother and daughter, which felt true. There are some other characters that play smaller parts, but all of them have something that makes them interesting (or most of them), and I was also quite intrigued by the peculiar duo of the two hired hands in pursuit of Allison and Hannah. Deaver knows how to drop little hints, introduce habits, refer to gestures, or even verbal ticks, to make the characters come to life and make us feel as if we were watching a movie. Everything has a reason and nothing is left unexplained, one of the author’s trademarks.
I have already said I didn’t mind the slower beginning, but it is true that the novel picks up pace as it moves along, and the last third of it (there are four parts, but the last two feel much shorter than the others) packs a lot of action in. And a major plot twist (well, two, or even three). You might have been reading the story leisurely, but then it becomes a fast page-turner, and you can’t blink for fear of missing an important plot point. Moral ambiguities aside, I really enjoyed the ending.
This is another book Deaver fans shouldn’t miss, especially those who have been following the Colter Shaw’s series. Those who haven’t and enjoy reading adventure thrillers with strong and skilled protagonists (MacGyver is mentioned and with good reason), and well-plotted novels full of twists, red herrings, and several surprises, shouldn’t hesitate to read it. You do not need to have read the rest of the books to enjoy this one, and I get the feeling there will be many more to follow.

I have not read the other books and only found out after I had read it that this is book 4. It didnt make a difference to the enjoyment of the book. there are strong characters and a strong action packed read, I particularly like the fact it was a strong female lead

The fourth book in the Colter Shaw series. It was a little slow to start but then was totally gripping! A massive twist near the end that I didn’t see coming !!

It's one of those book which are easy to review: a fast paced and action packed page turner that kept me turning pages as fast as I could.
Deaver is a master storyteller and this book is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperCollins for my copy of #HuntingTime by #JeffreyDeaver
This is the first book I have read in this series about reward hunter Colter Shaw and I loved it.
He is hired to find missing mother and daughter Alison and Hannah Porter.
Alison is a well respected scientist and her boss wants her found and protected from Alison’s violent ex husband who’s just been released from jail.
There are so many twists and turns this book will keep you second guessing yourself.
Well worth the read.

I have read several books by the author but not in this series, however I was able to pick this up having never read any others and still keep up with the plot and enjoy the book. The book had an interesting plot line and development of the characters was done cleverly over the book. I usually like more of a standard crime novel, however this was a really exciting rollercoaster and had me gripped until the end. I would certainly recommend this and also would read more books within this series.

A fast paced Coulter Shaw novel. Allison Parker is being hunted by her violent husband and assassin's can Coulter find her before they do, with Jeffrey's usual twist and turns and the final twist near the end this book keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I received this book from Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for a review.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an advanced review.
JD is a brilliant writer, and this book is no exception. Full of twists and turns with an unexpected twist. Recommended.

Colter Shaw has a really exciting adventure in this story; a real rollercoaster with twists and turns that the reader (or at least this one) does not see coming! Allison Parker and her daughter Hannah are on the run; her husband has been released early from prison and is threatening to kill her. Colter is employed by her boss to find and protect her. However, there are two more professional killers on Allison's trail.

The result is a high octane chase, with some surprising twists. A great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 4th book in the Author's Colter Shaw series and can in my opinion be read as a standalone.

Colter Shaw has been hired to find engineer, Alison Parker and her daughter Hannah ....... who have gone on the run upon the release from prison, of her violent and abusive ex-husband .
Even when Colter thinks he has solved the case a major reveal near the end throws everything into disarray

This is a fast paced thriller, full of danger and twists and turns , with the occasional red herring thrown in to confuse issues ......... a highly entertaining read .
I look forward to reading more books in this series in the future .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Serious tension from the outset with Allison being pursued by her evil ex and bodies dropping behind her as he "gathers" information about her whereabouts and gives chase
lots of fantastic characters (I particularly like Moll) and an excellent plot with the mother of all twists!

I've read several books by this author and on the whole I've enjoyed them all. This one does not buck that trend and again an author whom I've favoured in the thriller genre has not let me down. This story commences with some corporate espionage however very quickly moved to familiar ground with threats to persons and our main character becoming involved in the hunt for a woman at risk from her, recently released from jail, husband. The story moved along at a fairly rapid pace encouraging page after page to be turned and before I knew it I was approaching the end. Although not before some twists along the way. Very enjoyable and a satisfying conclusion.
Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I'd not ready any Colter Shaw books previously but didn't feel like I was missing out on any back story.
I enjoyed this story and will certainly read earlier ones. I liked the character of Shaw and enjoyed the twists and turns of this story

Hunting Time by Jeffery Deaver
This is another outing for the survivalist Colter Shaw. Shaw was raised by his late father to fend for himself. His whole family lived outside society, relying on their own defences. He now operates as a hunter chasing down rewards and his survivalist skills help him to trace anyone. The novel opens with Shaw hired to track down a piece of equipment which has been purloined by an employee. It is a valuable portable nuclear device but even more valuable is the nuclear engineer who created it and when she goes on the run from her abusive ex-policeman husband Shaw is called in to track her down.
He works alongside ex-soldier Sonja Nillson, the firm’s Chief of Security, but he finds his path blocked by the busy police service who are reluctant to search for one of their ex-colleagues. He is excellent at tracking people and Alison’s daughter in her naivety inadvertently sends him leads. These leads however are also being intercepted by some deadly assailants apparently working for her Alison’s ex-husband.
Jeffery Deaver is a past master at building tension in a story and this is a roller coaster ride with many twists and turns. We are often misdirected, along with the characters. Those people who are familiar with Colter Shaw will find it an excellent addition to Deaver’s work. It is a quick read and a thriller that rapidly keeps you turning the pages to establish what is actually happening.
Many thanks to Net Galley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

After the early release from prison for her assault Allison Parker and daughter Hannah leave their home and go on the run. from her ex-husband (Jon Merritt), who was also a Detective As a brilliant engineer she had been working on a nuclear project for her boss Marty. Marty hires Colter Shaw an expert in finding people to track her down.
A nuclear device she had been working on has been stolen and the police are trying to trace this equipment and the people who have done it.
Two hired thugs also get involved trying to find Allison and Hannah but who has hired them is in question.
The girls escape to a Motel, but Allison finds out that Hannah, despite being banned from the Internet has posted a picture that could lead to their discovery. They go to a friend's house but are traced and head out to a fisherman's lodge in the woods to meet up with him there later.
Another exciting story from Jeffery Deaver with many twists and an unexpected ending makes this a great read.

Wow another amazing read!! THERE ARE TWO FUNDAMENTAL RULES OF SURVIVAL.
#1: NEVER BE WITHOUT A MEANS OF ESCAPE.
Allison Parker is on the run with her teenage daughter, Hannah, and Colter Shaw has been hired by her eccentric boss, entrepreneur Marty Harmon, to find and protect her. Though he’s an expert at tracking missing persons—even those who don’t wish to be found—Shaw has met his match in Allison, who brings all her skills as a brilliant engineer designing revolutionary technology to the game of evading detection.
#2: NEVER BE WITHOUT ACCESS TO A WEAPON.
The reason for Allison’s panicked flight is soon apparent. She’s being stalked by her ex-husband, Jon Merritt. Newly released from prison and fueled by blinding rage, Jon is a man whose former profession as a police detective makes him uniquely suited for the hunt. And he’s not alone. Two hitmen are also hot on her heels—an eerie pair of thugs who take delight not only in murder but in the sport of devising clever ways to make bodies disappear forever. Even if Shaw manages to catch up with Allison and her daughter, his troubles will just be beginning.
SHAW IS ABOUT TO DISCOVER RULE #3:
NEVER BELIEVE ANYTHING.
As Shaw ventures further into the wilderness, the truth becomes as hard to decipher as the forest’s unmarked trails…and peril awaits at every turn.
I flew this book was amazing I wizzed through the pages with Olympic speed I was hooked from the very first page. WOW!! Just wow!!… Mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, gripping… Once you pick up the book you just can’t put it down…

I'm a fan of Jeffery Deaver but somehow the Colter Shaw books have passed me by until this one!

Allison Parker is on the run with her daughter Hannah, hiding from her abusive ex-husband who also happens to be a former police officer with loads of friends still on the force.

Colter Shaw has been employed by Allison's employee Marty Harmon to investigate some missing nuclear technology, Allison is a key employee of the company and so once the technology has been recovered, Harmon asks Colter to find Allison.

This is a fast packed story, action-packed with a twist at the end. Highly recommended

This was a very clever story and had me vabsorbed fro beginning to end. Lots of action, twists and turns and the unexpected. Great characterisations and a believable storyline. Great read from start to finsh, with a satisfying conclusion.

This is another tremendous addition to the works of Jeffery Deaver featuring reward hunter Colt Shaw. Shaw has been employed by Marty Harmon who runs a company involved with nuclear technology. He is asked to locate a piece of technology which has been stolen. Concurrently, Allison Parker, a key employee of Harmon's, has gone missing along with her daughter, Hannah. Her abusive husband, an ex-police detective, has just been released from prison and has made threats against her. Shaw is asked to find and protect her.

This is a real cat and mouse read, full of tension and action. There is a great range of characters and plenty of clever twists and turns. The plot is full of suspense and excitement. It's a real page turner!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Allison Parker and her daughter Hannah are on the run from her ex-husband Jon Merritt. He has just been released from prison and he’s looking for revenge.
Colter Shaw has been hired to find mother and daughter and protect them.
So in a race to find the runaways, Shaw will have to use all his skills taught to him by his eccentric father.
As the chase unravels, there is more surprises than anyone can predict and results will blow Colter Shaw’s mind.
The fourth in this brilliant series and probably the best so far.
Jeffery Deaver is truly magnificent at what he does. He lures the reader in, and then surprises them with twists than no one can see coming.
This is one of the best books of the year and one I highly recommend.