Having never actually read a Jeffrey Deaver book before this one, and knowing that it was a book from the middle of an existing series, I was hesitant as I did not want to be confused by any other information about Colter Shaw that I hadn't been privy to prior to the reading of this book. But I needn't have worried. This was a fascinating read, which touched on the overwhelming impact of nature and it was super fast paced too which was fab!

This one isn’t for me. The previous Colter Shaw books have had some kind of mystery and human interest to go along with the action, but this one, at the 15% mark where I gave up, is simply one long tiresome description of a levee collapse. The blurb suggests a plot will emerge at some point, but too late for me. I’m sure it’ll look great on TV, which it is clearly written for – like a TV-budget Mission Impossible. But Colter Shaw’s investigation skills are what make him interesting, not his action man skills, to me, anyway. All the added “I’ve done the research, so I’ll tell you” stuff about previous flooding disasters and the percentage of oxygen in the air we breathe, etc., is simply tedious padding. It adds nothing to the story and feels like stumbling across something on Google that you weren’t looking for and are not interested in. I’ve loved the previous books in this series, but if this is the new direction it’s going in, I’m afraid I’m out.

Another exciting case for Colter Shaw. I'm always keen to read a book by Deaver and this is another good one, the fifth in the series.

Colter's sister Dorion, a disaster response specialist, brings on Colter Shaw to assist and try and save a family who have slipped into the levee in their car and a town when a levee is about to collapse into the town of Hinowah in Northern California,

Its feels a little different to previous books in the series, but still very engaging and keeps the pages turning.

I'm also enjoying the Tracker tv series which is an adaptation of the books.

A fast paced story that has you rooting for good to win out over evil. I have read many books by this author but never a Colter Shaw book so I wasn’t sure what to expect; I would definitely read another. The story is good because it is something that you could see happening with the world’s changing climate.

I’ve read more than thirty novels penned by Deaver, and for the most part I’ve found myself intrigued and, more often than not, surprised by his clever storytelling. But I wonder if I’ve now worked him out because the truth is his surprises have now stopped surprising me; he’s simply become too predictable. I started to identify this with his Lincoln Rhyme novels, but it’s even more stark in this series, featuring reward seeking action man Colter Shaw. Every time something dramatic happens, I just know that in a few pages I’ll find out that the truth is very different from the version we were initially asked to swallow. For me, it’s become quite tiresome.

In this adventure, Shaw is drawn to a small desert town where a nearby dam has begun an inexorable collapse that threatens the future of the place. There’s a well-meaning but useless mayor/temporary police chief, his smart rookie subordinate, and a mixed bag of characters who may or may not be who you think they are. It’s all told in a series of painfully slow episodes in which we’re led in one direction or another before being ‘shocked’ to learn that what we thought was happening wasn’t happening at all.

I fought my way through to the end, but I found it to be hard work getting there. I’m afraid I don’t think I’ll be coming back to meet up with Mr Shaw again.

Jeffrey Deaver never disappoints. Colter Shaw has joined the list of great Deaver principals, along with Kathryn Dance and the brilliant Lincoln Rhyme among others, and this is an engrossing novel from the start. Joined here by his sister and his mother, Colter has to try to stop a town from being flooded while also tackling various malefactors. Superb!

South of Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver was an excellent was fast-paced read and I love the way this author writes. He writes in a way that will pull you into to all his books from the very beginning till the very end! Just Brilliant!!! especially as South of Nowhere had great twists and turns with excellent characters and it is the 5th book in the Colter Shaw thriller series and I found it easy to get in to it. It was an enjoyable read.

As a big fan of the Tracker TV series, I was super curious to see if South of Nowhere would live up to the show—and wow, it absolutely does! From the very first page, the story hits the ground running and never lets up. It's fast-paced, packed with action, and totally addicting. I lost track of time completely—the book had me hooked from the start.

Even though I missed seeing some of the familiar faces from the show—especially Reenie and Bobby—I loved that Colter’s sister Dorion and his mum Mary Dove made an appearance. Watching them team up and work together to save lives added a lot of heart to the story.

The tension kicks in right away and just doesn’t let go. There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprise moments that kept me on my toes the entire time. And while the main plot wraps up nicely, there are a few lingering mysteries that I hope means another book is on the way.

If you’re a fan of Tracker, or just love a good thriller with non-stop momentum and solid characters, I definitely recommend giving this one a read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As I would expect this is a meaty read. Lots of twists and turns and great characterisation. The details were sound but the pace was such that I was impatient to move quickly past the technicalities but they were relevant to the plot. This could have gone a few different ways, all of them plausible and therein lies a good mystery adventure. Four stars

🤍Book review 🤍

South of Nowhere
by Jeffery Deaver

I really enjoyed this thriller! South of Nowhere was fast-paced, suspenseful, and kept me hooked from the start. The tension never let up, and I felt the adrenaline throughout the entire book. Colter Shaw is such a strong lead character, and I liked how realistic and grounded he felt, especially when working with his sister Dorion. One of my favorite parts was getting a peek into the villain’s mind—those creepy, calculated moments added a whole new layer of intensity. It reminded me a lot of Criminal Minds, which I love, so that made it even better for me. The small town setting and the flood danger gave it a unique twist and added urgency to the story. It felt like I was racing against the clock right along with Colter.
If you like fast, clever thrillers with just the right amount of psychological depth, I definitely recommend this one!
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

A new Jeffery Deaver book is always something to be excited about, and this one definitely didn't disappoint.
Number 5 in the Colter Shaw series and my favourite so far.
Its a family affair this time as Colter is called by his sister Dorion to help with a flooded river levee that threatens a small California town. Their mother Mary Dove is also in attendance as another sinister plot is unfolding at home too.
All is not as it seems, and so unfold lots of plots and intrigue both at the site of the flood and within the Shaw family subplot too. As usual the author takes you on a merry go round of possible culprits and motives and there are a wonderful cast of characters to enjoy along the way.
Another belter of a good read from this bestselling author.

As a longtime fan of Jeffrey Deaver’s thrillers, I came to South of Nowhere expecting sharp twists, layered characters, and tightly wound suspense—and I got all of that and more. This latest Colter Shaw novel is not just an action-packed race against nature; it’s also a tense, emotional family drama that deepens Shaw’s personal arc in meaningful ways.

The novel opens with a disaster scenario already in motion: a small town in northern California is drowning under a catastrophic flood. Colter Shaw arrives in the midst of the chaos, not to observe, but to save a family caught in the rising water. The stakes are immediate and visceral. Deaver’s pacing is ruthless—short, taut chapters pull you breathlessly from one moment of peril to the next, and the flood becomes a powerful metaphor for buried secrets that threaten to surface.

But what really hooked me wasn’t just the disaster. It was the subplot simmering beneath the surface: the arrival of a stranger searching for the Shaw family’s long-hidden survivalist compound. This narrative thread runs parallel to the main action and adds a second layer of danger—one that’s far more personal. The stranger’s intentions are unclear, but ominous, and the fact that she may know something about the family’s past sends alarm bells ringing for both Colter and his sister, Dorian.

This subplot deepens the emotional stakes, particularly in how it reactivates the siblings’ fears for their mother. She’s been living in seclusion for years, partly by choice and partly due to the shadow left by their father’s paranoia and mysterious death. The idea that someone dangerous might be able to find her—and possibly exploit or harm her—brings an undercurrent of dread that lingers through the whole book.

Colter and Dorion’s dynamic is one of the best aspects of this instalment. Unlike previous novels, where Shaw operates largely solo, here he’s forced to reconnect and collaborate with family. Their interactions are tense, believable, and grounded in shared history. They don’t always agree, but their bond—tempered by a mix of loyalty, resentment, and protectiveness—feels authentic and gives the novel emotional resonance.

Verdict: Deaver excels at writing thrillers with both brains and heart, and South of Nowhere is a prime example. It delivers all the hallmarks of a gripping disaster thriller—tight plotting, relentless tension, moral complexity—but also builds on the emotional foundation laid in earlier books. The subplot involving the stranger and the potential threat to their mother adds a slow-burning sense of unease that complements the fast-paced rescue mission perfectly.

In short, this isn’t just a story about a town on the brink—it’s about a family working together in the face of old wounds and new threats. Highly enjoyable.

I am a huge fan of this author. His Lincoln Rhyme and Kathryn Dance series as well as his standalones and now, this, his relatively new series featuring "reward seeker" Colter Shaw. I use quotes as he is so much more than just this as you will know as you have read the previous 4 books and 3 in-betweenies, haven't you? If not and you intend to, I do recommend you start from book 0.5 and read in order to catch up before starting this one. I have read and loved all his outings, even the shorts which I am not usually a fan of...
So, in this book we start with a levee collapsing, endangering a couple of vehicles who were crossing at the time. The high water now threatens the town it was designed to protect, the small Northern California town of Hinowah, and the townsfolk welcome the appearance of Dorion, who in turn is the one who summons her brother Colter Shaw to assist in tracking down one of the vehicles caught in the levee breach, which was reported to have been carrying a family.
But that only appears to be the tip of the iceberg insofar as the levee breach is concerned. There are homes to protect, families to evacuate, and so much more that I will leave you to discover for yourself. It seems though, that maybe the breach wasn't just caused by the sheer volume of melt water. Meanwhile, in amongst all of this, Colter is wondering who Margaret is?
I love this series. I absolutely love the character of Colter Shaw. I did from the very first time I met him. He is everything I want from a character in this genre. He's intelligent, quick witted, smart, and deals in percentages! I especially love it when more of his past is divulged. His growing up off the grid, all the things he learned from his father, his codes to live by. And his principals, and pro bono work.
As with all this author's books, things are never quite what they seem, and that's not a spoiler if you have read him before. He also has the habit of talking about something before he introduces it properly, so some of what you read will occasionally not make complete sense initially, or scare you a little too much, but you know (hope) it will all come good eventually if you just hold onto it, often with interesting results. He doesn't half challenge me as a reader and I love him for that.
His twists and turns are also often genius and so he is very hard to second guess, another thing that really impresses me about him, and which keeps me on my toes throughout. And, eventually, after putting me through the mill, spitting me out at the end, wholly satisfied once again.
And especially in this book I loved learning more about his family... and with the way the book ended, I am really looking forward to the next one...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Typical Deaver, dramatic, disconcerting and delivering action and thrills throughout the book.

A happy return to the life and energy of Colter Shaw. He is quite a unique protagonist, a wilderness survivor, somewhat of detective and freelancer offering his services to find people, lost, in hiding or simply disappeared. Sometimes intentionally sometimes not, victims of some criminal conspiracy or pawns in a kidnapping plot.

Against this background of enterprise and worthwhile job description is an unidentified threat, some corporate cabal or commercial enterprise, the ultimate conspiracy. This led to his family going into hiding and the encroachment of threat leading to the unexplained death of his father.

This is now the fifth novel in this compelling series and I have followed this story from the beginning and in the chronological sequence in which the books have been published.

This is a delightful expansion of this journey and brings most of the family together to address a natural disaster while countering a threat made to their way of life and the off grid compound where Shaw’s mother still lives.

I love Deaver’s approach to story telling. As demonstrated here, he has a number of plot developments throughout. The premise of trying to unpack a mystery and find those seeking to benefit from a river bursting its banks.
It is character driven and although Colter Shaw is the undoubted star, he doesn’t have all the best lines. Because of the author’s neat sleight of hand and simple misdirection the writing is all consuming and drives that reader’s favourite pastime, rapid page-turning.

Colter Shaw, a man who finds the lost when others can’t. This time he is in northern California in search of a family washed away in a storm.
Time is against him, as the town is on the brink of disaster with the levee rising fast.
As the search intensifies, Shaw becomes suspicious of the defences put in place, as the town’s vulnerabilities look more man made than natural.
Teaming up with his sister Dorion, Shaw must uncover the truth quickly if he is to save a family and prevent a disaster that could destroy the town.
Jeffery Deaver is one of the greatest crime writers in the business, and his character Colter Shaw is one of the best inventions to come along in a long time.
This particular novel is super intense and full of surprises. It’s one of those books that once you start reading it, you will find impossible to put down. Another five star read, and one I highly recommend.

A very entertaining and interesting collection of interlinked stories within a disaster theme which kept me entertained and reading to the last page. Unforgivable was the error made by the "experts" but you will have to read the book to discover what it is.

Another great thriller from Jeffery Deaver featuring the no nonsense Colter Shaw. I really enjoyed this book. It was a very original story and it was interesting that it also featured more of Colter's family, giving the dynamics another level. Highly recommended.

"Need help. Now."

Upon receiving the message, Colter Shaw promptly travels to the small town of Hinowah, where heavy rainfall has led to a breach in the levee. A family of four in a white Chevy Suburban has been swept away, and he must assist in their rescue before it is too late. However, the situation proves to be more complex than it initially appears, suggesting that the weather may not be the sole contributing factor. There are additional unexpected developments involving others affected by the levee break.

Colter and his family must also contend with a mysterious woman seeking information about them. Her identity and motives remain unclear.

This book differed from previous installments in the series. The pacing felt somewhat slow initially, and I was wondering how it would play out, but I ultimately found it to be a very enjoyable read. The story also had a few surprises toward the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Having enjoyed this author’s work for a long time a new Colter Shaw tale is very welcome. Basically the search for a family seemingly victims of a levee collapse that is not the accident it appears. As always a complex tale full of interesting characters twists hither and thither with time made for a young woman escaping male control slipped into the narrative as someone taking advantage of the levee collapse. It all builds to an exciting climax and a question of mystery family connections is explained at the end setting up a new investigation for hopefully the next episode.

Did I mention that I love this series? I did? Well, it's true. I do. And this, South of Nowhere, book five if you can believe that, is another absolute belter of a thriller. A little different to some of the previous books in that this time around Colter Shaw, our reward seeking hero, is on the hunt for a missing family, not for financial gain, purely because it is the right thing to do. Well, that and his sister asked him for his help, and who is Colter to say no to Dorion? When a levee at the edge of the township of Hinowah suffers a partial collapse, it takes a car carrying a family with it, creating a dual race against time for the Shaw siblings. Not only do they need to find the family before the worst happens, they also need to find a way to shore up the levee to prevent the entire town being flooded.

You'd think that this would all be exciting enough right? The Shaw's against the elements, because it really is man v nature as an escalating water flow threatens to do even more damage to the already failing levee. But that is not the only threat, as we as readers are very quick to learn, and it is not long before a very Colter crosses paths with danger of the very human kind. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the collapse of the levee was no accident, and trying to get to the bottom of what really happened, and if worse is yet to come, really does drive the tension and jeopardy off the chart. Add in another missing person, a potential threat to the Shaw family by way of a stranger who is trying to track down their compound, and some unexpected revelations about their father, and this really is an intense reunion for the siblings.

And I loved it. I love how in each and every case Jeffery Deaver draws us into the heart of the action. I could almost feel as though I was right there in Hinowah, looking on as Dorion and Colter try to get a handle on the situation. Everything, from the planning of the evacuation, to the investigation into who might be behind the collapse, carries a real sense of authenticity and intensity that had my heart pounding, especially as we cut to certain other characters who are right at the limits of what you feel they can endure. The situation with the missing family becomes almost heart-wrenching, and I got all the emotions reading those scenes. Then there are the action scenes, the moments where Colter really gets into his stride, taking on a nemesis who is set in their determination to complete their 'mission'. Each scene is so carefully plotted and executed, and even each side story comes with a sense of trepidation, never quite knowing how things are going to play out.

What I really do love most about these book though are the characters. From Colter himself - one of my favourite action heroes of recent years for sure - to his extended family of Dorion, even his mother, Mary Dove, and his extended friends circle of Teddy and Velma Bruin, they all bring something special to the books. In fact, I think I love Mary Dove as a character almost as much as Colter. So down to earth, tenacious and strong. It's no wonder her children are so self sufficient. Jeffery Deaver has created such a wonderful cast of characters, that it is a pleasure to spend time with them and a real shame when the story ends, although I'm always left satisfied. But in this book there is one very special character who deserves a mention, Debi Starr, one of the local Police force who plays a very key part in the action. It would be very easy to overlook her in the first instance. She is hardly given any credit by her colleagues and her uncertainty certainly makes you wonder if the entire force is just inept. But you would ignore her at your peril. She is a brilliant character, and I'm hoping that somewhere, somehow, we get to catch up with her again in future books. The ending would certainly suggest it could be a possibility.

Full of action, misdirection, suspect characters with even more suspect motives, a few shocks and surprises along the way including some very explosive revelations, the book has just left me hungry for more and, given the way the story ended, I think we'll be in for a real treat. An action series with real heart and conscience - love it. Definitely recommended.