The Final Twist

Ooooh. This book. Did it meet my expectations? You bet it did and so much more. The Final Twist sees our hero, Colter Shaw, take on his most personal case yet. Because this is personal, a quest for the truth, maybe even revenge, but certainly for justice following the death of his father at the hands of an operative working for the elusive, and very dangerous company, BlackBridge. Taking his search to the streets of San Francisco, as readers we are treated to not only a brilliantly paced and intrigue laden thriller, but also some real surprises, none more so than an unexpected reunion between Shaw and a face from his past.

From the very opening chapters of this book you can feel that underlying tension building, Shaw's quest to find the missing evidence his father was searching for becoming more urgent and yet seemingly more distant with every lead he marks off his list. Although we join the story at a point where Shaw has exhausted nearly all avenues and all clues that his father has left, you never once get the feeling he is likely to give up. That's not in his nature. And that's what I really love a bout the character of Colter Shaw. He's a man who deals in probabilities, constantly working the likelihood of an event occurring whilst concurrently running the scenario through some really complex and dynamic risk assessments. He, and his siblings, have been taught well by their father and his survival skills are finely honed, and yet he is not portrayed as a superman style character. He is as likely to be hurt as any man, although his quick thinking nature give him one heck of head start. And he fights for what is right, even when the cost to him, both financial and physical, can be quite steep.

As much as this is story about Shaw's quest for the truth about his father's death and to bring those he believes responsible to justice, there are also two other threads which run alongside his quest, one inextricably linked to his father's death and that has major repercussions for the far more than just Shaw. The evidence he is searching for is an unknown quantity at first but it doesn't take much hard thinking to work out where Jeffery Deaver may have taken some of his inspiration from for some of the less than scrupulous characters Shaw comes into contact with, or the implications of what he ultimately finds. It's a really chilling thought, but not outside of the realms of possibility and that adds to the sense of jeopardy in everything Shaw does. And because he's not quite busy enough avenging his father's death, Shaw takes on a reward case, a missing young girl whose mother has little to offer, but who Shaw knows that he can help, once again demonstrating his human, caring side.

Now the book is not all about Shaw, and in Droon and Braxton he has two very worthy and dangerous adversaries who are more than willing to twist the knife - quite literally in Droon's case. I really like the way in which the trio play off each other, the strange dynamic between Droon and Baxter combining them to be the almost archetypal villain, between the calm and controlled Braxton and the violence addicted psychopathic nature of Droon. There are others in the frame too, the CEO of BlackBridge for a start, who is always on the periphery, directing the action but keeping his hands clean. All three of the BlackBridge crew are objectionable and yet I can't help liking Droon and Baxter - in as much as you can ever like the stories antagonists. But there is really one other character who is a standout alongside Shaw. I don't want to say too much as I think that part of the story might be spoiled if I did, but a big thumbs up for Russell from me. As removed from Shaw as you could possibly imagine, the two complimented each other perfectly, and I can't help thinking that there are many stories to be told there - perhaps a spin off series?

If you like a well plotted, intelligently written, action packed and mystery laden read, full of misdirection and with more twists and turns than Lombard Street, then this would be right up your street. If you haven't read the previous two books, and why not, then I'd suggest reading at the very least, The Goodbye Man as this book leads on almost directly from that and some of what happens in the story is informed by what Colter Shaw went through before, especially in that book. But you probably want to read The Never Game to understand his, how should I put it, complicated history with Braxton and Droon. So really you probably just want to read all three, and the short stories too, as Colter Shaw is a fantastic character and the very nature of these books and Shaw's chosen career path make this an addictive and intriguing series to read from first book to last.

Can fiction ever become fact? After reading this book I sincerely hope not.

Colter Shaw describes himself as a private investigator when offering to find a woman’s daughter. It’s the main source of his income. After his father, Ashton was murdered, Colter had taken up his quest; to find and destroy two corporations hell-bent on taking over the world by running governments through businesses rather than a quorum of elected officials.

Colter, his brother Russell, and sister Dorion, or Dorie were raised in a compound where his father taught them how to survive under all sorts of circumstances. A true survivalist’s upbringing with skills he uses in his business.

His father had left clues for him to follow to bring down a corporation called BlackBridge. They had eradicated several of Ashton’s whistleblowers by nefarious means. Armed only with Ashton’s notes and a map, Colter must discover where Amos Gahl had hidden the papers, he’d stolen from BlackBridge, before being murdered.

There’s something very special about Jeffery Deaver that sets him apart from other authors. His storylines are always going to be so totally different from everything else you’ve ever encountered. (And terrifying!) They have a protagonist who you’d like to get to know and supporting characters who are never so outlandish that they’re unbelievable. I had the honour to meet Jeffery Deaver when he gave a talk in Dorchester, UK (I think in 2008) and he is a mild-mannered, charming man and yet, each book he publishes contains another equally brilliant plot that will keep you up, long into the night as you race through trying to work out exactly how the protagonist, be it Lincoln Rhyme or in this case Colter Shaw, are going to find the solution. What a genius! What a talent!

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

Another great chapter in the Colter Shaw series.

This was a fast-paced read with the usual twists, and as soon as you have it all worked out, another little surprise knocks all of your assumptions right off target!

I love the detail in which Deaver researches his topics and I find that I’m always learning new and interesting facts.

The new glimpses into Colter’s family life and past added a depth, which only draws the reader in more.

I received this book from the publishers via Netgalley for a review. Another rip roaring episode in the Colter Shaw series of book. Colter's on going pursuit of Blackbridge just keeps getting better with each book.

Wow, oh wow oh wow. Jeffery has done it again.
I love Lincoln Rhyme novels, they are my favourite I now have a definitely 2nd favourite with Colter Shaw.
This series really is classic Deaver, you know you are going to sit down and not want to get up again and just continue reading until the end. A great read, well written, great plots and excellent characters.
More please

I thoroughly enjoyed the previous Coulter Shaw novels and this one did not disappoint. It was all a murder, mystery should be and more. I love Jeffery Deaver and thisopinion. book was outstanding and I highly recommend.it.
Thank you Jeffery Deaver, Netgalley and Harper Collins for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased

With Colter Shaw, Mr. Deaver has created a hero for today. Colter is odd! Highly intelligent, trained in survivalist skills, and suitable paranoid not to be taken in by modern antagonists. He is charismatic and intriguing, a real gem.
Having been charmed by the author, now I'm afraid that he has decided to put Colter back in his box. This book is called "The Final Twist", the back story, with very quirky twists and turns, was brought to a comfortable conclusion. Dear Jeffrey please don't mothball Colter Shaw he is much too interesting.

Jeffery Deaver's The Final Twist—the eagerly awaited third outing of his latest protagonist, the extremely resourceful reward seeker Colter Shaw —is yet another winner from the master.

Shaw is finally on his way to fulfilling his dead father’s mission of bringing down the shady, sinister corporate espionage firm called BlackBridge Corporate Solution. BlackBridge carries out all sorts of evil tasks to help its clients become richer and more powerful, and is responsible for several murders—including that of Ashton Shaw, Colter’s father—and the destruction of numerous lives. Following the clues left by his father, Shaw is on the hunt for certain documents hidden by an ex-employee of BlackBridge—also killed by his employer for trying to blow the whistle on its criminal operations.

Despite the odds stacked heavily against him, Shaw takes on the mighty BlackBridge on its own turf, but is captured early in the game. Facing the prospect of torture and death at the hands of a skilled, sadistic mercenary, he is miraculously rescued by a person from his past—one whom he is not sure is even alive. When it becomes known that the success of Shaw’s quest holds the key to saving an unidentified family from their death scheduled two days hence, his saviour—who seems to be better equipped to take on the likes of BlackBridge—decides to aid him. Racing against the ticking clock, Shaw and his ally uncover something far bigger than the crimes of BlackBridge—a long-brewing conspiracy concocted by the firm’s biggest client that could put the future of the entire state of California in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Shaw’s conscience forces him to take up the low-paying job of finding the missing daughter of an illegal immigrant—a job that may or may not be a trap set by BlackBridge and its power-hungry client, and there is only one way to find out.

Thus, The Final Twist races away from the get-go, with nonstop action on multiple fronts, moves and countermoves by the villains and the heroes, and clever, unexpected twists all along. Colter Shaw’s character is one of the unique ones that I have come across lately, and Deaver has done a splendid job bringing him to life. The other characters, especially those on the good side, are well fleshed out too, and are quite likeable. Shaw’s backstory dealing with his relationship with his father and the estranged elder brother lends a lot of delectable meat to the plot. Shaw’s relaxed relationship with Victoria Lesston, the former Delta Force officer who became his partner in his previous adventure, is amusing to read about. Shaw’s new ally brings along quite some muscle and cutting-edge resources that even the odds against BlackBridge and its dangerous client. On the downside though, the appearance of this ally diminishes Shaw’s role a bit, unlike The Goodbye Man, which was Shaw’s show all the way. Also, the multiple threads of The Final Twist make it somewhat less intense than its predecessor, in my opinion.

To sum up, The Final Twist lives up to the expectations created by the two previous novels in the series and I had a fantastic time reading it! Though this book seems to be the concluding part of the series, Colter Shaw’s character has tremendous potential to entertain readers for a long time with many more adventures.

My sincere thanks to the publishers and the author of The Final Twist for my review copy through NetGalley!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I had not read the other books in the series so I was at a disadvantage. However, what a cracking read. A clever sophisticated novel. I enjoyed it so much that I am going back to the start of the series. Recommended.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK HarperFiction for an advance copy of The Final Twist, the third full length novel to feature reward seeker, Colter Shaw. There are also 3 short novellas numbered 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 which I decided to read before starting the third book in the series in the series. The novellas I think can be read in any order, but for full enjoyment of The Final Twist you will need to read The Never Game (book 1) and the Goodbye Man (book 2) first.

The Final Twist is set in San Francisco and Colter follows his dead father’s cryptic clues to find the information that will take down BlackBridge, the company that murdered him and runs into a long lost family member along the way who assist Colter.

I enjoyed The Final Twist, but probably enjoyed the enjoyed the The Goodbye Man the most in the series. but was still a very enjoyable read.

The Final Twist is a good read and would thoroughly recommend it. I hope Deaver writes more Colter books in the future.