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.