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"From the bestselling and award-winning master of suspense, the first novel in a thrilling new series, introducing Colter Shaw. "You have been abandoned." A young woman has gone missing in Silicon Valley and her father has hired Colter Shaw to find her. The son of a survivalist family, Shaw is an expert tracker. Now he makes a living as a "reward seeker," traveling the country to help police solve crimes and private citizens locate missing persons. But what seems a simple investigation quickly thrusts him into the dark heart of America's tech hub and the cutthroat billion-dollar video-gaming industry. "Escape if you can." When another victim is kidnapped, the clues point to one video game with a troubled past--The Whispering Man. In that game, the player has to survive after being abandoned in an inhospitable setting with five random objects. Is a madman bringing the game to life? "Or die with dignity." Shaw finds himself caught in a cat-and-mouse game, risking his own life to save the victims even as he pursues the kidnapper across both Silicon Valley and the dark 'net. Encountering eccentric game designers, trigger-happy gamers and ruthless tech titans, he soon learns that he isn't the only one on the hunt: someone is on his trail and closing fast. The Never Game proves once more why "Deaver is a genius when it comes to manipulation and deception" (Associated Press)"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jfe16
“Reward seeker” Colter Shaw, raised in a survivalist family, comes to Silicon Valley to search for a missing young woman. When a second kidnapping seems to point to a video game as part of the kidnapping plot, Colter wonders if some deranged player is playing the game for real. As he
With strong, well-developed characters and an intriguing premise, readers will find themselves pulled into the telling of the tale from the very first page. Flashbacks to Colter’s upbringing slowly reveal his backstory and provide depth and complexity for the character. Some surprising twists and unexpected reveals keep the tension mounting as the story unfolds; the compelling tale is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until, as the narrative comes to a close with most plot points neatly resolved, there are just enough questions left for the next Colter Shaw adventure.
Highly recommended.
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investigates, he finds himself caught up in a cat-and-mouse game and soon realizes that the case involves far more that tech gurus, quirky game developers, and frenetic gamers.With strong, well-developed characters and an intriguing premise, readers will find themselves pulled into the telling of the tale from the very first page. Flashbacks to Colter’s upbringing slowly reveal his backstory and provide depth and complexity for the character. Some surprising twists and unexpected reveals keep the tension mounting as the story unfolds; the compelling tale is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until, as the narrative comes to a close with most plot points neatly resolved, there are just enough questions left for the next Colter Shaw adventure.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member atticusfinch1048
The Never Game – A new character, a new development
The Never Game is the brand new thriller, and the beginning of a new series from the master of thriller writing himself, Jeffrey Deaver. He has long been a master of plot twists, which also helps to make him one of the best American thriller
Colter Shaw finds people, he is neither a Private Investigator nor a Bounty Hunter, but he does collect rewards if they are offered. He travels around the US in her RV, which besides his home, acts as his office and armoury while he travels. He has been tasked to find a young woman who has disappeared somewhere in Silicon Valley.
The more he investigates the more he is told how it resembles a particular video game, and when he succeeds in his first case, he is struck how much of a game it seemed. Even when he informed the police they thought, he was out of his depth, and interfering in an ongoing investigation, even though they were doing nothing.
When another person goes missing, the police finally join the search, and start taking Colter seriously. Together with a female police detective they have to get to know a video game, to understand how a gamer becomes a killer. As they get closer the bodies are dropping, even more so as Shaw gets closer to the truth.
As we get further into the thriller we also learn about the background of Colter Shaw, which makes him a very interesting person. Very much, someone who can live on his own and survive, taught by his now dead father. Even the death of his father, and the reasons behind that death are mysterious and are a thread throughout that has been entwined easily into the plot.
The Never Game is a clever introduction to a new series and introducing an enigmatic investigator, whom the readers will love. As with any Deaver thriller, he draws the reader in, and then you just cannot put that book down. I cannot wait for the next Colter Shaw thriller, as this is a winner.
The Never Game is the brand new thriller, and the beginning of a new series from the master of thriller writing himself, Jeffrey Deaver. He has long been a master of plot twists, which also helps to make him one of the best American thriller
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writers at this time. With over thirty thrillers already to his name, it is easy so see why he is a bestselling thriller writer, always vivid, well-crafted and a riveting read.Colter Shaw finds people, he is neither a Private Investigator nor a Bounty Hunter, but he does collect rewards if they are offered. He travels around the US in her RV, which besides his home, acts as his office and armoury while he travels. He has been tasked to find a young woman who has disappeared somewhere in Silicon Valley.
The more he investigates the more he is told how it resembles a particular video game, and when he succeeds in his first case, he is struck how much of a game it seemed. Even when he informed the police they thought, he was out of his depth, and interfering in an ongoing investigation, even though they were doing nothing.
When another person goes missing, the police finally join the search, and start taking Colter seriously. Together with a female police detective they have to get to know a video game, to understand how a gamer becomes a killer. As they get closer the bodies are dropping, even more so as Shaw gets closer to the truth.
As we get further into the thriller we also learn about the background of Colter Shaw, which makes him a very interesting person. Very much, someone who can live on his own and survive, taught by his now dead father. Even the death of his father, and the reasons behind that death are mysterious and are a thread throughout that has been entwined easily into the plot.
The Never Game is a clever introduction to a new series and introducing an enigmatic investigator, whom the readers will love. As with any Deaver thriller, he draws the reader in, and then you just cannot put that book down. I cannot wait for the next Colter Shaw thriller, as this is a winner.
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LibraryThing member Cherylk
When I read the premise for this book I got very excited. I was really looking forward to reading this book due to the "gamer" elements. In fact, I was hoping that this book would be a mash up of Ready Player One meets Saw. A gamer book with some horror type elements but more mystery. Sadly, I did
Colter is a good leading man. This is a good thing as he will be the feature in this new series from author, Mr. Deaver. Part of the problem I had with this book is that there were a lot of characters thrown at me very quickly; I hardly had any time to familiarize myself with them.
Additionally, The Whispering Man was kind of a whisper. Maybe it was me but I felt like his presence was not as strong as it could have been. Yet, the pacing did make up some of the low points. This was a fast read.
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not experience this during my time reading this book. Colter is a good leading man. This is a good thing as he will be the feature in this new series from author, Mr. Deaver. Part of the problem I had with this book is that there were a lot of characters thrown at me very quickly; I hardly had any time to familiarize myself with them.
Additionally, The Whispering Man was kind of a whisper. Maybe it was me but I felt like his presence was not as strong as it could have been. Yet, the pacing did make up some of the low points. This was a fast read.
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
I remember the first time I read this author. It was the Bone Collector featuring Lincoln Rymes, a parapeligic and Amelia Saks, who was his legs and eyes, in their crime solving Enterprise. It was brilliant, such unusual characters, but so likable. What really blew me away were his many twists and
This is a new series, and another interesting person with an unusual background fostering unusual skills. Colton Shaw, comes from a survivalists family, off the grid living, homeschooled and trained by his father to anticipate all variables. This story has much to do with game playing.nim not a player myself but I found this fascinating. Had no clue the depth of the games and the competition between writers of codes and developers. The story line takes the unreal and makes it real. Enough said.
A great start to what I think is going to be a hit of a new series. The ending left me wanting more immediately, since it is open ended. There is a family mystery to be solved.
ARC from Netgalley.
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turns. I couldn't follow them, never could figure out where he was going. And I tried.This is a new series, and another interesting person with an unusual background fostering unusual skills. Colton Shaw, comes from a survivalists family, off the grid living, homeschooled and trained by his father to anticipate all variables. This story has much to do with game playing.nim not a player myself but I found this fascinating. Had no clue the depth of the games and the competition between writers of codes and developers. The story line takes the unreal and makes it real. Enough said.
A great start to what I think is going to be a hit of a new series. The ending left me wanting more immediately, since it is open ended. There is a family mystery to be solved.
ARC from Netgalley.
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LibraryThing member Susan.Macura
This is my first novel by this author, despite the fact that he is my sister's favorite. In this tale we meet a new character, Colter Shaw, a man who makes a living by finding people for the reward offered. However, in this story he encounters more than he expected, and finds himself in the middle
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of Silicon Valley and the gaming industry as he tries to solve a series of kidnappings and murder. Shaw is a very likable and credible character so I am looking forward to reading about his next adventure. Show Less
LibraryThing member smik
A young woman goes missing and her father puts up a reward for her recovery. Soon after Shaw finds her, her boy friend is shot dead, and then another person goes missing. This time the kidnapped person does not survive.
The investigation takes Shaw into the heart of the video gaming industry and
A thread that runs through the story is what happened to Shaw's father 15 years earlier. Frustratingly this thread is left open to be continued in the next book in the series, to be published in 2020. A lot of the book is taken up with reminiscences about Ashton Shaw and allusions to his philosophy.
In the book, confusingly, the video game behind the kidnappings is called The Whispering Man, and The Never Game has a slightly different connotation.
The investigation takes Shaw into the heart of the video gaming industry and
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into Silicon Valley, where he learns what the NBT (next big thing) is.A thread that runs through the story is what happened to Shaw's father 15 years earlier. Frustratingly this thread is left open to be continued in the next book in the series, to be published in 2020. A lot of the book is taken up with reminiscences about Ashton Shaw and allusions to his philosophy.
In the book, confusingly, the video game behind the kidnappings is called The Whispering Man, and The Never Game has a slightly different connotation.
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LibraryThing member jldarden
I don't think this is a character I will revisit. I just did not find him compelling enough to get sucked into a series of this.
LibraryThing member bearlyr
Jeffery Deaver always delivers, and “The Never Game” is no exception! Interesting well developed characters, combined with an action packed plot, make this a thrilling story. I look forward to the next Colter Shaw novel! And, once you read this book, so will you!
LibraryThing member Carol420
I read the second book in the series…"The Goodbye Man"… first and have to say that if I had read this one first I would never have seen that second book much less have read it. I can’t believe that the Colter Shaw of this book is the same character that appeared in the second book. I wasn’t
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too concerned that some reviews that I read were upset that the Silicon Valley location didn’t match the Silicon Valley that they knew…but I just wrote it off as “literary license”, what I didn’t care for was Colter’s attitude throughout the story. It seems that the author has used this first installment trying to establish Colter’s personality and his reasoning for what he does but in spending so much effort on these points…which of course are important for the remainder of the series… has failed to set up a logical plot. I’m going to put it down as a new series… and I know that it isn’t Lincoln Rhymes by any stretch of the imagination… but I certainly hope that book 2 reflects what the rest of this series is going to be like and not book 1. Show Less
LibraryThing member mazda502001
A young woman has gone missing in Silicon Valley and her father has hired Colter Shaw to find her. The son of a survivalist family, Shaw is an expert tracker. Now he makes a living as a ‘reward seeker’, travelling the country to help police solve crimes and private citizens locate missing
This is a new series introducing Colter Shaw. Jeffery Deaver is one of my favourite authors and, as usual, it’s non stop action. I got through it in no time.
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persons. But what seems a simple investigation quickly thrusts him into the dark heart of America’s tech hub and the cutthroat billion dollar video-gaming industry.This is a new series introducing Colter Shaw. Jeffery Deaver is one of my favourite authors and, as usual, it’s non stop action. I got through it in no time.
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LibraryThing member gpangel
The Never Game by Jeffrey Deaver is a 2019 G.P. Putnam’s Sons publication.
This is the first book in the Colter Shaw series.
Colter Shaw makes his living by working on cases in which a family has offered a reward for information- mainly in missing persons cases, obviously, which is how he gets
The case turns out to be a kidnapping- which sets off a string of other kidnappings and murder, which is how Shaw winds up helping law enforcement.- Without any additional reward money.
As the investigation deepens it comes to light that the kidnappings and murders are patterned after a popular video game called ‘The Whispering Man’…
My husband likes this author, but try as I might, I remained underwhelmed, eventually giving up entirely. But some while back, I saw one of those ‘top ten’ list of novels centered around cults, and the second book in the Shaw series made the cut. Though I had some reservations, I decided to give the series a try and felt I would probably have better luck if I started at the beginning.
I’m not sure where to start here...
The premise was an interesting look inside the world of video gaming, while building an ongoing personal thread for Shaw to deal with. But there were heavy execution issues and writing quirks that took me out of the story. Shaw’s percentages logic was interesting in the beginning, but quickly wore thin. The story just did not grab me as I’d hoped.
That said, the book I really wanted to read is the follow up to this one- and since I’ve gone to this much trouble, I will definitely read the next installment- which will determine whether or not I continue with this series.
Overall, for some reason I don't jibe with this author- but maybe the second installment will change my mind. Here's hoping...
2 stars
*Note: There was an odd exchange in this book about Nancy Drew- so I'm just going to ask. Guys- Have you ever heard of Nancy Drew? Have you ever read any of her mysteries? Just curious.
This is the first book in the Colter Shaw series.
Colter Shaw makes his living by working on cases in which a family has offered a reward for information- mainly in missing persons cases, obviously, which is how he gets
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involved in the case of a young girl who went missing in Silicon Valley. The case turns out to be a kidnapping- which sets off a string of other kidnappings and murder, which is how Shaw winds up helping law enforcement.- Without any additional reward money.
As the investigation deepens it comes to light that the kidnappings and murders are patterned after a popular video game called ‘The Whispering Man’…
My husband likes this author, but try as I might, I remained underwhelmed, eventually giving up entirely. But some while back, I saw one of those ‘top ten’ list of novels centered around cults, and the second book in the Shaw series made the cut. Though I had some reservations, I decided to give the series a try and felt I would probably have better luck if I started at the beginning.
I’m not sure where to start here...
The premise was an interesting look inside the world of video gaming, while building an ongoing personal thread for Shaw to deal with. But there were heavy execution issues and writing quirks that took me out of the story. Shaw’s percentages logic was interesting in the beginning, but quickly wore thin. The story just did not grab me as I’d hoped.
That said, the book I really wanted to read is the follow up to this one- and since I’ve gone to this much trouble, I will definitely read the next installment- which will determine whether or not I continue with this series.
Overall, for some reason I don't jibe with this author- but maybe the second installment will change my mind. Here's hoping...
2 stars
*Note: There was an odd exchange in this book about Nancy Drew- so I'm just going to ask. Guys- Have you ever heard of Nancy Drew? Have you ever read any of her mysteries? Just curious.
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LibraryThing member Lcmcsr
This is the first book in the Colter Shaw series. I found it to be interesting but a little disjointed because of the back and forth in time scenes. I will read the next book to fully embrace the character.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019
ISBN
0008303738 / 9780008303730
Other editions
The never game by Jeffery Deaver (Ebook)
The Never Game (Paperback)
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