The Never Game

Publisher's Summary

From the best-selling 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 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).

©2019 Jeffery Deaver (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"As always Deaver gets you in his stealthy grip on page one, and then takes you on a wild and inventive ride...this time with new star character Colter Shaw. No one in the world does this kind of thing better than Deaver." (Lee Child)

“With a twisty plot, riveting characters, and relentless suspense, The Never Game fires on every single cylinder. Readers will delight in this compelling new character from one of the finest suspense writers in the field. I always look forward to the new Deaver, but this one tops them all.” (Karin Slaughter)

“Lightning-fast and loaded with twists, The Never Game is a thrill a minute from one of the best. Don’t miss it.” (Harlan Coben)

Excellent New Series...

The publisher's summary calls Jeffrey Deaver a "genius when it comes to manipulation and deception". They've got my vote! This new series proves that Deaver still has it.
I would suggest listening to the short story CAPTIVATED prior to listening to this book. It's basically an introduction to Colter Shaw and gives a preview into this new character but it's not a necessity.
Coulter is a man who grew up with his two siblings, raised by his mother and survivalist father on a secluded compound. He received an excellent home schooled education from his mother and his father trained his children even better on how to survive with little or nothing. How to build a lean-to that would protect from a blizzard or what roots and berries are edible and which are poisonous.
What do you do with this kind of training in civilization ? You become a tracker of people. Not in the mountains but on the concrete jungle.
And so this story begins when a young woman is kidnapped. The person who took her is a video gamer bringing a treacherous game to life.
Kaleo Griffith does an outstanding job narrating.
This book has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
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Thank You.

26 of 29 people found this review helpful

Bummer

Only Jeffery Deaver book I've ever disliked. I had a hard time taking the main character seriously and the narrator's voice grated on my nerves, especially when he was voicing the female parts. Very disappointed.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Lacks Luster

I enjoy Jeffery Deaver but this book lacks luster the characters are dull. This book was easy to get lost and bored with. Low energy story, I'm giving this two thumbs down on.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Laxmax

Hard story to follow. A long listen and had to rewind a few times to remember the story line.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not Lincoln Rhyme

It was ok, but the characters were just not very interesting. I do like that Deaver, like Michael Crichton used to, stays right on top of ever evolving technology. Not bad, just not great.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

One word to describe the story, "HUH?"

Struggled to get through the story, the only thing that got me through it was that I grew up in the Bay area and the author brought back memories.
To be honest the plot was like watching Snail Porn (if there was a thing), waiting to get to the exciting part and bam left me wondering humm, did I just miss something...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Engaging

Loved the book. I’m looking forward to listening to more of Jeffery Deavers books. They keep me walking.

Love the new character

I’ve been a Deaver fan for a long time and this book did not disappoint. I can’t wait for the next one.

I think Deaver is an excellent writer

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I really like his new character and hope that he will start a series with him.

nope

I like deaver's rhyme/sachs stories. i took a chance on this, and though the book had its moments, the experience was torturous. i should have heded the book's warning - Never..