As we are nearing the end of August, I am sorry to announce that I was unable to read all twenty books in my twenty books of summer challenge. However, The Never Game was one of them and my review is written with thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read the book via Netgalley.

Blurb:

Escape or die trying…

No.1 international bestseller Jeffery Deaver returns with a stunning new thriller – the first in an exciting series featuring enigmatic investigator Colter Shaw.

The killer is changing the rules. One murder at a time . . .

You wake up all alone, in the middle of a forest, miles from anywhere.

Beside you lie five objects – a lighter, grease, picture-frame wire, a piece of silk, a bottle of water – which you will need to use if you want to survive.

You’ve been taken by the Whispering Man and there is no escape. He makes the rules and nobody ever gets out alive.

Enigmatic investigator Colter Shaw is fighting to stop the murders. But another victim has been snatched from her family and he’s running out of time.

In the darkest corner of Silicon Valley, a new breed of killer is emerging: someone with a deadly obsession, whose twisted game is spiralling out of control.

Review:

It may surprise you to learn that The Never Game is my first Deaver book. I was intrigued by this new series and felt that it would be a good place to start my education in all things Deaver.

The concept of a “reward hunter” was new to me, but it intrigued me, as did Colter Shaw himself. In The Never Game, Deaver takes the reader on regular journeys into Shaw’s background, particularly his childhood where we have a glimpse into the way that he was raised. I enjoyed his ability to work with others and his relationships with Standish and Maggie gave his character a more emotional edge that was a joy to read. I look forward to learning more about him as the series continues.

When Jeffery Deaver spoke at Harrogate Crime Festival, he described how he liked his writing to create a puzzle for the reader  He certainly does this in The Never Game. The plotting is wonderfully intelligent and I enjoyed putting the pieces together to work out what had happened. This is enhanced by the gaming theme. The technical aspects of the investigation did go over my head slightly, but I felt it was very relevant to the modern world which made it very relatable and engaging.

The ending of the novel sets the reader up well for the sequel and I can’t wait to read it.

The Never Game is available from Amazon.