The Never Game is a crime thriller novel by bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, published in 2019 by G.P. Putnam's Sons. It introduces Colter Shaw, a skilled survivalist and 'reward-seeker' who roams the United States, using his expert tracking abilities honed from a family of survivalists to help law enforcement and private individuals locate missing persons or solve crimes in exchange for rewards. The story begins with Shaw investigating the disappearance of a young woman in Silicon Valley, drawing him into the shadowy world of the cutthroat video gaming industry and a perilous game where survival is key.
Deaver, known for his intricate plots and twists, crafts a narrative inspired by real-world survival games, blending high-stakes action with psychological suspense. The novel launches the Colter Shaw series, which has since expanded with sequels exploring Shaw's fractured family dynamics and ongoing quests. Praised as a top crime novel by the New York Times Book Review, it exemplifies Deaver's mastery of deception and tension, cementing his status as a leading figure in thriller literature.
