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Colter Shaw #0.5
Captivated
A gripping ebook short story from international bestseller Jeffery Deaver, introducing Colter Shaw – an iconic new character for our times.
67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2019
973 people are currently reading
2470 people want to read
About the author
Jeffery Deaver
509 books11.7k followers#1 international bestselling author of over thirty novels and three collections of short stories. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He's received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
March 23, 2019
This is a rather short story that the author has written to introduce his new protagonist, Colter Shaw, in his new series to come. Shaw is a man with a background that hints of a interesting past, growing up home schooled by his parents in a isolated and remote part of California. His father is an increasingly paranoid survivalist with whom Shaw appears to have unfinished business. Shaw is a self contained and resilient loner who travels around the country finding missing persons for the reward money. He travels everywhere in his highly secure motorised home, having made enemies given the nature of the work he does. He does have back up people that he uses when and as necessary. He is in Indianapolis, Indiana, to meet Ron Matthews, a car dealer whose business has suffered a down turn in recent times.
Matthews is married to Evelyn 'Evie' Fountaine, a art professor and artist, painting in the layering art style. Evie has disappeared and Ron wants his wife back, offering a $10 000 reward. Shaw looks at the options of what could have happened, working out the odds of each option's likelihood as he looks into Evie's life. In a tightly constructed and well plotted narrative, there are surprises, twists and danger, as we learn just how good Shaw is at his chosen profession. I am not sure why Deaver felt the need to write this short story, it is adequate, but a full length novel would have offered far more opportunites of considerably greater depth in the introduction of Colter Shaw. However, I will admit to have been sufficiently interested in wanting to read the first book in the series. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
Matthews is married to Evelyn 'Evie' Fountaine, a art professor and artist, painting in the layering art style. Evie has disappeared and Ron wants his wife back, offering a $10 000 reward. Shaw looks at the options of what could have happened, working out the odds of each option's likelihood as he looks into Evie's life. In a tightly constructed and well plotted narrative, there are surprises, twists and danger, as we learn just how good Shaw is at his chosen profession. I am not sure why Deaver felt the need to write this short story, it is adequate, but a full length novel would have offered far more opportunites of considerably greater depth in the introduction of Colter Shaw. However, I will admit to have been sufficiently interested in wanting to read the first book in the series. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
January 22, 2022
3.5★
“That’d be quite the elaborate plan.”
Colter Shaw has agreed to try to track down a missing wife, a talented artist whose husband seems distraught and who can’t get anyone to take seriously his concerns about her disappearance.
Shaw works on percentages, weighing up the possibilities, the likelihood of something happening. He does a bit of groundwork, old-school mostly, finding out where she’s exhibited and which galleries will probably know her.
This is Deaver’s prequel to the Colter Shaw series to give us a feel for the character and a bit of insight into his background. His father was a pretty paranoid survivalist, meaning their isolated cabin in the woods had little communication, so they wouldn’t be “found”.
There’s little elaboration, but we understand why he uses traditional maps and phone books to plan his investigation. I suspect that some old-school skills in the right hands would rival Google. He takes the case, to be paid if he finds her, not if he doesn't. The husband's previous experience with PIs hasn't been good:
“‘cost me more than I could afford. Got me zip’.
With a few exceptions, PI’s were great for background security checks and poring over computer records to see if your fiancee had ever poisoned a prior husband or misbehaved more than one usually misbehaves in Cabo. The investigation part of the job title, as in pounding pavement, usually wasn’t a stellar performance.”
Pounding pavement reminded me of the classic term for an investigator: gumshoe, so-called for the thick rubber soles that allowed them to walk silently. I like the idea of a somewhat old-school sleuth.
I listened to this one rather than read it, and I have to say the reading of lists of percentages was boring. I’d have been happy to read them, to get a feel for his numbers, but hearing them means pretty much nothing. The narrator, Kaleo Griffith, was okay, and differentiated the characters’ voices well.
All in all, a good story with a decent twist at the end. I listened courtesy of BorrowBox and Bolinda Audio.
“That’d be quite the elaborate plan.”
Colter Shaw has agreed to try to track down a missing wife, a talented artist whose husband seems distraught and who can’t get anyone to take seriously his concerns about her disappearance.
Shaw works on percentages, weighing up the possibilities, the likelihood of something happening. He does a bit of groundwork, old-school mostly, finding out where she’s exhibited and which galleries will probably know her.
This is Deaver’s prequel to the Colter Shaw series to give us a feel for the character and a bit of insight into his background. His father was a pretty paranoid survivalist, meaning their isolated cabin in the woods had little communication, so they wouldn’t be “found”.
There’s little elaboration, but we understand why he uses traditional maps and phone books to plan his investigation. I suspect that some old-school skills in the right hands would rival Google. He takes the case, to be paid if he finds her, not if he doesn't. The husband's previous experience with PIs hasn't been good:
“‘cost me more than I could afford. Got me zip’.
With a few exceptions, PI’s were great for background security checks and poring over computer records to see if your fiancee had ever poisoned a prior husband or misbehaved more than one usually misbehaves in Cabo. The investigation part of the job title, as in pounding pavement, usually wasn’t a stellar performance.”
Pounding pavement reminded me of the classic term for an investigator: gumshoe, so-called for the thick rubber soles that allowed them to walk silently. I like the idea of a somewhat old-school sleuth.
I listened to this one rather than read it, and I have to say the reading of lists of percentages was boring. I’d have been happy to read them, to get a feel for his numbers, but hearing them means pretty much nothing. The narrator, Kaleo Griffith, was okay, and differentiated the characters’ voices well.
All in all, a good story with a decent twist at the end. I listened courtesy of BorrowBox and Bolinda Audio.
May 2, 2019
I recently read a full length novel featuring Jeffery Deaver's new character 'Colter Shaw' titled 'The Never Game'. I enjoyed the character but couldn't get to grips with the plot. Not to be put off I decided to read this novella featuring the same character and found it much more enjoyable. A decent read but I have never really appreciated the short story so a 3.5 was probably always likely from me.
The book did succeed in convincing me that there are better things to come from this character and I look forward to further reads.
The book did succeed in convincing me that there are better things to come from this character and I look forward to further reads.
July 14, 2025
This is another opportunity to check out the books that a fave tv was adapted from. The book summary lays out the entire storyline for this prequel. The storyline has some twists and turns, and after an hour (a little longer than a tv episode), Coulter is wrapping up the case exactly how he planned it.
The character development of Coulter is similar to the show in that Coulter uses the statistical odds of perceived outcomes to solve his case. He also credits his deceased father. At only 48pgs, the pacing was fast, and the storyline was meh and the writing was like a tv episode. I am going to check out the first full installment before deciding to continue the series.
The character development of Coulter is similar to the show in that Coulter uses the statistical odds of perceived outcomes to solve his case. He also credits his deceased father. At only 48pgs, the pacing was fast, and the storyline was meh and the writing was like a tv episode. I am going to check out the first full installment before deciding to continue the series.
January 29, 2020
I’m a fan of Deaver’s books, his stories have complex, twisty plots and bad guys that sometimes feel like they’ve come out of a script for the next Batman movie. He’s been churning out quality mysteries for years. I liked the first book of his new series The Never Game, featuring modern day bounty hunter Colter Shaw, too. It’s typically quirky and fun but with a decent mystery at its core.
So what about this short story that is meant to introduce Shaw to readers? In truth it’s a real disappointment, I learning nothing that isn’t available to readers of the first novel and to say the plot of the story is thin is being kind. It’s a something and nothing piece, inoffensive but hardly entertaining. Do yourself a favour, sidestep this entrėe and jump straight to the main course.
So what about this short story that is meant to introduce Shaw to readers? In truth it’s a real disappointment, I learning nothing that isn’t available to readers of the first novel and to say the plot of the story is thin is being kind. It’s a something and nothing piece, inoffensive but hardly entertaining. Do yourself a favour, sidestep this entrėe and jump straight to the main course.
June 12, 2019
7/10
Short and sweet introductory book for a new series/character coming out. There was enough in here to make me want to read the full feature with the usual Deaver treats and twists but I can never really get too invested in something which is over in such a short time.
I'll hopefully pick the full length novel up when it's out.
I received a free copy from NetGalley for review
Short and sweet introductory book for a new series/character coming out. There was enough in here to make me want to read the full feature with the usual Deaver treats and twists but I can never really get too invested in something which is over in such a short time.
I'll hopefully pick the full length novel up when it's out.
I received a free copy from NetGalley for review
June 15, 2019
Published as a short story to introduce Jeffrey Deaver’s new investigator, Colter Shaw. The first complete book in the series, The Never Game, will be available next week.
Shaw grew up on a survivalist family compound with little contact with the outside world. His father established the home to retreat from either real or perceived enemies which may have been the product of his increasingly paranoid fantasies. The children, including Colter, were homeschooled by their highly educated parents, and taught survivalist skills and to calculate the odds when encountering new situations or threats.
Colter now works at finding missing persons and collecting the reward offers for locating them. He had the help of a computer wiz who can access any pertinent information. He travels in a heavily secured camper van and rents common, ordinary vehicles when conducting interviews.
His goal here is to locate the wife of a once prosperous car dealer whose business is failing. His wife is a talented artist, and it seems she has a history of depending on men to support her artistic passion. Has her husband killed her? Has she run away with a new lover? Colter finds himself in danger as he unravels a twisted plot of deception and murder. Although this is a short story, the tightly plotted story holds some surprises and serves as an introduction to the new protagonist, his background and methods of finding missing people. We should learn more about him in the upcoming book.
Shaw grew up on a survivalist family compound with little contact with the outside world. His father established the home to retreat from either real or perceived enemies which may have been the product of his increasingly paranoid fantasies. The children, including Colter, were homeschooled by their highly educated parents, and taught survivalist skills and to calculate the odds when encountering new situations or threats.
Colter now works at finding missing persons and collecting the reward offers for locating them. He had the help of a computer wiz who can access any pertinent information. He travels in a heavily secured camper van and rents common, ordinary vehicles when conducting interviews.
His goal here is to locate the wife of a once prosperous car dealer whose business is failing. His wife is a talented artist, and it seems she has a history of depending on men to support her artistic passion. Has her husband killed her? Has she run away with a new lover? Colter finds himself in danger as he unravels a twisted plot of deception and murder. Although this is a short story, the tightly plotted story holds some surprises and serves as an introduction to the new protagonist, his background and methods of finding missing people. We should learn more about him in the upcoming book.
December 7, 2019
What a pleasant surprise. Although I enjoy the writing of Jeffrey Deaver, the Lincoln Rhyme series is what most people associate with this author. I have enjoyed some of his other work and was keen to plunged into another series - Colter Shaw. Captivated is a short story setting the series up to further establish his character that appears to have been well received.
My surprise is simply I cannot quite believe Deaver has in just a few pages created such a fine protagonist. I am immediately drawn to his roll in the crime investigation genre. A bounty hunter; taking a reward to find missing people, resolve frustrating mysteries. A laidback guy, an understated person who sees more than than he reveals and an honest man who seems motivated more by the task than the reward.
Here we are introduced to him and his methods as he is retained to search for a missing wife who has failed to return home after an artists’ retreat. We learn of his simple but rich mine of backstory growing up. His methodology and why he likes his line of work as he can become ‘restless’ and may just want to walk away.
I found this novella compelling in terms of the character and approach to his work taken by Shaw. I immediately identified with his gentle analysis, keen mind and bright observations. His idiosyncratic way of setting odds for different scenarios was fascinating and endearing. The writing seemed fresh and ground breaking in terms of a crowded genre to pitch such a unique and engaging character.
In the hands of such an accomplished author, Colter Shaw’s journey into focus as a new and dynamic lead in this series is smooth and intriguing. However, in what appears a straight-forward missing persons case is turned on its head as Deaver moves the focus and drops a few surprises.
However, the personality of Colter Shaw adjusts and expands in the unfolding mystery. His background also promises to be a rich source of information for character development. It is a journey I am excited to undertake and feel it is never going to become routine. Here is a series that promises much and I’m delighted to have found it out for the days ahead.
My surprise is simply I cannot quite believe Deaver has in just a few pages created such a fine protagonist. I am immediately drawn to his roll in the crime investigation genre. A bounty hunter; taking a reward to find missing people, resolve frustrating mysteries. A laidback guy, an understated person who sees more than than he reveals and an honest man who seems motivated more by the task than the reward.
Here we are introduced to him and his methods as he is retained to search for a missing wife who has failed to return home after an artists’ retreat. We learn of his simple but rich mine of backstory growing up. His methodology and why he likes his line of work as he can become ‘restless’ and may just want to walk away.
I found this novella compelling in terms of the character and approach to his work taken by Shaw. I immediately identified with his gentle analysis, keen mind and bright observations. His idiosyncratic way of setting odds for different scenarios was fascinating and endearing. The writing seemed fresh and ground breaking in terms of a crowded genre to pitch such a unique and engaging character.
In the hands of such an accomplished author, Colter Shaw’s journey into focus as a new and dynamic lead in this series is smooth and intriguing. However, in what appears a straight-forward missing persons case is turned on its head as Deaver moves the focus and drops a few surprises.
However, the personality of Colter Shaw adjusts and expands in the unfolding mystery. His background also promises to be a rich source of information for character development. It is a journey I am excited to undertake and feel it is never going to become routine. Here is a series that promises much and I’m delighted to have found it out for the days ahead.
March 5, 2019
Unlike the majority of his excellent novels Jeffery Deaver's short stories can be a bit hit or miss. Fortunately I thought that this one was a hit. It introduces us to Colter Shaw, a man who travels the country answering people's requests for help & claiming their rewards if he succeeds.
The story is perhaps a little lighter in tone than some of Deaver's other work, but it's got more twists than some authors manage to pack into a full length novel. Colter Shaw looks like he could shape up to be an interesting character. This is just as well, as the first of a series of novels featuring him starts with The Never Game which will be published in May. Sign me up now!
The story is perhaps a little lighter in tone than some of Deaver's other work, but it's got more twists than some authors manage to pack into a full length novel. Colter Shaw looks like he could shape up to be an interesting character. This is just as well, as the first of a series of novels featuring him starts with The Never Game which will be published in May. Sign me up now!
October 29, 2020
Captivated is a prequel to the Colter Shaw series by American author, Jeffery Deaver. The audio is read by Kaleo Griffith. In Indiana, Colter Shaw meets with Ron Matthews, who has offered a reward to find his missing wife. A talented artist, Evelyn Fonteyn has been missing for just over a month, not having returned from an artists’ retreat, and Ron is sure she has been kidnapped. Colter gathers information and calculates the odds on Evie’s likely fate. He tracks her down and finds that he almost has it right, except for a deadly twist. An excellent little introduction to the series.
Read
April 1, 2019Introducing Colter Shaw, Deaver’s newest protagonist, this is a good short story. Seems like he’ll make an interesting character and the story was good with this one!
June 29, 2024
Tracker Begins
Review of the G.P. Putnam's Sons eBook (March 5, 2019) released simultaneously with the Penguin Audio audiobook.
I'm going back to read the Colter Shaw series after being introduced to the character in the recent Tracker TV series. I've also found author Jeffery Deaver to a reliable suspense writer after reading several of his Amazon Original Stories in the past few years such as the Broken Doll series.
Captivated was a short story issued prior to the first full-length Colter Shaw novel The Never Game (May 2019) which was published 2 months later. Both books follow reward seeker Shaw already in the midst of his career without any introduction. We only learn about his survivalist and tracking upbringing in flashbacks. An aside in the 1st novel mentions that he fell into the business of searching for missing persons almost by accident, as a favour for a friend.
Actor Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw in a promotional poster for the CBS television series. Image sourced from IMDb.
Captivated was an excellent short story which built suspense in a missing wife story towards a completely unexpected twist. The sub-genre of "Hunt or Evade", "Seek and Find", "Search and Rescue" thrillers have been among my favourites, so I'm looking forward to discovering the further adventures of Colter Shaw, which also are well-adapted in the TV-series.
Trivia and Link
Watch the extended trailer for the Colter Shaw Tracker TV series on YouTube here. The series has been renewed for a Season 2 after the shortened 13-episode Season 1. It is actually filmed in British Columbia, Canada although it is an American TV series on the CBS network.
Review of the G.P. Putnam's Sons eBook (March 5, 2019) released simultaneously with the Penguin Audio audiobook.
I'm going back to read the Colter Shaw series after being introduced to the character in the recent Tracker TV series. I've also found author Jeffery Deaver to a reliable suspense writer after reading several of his Amazon Original Stories in the past few years such as the Broken Doll series.
Captivated was a short story issued prior to the first full-length Colter Shaw novel The Never Game (May 2019) which was published 2 months later. Both books follow reward seeker Shaw already in the midst of his career without any introduction. We only learn about his survivalist and tracking upbringing in flashbacks. An aside in the 1st novel mentions that he fell into the business of searching for missing persons almost by accident, as a favour for a friend.
Actor Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw in a promotional poster for the CBS television series. Image sourced from IMDb.
Captivated was an excellent short story which built suspense in a missing wife story towards a completely unexpected twist. The sub-genre of "Hunt or Evade", "Seek and Find", "Search and Rescue" thrillers have been among my favourites, so I'm looking forward to discovering the further adventures of Colter Shaw, which also are well-adapted in the TV-series.
Trivia and Link
Watch the extended trailer for the Colter Shaw Tracker TV series on YouTube here. The series has been renewed for a Season 2 after the shortened 13-episode Season 1. It is actually filmed in British Columbia, Canada although it is an American TV series on the CBS network.
July 27, 2020
We wished we had read this 40-minute (or so) novella prior to discovering Deaver’s new protagonist featured in his first full-length novel “The Never Game”, as it does a fine job of introducing Colter Shaw, a person interested in collecting “rewards”, somewhat in the mode of John MacDonald’s erstwhile hero Travis McGee. “Captivated” is suspenseful in its own right, as Shaw tracks down a fine artist who seems disenchanted with her one-year husband (after numerous lovers) for the reward being offered – but an entertaining denouement clears up all!
While surely published to introduce Shaw and tease the forthcoming novel, we’re really glad we stumbled upon this tale albeit after reading his first full outing – leaving us for sure looking forward to yet another appearance of the resourceful and clever Mr. Shaw!
While surely published to introduce Shaw and tease the forthcoming novel, we’re really glad we stumbled upon this tale albeit after reading his first full outing – leaving us for sure looking forward to yet another appearance of the resourceful and clever Mr. Shaw!
February 23, 2021
Short and informative read about a new hero.
May 20, 2021
A good insight into Colter Shaw, I've read books 1 and 2 and they are much more exciting that this short story, but its enjoyable and worth a read.
I wanted to read the 3 short stories before I make a start on the third main book from the Colter Shaw series - The Final Twist.
What I don't like is when you're reading a Kindle book that ends at 70% and you think there's a lot more to go and there's not. After the 70% there's an intro to the next book, The Never Game, but I always feel a little bit cheated when that happens.
3.5 star rating
I wanted to read the 3 short stories before I make a start on the third main book from the Colter Shaw series - The Final Twist.
What I don't like is when you're reading a Kindle book that ends at 70% and you think there's a lot more to go and there's not. After the 70% there's an intro to the next book, The Never Game, but I always feel a little bit cheated when that happens.
3.5 star rating
November 26, 2020
Unabridged audiobook through my local library.
Short story introduction to this authors series of books. Predictable private eye investigating missing wife story with twists you could see a mile away. Unfortunately not gripping enough to invest time in the full stories.
Short story introduction to this authors series of books. Predictable private eye investigating missing wife story with twists you could see a mile away. Unfortunately not gripping enough to invest time in the full stories.
September 28, 2023
I am really intrigued by this series. I like this short story and it gives a little more background into Colter Shaw and segues into the first book (which I listened to before this). I like how he is able to suss out the truth behind the cases he takes on for rewards
March 31, 2025
3.25⭐
March 27, 2025
In this Colter Shaw short story, Shaw finds himself navigating the art world, where Abstract Expressionism—an art form the author clearly doesn’t favor—is mentioned a couple of times.
As always, the plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the tension high.
As always, the plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the tension high.
June 23, 2019
This was a nice length for a short story - long enough to get to know the main character and build suspense in the story, but short enough for everything to be wrapped up quickly. I'm looking forward to reading the new novel featuring this new character, Colter Shaw, and this story is the perfect introduction to that character. Colter is an interesting character and even though this is a short story, there were still plenty of the surprise twists that are Deaver's trademark.
October 26, 2019
A short, 48 page story of Colter Shaw. He’s a man with some family issues and a bit of a loner (a bit Jack Reacher?).
He has taken a job, to find a missing woman for the $10k reward.
This is really just a taster, just a chapter in the life of Shaw, but with enough twists and surprises to keep it interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
He has taken a job, to find a missing woman for the $10k reward.
This is really just a taster, just a chapter in the life of Shaw, but with enough twists and surprises to keep it interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
June 24, 2020
Colter Shaw is definitely an intriguing main character. I think there is more coming that will round him out further. This was a short story and it wasn’t the best I’ve ever read but it did keep me guessing and I will gladly pick up the next installment. And by the way, is there really such a thing as a reward seeker? 😉
April 17, 2019
There was a lot packed into this one, but it felt rushed and oddly bland to me. I liked Colter, he was a bit of an odd duck. I'll give the next one a try, but if it is more of the same that will be it for me with this series.
November 1, 2022
I like and respect Jeffery Deaver’s writing. This was a bit of a disappointment in that it was simply too short to allow Deaver to do what he appears to do best - devise an intricate page-turner full of sub-plots and surprises, all deftly woven together to produce a great finish.
March 20, 2019
Nice introduction to a new character and series with all the twists and turns you expect from Deaver!
May 13, 2024
This is a short story that serves as introduction to the Colter Shaw series. In a 2-day case taking place in Indiana, the main character is show in action. His business is locating missing people for a reward. In this case a woman has been missing for just over a month, and Shaw is quickly solving the case with the clues he got from her husband. Despite being a short story, the author succeeds integrating a surprising twist in the story. I've read short story collections of this author in the past, he is good at this.
May 24, 2024
This is a prequel novella. It's short but exciting. I think this novella may have actually been more interesting than the first book of the series. There was nothing extra just a fast crime thriller. I'll probably continue the series.
May 8, 2024
This was a good taste of the series. I enjoyed the case, I definitely was not expecting the outcome. I like Colter and am looking forward to reading more.
Read
November 27, 2024Too short to know what’s going on lol
January 10, 2025
Just fine. It’s a novella so don’t expect much. A quick case and a fine way to spend an hour.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews