Jeffery Deaver’s thriller Hunting Time brings reward seeker Colter Shaw back into action in a tale that combines suspense, survival, and deception. Set against a backdrop of dense forest and relentless pursuit, the novel explores themes of trust and desperation. Released in late 2022, Hunting Time marks the fourth full-length adventure in the Colter Shaw series and has captured both critics and readers with its pulse-pounding narrative and twist-filled plot.
Who Is Colter Shaw?
Colter Shaw is a modern mantracker and recovery specialist who earns money by finding missing persons often those who don’t want to be found. Unlike typical detectives, Shaw embraces survivalism, wilderness navigation, and psychological insight. His high-profile methods and knack for tracking troubled souls make him a compelling and unconventional protagonist.
Plot Overview of Hunting Time
When engineer Allison Parker and her daughter Hannah flee through rugged woods, Shaw is called in by Allison’s eccentric boss, Marty Harmon. Their pursuer? Allison’s ex-husband Jon Merritt, a former detective filled with blind rage and a deep knowledge of law enforcement tactics. Two hitmen, intent on making her disappear, soon complicate the chase.
As Shaw tracks them, he finds himself in unfamiliar terrain, both physically and emotionally. Allison isn’t just a fleeing victim she’s resourceful and equipped with tech-designed evasion skills, which turns the hunter-and-hunted dynamic on its head. Shaw learns quickly that rule #3 of survival is never to believe anything, and he must decipher truth from deception in a labyrinth of lies.
Key Themes and Survival Rules
- Means of Escape: Shaw and Allison apply survival strategies emphasizing preparedness and adaptability.
- Access to a Weapon: In a high-stakes chase, the presence of weapons becomes a matter of life or death.
- Trust and Deception: Constant twists reinforce that you can’t rely on appearances rule #3 looms large.
Writing Style and Storytelling
Deaver strikes a strong balance between gritty wilderness detail and intense psychological tension. His pacing is relentless with frequent oh-no moments and high-octane escapes that keep readers on edge.
Critical Praise
Hunting Time has earned accolades such as:
- Fleet, irresistible tale (Kirkus Reviews)
- Gripping with a neat twist (The Times)
- Guaranteed to make your heart pound head spin (Financial Times)
- Daily Mail highlighted Shaw’s unique skill set and Deaver’s plotting prowess.
Series Context and Adaptations
Hunting Time is the fourth full Colter Shaw novel. It follows:
- The Never Game (2019)
- The Goodbye Man (2020)
- The Final Twist (2021)
- Hunting Time (2022)
- Upcoming: South of Nowhere (2025).
The Shaw series is gaining even wider attention thanks to the television show Tracker, starring Justin Hartley, inspired by Shaw’s exploits in Deaver’s universe.
Formats, Availability, and Release Dates
- Ebook and audiobook editions released on November 22, 2022;
- First paperback launch: November 28, 2022;
- Australian/New Zealand paperback editions released in April 2023.
Ranges vary: mass market paperback (~544 pages), trade paperback (~432 pages), and audio running over 12 hours.
Who Should Read Hunting Time?
Ideal for readers who enjoy:
- Thrilling manhunts and wilderness survival
- Characters with professional depth and unorthodox expertise
- Rapid pacing with smart plot twists
- High-stakes family drama under pressure
If you liked The Never Game or The Final Twist, this installment raises the intensity and emotional stakes even higher.
Hunting Time stands out as a gripping entry in Jeffery Deaver’s Colter Shaw series. It delivers fast-paced suspense, compelling characters, and a masterful mix of survival tactics and psychological tension. With rave reviews and growing mainstream recognition especially through its connection to the Tracker TV show it’s an excellent choice for fans of edge-of-your-seat thrillers. If you’re seeking a novel that blends intelligent mantracking with unpredictable danger, this book secures Deaver’s place among the genre’s top suspense writers.
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