Two years ago, most people were familiar with crime novelist Jeffery Deaver because of his series of Lincoln Rhyme novels featuring a quadriplegic former New York City investigator who still solves crimes despite his disability. That changed on Super Bowl Sunday, 2024, with the premiere of the television series, “Tracker.” The series, starring the photogenic Justin Hartley, was based on the adventures of Colter Shaw, another Deaver protagonist. Shaw is a self-described “reward seeker,” who travels the country in his Winnebago home, finding people who have gone missing in exchange for rewards offered. The show became a big hit, and I was among its fans. So, I eagerly read the most recent Shaw adventure, “South of Nowhere.” The book is even better than the series, featuring the same excitement factor, along with Deaver’s usual intricate plotting and surprises.

“South of Nowhere” takes place in the small town of Hinowah, CA (the town name forms the basis for the “nowhere” in the novel’s title). Hinowah sits precariously just beneath a dirt levee that held the Never Summer River in check. That is, until the top of the levee gave way, allowing water to come perilously close to the town. Since the town is close to Shaw’s family home, where he was visiting his mother, he goes to lend a hand. So, too, does his sister Dorion, a disaster relief specialist. For now, the spillage from the partially collapsed levee is contained in a spillage pond. However, if the rest of the levee gives way, the entire town could be flooded.

When I read the first few chapters of “South of Nowhere,” I thought of the spectacular collapse of the St. Francis Dam near Los Angeles in 1928, which killed hundreds of people. That dam showed signs of weakness that were ignored before it failed. I think that disaster may have inspired the author’s thinking in “South of Nowhere.” This book has a ticking time clock feel to it, as several chapters begin with a note indicating the time elapsed since the initial levee collapse. The underlying uncertainty about whether or when the levee will collapse adds to the suspense of the entire book.

While Dorion places sandbags and tries to evacuate the town, Colter does what he does best… locate missing people. Here, it was a family driving along the top of the levee when it gave way, dumping their car into the rushing waters of the Never Summer River. In his search for the vehicle, Shaw is guided by the survival rules drilled into his head since childhood by his now-dead father. He knows just how to search the surroundings for helpful clues and how to handle himself in a fight. (“Never act prematurely when you’re being attacked. Assess.”) Colter also has a knack for figuring out if people are lying to him, which comes in handy later in the book. I learned more about what makes Colter Shaw good at his job by reading “South of Nowhere” than I gleaned from watching over 20 episodes of the TV series “Tracker.”

There’s much more to “South of Nowhere” than the search for a missing family and their car in a raging river. (Colter also looks for another missing woman later in the book.) Dorion soon determines that the levee did not collapse on its own. Instead, someone planted explosives at the top of the levee and may have planted more explosives lower down to bring down the entire structure. At this point, about one-third of the way into the book, the story morphs from action suspense to a mystery. Colter attempts to determine who was responsible for the sabotage and why. Part of the answer to the first question is easy. Colter is attacked by a burly individual whom he dubs “Bear” while searching for the missing car and guesses Bear is up to no good. However, figuring out Bear’s accomplices, employer, and motive is far more difficult. One suspect is eliminated soon (and permanently) in an explosion, turning the story into a murder mystery as well. Colter also sees his share of traditional action, including engaging in a long-distance shootout with Bear and some accomplices.

Those familiar with Jeffery Deaver’s books know that the answers to these types of questions are seldom straightforward. “South of Nowhere” has several of Deaver’s patented plot twists along the way. Knowing that the author has a few tricks up his sleeve still won’t prepare readers for the answers the author provides. I admit to being fooled a couple of times along the way. The question of the arch-villain’s motive will be challenging for readers to figure out unless they have a sound scientific background.

The author is quite familiar with the scientific information he dispenses in “South of Nowhere,” as well as aspects of Native American culture. (One resident of Hinowah who refuses to relocate is Native American.) He avoids lengthy information dumps but usually provides the needed information in connection with Colter’s investigation. This material gave me a genuine sense of place for the story. The author also creates some colorful secondary characters, such as the town’s mayor, who becomes the de facto police chief during the crisis. He struggles with the job since his only relevant “training” has been watching episodes of series like “Blue Bloods.”

Fans of the TV series “Tracker” should enjoy “South of Nowhere” a great deal, even if they haven’t read any of the earlier Colter Shaw novels. The book describes Colter’s background and training in greater detail, showing exactly how he is so skilled as an investigator and a fighter when needed. The book also reveals additional information about Colter’s family, including the revelation he may have a previously unknown half-sister. (That revelation is the basis for an entertaining subplot.) Colter Shaw fits perfectly in Jeffery Deaver’s stable of characters, and the story is typically enjoyable Deaver, with action and plot twists aplenty. Perhaps best of all, the book ends with a hint that Colter Shaw is headed to New York City for his next job, where Deaver fans can only hope he encounters Lincoln Rhyme. For the present, however, “South of Nowhere” is Jeffery Deaver at his best.

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

I struggled with this one a bit. There just seemed to be too much going on and too many characters to track. I think it could have benefited from a tighter edit and a tighter cast. While I haven't read all the books in the series, I have read some, and this one did not grab me as much as others, so I am hoping for better things with the next installment.

Water, water everywhere! Water is the driving force of South of Nowhere. Floods, water rights and property rights drive the plot. With his signature twists and turns Jeffrey Deaver builds his plot around water rights in California. Colter Shaw is his empathetic yet insightful self in this fifth addition to the series. His sister Dorion plays a significant role here, as well. Although much of the plot is implausible this is a hard book to put down. Another enjoyable read by master story teller Deaver.

I love the Colter Shaw series and have read all of them. In this installment, you get a more in-depth look at Colter’s family. This time, there is no reward except helping out his sister, Dorian. You get to know her better, as well as Colter’s mom. There is the main plot, subplots, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Jeffery Deaver for the eARC.

When a levee collapses in Hinowah, a small town in Northern California, Colter Shaw is brought on by his sister, Dorion, a disaster response specialist, to help locate a family swept away by the raging water, with mere hours to survive. The siblings begin to wonder if the levee collapse is an act of nature or sabotage? Like the Never Summer River, swollen by the heavy snow runoff from the mountains, this story has many twists, turns and deadly encounters in an explosive time bomb atmosphere. Jeffrey Deaver weaves many different storyline threads into an action packed, thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Great read!

Colter Shaw series #5 (Tracker series on TV). I have read the first 2 in the series, and didn't seem to miss out on the events of the last two. The Colter Shaw of the TV series is much the same as the books, but all the peripheral characters are somewhat different. This particular chapter was a non-stop wild adventure and mystery with lots of action and intrigue. Colter is called to a growing disaster near his childhood home by his sister Dorion, an independent disaster response specialist, to look for a family that was swept down the river when a levee broke. Matters devolve further when it looks like the whole levee may collapse and wipe out a small town, then get even worse when the disaster looks intentional. Throw in local politics and people refusing to evacuate, and it is a wild and woolly ride to rescue.
Dorion is just as sharp and competent as Colter, and it is a pleasure to watch the brother/sister team in action. Local characters are very well developed and integral to the story and its denouement. The northern California forest setting is a strong character itself. Riveting from beginning to end. One of the best in the series. Highly recommended.

Colter Shaw gets a test from his sister when a levee partially collapses in a small town. When he gets there, he helps find two cars that have drifted in the runoff. But was the levee collapse sabotage and will they be able to stop it before it completely collapses. Although, off to a small start, the story picks up quickly, with various subplots to make this quite the Colter Shaw and family story! Can’t wait for more.

South of Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver brings Colter Shaw, his sister, and his mother together as they use their skills to figure out who is behind the sabotage. The urgent situation and the intrigue kept me reading.

Setting: Northern California

Dorion Shaw enlists Colter's help when the Forman family goes missing amidst torrential rainfall and snowmelt. Initially suspected to be the cause, the disappearance soon reveals a darker truth as Colter and Dorion uncover disturbing secrets. Due to the plot twists in several of the storylines happening, at times, I felt a little lost briefly causing a little deja vu for me due to a recently finished similar book. Truly a captivating read that left them wanting more, particularly the parts involving Colter's dynamic with his sister and mother.

Fun side note: This is the first time I’m seeing shades of the TV show, “Tracker” seeping into Jeffery Deaver’s “Colton Shaw” novel.

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for my ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first entry in the Colter Shaw series since the premiere of the (hit) TV show based on the character, and you can really see the shades of the show have on the books now. I thought the earlier books were fine (book 2 was great... book 4, not so much). Colter was an interesting character but he was a little gruff around the collar. The TV show seems to give him a more sympathetic approach, and you can feel it on the page now. And I mean that in a good way. The ticking clock suspense we come to know from Deaver is here (as well as the cowboy comes to town scenario that Deaver has stated he wants to do with Colter). The payoff is about what to expect from a Deaver book (really, how many twists can you really do before everything starts to feel cliche?), but the journey to get there is still fun. I'm glad Deaver is back to a spring/summer release, as his books were made for warm weather. But, here's hoping, we get back to Lincoln Rhyme next book. He's still my favorite.

Book #5 in the excellent Colter Shaw series. SOUTH OF NOWHERE finds Colter assisting his sister Dorian as they race to evacuate a town threatened by a failing levee. As always, in a Jeffrey Deaver book, several story lines weave throughout, which tend to surprise readers with reveals that you'd never see until they hit you. Each step forward will open the crew to new dangers while the deadline to empty the town reaches zero hour. Colter's sister and mother play essential roles in this book. Seeing their roles expanded is exciting, opening new plot threads for future books. This book deserves much more than my 5 little stars.

Reward Seeker Colter Shaw is back! I absolutely love the series and have read them all. I loved that you get to know Colter’s sister, Dorian, and some more back story to his family. I enjoyed the book with its twists and turns. I will ALWAYS read the next Colter Shaw book and im excited for the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons for an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.

South of Nowhere, by Jeffrey Dever, is a fun read that makes the reader feel as if they are accompanying the main character.
Colter Shaw is a reward hunter and tracker, and usually that’s as far as it goes. In South of Nowhere, the fifth in the intriguing Shaw series, Colter is called in to help after a levee breaks in a town in California. Four people die, and Shaw is called in to find out what happened to the family and where the vehicle containing the corpses is. After some time, Shaw believes that the entire town is at risk because the levee may collapse almost immediately. Upon further inspection, he finds an anomalous substance near the destroyed levee. He wonders if the collapse was an accident or a deliberate criminal act. Many balls are in the air as the reader deals with this exciting and entertaining adventure. Readers should keep their eyes peeled for more of Colter Shaw, and if they have not yet, they should read the first four books in the series, although South of Nowhere can undoubtedly be read as a standalone.

South of Nowhere by Jeffrey Deaver is a Colter Shaw novel and in it he assists his sister, Dorion, who owns a disaster relief company They find themselves in the middle of a flood and an impending bigger one, as a levy has broken through and threatens to break away entirely. The first order of business is to find an SUV with a family of four that appeared to have been swept away. Colter deploys a special drone which sadly find nothing but two dumped refrigerators. He does later find the submerge truck with everyone in it alive, somewhat through their own ingenuity, but there is so much more to be done. For one, the town needs to be evacuated. Not everyone wants to cooperate. Also there is a water feud going on between a copper mine and a rancher. Their respective parents had a deal from years earlier, but it was no longer workable. As Colter investigated it became apparent that the levy break was man made and not just an old levy.

Colter Shaw is smart and learned plenty from his survivalist father. He finds and protects an abused woman; he solves the mystery of who wants the town flooded and why. He spend time with his sister, and eventually his mother, and a sister he never knew he had. This is a story! This is a compelling book with a great story, several actually. Typical of Jeffrey Deaver.

I was invited to read South of Nowhere by Penguin Group-Putnam. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #PenguinGroupPutnam #JeffreyDeaver #SouthOfNowhere

Coulter Shaw is back. A levee has failed. Shaw's sister brings him in to locate a family that was swept away. High tension, plot twists and turns. Heartbreak, humor and explosive action.  This one is great!

Loved it! I am a huge Colter Shaw fan and this book did not disappoint. Loved some more interaction with family members! And the twists! Just such an interesting book. Kept me hooked.

This was a very well-written, entertaining book. It was fast-paced, intense, action-packed and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed this book and this author is a must read for me.

3.75⭐️

I haven’t read all of the previous books in this series, but it was easy enough to follow along and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

This one started out a little slow, but I was intrigued the whole time. I loved the dynamic between Colter and his sister Dorion. They were both great in their own fields and respected each other’s work. Plus their mom was pretty awesome, too!

There were numerous players in the mystery of what happened to the levee. While there were a lot of names that took me a while to figure out who was who, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t guess one of the culprits. I figured that the character I enjoyed the most was actually fooling everyone, but I’m so glad that wasn’t true.

This was an enjoyable read with some fun twists!

Jeffrey Deaver just has a way of crafting compelling, complex characters. And Colter Shaw (not to mention the situations he often finds himself in) is nothing if not compelling. Have to say this one partially feels like it could have been ripped from the headlines, (what with the mass devastation from the flooding last year in North Carolina) and starts off with Shaw looking for a missing family that is believed to have been swept away when a levee collapses near a small town in Northern California. But when he comes under attack while searching, Colter has to wonder if there is way more going on than meets the eyes. Was the levee an accident or is something more sinister going on? Deaver has been entertaining me for decades, and he’s honed his craft to razor-sharp point. This is a tight, finely paced thriller. And if he can keep cranking out thrillers of this caliber, I hope to be reading him for decades more. I’d like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of South of Nowhere.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RKD3JG05QXK52/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Wow, there's a lot going on here and Jeffrey Deaver has a way of bringing it all together. This was the first Colter Shaw book I have read but have been a fan of the show since it started. Colter gets a message from his sister, a disaster specialist to come help. Colter isn't far away and rushes to an area in California that is being slammed by torrential rain and melting snow, overwhelming a levee that is protecting the small town of Hinowah. An SUV that witnesses said was carrying a family had gone into the river and Colter's sister Dorion wanted him to try to find the SUV.

Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers shows up to help, the Mayor who recently took on Sheriff duties is in charge locally and the county can't seem to be bothered to help. Throw in the Shaw's mother may be in danger, there is a half-sister they didn't know anything about and oh, did the levee collapse or was it intentionally destroyed. Lots for the group to unravel.

There are a lot of secondary characters, not a problem if I read a lot at one time but harder to keep straight if I only read a little at bedtime. It all came together at the end and Colter even got set up for the next adventure (book).

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.