We got lucky, as we were able to check out this short story from our library's (Overdrive) eBook collection before we had the chance to read the second full-length novel ("Goodbye Man") in Deaver’s fairly new Colter Shaw now two-book set. While not as long as the novella ("Captivated") that introduced Shaw prior to the first novel ("Never Game"), this 25-minute tale was still quite engaging and fun! Shaw is sitting in a Sheriff’s office hoping to get a look at a closed circuit camera scene to continue tracking a young lady he is trying to locate. When a call about a hostage situation comes in, Shaw basically solves the whole matter despite a Sheriff whose sole idea is to kill the perp. Moreover, with a classic Deaver twist, an ending we didn’t at all foresee was quite suspenseful and entertaining. Maybe our only gripe is that his original case went unresolved, although we have some confidence that Shaw’s now hot on her trail.
Shaw reminds us of the intellect of Lee Child’s terrific protagonist Jack Reacher. When it comes to problem solving, they both have it all over the cops, whose thinking tends to be much more straight-line – and frequently goes astray. Anyhow, “Hostage” is a fun little caper featuring this fine new Deaver character.