Shot Clock

by Andrew Bourelle, Emma Love (Reader)

Basketball star Garrett’s brother has been kidnapped – and if he doesn’t fix the NBA championship, Jake will be dead before the final buzzer, in this edge-of-the-seat thriller set in the dark, criminal underbelly of Sin City

Caitlin Glass had aspirations of becoming a professional basketball player until an injury ended her college career. Now a small-town police officer with a husband and young son, she’s watched with envy as her ex-boyfriend, Garrett Streeter, became a star. But as Garrett leads his team to the NBA Finals, he suddenly shows up at her door, asking for help.

Garrett’s brother has been kidnapped. If Garrett wants Jake to survive, he has to do the cheat, and fix the championship series.

If they don’t track Jake down before the final buzzer, he’ll be dead. Putting aside her deep misgivings, she dives into the dark, criminal underbelly of glitzy Las Vegas while the clock is ticking, and the seconds Jake has to live are running out . . .

Shot Clock is the latest novel by critically acclaimed author Andrew Bourelle, James Patterson’s co-writer, who Publishers Weekly described as “a writer to watch”. Fans of Harlan Coben, David Baldacci and Lee Child, take note!

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Sports

1 pages, Audio CD

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

Andrew Bourelle is the author of the novels SHOT CLOCK, 48 HOURS TO KILL, and HEAVY METAL. He is coauthor with James Patterson of TEXAS RANGER, TEXAS OUTLAW, and THE TEXAS MURDERS. His short stories have been published widely in literary magazines and fiction anthologies.

Reviews

[Tytasia Kiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Andrew about Elle for allowing me to read this ARC copy of Shot Clock in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good mix of 2 of my favorite things… both sports and mystery.

An NBA star Garrett Streeter reaches out to an old friend who was a basketball star turned cop Caitlin Glass for help with finding his brother who has been kidnapped. The only problem is this takes place during the NBA Finals. Throughout the story we see the investigation taken place during each Finals game.

This is a wild ride and will draw you in from the first page! Are you ready to grab a basketball and take your best shot before time runs out on the clock? SHOT CLOCK!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! High octane, edge of your seat, nail-biting, pretty much non-stop drama!!!
And the twists… 😮😮😮
Did. Not. See. That. Coming…. At. ALL!!!

Caitlin Glass is a small town cop. She’s married with a little boy.
BUT, back in the day, Caitlyn was a shoe in for being a big time Basket-Baller! She was an ace!!
Until she had a career ending injury…

Her boyfriend at the time, Garrett Streeter, MADE it to the big times…. And now she gets to watch HIM on TV as his team, her LOCAL team, has now made it to the championships!!
And, her little boy, Alex….well, he loves him!

One day, after a very challenging day at work, Caitlyn is involved in a pretty big case! Now, Garrett sees CAITLYN’s pix on the TV screen… and remembers that she is a local cop… and, his championships are taking him to HER hometown!!

I know what you’re thinking….
And I’m not telling you any more on that front…. 😉

🛑🛑 A little bit of a spoiler here, but IT IS LISTED in the description of the book, so… not really..but here goes! 🛑🛑.
If you DON’T want to know…. Stop Here!

BUT…Here’s the thing!!
Garrett’s little brother, Jake, has been kidnapped.
Garrett needs to FIX the championships….as he’s told to do… or… Jake dies!

Now, I have to tell you….as I started reading this I thought… Really?
A WHOLE Book on this??
And yes!!! It was!!
And it was… Exceptional!!!

And then he gets in touch with Caitlyn…and asks for help!

And the book that follows is a beautiful thing!!!

#ShotClock by #AndrewBourelle. Narrated beautifully by #EmmaLove!!

5 big, bright, beautiful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

And if the authors name sounds familiar, it should! He’s co-author with James Patterson on a number of books, so I’m familiar with his work…as I’m sure some of you are as well!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook which releases TODAY!! 2.4.2025!!!
So, LOOK 👀 for it NOW!

PS… I know basically nothing about basketball, but still enjoyed this one!

As for me… You can always find my reviews on: Goodreads.
Insta: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Cynthia T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @NetGalley and @ Dreamscapemedia for the audio ARC. This book was filled with so much suspense about basketball and murder. Caitlin Glass had dreams of playing in the WNBA but after an accident she headed home and became a police officer. Now with a husband and son, life is normal and uneventful. Her college boyfriend has made it to her favorite Basketball team and old feelings come back to what might have been. Garrett's brother has been kidnapped and he is being pressured to fix games during the NBA Finals. This book had so much suspense and was a fun read.

[LianaReads blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very grateful to @librofm for my alc, opinions are my own

Shot Clock by Andrew Bourelle is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller with high stakes and plenty of suspense. The story follows Caitlin Glass, a former basketball star turned cop, as she helps her ex-boyfriend, NBA player Garrett Streeter, find his kidnapped brother. The catch? Garrett must throw the championship series to save him.
The book is filled with intense moments, a thrilling race against time, and a glimpse into the darker side of sports betting. While the basketball scenes were a bit long for my taste, the main characters were compelling, and the mystery kept me hooked.
The audiobook narration by Emma Love was excellent, with great character distinction and emotion. Her performance made the story even more engaging.
If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads, sports drama, and nonstop action, this is a perfect choice.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caitlin is frustrated with her life. Her college-aged dream of becoming a professional basketball player snuffed out by injury, and her prospects for moving up in the sheriff’s office into a role as a detective thwarted by good-old-boy mindsets, her disappointment begins to seep into her marriage as well. Then she reconnects with her college boyfriend Garrett Streeter. His life seems to represent the dream: an NBA contract, a model for a wife, a nice home, and financial security. His team has even made the Championship playoffs. But he has a problem: he is being extorted to manipulate the outcome of the games to save his brother’s life. Involving the FBI is risky. He’s not sure who he can trust. Is this Caitlin’s chance to prove herself?

This is a fast-paced, high-stakes suspense novel featuring a capable woman protagonist who feels the need to prove herself. It’s not without some willing suspension of disbelief but the main character is not portrayed as super-human and able to win every fight, which raises the level of tension in the novel. The author also switches point-of-view between Caitlin and Garrett, creating constant cliffhangers as one is desperately trying to save a hostage without being killed herself, while the other is trying to control the outcome of a playoff game without appearing to. The ending does not disappoint but sets up the potential for a continuing series. I’ve already recommended it to family members, and you don’t have to know much about basketball to enjoy it.

[Belated Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

When NBA superstar Garrett Streeter shows up on the doorstep of his ex, small-town cop Caitlin Glass, she’s stunned—but not nearly as shocked as she is by his plea for help. Garrett’s brother has been kidnapped, and the only way to keep him alive is to throw the championship series. As Caitlin races against the clock to uncover the truth, she finds herself pulled deep into the criminal underworld of Las Vegas, where danger lurks behind every neon light and every second counts.

Shot Clock is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that plays out like a high-stakes movie. From the first chapter, the tension never lets up. The writing is cinematic and visceral—I could clearly picture the entire story unfolding like a blockbuster crime drama. The blend of sports, suspense, and gritty Vegas atmosphere makes this a truly entertaining ride. Andrew Bourelle delivers adrenaline and emotion in equal measure, and the urgency of the plot kept me fully engaged.

This is a great pick for fans of Harlan Coben or Lee Child, especially if you love thrillers that feel made for the big screen. With a high-energy pace and gripping premise, Shot Clock delivers suspense and action with every chapter. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Sherry Steveson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of action packed into this story. There is also a lot of basketball game discussion/playing. I'm not a basketball fan so I could have done with less of the basketball game portions of the book but the main characters were likeable and interesting enough to overlook the prolonged periods of play. Caitlin works as for the sheriff's department and receives a visit from an old college boyfriend that is a professional basketball player and his brother has been kidnapped and held for ransom. The ransom requires Garrett needs to manipulate the NBA championship games that he's playing so that the kidnappers can make money in the betting world. There is a lot of seedy things happening in Las Vegas that Caitlyn encounters. There are some unbelievable moments and so we just need to suspend some of the realities of real life and just go along for the ride.
The audiobook narrator does a fabulous job of switching between male and female characters and has great inflection. I enjoyed the audiobook. I would say that this would be a great for a sports enthusiast that loves an action packed thriller story.

[Ikwi Bookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shot Clock is a fast-paced sports/crime thriller mixing basketball with gambling, kidnapping, and murder. Police officer Caitlin Glass is a former athlete, who has been asked by her former boyfriend and current NBA star, Garrett Streeter, to help find his kidnapped brother Jake. Jake got himself embroiled in sports betting and now those who hold him demand that Garrett fix the NBA championship games. As Caitlin searches for Jake and Garrett carries his team through the finals, the developing investigation and the pressure-filled basketball games intensify in lockstep to a fever pitch. In the background, Caitlin and Garrett also work through their feelings of what might have been had they stayed together after college, and Caitlin's character, in particular, has a well-developed arc, both personally and professionally.

Overall, this is an excellent novel, tightly plotted and deftly written. The reader needn't know much about basketball to enjoy it, because the games are action-packed, vividly described, and easy to follow. I do have one small peeve: There is no hint of basketball on the cover, which is strange given the story is centered around the game.

[Jenna Gilmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

**This book was provided to me on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Shot Clock was a very interesting find- a college star whose injury changed her story and her ex-boyfriend living the life she dreamed for herself. Then, he asks for her help in saving his brother. I loved the way chapters would go back and forth, focusing on the basketball game where seconds were being counted down and the action of behind the scenes.

Near the beginning, I was getting worried. Caitlin seemed to be going in the direction of reconnected with her old love and becoming extremely jealous of him. When we moved away from that, I was very glad.

My only qualms with the book really have to do with pacing. It’s common in the thriller genre for chapters to get short and very fast paced near the end/during the climax. It’s annoying when a “chapter” is a single sentence. I feel like there could be a better way to achieve this pacing without making it so dramatic.

Overall, I loved this book! I’m glad I read it and highly recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers and/or basketball.


Rating: 4.5

Recommend? Yes!

[Tom Burkholder · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book Shot Clock, author Andrew Bourelle writes about police officer Caitlin Glass who had aspirations of becoming a professional basketball player until an injury ended her college career. Now married with a young boy, she is struggling with the monotony of her life, dreaming of what could have been. But when her college boyfriend now NBA superstar Garrett Streeter, suddenly shows up at her door asking for help, everything changes. Glass is now drawn into a world of deception and is racing against the clock to find Garrett’s brother Jake before it’s too late. This was a good story that kept moving along. I would recommend this book. The audio-book narration was good. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Merkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that the first thing I learned from this book is that basketball driven stories maybe just aren't for me. But that is a personal preference and hasn't impacted my listening experience or review. The gritty elements of drugs, human trafficking, and illegal sports gambling made for a really compelling story. I really felt immersed in the environment which is a testament to both the writing and the narrator. I did think that the female main character Caitlin Glass is a little weak as a far as female main characters go. But overall a good thriller and I would not hesitate to pick up another book from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Andrew Bourelle, Severn House, and NetGalley for allowing the early review edition.

I honestly didn't know what to expect after reading the provided description for the book. I thought it sounded like it could have been over the top with dramatics and basketball puns, trying to mix the sport storyline in with the mystery and suspense. But no, Bourelle continuously drove the plot forward with spin moves and crossovers keeping us guessing what would come next. A unique read for me that felt fresh in today's crime, suspense, thriller genre. The well written characters came off the pages that I think readers will connect and feel their emotions.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Caitlin Glass was a successful college basketball player until an injury stole her chance of a professional career. A decade later she is a police officer. Her college boyfriend is now a NBA star and he came to her for help to find his missing brother.

Liked the book but towards the end the chapters were so short--it is one of the reasons why I stopped reading James Patterson years ago.

I enjoyed Emma Love's narration.

[Scott Schubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced audiobook of "Shot Clock" by Andrew Bourelle, thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley. This riveting story centers on a basketball player who faces much more than game pressure; his brother's life hangs in the balance. The book was fantastic, capturing my attention throughout. The narrative flowed seamlessly, keeping me engaged and eager to hear what would happen next. This was my first experience with Bourelle's work, and I was thoroughly impressed by his ability to maintain suspense and reader interest.

[Kelly (Simply Kelina) C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed this one more since I am a basketball lover. This has a very intense mystery/thriller aspect, but there is also lots of basketball thrown in with it. I do feel this went a little crazier than expected for me and I did find myself rolling my eyes at some points. However; it was still a crazy ride that kept my interest the whole time.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an early copy of this audiobook. #MacAudio2025

[Doug Yonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mix of sports, kidnapping, and relationships as an NBA star comes to an old friend, now a cop, to help find his brother. Parallel stories populate the story as the NBA Finals and the search for the missing brother alternate throughout the book. Lots of tension in both subplots with very well-developed characters. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[BookedByCrystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m thankful to have received this ARC and had the chance to read it. While I’m not a huge basketball fan, and admittedly had a bit of trouble staying focused at times, the story goes beyond just the game. It’s a basketball thriller that also delves into modern-day crimes, which definitely kept me turning the pages. Personally, it wasn’t quite my cup of tea, but the writing is strong and compelling. If you’re a fan of basketball and thrillers, this might be the perfect read for you!

[audrey ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!
I absolutely devoured this book. It was so fast-paced and I really got invested in the hunt for Jake. Caitlin is such a likable character, and her willingness to help someone she hasn’t spoken to in years really speaks to the kind of person she is. I would read a dozen more books with her as the main character. Would recommend!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐
Kidnapping and sports - this book is full of action-packed scenes that'll have you running out of breath wanting to know what happens next. This 'race-against-the-clock' thriller was thoroughly enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Nadia Meriouli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

Very thrilling mystery and I did NOT guess the twists. I do feel like there is such thing as too short chapters but it doesn’t really impact the story. 1 word chapter is crazy though haha. But overall I feel like I learnt a lot about basketball and sports betting, I can’t wait to reread.

[Todd Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books by this author. The Rory Yates Texas Ranger series is my favorite. The thing about this book that surprised me is that it was written in third person. Thought it would be first person. But the book was very exciting.

[Breanne Roper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining as always from Andrew Bourelle. I like 48 Hours to Kill better. This is a good read if you’re into policing or the NBA. LOVED the female lead. And how both protagonists stayed faithful to their partners…

[Noelle Tagliarini · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and a half stars.

[Tonya Bryner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, lots of basketball 😀. I liked the characters a lot and would love to see a sequel. A few F bombs and lots of violence, as one would expect with a cop book.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started strong then I was getting bored and started skimming. I like short chapters, but at one point, there were six "chapters" on two pages. So odd to me!