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Colter Shaw #1.5
The Second Hostage
Two men. One gun. No escape.
A gripping Colter Shaw short story from the master of suspense, with a twist you won’t see coming.
A captive held at gun point.
In search of a missing woman in Kansas, unique investigator Colter Shaw finds himself in the middle of a violent kidnapping that sends shockwaves through the rural community.
An investigator running out of time.
Someone has taken a local man captive and barricaded themselves in a lake-side property. The phone line has been cut and Shaw is the only person with a chance of getting the innocent victim out alive.
A twist nobody saw coming.
But before long the case takes an unexpected turn, and Shaw begins to suspect that the simple kidnapping has a darker purpose – one that might end with murder…
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2020
1104 people are currently reading
2386 people want to read
About the author
Jeffery Deaver
513 books11.8k 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 168 reviews
September 10, 2020
This is a short story in Jeffery Deaver's Colter Shaw series which I listened to on audio. Shaw is on a job to give a package to the daughter of a client offering $3000 reward money. He tracks her down to a small town in Kansas but has no idea which of 4 routes she could have taken, dropping in at the Sheriff's Department to ask to see CCTV. He finds himself involved in hostage negotiations with a Deputy, having had experience of hostage situations, one in which the hostage was a cow, previously until the Sheriff arrives on the scene undoing all their good work. This is an entertaining short crime story in which nothing is as it appears in the hostage scenario.
April 2, 2020
The ballad of Colter Shaw continues in this short. 7 of 10 stars
April 9, 2020
Colter Shaw makes his living from collecting rewards & sometimes it's a troublesome business. In this neat short story he becomes involved in a hostage situation, which (as it's a Jeffery Deaver story) is not quite what it seems.
I really enjoyed this tale, as well as the previous Colter Shaw short story Captivated. However, I must confess that I started to read the first Colter Shaw novel, The Never Game, & didn't like it at all. In fact I didn't even finish it. Why have I liked the short stories featuring Shaw & not the novel ? Now there's a mystery even Jeffery Deaver couldn't solve.
I really enjoyed this tale, as well as the previous Colter Shaw short story Captivated. However, I must confess that I started to read the first Colter Shaw novel, The Never Game, & didn't like it at all. In fact I didn't even finish it. Why have I liked the short stories featuring Shaw & not the novel ? Now there's a mystery even Jeffery Deaver couldn't solve.
July 10, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up
short review for busy readers:
An Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective story for grown men.
in detail:
I’ve only read one Lincoln Rhyme novel and found him and his police buddy utterly insufferable as characters and the writing subpar, even if the plot itself was pretty good.
So, when my GR friend Alan said this new series featuring Colter Shaw was better, I decided to try the “taster” extra to see if a different lead character would fix the problem.
Nope. Colter Shaw may be far more personable than Rhyme, but he’s still the same arrogant show off who knows he’s good and loves nothing more than an admiring audience begging him detail his mental prowess.
It’s not a good look.
The worst part: with a different arrangement and reveal structure, this could have been a 4 or maybe even a 5 star story!
The plot is a good one. But Deaver chooses to tell it very straightforward and chronologically, in best Encyclopedia Brown style, with a big reveal and explanation scene at the end that just makes Shaw look like smirking Sherlock wannabe. (How did I figure it out? Elementary, my dear idiot police officers! I’m a poster boy for the preening male ego, that’s how!)
At least Encyclopedia had some boyish charm to him. I guess I'm just not convinced by Deaver's character, writing or structure choices, even if his plots are good.
short review for busy readers:
An Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective story for grown men.
in detail:
I’ve only read one Lincoln Rhyme novel and found him and his police buddy utterly insufferable as characters and the writing subpar, even if the plot itself was pretty good.
So, when my GR friend Alan said this new series featuring Colter Shaw was better, I decided to try the “taster” extra to see if a different lead character would fix the problem.
Nope. Colter Shaw may be far more personable than Rhyme, but he’s still the same arrogant show off who knows he’s good and loves nothing more than an admiring audience begging him detail his mental prowess.
It’s not a good look.
The worst part: with a different arrangement and reveal structure, this could have been a 4 or maybe even a 5 star story!
The plot is a good one. But Deaver chooses to tell it very straightforward and chronologically, in best Encyclopedia Brown style, with a big reveal and explanation scene at the end that just makes Shaw look like smirking Sherlock wannabe. (How did I figure it out? Elementary, my dear idiot police officers! I’m a poster boy for the preening male ego, that’s how!)
At least Encyclopedia had some boyish charm to him. I guess I'm just not convinced by Deaver's character, writing or structure choices, even if his plots are good.
April 26, 2020
Another novella from author Jeffrey Deaver that in my opinion succeeds for me where so many fail. I am not generally that keen on short stories as so many lack depth but authors like Jeffrey Deaver and Jeffery Archer overcome that.
This story focus's on Colter Shaw, a recent Deaver introduction and the result is a very good short story. Colter Shaw finds himself in the middle of an hostage situation and offers his the local Sheriff his assistance. Coulter Shaw is quickly proving to be a no nonsense operator who is nobody's fool and like most good crime novels things are not always as they appear with twists and turns aplenty.
The book is only 50 pages but packs a decent story and some interesting characters that serve up as a nice apertizer for the next full length Colter Shaw novel.
This story focus's on Colter Shaw, a recent Deaver introduction and the result is a very good short story. Colter Shaw finds himself in the middle of an hostage situation and offers his the local Sheriff his assistance. Coulter Shaw is quickly proving to be a no nonsense operator who is nobody's fool and like most good crime novels things are not always as they appear with twists and turns aplenty.
The book is only 50 pages but packs a decent story and some interesting characters that serve up as a nice apertizer for the next full length Colter Shaw novel.
July 3, 2024
Colter Taken
Review of the G.P. Putnam's Sons eBook (March 3, 2020) released simultaneously with the Penguin Audio audiobook.
The Second Hostage is a short story issued prior to the second full-length Colter Shaw novel The Goodbye Man (May 12, 2020) which was published 2 months later. It jumps out of the timeline of continuity as novel 1 ended in Silicon Valley in California with Colter's next case headed directly on to novel 2's Washington State. The short story takes place in Kansas.
Regardless of that, The Second Hostage is a clever story which finds "reward seeker" Colter on a missing person case from which he is diverted when he assists a small town police department in a hostage taking. Colter takes a drastic step in allowing himself to be taken as the so-called "second" hostage in the situation. An unexpected twist ending explains it all.
I'm continuing to enjoy the Colter Shaw series which I only discovered after seeing the TV series. The series combines a dedicated and empathetic lead character with a set of "special skills" with author Deaver's talent for story twists.
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 3, 2020) released simultaneously with the Penguin Audio audiobook.
The Second Hostage is a short story issued prior to the second full-length Colter Shaw novel The Goodbye Man (May 12, 2020) which was published 2 months later. It jumps out of the timeline of continuity as novel 1 ended in Silicon Valley in California with Colter's next case headed directly on to novel 2's Washington State. The short story takes place in Kansas.
Regardless of that, The Second Hostage is a clever story which finds "reward seeker" Colter on a missing person case from which he is diverted when he assists a small town police department in a hostage taking. Colter takes a drastic step in allowing himself to be taken as the so-called "second" hostage in the situation. An unexpected twist ending explains it all.
I'm continuing to enjoy the Colter Shaw series which I only discovered after seeing the TV series. The series combines a dedicated and empathetic lead character with a set of "special skills" with author Deaver's talent for story twists.
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.
December 11, 2020
ReedIII Quick Review: A delightful very short taste of Jeffery Deaver's character Colter Shaw. An excellent way to determine if you want to read other full novels in the series.
March 5, 2020
Packaged as 1.5 in the Colter Shaw series this is an excellent short story that keeps this engaging new protagonist in the reader’s mind. With an advanced preview of the next novel The Goodbye Man 2.0, it further encourages us to stick with this series.
In this extract from Shaw’s business of taking reward money to find missing people he is ‘employed’ by a distraught parent whose daughter had runaway.
Her trail goes cold at a junction where she could take one of four roads so he wanders over to the Sheriff’s office to ask to see some cctv footage.
Matters quickly escalate into a major incident as a hostage situation is called in. Shaw having been trained in such scenarios and taken part in two situations offers his services. The young deputy is keen to take up the offer of help and things go well in initial contact with the ‘taker.’
Unfortunately, the Sheriff arrives and takes over. He dismisses the use of a civilian and the advise being followed and plays it straight and threatens to take the ‘taker’ down if he doesn’t surrender.
Shaw wanders off, and prone to make percentage risk evaluations takes a 90% punt by offering himself up as a replacement hostage.
This enrages the sheriff and makes for a dramatic outcome.
Great writing, brilliant central character and well penned supporting team of law enforcement officers and the hostage and taker’s back stories.
Love this series and this just about keeps me going for now but I’m eagerly anticipating book 2.
In this extract from Shaw’s business of taking reward money to find missing people he is ‘employed’ by a distraught parent whose daughter had runaway.
Her trail goes cold at a junction where she could take one of four roads so he wanders over to the Sheriff’s office to ask to see some cctv footage.
Matters quickly escalate into a major incident as a hostage situation is called in. Shaw having been trained in such scenarios and taken part in two situations offers his services. The young deputy is keen to take up the offer of help and things go well in initial contact with the ‘taker.’
Unfortunately, the Sheriff arrives and takes over. He dismisses the use of a civilian and the advise being followed and plays it straight and threatens to take the ‘taker’ down if he doesn’t surrender.
Shaw wanders off, and prone to make percentage risk evaluations takes a 90% punt by offering himself up as a replacement hostage.
This enrages the sheriff and makes for a dramatic outcome.
Great writing, brilliant central character and well penned supporting team of law enforcement officers and the hostage and taker’s back stories.
Love this series and this just about keeps me going for now but I’m eagerly anticipating book 2.
October 30, 2020
The Second Hostage is a novella in the Colter Shaw series by American author, Jeffery Deaver. In Kansas on the trail of a missing teen, Colter Shaw is in a small-town police station requesting information just as the call about a hostage situation comes in. The deputy sheriff takes him along as the only available professional with any hostage experience. Negotiations are progressing fairly well when the bombastic sheriff arrives and banishes Colter from the scene. But Colter has already assessed the situation and isn’t about to abandon the hostage. A clever little novella that also includes an excerpt of #2 The Goodbye Man.
September 28, 2023
well I didn't see that ending coming! I really like Colter Shaw and how he determines what is the truth in different situations. The only thing is that we don't know what happened with the original case he was on with the missing girl. Did he find her?
March 6, 2020
This one was short, but Colter proved with his quick thinking that things weren't what they seemed and won over the local police.
September 3, 2025
Nice bit of detective work in this short story interlude between Book One & Book Two.
March 5, 2020
A short story but still a good one. The next instalment in the Colter Shaw series is coming out soon, can't wait.
January 30, 2025
The Second Hostage had a lot going on…too much to be a short story. The initial job Colter takes gets no solid resolution. The case he ends up on…the way he figures things out is a long shot at best…I don’t care how smart he is, and honestly, the whole scenario just seems extreme.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2020
Really need to pay attention when I get books. Never a fan of short stories- this one has two story lines- starts with one, enters another and when the second is done the first is never resolved- just leaves you hanging with no resolution
August 2, 2020
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.
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.
September 18, 2020
Well this Jeffery Deaver book is subtitled “Colter Shaw # 1-1/2,” which he followed up with “The Goodbye Man - Colton Shaw #2.” Well I read half of “The Goodbye Man” but stopped when it devolved into investigating a cult. This short story is about Shaw searching for a missing girl but while on his search he stoops another kidnapping crime. Shaw is quite an interesting character, and I quite like this adventure. Maybe I’ll give “The Goodbye Man” another try...maybe. I do like Jeffery Deaver’s books.
April 8, 2021
A farmer who tries to force his bank to forgive his debt at gunpoint is not as he seems when Colter Shaw finds himself caught up in a hostage situation.
Deaver writes Shaw well, with a clear idea of what his character stands for. The devious plot twist is to be expected, but comes as a delightful surprise all the same.
Deaver writes Shaw well, with a clear idea of what his character stands for. The devious plot twist is to be expected, but comes as a delightful surprise all the same.
April 19, 2020
Quick read, excellent story, keeps you guessing!!
May 7, 2020
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
October 29, 2024
A super quick and awesome short story from my favorite author. Colter Shaw is at the right place at the right time…if the other trigger happy officers would leave him alone. Enjoy
February 15, 2025
Don't let the length of this story fool you, it packs a doozy of a punch mid way through! What really elevates this story is that, although it's a Colter Shaw story, Shaw's expertise is channeled through a different character for most of the story. Brilliantly done!
March 10, 2020
3.5 a quick short story with a twist.
July 2, 2020
Colter Shaw 1.5. I like this character, I like Jeffrey Deaver's writing. I think of myself as a detail person, but Colter Shaw makes me look like I walk through life blindfolded! There were a few clues to the true situation of this story that were not revealed to us until Colter was doing a recap. I call foul on that. It is annoying enough when one fails to pick up on the given clues that Colter notices, but really? Giving him ammunition that isn't shared with the audience just isn't fair. Still it is a good story.
February 1, 2021
Fair story.
I enjoyed the first two novels in the Colter Shaw series, but this one just left me cold. The beginning and the ending had absolutely nothing to do with the main story. Shaw solved the mystery in an entirely unrealistic manner. The ending had absolutely nothing to do with the story, and was a total cliffhanger. No character development. Not worth the price. BTW, the last quarter of this short short story is just a preview of the next Colter Shaw novel.
I enjoyed the first two novels in the Colter Shaw series, but this one just left me cold. The beginning and the ending had absolutely nothing to do with the main story. Shaw solved the mystery in an entirely unrealistic manner. The ending had absolutely nothing to do with the story, and was a total cliffhanger. No character development. Not worth the price. BTW, the last quarter of this short short story is just a preview of the next Colter Shaw novel.
December 25, 2020
I liked this second Colter Shaw short story better than the first one I listened to.
What I disliked about it is, that Colter somehow figures out what is going on in this hostage situation. But I like to be taken along the thinking path of the main character and not be told in short afterwards.
Otherwise it was a nice read.
What I disliked about it is, that Colter somehow figures out what is going on in this hostage situation. But I like to be taken along the thinking path of the main character and not be told in short afterwards.
Otherwise it was a nice read.
July 11, 2020
WHAAAAT? No spoilers, but, ummmmm that ending? Can't wait for the next book. The twists and turns and changes in Deaver's stories are fantastic.
I downloaded the book from my public library, and it was a wonderful read.
I downloaded the book from my public library, and it was a wonderful read.
December 13, 2022
The second hostage mystery was solved, but the missing person in the first of the novella left me hanging. I can only give this two stars. I may need to wait awhile before I read another Colter Shaw book.
March 6, 2021
Interesting short story, but the ending is a cliffhanger. However, I had already read the following novel, so that was not a problem.
April 4, 2021
Smart, witty, and quick to the point.
Although, it did leave you hanging... I’m guessing more to come on that.
Although, it did leave you hanging... I’m guessing more to come on that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews