What do you think?
Rate this book
Colter Shaw #3.5
The Deadline Clock: Colter Shaw, Book 3.5
Reward seeker Colter Shaw faces a ticking clock with murderous consequences in this riveting short story.
A serial kidnapper is on the loose in a small town in Maine, targeting wealthy women and demanding a huge ransom in bitcoin for their safe return. When his latest victim’s husband claims that he can’t come up with the money, the word “deadline� takes on a disturbingly literal meaning. The local police are out of their depth, but Colter Shaw takes the lead in the investigation. Soon, he’s using his survivalist instincts to uncover clues and pursue suspects, putting his own life on the line to catch the would-be killer before the countdown hits zero.
A serial kidnapper is on the loose in a small town in Maine, targeting wealthy women and demanding a huge ransom in bitcoin for their safe return. When his latest victim’s husband claims that he can’t come up with the money, the word “deadline� takes on a disturbingly literal meaning. The local police are out of their depth, but Colter Shaw takes the lead in the investigation. Soon, he’s using his survivalist instincts to uncover clues and pursue suspects, putting his own life on the line to catch the would-be killer before the countdown hits zero.
Audible Audio
Published December 15, 2022
323 people are currently reading
1323 people want to read
About the author
Jeffery Deaver
482books11.3kfollowers#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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 7, 2023
My first DNF of the year. I’ve enjoyed Deaver’s Colter Shaw novels, featuring the son of a survivalist who earns his living by collecting rewards offered for missing people - he’s an expert at finding them. The stories tend to be complex and surprising even if the action does tick the ‘unlikely� box. But in short form (as this one is) it all feels too cramped and as a result way too confusing. I gave up about two thirds of the way in and one star is my standard for any book I fail to finish.
July 8, 2024
Colter Runs Against the Clock
Review of the Penguin Audio audiobook edition (December 6/15*, 2022) released after the G.P. Putnam's Sons eBook (September 27, 2022).
Colter Shaw arrives in a Maine coastal town where a victim has been kidnapped. The ransom deadline is set 12 hours later on the same day and no further negotiation or communication is possible. Non-payment will result in death for the victim. A previous incident had a successful resolution when the ransom was paid, but the current family (with a husband on the verge of bankruptcy) is not able to raise the $250K ransom. The kidnapper mistakenly thought the business was profitable.
The small town local police force are cooperative and provide Shaw the background information on the earlier case. He proceeds to also re-interview the previous victim and obtains some further clues. The hunt begins to narrow down to a possible series of locations, but then there is a setback. With only a few hours remaining to the deadline, will Colter Shaw bring the case to a successful conclusion?
This one requires a suspension of belief that the police would cooperate with someone who might otherwise be thought of as a vigilante. It is also somewhat unbelievable that when the police couldn't solve the current or the earlier case, that Shaw could be successful in only a few hours. An explanation is provided in the size of the police force and a detective distracted by a personal situation.
The short story case concludes with Shaw getting a tip that leads him directly on to the events of (Colter Shaw novel #4 - November 22, 2022).
This time I listened to the audiobook edition and the narration by in all voices was excellent.
Footnote
* There are conflicting publication dates: Amazon/Audible list December 6, 2022 but ŷ says December 15, 2022. Likely it is the former which is correct. Audible does make the mistake of saying this is Colter Shaw #0.25 which it isn't as the plot timeline definitely places it just before #4.
Trivia and possible PSA
I don't know if this anecdote about the smell of chocolate 🍫 is true, but it does provide a significant clue in the investigation:
Review of the Penguin Audio audiobook edition (December 6/15*, 2022) released after the G.P. Putnam's Sons eBook (September 27, 2022).
The offer was brief: $25K for information leading to the rescue of Ellie Kohl and the arrest of her kidnapper.
Colter Shaw arrives in a Maine coastal town where a victim has been kidnapped. The ransom deadline is set 12 hours later on the same day and no further negotiation or communication is possible. Non-payment will result in death for the victim. A previous incident had a successful resolution when the ransom was paid, but the current family (with a husband on the verge of bankruptcy) is not able to raise the $250K ransom. The kidnapper mistakenly thought the business was profitable.
The small town local police force are cooperative and provide Shaw the background information on the earlier case. He proceeds to also re-interview the previous victim and obtains some further clues. The hunt begins to narrow down to a possible series of locations, but then there is a setback. With only a few hours remaining to the deadline, will Colter Shaw bring the case to a successful conclusion?
This one requires a suspension of belief that the police would cooperate with someone who might otherwise be thought of as a vigilante. It is also somewhat unbelievable that when the police couldn't solve the current or the earlier case, that Shaw could be successful in only a few hours. An explanation is provided in the size of the police force and a detective distracted by a personal situation.
The short story case concludes with Shaw getting a tip that leads him directly on to the events of (Colter Shaw novel #4 - November 22, 2022).
This time I listened to the audiobook edition and the narration by in all voices was excellent.
Footnote
* There are conflicting publication dates: Amazon/Audible list December 6, 2022 but ŷ says December 15, 2022. Likely it is the former which is correct. Audible does make the mistake of saying this is Colter Shaw #0.25 which it isn't as the plot timeline definitely places it just before #4.
Trivia and possible PSA
I don't know if this anecdote about the smell of chocolate 🍫 is true, but it does provide a significant clue in the investigation:
The online research he'd done after interviewing Abby Morgenstern revealed that another material imparts a smell similar to chocolate: electrical and metal parts, notably generators, motors and wires, when hot. One anecdote he read was about a car owner who took his vehicle to the dealer to see if the maintenance crew could find the chocolate bar he was convinced one of his boys had dropped into the heating vent. The first thing the mechanics did was shut the engine off and replace the alternator. The scent of Hershey's warned of a car soon to be engulfed in flame.
April 8, 2023
THE DEADLINE CLOCK
Jeffery Deaver
I thought that I had never read anything by Mr. Deaver before I checked this out of the Library, but I found that I have read several of his many books. I found that it was way better than I had anticipated. It is only about 50 pages, so a fast read. Coleter Shaw is one smart guy and I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Jeffery Deaver
I thought that I had never read anything by Mr. Deaver before I checked this out of the Library, but I found that I have read several of his many books. I found that it was way better than I had anticipated. It is only about 50 pages, so a fast read. Coleter Shaw is one smart guy and I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
October 2, 2022
Just as a new Colter Shaw novel is due to be published; Jeffrey Denver releases another short story from this unique and fascinating series.
Here we have a real race against time. A cop’s wife has been kidnapped and the detective is struggling to make the ransom demand in time. Simply put, if the money isn’t paid in full the victim will be killed. From an earlier case there can be no doubt of the perpetrator’s intent - the clock is ticking.
Into the equation is brought Colter Shaw and his range of skills to get the job done but surely he can’t achieve the success needed in the time afforded to save the woman.
It is not just a fresh pair of eyes. It is his survivalist upbringing. His Father’s coda and rules for life. The risk taking, based on odds, backing his thorough analytical powers and a sense of powering through to a successful ending.
So many twists and turns. Sparse and economical as just a short tale but packed with why we love this character.
No we’re counting down to the release of ‘Hunting Time�.
Here we have a real race against time. A cop’s wife has been kidnapped and the detective is struggling to make the ransom demand in time. Simply put, if the money isn’t paid in full the victim will be killed. From an earlier case there can be no doubt of the perpetrator’s intent - the clock is ticking.
Into the equation is brought Colter Shaw and his range of skills to get the job done but surely he can’t achieve the success needed in the time afforded to save the woman.
It is not just a fresh pair of eyes. It is his survivalist upbringing. His Father’s coda and rules for life. The risk taking, based on odds, backing his thorough analytical powers and a sense of powering through to a successful ending.
So many twists and turns. Sparse and economical as just a short tale but packed with why we love this character.
No we’re counting down to the release of ‘Hunting Time�.
March 18, 2023
Leaves you hanging for the next episode
I really like Deave'rs writing. It makes you think of what's coming next. I was however surprised at the ending!
I really like Deave'rs writing. It makes you think of what's coming next. I was however surprised at the ending!
August 23, 2023
A fun and well written short story about "reward hunter" Colter Shaw. His logical pursuit of a kidnapped wife reminded us of the smarts displayed in the early Jack Reacher novels. Everything about the story, written by one of the most masterful short-story writers we know of, was entertaining and satisfying. Well worth about the half hour reading time!
December 23, 2022
Not a bad read
I just heard about this series and read this because it was supposed to be the first book in the series.
Actually it's a short story It was actually very interesting.
I definitely look forward to reading the next book
I just heard about this series and read this because it was supposed to be the first book in the series.
Actually it's a short story It was actually very interesting.
I definitely look forward to reading the next book
October 8, 2022
read to the end for a bit of insight
I only wish this story was longer. Really enjoy Colter Shaw stories. Will look forward to reading many more. Peace
I only wish this story was longer. Really enjoy Colter Shaw stories. Will look forward to reading many more. Peace
November 29, 2022
A 50 page short story showcasing Colter Shaw and his talents. A good fast read.
October 1, 2023
ReedIII Quick Review: Very short Colter Shaw adventure. Too short, unless you have read other longer works with the same character. This time the length made this work feel rushed.
October 2, 2022
This one is short and time was working against them. I thought it interesting that that cops welcomed Colter's help and pretty much gave him free reign to help in any way he could. With his unusual path of thinking Colter figured out where the missing person was and who the bad guys were. It was the bad guys that pretty much floored them all. Glad they were caught and dealt with.
August 13, 2024
Well, that was 10x better than the other novella that I read by Jeffery Deaver! This one had more of a race against the time plot that made me want to know what happened and had my attention the whole time. Since this is a novella, it is not rated since it's not over 100 pages, so any book over 100 pages will be rated. Overall, I really, really liked this one and would recommend it this has me even more exited to give the full-length novels a go.
January 14, 2023
This is a short story, just over 50 pages in the Colter Shaw series by author Jeffery Deaver. This series has been a little hit or miss for me, some I have loved and others not so much. I am not a big fan of the short story so this was always going to be a tough one but Jeffery Deaver is one of the few authors along with Jeffrey Archer that write decent novellas.
It always helps reading a short story when you are already familiar with the characters and that was the case with this one. This was a good short story that managed to put a lot of information in so few pages.
Colter Shaw is hunting down a serial killer who is kidnapping wealthy women and demanding a ransom in bitcoin for their safe return. The latest victims husband is struggling to find the ransom making the term deadline far more meaningful. The local police cannot get a lead on him and are forced to rely on the expertise of Colter Shaw to lead the investigation. With time running out Colter Shaw must work fast.
A good quick read but much prefer the full length novels.
It always helps reading a short story when you are already familiar with the characters and that was the case with this one. This was a good short story that managed to put a lot of information in so few pages.
Colter Shaw is hunting down a serial killer who is kidnapping wealthy women and demanding a ransom in bitcoin for their safe return. The latest victims husband is struggling to find the ransom making the term deadline far more meaningful. The local police cannot get a lead on him and are forced to rely on the expertise of Colter Shaw to lead the investigation. With time running out Colter Shaw must work fast.
A good quick read but much prefer the full length novels.
November 2, 2022
Great short story/novella to introduce you to the Colter Shaw series (which don't need to be read in order). There's about 4 novellas in additional to the now full books in the Colter Shaw series, and all are very enjoyable.
This novella, read on a kindle has improved since the last Colter Shaw book in that the story and goes all the way up to 80% of the book rather than 70% which I complained about in my last Deaver Colter Shaw short story review. Always annoying when a book is a lot shorter than is expected and just fills up the rest with chapters from the next book, which I guess is ok if you haven't read one of these books before, but if you have, it's annoying.
Great short novella and enjoyed the book apart from the mild annoyances. Maybe the next one will go all the way or at least to 90% before going on to the extras.
This novella, read on a kindle has improved since the last Colter Shaw book in that the story and goes all the way up to 80% of the book rather than 70% which I complained about in my last Deaver Colter Shaw short story review. Always annoying when a book is a lot shorter than is expected and just fills up the rest with chapters from the next book, which I guess is ok if you haven't read one of these books before, but if you have, it's annoying.
Great short novella and enjoyed the book apart from the mild annoyances. Maybe the next one will go all the way or at least to 90% before going on to the extras.
December 13, 2022
The Deadline Clock by Jeffrey Deaver
1h 34m narrated by Kaleo Griffith, 48 pages
Colter Shaw #3.5 (according to ŷ) #0 (according to Libby)
Genre: Mystery > Crime; Short Stories
Featuring: Maine, Kidnapping/Hostage Trope, Violence, Police, Rewards, Action
Rating as a movie: R
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: This book was right on time. Short and sweet. This story was a little complex with a great plot, I will be checking out the rest of the series. This story is currently only available digitally as an ebook and eaudiobook.
Recommend to others?: Yes. I would read it again in the future.
1h 34m narrated by Kaleo Griffith, 48 pages
Colter Shaw #3.5 (according to ŷ) #0 (according to Libby)
Genre: Mystery > Crime; Short Stories
Featuring: Maine, Kidnapping/Hostage Trope, Violence, Police, Rewards, Action
Rating as a movie: R
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: This book was right on time. Short and sweet. This story was a little complex with a great plot, I will be checking out the rest of the series. This story is currently only available digitally as an ebook and eaudiobook.
Recommend to others?: Yes. I would read it again in the future.
March 27, 2023
A short story featuring Jeffery Deaver's Colter Shaw that I listened to on audio, ably narrated by Kaleo Griffith, and which is 2 hours long. Shaw has been bought in to help local police after a young woman, Ellie Kohl, has been taken, after a previously abducted woman was almost killed. He uses his familiar set of survivalist skills, such as allocating percentages to possibilities, as he works under severe time pressures to find the victim whose husband is struggling to raise the required ransom for her safe return. This is a tense and suspenseful listen, as Shaw gets closer to the truth, he finds his life in danger.
September 5, 2024
This was a fun little "amuse bouche" between meals. It's a quick read short story. Colter is drawn into a case of a serial kidnapper in Maine. He/she has no aversions to killing his/her abductees if the ransoms aren't paid. One victim was released as she was about to be killed, the ransom finally came through, and she's able to provide Colter with some interesting information.
I won't get into the actual tracking of the kidnapper as that's what makes the read fun. I will admit to swallowing a red herring that led me off the beaten track for predicting the end. I enjoyed this.
I won't get into the actual tracking of the kidnapper as that's what makes the read fun. I will admit to swallowing a red herring that led me off the beaten track for predicting the end. I enjoyed this.
May 19, 2024
More Than Just A Number
ColterShaw3.5
I love short stories, especially about a character whom I am getting to know.
Why? Because the cast is limited and all the interactions count. You get information with every bite.
Colter Shaw is� so interesting. Having his father’s voice in the back of his mind, reminding Colter of life lessons, is a unique perspective and filter.
Still deciding, and still reading;-)
ColterShaw3.5
I love short stories, especially about a character whom I am getting to know.
Why? Because the cast is limited and all the interactions count. You get information with every bite.
Colter Shaw is� so interesting. Having his father’s voice in the back of his mind, reminding Colter of life lessons, is a unique perspective and filter.
Still deciding, and still reading;-)
August 13, 2024
Well, that was 10x better than the other novella that I read by Jeffery Deaver! This one had more of a race against the time plot that made me want to know what happened and had my attention the whole time. Since this is a novella, it is not rated since it's not over 100 pages, so any book over 100 pages will be rated. Overall, I really, really liked this one and would recommend it this has me even more exited to give the full-length novels a go.
April 22, 2025
Tracker
Colter Shaw is a great character! A guy that finds people who are missing. He's a details guy with training in survival by his father at a young age. The television show is time well spent and quite often very suspenseful. This book was like watching an episode of Tracker but you get into his mind better. It's short but engaging and Deaver still manages to introduce some good characters. I want to read more!
Colter Shaw is a great character! A guy that finds people who are missing. He's a details guy with training in survival by his father at a young age. The television show is time well spent and quite often very suspenseful. This book was like watching an episode of Tracker but you get into his mind better. It's short but engaging and Deaver still manages to introduce some good characters. I want to read more!
October 8, 2022
Colter Shaw is back!
Colter Shaw is back in Jeffery Deaver's latest short story The Deadline Clock. This time he's pursuing a seriel kidnapper and time is not on his side. The action and suspense never let up and in classic Deaver style there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Well worth the read!
Colter Shaw is back in Jeffery Deaver's latest short story The Deadline Clock. This time he's pursuing a seriel kidnapper and time is not on his side. The action and suspense never let up and in classic Deaver style there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Well worth the read!
October 16, 2022
Still very hard to outguess Deaver. I thought I had the solution but it was just another red herring! The Colter Shaw series is mostly short stories and I think it works better that way. Tight plotting and an outcome no one can ever guess because certain key bits of information are denied us. Fun nevertheless
October 20, 2022
A very short story. Colter arrives in Maine to help find a kidnapped woman before a deadline that only has a few hours left. Pay a ransom in 12 hours or she dies. The second such kidnapping in the area.
There is a reward for finding her and so he does. Cops, mayor etc all welcome his help without the ususal reluctance. In 57 pages, the case is solved. Good story but way too short.
There is a reward for finding her and so he does. Cops, mayor etc all welcome his help without the ususal reluctance. In 57 pages, the case is solved. Good story but way too short.
January 22, 2023
Interesting Colter Shaw short story. I love this character and his profession of tracking down people for rewards (never bounties). This is a case of a kidnappers who gives the husband 12 hours to raise a ransom before killing his wife. This has happened before, but this time the man really isn’t as rich as the kidnapper thinks and just can’t get ransom together.
May 12, 2024
Jeffery Deaver does it again.
Jeffery Deaver delivers his usual edge of your seat who done it. This is a short story about several kidnap for ransom crimes, where the kidnapper only gives 12 hours for the ransom payment. I never saw the ending coming. I hope there are more of this series coming and highly recommend reading this one.
Jeffery Deaver delivers his usual edge of your seat who done it. This is a short story about several kidnap for ransom crimes, where the kidnapper only gives 12 hours for the ransom payment. I never saw the ending coming. I hope there are more of this series coming and highly recommend reading this one.
October 6, 2022
Excellent as Always
Love this series and Deaver is the master. I've never read anything by him I didn't love and I've read most of his writing. He's one of the only writers who keep me guessing to the end.
Love this series and Deaver is the master. I've never read anything by him I didn't love and I've read most of his writing. He's one of the only writers who keep me guessing to the end.
October 15, 2022
Short stories
These types of stories are hard to review because they are short. There is not much depth to them and the characters aren't really developed. This one was sort of cut and dry. It sounds like there WILK definitely be more of these stories to read.
These types of stories are hard to review because they are short. There is not much depth to them and the characters aren't really developed. This one was sort of cut and dry. It sounds like there WILK definitely be more of these stories to read.
October 25, 2022
I was looking for a new series and found this novella. I really liked the main character Colter Shaw. I think there are four books and three more novellas with this character. I need to see if I like him in a complete novel.
March 20, 2023
the audio is only 2 hours. It took me a few days to get through this one, unusual for Jeffery Deavers' Colton Shaw. Any way, I wasn't listening to closely so well, it's a 2.5 for me. 4 days of rewind to catch what was happening
May 18, 2023
Enjoyable
Too many circumstances fell into place and were recognized as clues. There were red herrings, but they did not result in dead ends or lost ends. This was really good for a short story.
Too many circumstances fell into place and were recognized as clues. There were red herrings, but they did not result in dead ends or lost ends. This was really good for a short story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.