HUNTING TIME

5 stars out of 5

Every once in a while you just gotta hold out for a hero - and self-described reward-seeker Colter Shaw certainly qualifies in my book. He's ruggedly good-looking, self-assured (in part by way of childhood training by his super-intelligent survivalist father, Ashton) but with a hint of vulnerability - just a hint - that adds to his appeal. This is the fourth book in the series, and I'm still wishing we could meet in person, if only for a steak, scotch on the rocks and some interesting conversation - after all, I'm old enough to be his grandmother (sigh).

Here, his considerable problem-solving skills are requested by the head honcho of a nuclear energy company in the Midwest that makes some kind of portable device that could be dangerous in the wrong hands - which it appears to be the case. Meantime, former cop Jon Merritt, who's been serving jail time for beating his now ex-wife Allison almost senseless has been sprung much earlier than expected - and apparently, he's on a mission to track her and their teenage daughter Hannah down and probably kill either or both. As fate (and the seeds of a good story) would have it, Allison is a nuclear engineer who works for said nuclear energy company - or did till she and Hannah took off for parts unknown in an attempt to stay safe. Needless to say, Colter ends up trying to protect them from harm. But first, of course, he has to find them, while hoping her ex-husband and a couple of professional hit men don't get there first. Who emerges triumphant in that race you'll have to find out by reading it for yourself, and plan on a twist or two in the process. All told, another good entry in this engaging series.

Hunting Time by Jeffery Deaver (G.P. Putnam's Sons, November 2022); 431 pp.