CBS’s latest hit, Tracker, has quickly captured the attention of TV audiences, leaving many fans curious about the show’s origins. Like other popular series such as Reacher, Tracker is rooted in literature—though you might have some difficulty finding the exact books if you’re searching by the show’s title alone.
The TV series is actually adapted from a character created by Jeffrey Deaver, the bestselling author of The Bone Collector. Colter Shaw, the central figure in Tracker, is the protagonist of Deaver’s more recent series, which began with the novel The Never Game in 2019. As interest in Tracker has surged, so too has the popularity of Deaver’s Colter Shaw novels, with fans of the show eager to dive into the books that inspired it.
Unlike Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, which boasts over two dozen novels, Deaver’s Colter Shaw series is much newer and more concise. To date, Deaver has penned four novels featuring Shaw: The Never Game, The Goodbye Man, The Final Twist, and Hunting Time. Each novel, much like the TV series, centers on Shaw’s quest to locate missing persons, all while maintaining key elements of his character’s backstory—particularly his upbringing as part of a survivalist family.
What Is Tracker?
In Tracker, Justin Hartley portrays Colter Shaw, a “lone wolf” who crisscrosses the country in search of bounties—whether it’s missing persons or lost valuables. Each episode sees Shaw tackling different cases in different locations, meeting an array of characters along the way. His life on the road is both a pursuit of justice and a journey through his own troubled past. Below is the official synopsis of the series:
“Tracker” stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a lone survivor who roams the country in search of a bounty, using his expert tracking skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve all sorts of mysteries while struggling with his own broken family. The series is based on the best-selling novel “The Never Game” by Jeffrey Deaver.
The Cast of Tracker
Unlike many ensemble-driven shows, Tracker keeps its main cast relatively small, reflecting Shaw’s nomadic lifestyle. While Shaw is a wanderer, there are a few key characters who remain constants in his life.
Fiona Rene plays Reenie, a lawyer with a history with Shaw, who often comes to his aid when legal troubles arise. Eric Graise stars as Bobby, a hacker and tech expert who assists Shaw with the digital side of his investigations. Robin Weigert and Abby McEnany portray Teddi and Velma, respectively—a pair of animal lovers who frequently connect Shaw with new cases and the right people to solve them.
With its intriguing premise, a strong lead in Hartley, and the literary foundation provided by Jeffrey Deaver’s novels, Tracker has quickly solidified its place as a must-watch series. As the show continues, viewers are likely to be drawn even deeper into the world of Colter Shaw, both on screen and on the page.
