Helpful Score: 4
This book is very good but not excellent. It was a little word-y in spots and don't be confused with the flashback if you have followed any of Lucas Davenport adventures. The book flashes back to 1985 when Lucas was a young cop. It eventually catches up to present day with Lucas, Virgil Flowers and Weather.
Helpful Score: 2
There's nothing like Sandford's "Prey" series to get you out of the reading doldrums. In Buried Prey, Sandford is at the top of his game, featuring fan favorite Lucas Davenport. Over the years, Lucas has risen from patrol to detective, now a top investigator in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. And like every seasoned detective, one case has burdened Davenport's conscience, the abduction and assumed murder of two young girls that occurs just as Lucas is breaking out of patrol work, angling for detective. Davenport accepts his superior's resolution to the case in spite of serious reservations. Now, twenty-five years later, the bodies of the Jones sisters are discovered at a construction site and Lucas is reexamining the case that has haunted his career. How many other victims have died through his willingness to acquiesce to authority?
In an inspired plot device, Sandford reintroduces the young and ambitious Lucas Davenport ("Then"), walking him through the Jones investigation, his eagerness to advance and the political realities he has yet to appreciate. Unfortunately, lack of training and seniority hamper Lucas in a system that doesn't reward renegades. "Now" examines the consequences of Davenport's decision not to buck the system, the found bodies a grim reminder that the real killer has remained free. Balancing his personal life with the finely-honed instincts of a successful career, Lucas is not exempt from the risks in this particular investigation, nor immune to the violence that follows in the killer's wake.
Of all his characters, Lucas Davenport is the most iconic, Sandford developing his protagonist over time, his personal and professional life grist for the series.
In an inspired plot device, Sandford reintroduces the young and ambitious Lucas Davenport ("Then"), walking him through the Jones investigation, his eagerness to advance and the political realities he has yet to appreciate. Unfortunately, lack of training and seniority hamper Lucas in a system that doesn't reward renegades. "Now" examines the consequences of Davenport's decision not to buck the system, the found bodies a grim reminder that the real killer has remained free. Balancing his personal life with the finely-honed instincts of a successful career, Lucas is not exempt from the risks in this particular investigation, nor immune to the violence that follows in the killer's wake.
Of all his characters, Lucas Davenport is the most iconic, Sandford developing his protagonist over time, his personal and professional life grist for the series.
There's nothing like Sandford's "Prey" series to get you out of the reading doldrums. In Buried Prey, Sandford is at the top of his game, featuring fan favorite Lucas Davenport. Over the years, Lucas has risen from patrol to detective, now a top investigator in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. And like every seasoned detective, one case has burdened Davenport's conscience, the abduction and assumed murder of two young girls that occurs just as Lucas is breaking out of patrol work, angling for detective. Davenport accepts his superior's resolution to the case in spite of serious reservations. Now, twenty-five years later, the bodies of the Jones sisters are discovered at a construction site and Lucas is reexamining the case that has haunted his career. How many other victims have died through his willingness to acquiesce to authority?
In an inspired plot device, Sandford reintroduces the young and ambitious Lucas Davenport ("Then"), walking him through the Jones investigation, his eagerness to advance and the political realities he has yet to appreciate. Unfortunately, lack of training and seniority hamper Lucas in a system that doesn't reward renegades. "Now" examines the consequences of Davenport's decision not to buck the system, the found bodies a grim reminder that the real killer has remained free. Balancing his personal life with the finely-honed instincts of a successful career, Lucas is not exempt from the risks in this particular investigation, nor immune to the violence that follows in the killer's wake.
Of all his characters, Lucas Davenport is the most iconic, Sandford developing his protagonist over time, his personal and professional life grist for the series. This novel is a skilled blend of personalities and circumstances, pitting the mind of a serial killer against the determination of a dedicated career detective. Once the chase is on and Davenport scents the killer, it's only a matter of time. As fans of this series know, getting there is the best part, from the outrageous crime to the final confrontation, a cold-blooded killer matching wits with a BCA agent who needs to close a painful period in his history and grieve a heartbreaking loss
In an inspired plot device, Sandford reintroduces the young and ambitious Lucas Davenport ("Then"), walking him through the Jones investigation, his eagerness to advance and the political realities he has yet to appreciate. Unfortunately, lack of training and seniority hamper Lucas in a system that doesn't reward renegades. "Now" examines the consequences of Davenport's decision not to buck the system, the found bodies a grim reminder that the real killer has remained free. Balancing his personal life with the finely-honed instincts of a successful career, Lucas is not exempt from the risks in this particular investigation, nor immune to the violence that follows in the killer's wake.
Of all his characters, Lucas Davenport is the most iconic, Sandford developing his protagonist over time, his personal and professional life grist for the series. This novel is a skilled blend of personalities and circumstances, pitting the mind of a serial killer against the determination of a dedicated career detective. Once the chase is on and Davenport scents the killer, it's only a matter of time. As fans of this series know, getting there is the best part, from the outrageous crime to the final confrontation, a cold-blooded killer matching wits with a BCA agent who needs to close a painful period in his history and grieve a heartbreaking loss
sandford's writing remains at the same enjoyable level, this time using a literary device to examine an old unsolved case. the characters are familiar, though this book serves to flesh them out even more.
an excellent read.
an excellent read.
Good Read! Holds you to the end.
Sandi K W. (Sandiinmississippi) reviewed Buried Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 21) on + 265 more book reviews
The flashback to a young Lucas Davenport made this book feel fresh. It makes my list of top Prey plots. The curbing of his violence and his reflection on how he's progressed professionally through the yrs felt quite real. Truly liked it!
This is one of the best in John Sandford's "prey" series. There's a flashback to an investigation 20 years in the past that allows us to see Lucas Davenport at work when he was just making the transition from patrolman to detective. Fascinating in light of the Davenport we have seen in the previous "prey" novels.
Love this series - read 4 in a row and could not put them down. Lucas Davenport is one of my favorite characters.
Scott Gross (scottgross) -
I enjoy any Sandford book, especially the Lucas Davenport ones. My wife likes them because they are set in the Twin Cities where she spent her childhood. Always entertaining with lots of excitement.
David and Carole M. (davidmartin52) reviewed Buried Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 21) on + 35 more book reviews
Somewhat typical Lucas Davenport, which means, if you're a fan of Lucas, you'll want to read it. If you're not already a fan, it's still a decent read. This one doesn't have some of the depth of some of the others, but the plot concept makes it an interesting read.
If you like John Sandford books,you will love this one. Lucas Davenport at his best!
Good read. Though, sometimes too many words.
This episode departs slightly from Sandford's usual format, as he goes back in time for part of the novel to detail Davenport's first case as a detective. I got quite a long ways into it before I realized there were no scenes from the POV of the killer. Oh boy, I thought, it's really going to be different! But no, about 150 pages in we get some flickerings, and when the scene shifts back to the present day there's the killer. From that point pretty much as usual, although what I did like was how Davenport's colleagues gang up together to prevent him personally from notching up another kill.
Another great Lucas Davenport book. Takes you back to the beginning of Lucas and his strong sense of responsibility. Interesting twists and turns and a shocking ending. Highly recommend.
good book
Good book, easy reading. Keeps your attention!
