Helpful Score: 2
Very enjoyable. It's interesting to watch the killer's grip on reality slip away.
Helpful Score: 1
The Prey novels with Lucas Davenport are one of my favorite series - this one doesn't dissapoint!
Helpful Score: 1
I kinda started in the middle of Sandford's Prey series, but now I'm filling in where I skipped and it doesn't make a whole lot of difference, but it's much better to read them in order because there are always mentions in the books of what happened in a previous book.
Now, to this book..It's great, just like all of the rest of them! Lucas Davenport (for some reason I always picture Harrison Ford but he's described totally different), is assigned a serial murder case involving women being ripped apart (ugh!) and is saddled with a wimpy detective that nobody else wants and an overbearing female detective that no one else can stand to be around.
Even with these terrible odds, the three of them manage to come up with some interesting clues and follow them to the conclusion, which is pretty amazing!
Now, to this book..It's great, just like all of the rest of them! Lucas Davenport (for some reason I always picture Harrison Ford but he's described totally different), is assigned a serial murder case involving women being ripped apart (ugh!) and is saddled with a wimpy detective that nobody else wants and an overbearing female detective that no one else can stand to be around.
Even with these terrible odds, the three of them manage to come up with some interesting clues and follow them to the conclusion, which is pretty amazing!
John Sandford's acclained "Prey" novels have taken readers into the minds of murderers and manhunters. Now his unforgettable detective, Lucas Davenport, returns to face his most brilliantly elusive opponent. A master thief who becomes obsessed with a beautiful woman-then he carves her initials into his victims...
sanford grabs you by the throat and never lets go ...wonderful wonderful book
Although I've read all the Prey books before, I'm working my way through them in order this time. They are fast and easy to read, and pretty forgettable so almost like reading them new. As in every Prey book, there are multiple murders and you get the POV of the killer(s) along with Davenport. I liked the character of the BCA agent although the end of that story was very predictable. Sandford is turning Davenport into a likable human being instead of mostly a jerk. These are nice escapist reading; Sandford kills off a lot of people but doesn't focus too much on gory details.
This is a spell-binding series !!
As always, Sanford's Prey books are very good.
Very good read.
a very good selection in the Prey series
Very good story, I highly recommend it!
From the dust jacket: "It was a very cold, very clear morning in the Carlos Avery game reserve-cold enough to preserve the body lying there, clear enough so the state investigator couldn't miss it. There was something familiar about the stab wounds, she thought-but the Minneapolis police dismissed her theories, and the city's new police chief has problems enough of her own. The cops are wary of her, the public thinks she's too political, the feminists think she's sold out. And this damn murder just won't go away.
Caught in the middle, the chief turns to Lucas Davenport for help, and reluctantly, he agrees. Still recovering from his near-fatal wounds of the year before, trying for once in his life to settle down with one woman, Lucas has his own concerns, but someting about this murder, and another like it-the body found in a dumpster this time-teases him, and the more he looks into them, the more he's sure the investigator is right. There is something disconcertingly familiar about the wounds not only in these two cases, but just maybe in several others as well. Somewhere out there lurks a killer of unusual skill and savagery. And if Lucas is right, he's just getting warmed up..."
Caught in the middle, the chief turns to Lucas Davenport for help, and reluctantly, he agrees. Still recovering from his near-fatal wounds of the year before, trying for once in his life to settle down with one woman, Lucas has his own concerns, but someting about this murder, and another like it-the body found in a dumpster this time-teases him, and the more he looks into them, the more he's sure the investigator is right. There is something disconcertingly familiar about the wounds not only in these two cases, but just maybe in several others as well. Somewhere out there lurks a killer of unusual skill and savagery. And if Lucas is right, he's just getting warmed up..."
Love this series! Great, fast-paced, interesting. Lucas Davenport is one of my favorites.
I'm working my way through John Sandford's Lucas Davenport series, strictly in the order they were published. This is book number 6 and I have to say Sandford is definitely getting better and better.
Following 'Winter Prey', the porsche driving, game writing, definitely hard-boiled Davenport continues to evolve as a believable and somtimes not too likeable character. His romantic interest, Weather Karkinnen, has becomes a fixture in Davenport's home. Weather played a major role in the last book, actually saving Davenport's life when a gunshot wound to the throat stopped his breathing. Prior to Weather, Davenport has produced a daughter from a previous relationship with a journo, Jennifer. The reader is left to wonder how Weather came to move to the city, given Sandford had oulined the duty she felt to the small town that had paid her college tuition (in Winter Prey). Weather has now been installed as a surgeon in the big city, we just have to wonder about her lifespan and safety as Davenport's lover.
Aside from that, there is also an undercurrent of erotic tension between Davenport and a female reporter in this book. Maybe it's cos I'm a woman, but this aspect of Davenport's nature really irritates me! You want the man to be faithful and here he is spieling about how women with overbites are deliberately hired as news anchors because this facial anomaly reminds men of oral sex! Interesting fact? It got me thinking, which I like in a crime book, but you have to wonder what's going on in Sandford's mind! I guess this is a realistic insight into the secret lives of men as channelled by Lucas Davenport. Us girls can like it or lump it.
In 'Night Prey' we have Davenport unwillingly teamed up with a State investigator who has terminal cancer. Connell is obsessed with this case, tracking down a serial rapist and murderer, before she succumbs to her illness. Sandford gives us a dual narrative, interspersing Davenport and his teams' point of view with that of their quarry "Koop". Stanford has really nailed the creep factor with this guy. He is smart, strong, perverted and frightening. The initial scene has him in the bedroom of the woman he is to become obsessed with, during a cat burglary. Something about Sara Jenson triggers Koop to escalate his deviant behavior and to begin literally killing in her name (or initials). He creeps her apartment, stalks and watches her. Stanford has created a nightmare perp in "Night Prey"; Koop is also incredibly savvy about important things like evidence and is determined not to make any errors that will lead Davenport and his team in his direction. This of course makes for great reading and a lot of frustration for Davenport, Connell and the cops that have featured before in the series, Del and Sloan.
Stanford has created great characters that move with the times. Lucas' extremely profitable game writing hobby is morphing more towards creating simulations for law enforcement officers. This book was written in 1994, so its interesting to keep track of how Davenport's side-interest in computers remains contemporary. How long will he be using WordPerfect I wonder?
So, erotic overbites aside, Sandford also introduces subjects like cat burglary (and why there is apparently always a sexual aspect to this form of robbery), a little bit about the culture of deaf people and the daily life of a surgeon (via Weather), all interesting stuff that complements the action and makes reading these books seem just that bit more educative.
Sandford has another Davenport book coming out soon (2007). In the meantime, this reader must resist temptation until the entire series to date has been read. The Davenport series is on my permanent pre-order list now, along with, for example, Connelly's Bosch and James Lee Burke's Robicheaux. If you want well-written, complexly plotted yet tenable hard boiled fare, then put Davenport on the menu, the books are hard to put down and haven't disappointed yet.
Following 'Winter Prey', the porsche driving, game writing, definitely hard-boiled Davenport continues to evolve as a believable and somtimes not too likeable character. His romantic interest, Weather Karkinnen, has becomes a fixture in Davenport's home. Weather played a major role in the last book, actually saving Davenport's life when a gunshot wound to the throat stopped his breathing. Prior to Weather, Davenport has produced a daughter from a previous relationship with a journo, Jennifer. The reader is left to wonder how Weather came to move to the city, given Sandford had oulined the duty she felt to the small town that had paid her college tuition (in Winter Prey). Weather has now been installed as a surgeon in the big city, we just have to wonder about her lifespan and safety as Davenport's lover.
Aside from that, there is also an undercurrent of erotic tension between Davenport and a female reporter in this book. Maybe it's cos I'm a woman, but this aspect of Davenport's nature really irritates me! You want the man to be faithful and here he is spieling about how women with overbites are deliberately hired as news anchors because this facial anomaly reminds men of oral sex! Interesting fact? It got me thinking, which I like in a crime book, but you have to wonder what's going on in Sandford's mind! I guess this is a realistic insight into the secret lives of men as channelled by Lucas Davenport. Us girls can like it or lump it.
In 'Night Prey' we have Davenport unwillingly teamed up with a State investigator who has terminal cancer. Connell is obsessed with this case, tracking down a serial rapist and murderer, before she succumbs to her illness. Sandford gives us a dual narrative, interspersing Davenport and his teams' point of view with that of their quarry "Koop". Stanford has really nailed the creep factor with this guy. He is smart, strong, perverted and frightening. The initial scene has him in the bedroom of the woman he is to become obsessed with, during a cat burglary. Something about Sara Jenson triggers Koop to escalate his deviant behavior and to begin literally killing in her name (or initials). He creeps her apartment, stalks and watches her. Stanford has created a nightmare perp in "Night Prey"; Koop is also incredibly savvy about important things like evidence and is determined not to make any errors that will lead Davenport and his team in his direction. This of course makes for great reading and a lot of frustration for Davenport, Connell and the cops that have featured before in the series, Del and Sloan.
Stanford has created great characters that move with the times. Lucas' extremely profitable game writing hobby is morphing more towards creating simulations for law enforcement officers. This book was written in 1994, so its interesting to keep track of how Davenport's side-interest in computers remains contemporary. How long will he be using WordPerfect I wonder?
So, erotic overbites aside, Sandford also introduces subjects like cat burglary (and why there is apparently always a sexual aspect to this form of robbery), a little bit about the culture of deaf people and the daily life of a surgeon (via Weather), all interesting stuff that complements the action and makes reading these books seem just that bit more educative.
Sandford has another Davenport book coming out soon (2007). In the meantime, this reader must resist temptation until the entire series to date has been read. The Davenport series is on my permanent pre-order list now, along with, for example, Connelly's Bosch and James Lee Burke's Robicheaux. If you want well-written, complexly plotted yet tenable hard boiled fare, then put Davenport on the menu, the books are hard to put down and haven't disappointed yet.
This is the 6th book is the Prey series. Davenport is at his finest.
Lucas Daveport returns to face his most brilliantly elusive opponent. A master thief who becomes obessed with a beautiful woman -then carver her initials into his victims.....
I found this to be my least favorite of the Prey series so far. The serial killer has done most of his work beforehand, there is very little detective work involved, and a very predictable and overdone character. Not a bad read, just disappointing.
when it comes to portraying twisted minds sanford has no peers sandford grabs you by the throat and never lets go
Very suspenseful!!!! Readers of John Sanford will thoroughly enjoy this book!!!
Another great read in the Lucas Davenport series... I really enjoy these books and once you've read one, you want to read them all.
Another exciting thriller from the prey series. Good story line, keeps you reading all hours in the night.
From Library Journal
This novel is sixth in the "Prey" series, written by journalist John Camp under the Sandford pseudonym and featuring Porsche-driving Minneapolis police detective Lucas Davenport. Here Davenport, who has just returned to duty after recovering from a serious gunshot wound, must face a serial killer named Koop, who is dropping bodies all over the metropolitan area. Koop makes the mistake of becoming a little too obsessed with a potential victim and thus leaves a trail that Davenport and his fellow officers finally discover. Despite its length, Night Prey is a tight, fast-moving thriller with appealing good guys and a suitably evil villain.
This novel is sixth in the "Prey" series, written by journalist John Camp under the Sandford pseudonym and featuring Porsche-driving Minneapolis police detective Lucas Davenport. Here Davenport, who has just returned to duty after recovering from a serious gunshot wound, must face a serial killer named Koop, who is dropping bodies all over the metropolitan area. Koop makes the mistake of becoming a little too obsessed with a potential victim and thus leaves a trail that Davenport and his fellow officers finally discover. Despite its length, Night Prey is a tight, fast-moving thriller with appealing good guys and a suitably evil villain.
Liked this one too although some of the events were a little contrived. The case lucas is looking at as an aside to the big one has a GREAT ending though so it was definitely a fun read.
A master thief becomes obsessed with a beautiful womas - then carves her initials into his victims. Positively CHILLING.
I love the Prey series of books. They have great characters and great storylines. One of my favorite authors, and favorite series.
One of John Sandford's "Prey" novels, with Detective Lucas Davenport. A master thief becomes obsessed with a beautiful woman-then carves her initials into his victims.
A crime thriller about a fiendous serial killer pursued by a tough smart detective who isn't afraid to play by his own rules when he needs to.
A master thief becomes obsessed with a beautiful woman--then carves her initials into his victims.
great thriller
A master thief becomes obsessed with a beautiful woman-then carves her initials into his victims, detective Lucas Davenport has a BIG job before hime.
I have been reading all of the Lucas Davenport books in order. I enjoy them but I don't think they would be appreciated by everyone. They get pretty gruesome.
Lucas Davenport is stumped by a series of brutal murders in the Minneapolis area. The serial killer is ruthless but very cunning. The killer never gets in a hurry thus does not make mistakes and leave evidence. This serial killer's desire to kill begins to become greater with each victim and only Lucas can figure out the motive and plot the right strategy to bring this to an end.
great
great
