Wicked Prey (Lucas Davenport Series #19)

e book rip off

This book is available in paperback at a price of $8.99 but the e-book price remains at 14.99-the same as the newest releases. This is a total rip-off for those of us with nook. I feel that the publishers and authors are greedy. It certainly does not cost more to download an e-book as opposed to publishing a paperback.

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

I do think they're getting better with age!

I've been a fan of John Sandford's Prey series for many years, and I wasn't disappointed in this, his 19th installment. For those unfamiliar, the Prey series (Each title being some sort of prey; Chosen Prey, Rules of Prey, etc.) are centered upon Lucas Davenport, formerly of Minneapolis PD and now heading up the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). He's a tough, smart, and financially independent cop who doesn't mind both getting his hands dirty, and occasionally doing dirty deeds to get his perp off the streets and save some lives.

Wicked Prey spins up as the 2008 Republican Convention is unfolding and takes off with a steady and building energy. The story is a little bit predictable, but Sandford manages to throw in enough subtle twists and turns to keep even a die-hard fan guessing a little.

One of the best things about a series this long written by an author this good is that the characters really do grow and evolve. Davenport started out several steps to the left on the evolutionary scale; maybe around the Neanderthal level. He's now more settled, a little calmer, and isn't nailing the hottest chick in the book anymore. Instead, he's a married man with a 14 year old ward and a baby to be worried about. And worry he must; Letty, his daughter, is as smart as him, dynamically independent, and has a teenager's lack of foresight and fear.

Admittedly, this isn't a breakthrough literary work, but it is an exciting and interesting read. I do have a couple small nits to pick, though I did thoroughly enjoy the book. First is that Sandford has been progressively using more and more run-on sentences, substituting "and" for punctuation. It makes it difficult to read certain passages, and seems like a laziness problem. On page 81 a single sentence went 16 lines and contained 17 "and"s, taking up more than half the page. That is ONE LONG SENTENCE! (And yes, I HAD to count it as I just couldn't believe it)

The other thing I had issue with is the positioning of the characters politically. I've been in and around law enforcement for 30 years and can tell you that, out side of chiefs and others with political aspirations, the vast majority of cops are very politically conservative, and tend to be mostly Republicans or Libertarians with a conservative leaning. That Davenport and most of his guys are Democrats has been long established in the series, but this time around it kept popping up like a bad penny! I personally don't care about their politics, it's the story I was there for; what I didn't care for was the Republican bashing for the sake of bashing Republicans.

That aside, Wicked Prey is a good read, though I strongly recommend starting much earlier in the series if you want to fully understand the whole "Prey Universe". Just don't start with the first book, Rules of Prey, or it might turn you off to Davenport before you get to know him well enough.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

SANDFORD'S PREY

Very, very good, but then all the PREY books are.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Wicked Prey - Not so wicked

The title Wicked Prey is not the correct title for this book. The stories (there are 2 going on at the same time) sort of intertwined with eachother but really had no holding value to the reader. The title leads you to believe that the story should be about stalking or evil but really its just dull and boring. The characters were not likeable or even dislikeable. I was very disappointed with it. I could not recommend this book to any friends as we trade books all the time. I kept saying that the title has nothing to do with the book.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Another Prey novel

If you liked Sandfords earlier Prey novels, you'll like this one. Personally I think Sandford just keeps phoning 'em in. This is his 19th Prey novel and he still is showing contempt for his readers with characters with improbable names like 'Capslock' and with contrived plot lines. Here we have a 14-year old pursuing a stalker on her 10-speed.
The novel is derivative; 'killer gang' meme was better handled in one of Parker's early Stone novels. Still a better book than much of what passes for detective fiction these days, but I wish Sandford took his craft more seriously.

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

No comment...

I sure wish B&N would respect my privacy and not request this information.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Sandford Does It Again

So this is the 19th Prey novel, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit they're beginning to feel a bit stale. It's always a worry to me when, a la the now execrable Scarpetta novels, the plots start becoming too centered around the protagonist and his or her family. Sandford's decision to make 14-year-old Letty, Davenport's precocious ward, a main character and engage her in things that strain credibility for even the pluckiest teen, well, it's setting off alarm bells in my mind. So I wish that Sandford would return to the really promising new Virgil Flowers series which was so successful in its first two outings.

But, that said, even when Sandford's Davenport starts feeling a little creaky, he still turns out a hell of a fun read. There are few greater pleasures for me than reading Sandford's bantering cops. Or his ever-cynical assessments of human nature, especially humans of the political profession.

So bottom line, this book was very well worth the time and money. But I see signs in it that the Davenport franchise needs a rest.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

What a fun read!

What a fun read! Lucas in action at a fast-paced frenzy & at his undeniable best sorting out obscure, subtle & complex details. I also loved Letty's parallel storyline. Although not his natural child, she couldn't be more like him ... fearless & smart. I can't wait to see what J.S. has in store for Lucas, his family & even Del w/his new mid-like baby.

Great read!

I am a Sandford fan and have read almost all the Prey books. "Wicked" is up to Sandford's caliber. Having more than one story line going at one time keeps the reader on her(his)toes. I can also recommend the Virgil Flowers series by Sandford. My message to Sandford: "Keep 'em coming!"

Love john sanford

No text was provided for this review.

Awesome

You will not be able to put it down.

Another great read by Sanford

I absolutely loved this book, as i do all the Prey Novels. Could not put it down! On to the next one......

Wow! I am now enthralled with the author & have already read Storm Prey. I am hooked. Fast paced, believable characters and a page turner. Keeps you wanting more. Another author to add to your list !!!!!!

Excellent crime book. Loved loved loved it. Will read all his others !!!! Can't wait.

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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another Excellent "Prey" Book from JS

I have been an avid reader of the "prey" series for years and years. Sandford's "can't put it down" writing style is captivating, and Lucas Davenport and his family are an interesting-yet-complicated bunch. "Wicked Prey" is another excellent installment, and does not disappoint!!

Not up to his usual

The "prey" series had been one of my favorites, always fast paced and fun quick reads, until now. Couldnt connect with most of the characters. Not the fast paced suspense reads of past.

Davenport is a draw regardless of the setting

I have enjoyed reading all the John Sandford novels and cannot wait until the next one comes out in May.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not to Crazy about this one

Disappointing for Sanford didnt really like the whole political theme of the book it wasnt as suspenseful as his books usually are.

my dad bought this book

my dad couldn't put it down

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

great reading

Characters were realistic, content was excellent, Lucas Davenport is a great character. I recommend this to all who love Lucas Davenport, his partners and John Sanford.