Lucas Davenport has seen many terrible murder scenes. This is one of the worst. In the small Minnesota town of Wayzata, an entire family has been killed—husband, wife, two daughters, dogs.
There’s something about the scene that pokes at Lucas’s cop instincts—it looks an awful lot like the kind of scorched-earth retribution he’s seen in drug killings sometimes. But this is a seriously upscale town, and the husband was an executive vice president at a big bank. It just doesn’t seem to fit.
Until it does. And where it leads Lucas will take him into the darkest nightmare of his life.
Stolen Prey (A LUCAS DAVENPORT NOVEL)
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“If you haven’t read Sandford, you have been missing one of the great summer-read novelists of all time. Lucas Davenport, the policeman hero of the Prey novels, is a hard dude . . . but not without a sense of humor, and that makes him special. Sandford writes real-guy novels, but—judging by my wife and her sisters—real girls like him too.”
—Stephen King
“Sandford’s ability to sustain this perfect series [. . .] must be a cause of envy to other writers, but grateful readers greet the annual appearance of Minnesota cop Lucas Davenport with joy, then plan for a sleepless, page-turning night.”
—Cleveland Plain-Dealer
“Sandford’s talent is such that this series never grows stale, or boring, or forgettable. As author and hero age, readers can hope that the best is yet to be.”
—Richmond Times-Dispatch
About the Author
John Sandford is a Pulitzer Prize winner and the author of twenty-two Prey novels and eleven other works of fiction, most recently the Virgil Flowers novel Shock Wave. He lives in Minnesota.
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More About the Author
John Sandford was born John Camp on February 23, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended the public schools in Cedar Rapids, graduating from Washington High School in 1962. He then spent four years at the University of Iowa, graduating with a bachelor's degree in American Studies in 1966. In 1966, he married Susan Lee Jones of Cedar Rapids, a fellow student at the University of Iowa. He was in the U.S. Army from 1966-68, worked as a reporter for the Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian from 1968-1970, and went back to the University of Iowa from 1970-1971, where he received a master's degree in journalism. He was a reporter for The Miami Herald from 1971-78, and then a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer-Press from 1978-1990; in 1980, he was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize, and he won the Pulitzer in 1986 for a series of stories about a midwestern farm crisis. From 1990 to the present he has written thriller novels. He's also the author of two non-fiction books, one on plastic surgery and one on art. He is the principal financial backer of a major archaeological project in the Jordan Valley of Israel, with a website at www.rehov.org. In addition to archaeology, he is deeply interested in art (painting) and photography. He both hunts and fishes. He has two children, Roswell and Emily, and one grandson, Benjamin. His wife, Susan, died of metastasized breast cancer in May, 2007, and is greatly missed.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
177 of 185 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
John Sandford is back with the latest installment (#22) - Stolen Prey - in his wildly successful and hugely popular series featuring Lucas Davenport, an agent for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
"Lucas's job at the BCA was mostly self-invented, and included politically sensitive cases, or cases that might attract a lot of media attention." When a pair of tweekers rob him at an ATM, breaking his wrist and damaging his ego, he embarks on a long term mission to find them. This is put on the back burner when the superintendent of the BCA calls - a case that is definitely going to be in the spotlight needs Davenport's skills. An entire family has been found murdered - slaughtered really, tortured in unimaginable ways. Lucas's investigation leads places no one saw coming - this isn't just a spree killer. It looks like a Mexican gang hit. What could this software engineer have done to bring this wrath on his family? Soon enough the DEA and a pair of Mexican Federales are also on the case. But everyone seems to have their own priorities concerning the case.....
I've always enjoyed Lucas and his irreverent flaunting of the rules. He's getting older and little mellower, but still has no problem side stepping protocol to get things done. I love the barbed banter between himself and team members Del Capslock, Jensen and Shrake, but no Davenport book is complete without Virgil Flowers. Those tweekers robbing ATM's? Flowers has been put to work on the case - which seems to be leading to stolen.....horse manure?
"Somewhere along the line, it occurred to him that he hadn't spoken to Virgil Flowers. He'd probably taken the day off, and knowing Flowers, he'd done it in a boat. The thing about Flowers was, in Lucas's humble opinion, you could send him out for a loaf of bread and he'd find an illegal bread cartel smuggling in heroin-saturated wheat from Afghanistan. Either that, or he'd be fishing in a muskie tournament, on government time. You had to keep an eye on him."
I have expressed doubts about Davenport's adopted daughter Letty in past books, but my opinion has changed. She's definitely growing on me and I think we'll see more of her in future books.
As always, Sandford has concocted a whip smart, action filled plot with lots of threads to keep your finger on. He employs a great twist that caught me unawares part way through.
I have enjoyed this series from book one and nothing has changed - I still eagerly await every new entry from one of my favourite authors - and curse myself when I finish it in a day!
"Lucas's job at the BCA was mostly self-invented, and included politically sensitive cases, or cases that might attract a lot of media attention." When a pair of tweekers rob him at an ATM, breaking his wrist and damaging his ego, he embarks on a long term mission to find them. This is put on the back burner when the superintendent of the BCA calls - a case that is definitely going to be in the spotlight needs Davenport's skills. An entire family has been found murdered - slaughtered really, tortured in unimaginable ways. Lucas's investigation leads places no one saw coming - this isn't just a spree killer. It looks like a Mexican gang hit. What could this software engineer have done to bring this wrath on his family? Soon enough the DEA and a pair of Mexican Federales are also on the case. But everyone seems to have their own priorities concerning the case.....
I've always enjoyed Lucas and his irreverent flaunting of the rules. He's getting older and little mellower, but still has no problem side stepping protocol to get things done. I love the barbed banter between himself and team members Del Capslock, Jensen and Shrake, but no Davenport book is complete without Virgil Flowers. Those tweekers robbing ATM's? Flowers has been put to work on the case - which seems to be leading to stolen.....horse manure?
"Somewhere along the line, it occurred to him that he hadn't spoken to Virgil Flowers. He'd probably taken the day off, and knowing Flowers, he'd done it in a boat. The thing about Flowers was, in Lucas's humble opinion, you could send him out for a loaf of bread and he'd find an illegal bread cartel smuggling in heroin-saturated wheat from Afghanistan. Either that, or he'd be fishing in a muskie tournament, on government time. You had to keep an eye on him."
I have expressed doubts about Davenport's adopted daughter Letty in past books, but my opinion has changed. She's definitely growing on me and I think we'll see more of her in future books.
As always, Sandford has concocted a whip smart, action filled plot with lots of threads to keep your finger on. He employs a great twist that caught me unawares part way through.
I have enjoyed this series from book one and nothing has changed - I still eagerly await every new entry from one of my favourite authors - and curse myself when I finish it in a day!
46 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Imagine an entire family being tortured and murdered by crazed killers who were searching for information that the family never had?
Think about if you worked with computers for a bank and found a way to divert millions of dollars from an automated account. It could make you feel confident that you and your accomplices committed the perfect crime. However, you learn of a software company executive and family being tortured and murdered. The killers leaving a note on the wall in improper English, "were coming?" These two words can have a chilling affect on the thieves.
Lucas Davenport is on the case and attempts to learn what information the family might have had. Also, with the manner of the ungramatical note and torture killings, officials believe they are dealing with a group of murderous drug dealers who operate on both sides of the border. They are called Los Criminales del Norte.
The pacing of the story is well done as the author takes us through what is happening with the killers. Then we learn the status of the investigation and then view the amature theives who had no idea of what an explosive situation they were getting themselves into.
John Sandford is a master of dialogue and rates in the class with Elmore Leonard. His central character, Lucas Davenport, is a legendary criminal investigator whose actions and manner of apprehending criminals are realistic and make Davenport a pleasure to follow.
This story is so well written and entertaining that it is disappointing to see the story come to its conclusion.
Think about if you worked with computers for a bank and found a way to divert millions of dollars from an automated account. It could make you feel confident that you and your accomplices committed the perfect crime. However, you learn of a software company executive and family being tortured and murdered. The killers leaving a note on the wall in improper English, "were coming?" These two words can have a chilling affect on the thieves.
Lucas Davenport is on the case and attempts to learn what information the family might have had. Also, with the manner of the ungramatical note and torture killings, officials believe they are dealing with a group of murderous drug dealers who operate on both sides of the border. They are called Los Criminales del Norte.
The pacing of the story is well done as the author takes us through what is happening with the killers. Then we learn the status of the investigation and then view the amature theives who had no idea of what an explosive situation they were getting themselves into.
John Sandford is a master of dialogue and rates in the class with Elmore Leonard. His central character, Lucas Davenport, is a legendary criminal investigator whose actions and manner of apprehending criminals are realistic and make Davenport a pleasure to follow.
This story is so well written and entertaining that it is disappointing to see the story come to its conclusion.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Ken
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read, and have in hard copy, all of Sandford's books, and I eagerly await any new book from him. I usually pre-order the book and the Kindle edition...the e-book so I can read it right away, and the hardcover to add to my collection. I have to say I was a little disappointed in this book, and I don't consider it his best. I recognize that Lucas is getting older (who of us isn't?) but he seemed a little blase in this book. I thought the plot was somewhat hard to follow, and the characters weren't developed as well as he has done in the past. He also didn't seem to involve to any real degree the usual supporting cast. (NOTE: SPOILER ALERT! DON'T READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK!) What really disappointed me was the ending; I just didn't buy it, with Letty shooting the bad guys, and her casual reaction to it afterwards. I know she has had a hard life, and in past books has been shown to be resourceful and tough, but I still think her reaction to killing someone was just too simplistic. Even veteran police officers often have trouble after a shooting, and I think her discussion with Lucas about it was too casually done. Also, Lucas' reaction to her injury and her shooting/killing someone seem off to me as well. There were just too many loose ends left undone for my taste as well.
I have to admit, I like the earlier books better, when Lucas was much more of a hands-on, brawling type of street detective, than the later books, when he is more of an administrator. Virgil Flowers is edging him out in my opinion as a much better, and more complex, character in the later books.
I have to admit, I like the earlier books better, when Lucas was much more of a hands-on, brawling type of street detective, than the later books, when he is more of an administrator. Virgil Flowers is edging him out in my opinion as a much better, and more complex, character in the later books.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lived up to expectations
I am a John Sanford fan as I've found all of his books face-paced and well-written. Stolen Prey is right there.
Published 2 days ago by DAC girl
5.0 out of 5 stars
True John Sandford
As always with a Lucas Davenport novel, Stolen Prey is a fast paced page turner. The plot twisted and turned to the end.
Published 5 days ago by Donna Scott
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another Sandford Home Run!
As a died in the wool rabid, rampant Sanford fan, this is a "Prey " novel in which Lucas and his family, Weather, Letty, the baby are featured. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Myra Lee
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lucas is changing....
I would have given this 3.5 stars, but for the described reason I went with 3. Being involved in the justice system and law enforcement, I enjoy the book. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Eric
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Sandford's Best
For the most part this is just another good Lucas Davenport detective story. He looks at the problem a little differently than other detectives. He pushes to get answers. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Tom Goodrick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every thing it should be!
It's vintage Sandford, even Virgil makes an appearance. I enjoyed this book very much. It's a fast read and has all the spice that you'd expect form this author. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Roberto
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lucas Davenport Searches for Brutal Killers and a Lot of Missing Money
Lucas Davenport is back on the job for the twenty-second time, and as the book opens Lucas is himself the victim of a crime. Read more
Published 7 days ago by James L. Thane
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not his best but enjoyable nevertheless.
I prefer Sandford's Lucas Davenport series to the offshoots, so it was nice to return to Lucas and Weather and family and extended family. Read more
Published 9 days ago by W. J. C. Hussey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lucas is the BEST
I have read everyone of the Prey novels and each one gets better then the last one. Keep them coming John Sandford.
Published 11 days ago by Linda Marshuetz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another page turner!
I have read everyone of Sanford's thrilling and action packed books. Lucas Davenport is the ultimate detective: suave, good looking, sharp dresser and smart, in addition to being a... Read more
Published 11 days ago by JFC
