Customer Reviews

Storm Prey

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

A gang of bumbling bikers have robbed the hospital's pharmacy - accidentally killing the pharmacist while doing so - at the direction of a drug-addled hospital insider. Lucas Davenport and his crew are drawn into the investigation, and Lucas has a personal stake in the outcome as his physician wife Weather works at the hospital, and may be a witness able to identify at least one of the perps.

"Storm Prey" is Sanford's twentieth novel in the Lucas Davenport series. First, the good news.

The story rocks along in an engaging manner, involving the reader not only in the crime that Lucas is on course to solve, but also in the fates of a pair of twins conjoined at the head at birth whom Lucas's wife Weather is trying to surgically separate.

The two plot lines progress in tandem, and are great counterpoints to each other. We also see the protagonist of one of Sanford's other series - Virgil Flowers - involved in this story in a peripheral role, yet another fun element.

The bad guys are a mixed bag of bumblers, druggies, and a sociopathic stone killer wandering through the story, bumping into each other with conflicting motivations and goals. The investigation almost solves itself for Lucas as these dimwits try to outsmart each other in avoiding capture, and getting away with the loot.

The "Prey" novels are always a fun ride through the roller-coaster criminal landscape, and this book is no exception.

BUT... and now the bad news. In a couple of scenes, Lucas thinks back to cases earlier in his career which were actually the stories of the earliest Davenport novels, and that reminded me - a fan from the first book lo so many years ago - that the early Davenport was actually a much darker, more complex character who faced much more challenging foes. Those early novels were complex thrillers with heavy undertones and psychological shadings, all of which are missing from the series nowadays. It's transformed into more of a procedural along the lines of the Ed McBain 87th Precinct books.

So, still four stars, because it's fun for what it is. But I do remember when the "Prey" series was solid five star material, and I miss that level of achievement.

This is the 20th of John Sandford's "Prey" novels, featuring Minnesota cop Lucas Davenport and his band of merry, lethal, smart men. Perhaps it's fitting then, that this book is a marathon rather than a sprint... a down-to-earth, detailed police procedural rather than the edge-of-your-seat tension that you sometimes get with the Sandford books.

But that's part of the draw of this series... it's not just the same book over and over. I can actually remember the plots from these books, and how the characters have matured and changed. That's a good thing.

For me, the most appealing thing about the Prey series -- heck, all of the Sandford books -- is that the protagonists are smart and they catch the bad guys because the bad guys are dumb. No criminal master-minds here. Sure, things get pretty violent sometimes, but Davenport and his crew generally manage to avoid a lot of brawn by using brain. For me, the best line of the book was when Virgil Flowers tells Davenport that it's good Davenport's state squad is barging in on a Minneapolis investigation. "The point remains," Virgil said. "Never hurts to have a little more IQ on the job." Sometimes, it seems like the world wants to completely ignore the tremendous truth there is in that statement.

Sandford's dialogue is nitty and gritty and rings absolutely true, and his prose enfolds it so seamlessly that it's entirely possible to sit down with one of his books and find that you've finished it four hours later, without really knowing just how that happened. After those four hours, I finished this book feeling better about the world, and that's not something you can say about most novels, either. It feels good to remember that men and women like the ones in this book do exist -- courageous, dutiful, scatalogical, funny, determined and smart.

Can't wait for the next one!

As a long-time Lucas Davenport devotee, I am always happy to drop in on him and his family and associates. I was particularly looking forward to "Storm Prey" which was described as "superb" by one pre-publication reviewer. The actual book was a let-down. Don't get me wrong -- I admire the consistent quality of Sandford's work, and the fact that he has not moved into that "I don't have to make any effort anymore" space so common with bestselling authors (see, DeMille's "Wildfire" for a horrible example). But this time it all seemed to much the same to me. Some baddies do something bad. We know who they are but Davenport does not, at first. We know the story will begin thus, but in the past it has been Davenport's path to identifying the criminals that made the story fascinating (that and the regular characters, who remain fascinating). But here the "puzzle" part is too easy and the baddies too uninteresting. It really takes Davenport no time at all to identify the malefactors, and it's all luck. Where's the fun in that? the "Aha" moments? In addition, I would really enjoy a villain who is neither an unraveling psychopath nor a big dumb psychopath. You know, someone who might challenge Davenport, rather than being caught because he leaves an ever-widening swath of blood behind him.

All of the above does not mean I did not enjoy "Storm Prey" -- I did. But I would not call it "superb" by any means, or anywhere near Sandford's best work.

Anytime you review a book like this - another in a long series - it must be rated against all other mystery/thrillers and against all other Lucas Davenport books. On both counts STORM PREY comes up roses. Sandford has a unique ability to keep his characters fresh and developing so the series does not become dull or redudant.

In this twentieth book of the line, Weather (Mrs. Davenport) is faced with the stressful separation surgery of conjoined twins. On the day the operation is to go, the hospital pharmacy is robbed and a worker murdered. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she has seen two of the participants and the chase is on. The surgery starts and stops over days and days as they try to keep both of the twins alive. This sug-saga adds terrific and unique tension to a murder thriller. Unlike what one might think if you've read prior books, Weather does not take the strong independent route. She is focused on the operation so she lets "the men do their stuff while she does hers". The rest of the plot is classic Sandford reverse mystery. We watch the bad guys as we watch Lucas, Virgil, Shrake, et al try to catch up with them. The criminals have to eliminate one of their members because he gave up DNA at the robbery. That leads to more eliminations as the nefarious goings on expand. The bad guys are constantly looking over their shoulders at each other while looking over their other shoulders watching the cops. The book tracks both the courses of the good guys and the bad - another level of depth and mystery that Sandford uses to keep the pages turning.

As usual, all the characters all have depth. Even the robbers/murderers are given personalities. The dialogue among Lucas and his colleagues is believeable and at times witty. You want to be with them. The mystery constantly twists and turns bringing in new people and factors. It is Sandford at his usual excellence.

If you have read Davenport novels before, this will not disappoint. I think it is as good as any other I have read. If you have not read any of this series before, do not dispair. This book easily stands alone. One caution for newbies. If you read this one, you will feel compelled to go back and read the other nineteen. Once you start, you will see a character(s) who developes, grows and continues to evolve. Sandford fans have been able to watch Davenport's life unfold from young cowboy womanizing tough with a hidden deep side to responsible husband and father still having the steel of the tough cop.

Storm Prey is my first exposure to bestselling author John Sandford, but it definitely will not be my last. This author is a master story teller who knows how to keep the reader interested as he weaves a tale of escalating violence while criminals become entangled in brambles of their own making.

Modern day sociopathic Lebanese cocaine addicted Doctor Alain Barakat has lived a privileged life as a result of his wealthy father's generous stipend and tutelage by indentured fellow countryman Shaheen who helped him cheat his way through medical school to become a practicing doctor in Minnesota's Medical Research Center (MMRC). His ever increasing dependence keeps him broke, associating with criminal elements and leads to him being the inside mastermind behind the robbery of the hospital's pharmacy that results in the death of a pharmacy employee.

Skilled MMRC surgeon Weather Karkinnen is a key player in a rare, complicated and much publicized operation to separate the heads of 18 month old conjoined twins Sara and Ellen Raynes.

Unfortunately, Weather arrives in the hospital parking garage at the exact moment the cars full of robbers are leaving. Weather and one of the criminals briefly make eye contact--an event that makes her a loose end targeted for death. Her husband, Minnesota State Police Investigator Lucas Davenport, et al do all they can to prevent that from happening.

Sandford keeps the reader riveted, ripping through the pages of this exciting 408-page thriller in record time showcasing an intriguing cast with exceptional character development and a spellbinding view into dark and unsavory minds and the webs they weave.

If you are looking for an action packed suspense thriller that will keep you glued to the story, THIS IS IT!

Sandford must have had a deadline to meet. Storm Prey has contrived dialogue, weak and boring plot, multiple typos and a terrible editor. "what" for "that" and wrong characters speaking the dialogue. I have read every "Prey" book and couldn't wait to start this one. No more, Sandford. You will need to prove that you still have what it takes. Also, what's up with the Kindle price? Shame on you, Amazon.

I have enjoyed John Sanford's Prey series, which have become more accomplished and almost effortless in their flow in the most recent novels. This is the best so far and really very good indeed by all criteria of the mystery genre. The characterization is deftly sketched, with little in-depth probing, dialog or analysis, but the many players come alive. It has the laconic tone common to so many cop books, with a wry and unobtrusive throwaway wit. The most impressive aspect of the writing for me is just how much complex plot is presented without it feeling complicated; it has just the right words to move the story ahead at a comfortable pace, with no verbiage or the opposite extreme of elaboration. It's a clever plot, too, with the reader very much in the know and ahead of the investigators, but not quite; the surprises are convincing and nicely tantalizing. In many ways, it is a moral fable about how a simple act of brutality creates so many radiations of consequences as the dumb and nasty try to be too clever - and nastier. It's brutal, but is deftly offset and balanced by the splicing of the subplot of the hero's surgeon wife's involvement in a long and high risk operation plus the inclusion of Sanford's most appealing new character, Virgil Flowers, who is at the center of three previous - and very good - novels. It's warm in its mood of friendships and collegiality.
I don't want to overpraise this book. It is deliberatively focused on a crime and the dangers and manipulations that it creates; it does not go beyond its plot. The sociopaths and their motives are well presented within the narrative aim, but just that. It's a well-made story, well told and, again, just that. It's not "deep" but it is a very satisfying read and I recommend it strongly. I would be very surprised if any lover of the work of, say, Lee Child or Harlan Coben doesn't enjoy it as much as I did. It might not appeal so much to readers who want the depth of social and pyschological ambience of Stieg Larrson or Henning Mankell. Either way, it's a first-rate work.

STORM PREY is John Sandford's 20th book in the prey series, and this book is another great episode in the Lucas Davenport series. It must be hard to continue to be fresh in writing so many books about the same characters. Sandford keeps it fresh by avoiding the pitfalls many other series writers fall into. He doesn't have Davenport save the entire world. In fact, most of his cases are set in Minnesota. Second, he doesn't always make it personal. The villians don't always have a vendetta against Sandford. Sometimes, as it is in this novel, the case just falls into Davenport's lap.

Thanks to Dr. Alain Bakarat (no spoilers here, you know all this from the beginning), the Mack brothers and a fried are able to pull off a heist at a hospital pharmacy. What should have been a simple robbery turns out to be murder when a pharmacist dies from being kicked because he is on blood thinning medication. And there's only one witness, Lucas's wife, Weather, was on her way into the hospital and saw one of the Mack brothers.

The rest of the novel concerns the Macks And Bakarat trying to cover their mistakes, and in the process digging a deeper and bigger whole. Lucas calls in old friends and favors and many standard characters make an appearance such as Marcy, Del, Jenkins, Shrake, Sloan, and even Virgil Flowers.

The book succeeds because of its familiarity and wit. Sandford is very comfortable with the characters and knows his genre well. The story flies by. Sandford is one of the best in showing the reader the villians side of the story. We spend just as much time following the Macks and Bakarat as we do Davenport. There was one brief moment where I thought the novel spent too much time on Weather and the surgery she was assisting in on two conjoined twins, but the feeling passed.

This isn't the perfect novel, and thankfully Sandford doesn't try to make it one. Because, when you're writing your 20th book in a series, trying to make it the best one probably result in failure. Sandford takes a step back, makes the villians more stupid than genius, and turns out another great novel.

What a disappointment! And a starred review? This is the last John Sandford book I read. I could see or feel no danger to the main characters and the bodies just kept piling up! Enough is enough!

I've been a fan of Sandford's Prey series since the first book, Rules Of Prey. In my opinion, the quality of the books in this series have varied -- but all of them have been good, entertaining and fast-paced reads. Storm Prey, the 20th entry, meets all of these characteristics and, on a comparative basis, I'd place it in "the middle of the pack." Without "giving away the store," the following brief description should give you enough information to decide if its plot is of interest to you: A hospital robbery has gone bad. Committed by four daring men but "not the brightest bulbs in the pack." A dead body. And one witness: Weather Karkinnen, surgeon and wife of series hero, Lucas Davenport, now a state investigator. As such...The storm is coming! It's a plot that Sandford handles well, maintaining interest from beginning to end. With that said, you might be thinking: so why do I put Storm Prey in only the middle of the pack of Prey books? The answer to this is that after having read almost all 20 of the Prey books, the basic formula Sandford has used in creating his successful series is beginning to seem a bit too familiar to me. While I found Storm Prey to be entertaining and enjoyable, there's not enough newness to it; and, as a consequence, it had too much of that "same old, same old" feeling. But I guess the biggest factor for my considering Storm Prey to a good but not one of Sandford's best Prey books is that despite the suspense the author attempts to create throughout the book, the outcome of this suspense is very predictable and, thus, resulted in no real surpises.