Hidden Prey

Rating:
Summary: Sandford is a master
Review: John Sandford is, in my opinion, the master of the cop-thriller. It's not a genre I was particularly interested in. But I picked up one of his "Prey" novels out of desperation for engrossing fiction. I've now read about six or so of the "Prey" series.

Lucas Davenport is one of the best-developed fictional characters to be found. He is human. He is an imperfect man in search of justice. He is smart, but not a genius. Sometimes he loses battles on his way to winning the war. And perhaps best of all, Davenport grows a bit, changes a bit in each "Prey" novel.

In "Hidden Prey," Davenport has to resolve a series of murders. The first involves a Russian, so a Russian investigator joins Minnesotan Davenport on the case.

Sandford's plots are beautifully constructed. I haven't found a one yet that required a suspension of belief, not a one that jarred a reader's senses.

Sandford is simply a master and a delightful read.

Jerry

Rating:
Summary: The Best of Prey
Review: As John Sandford goes, this one is actually a pretty good, there are some believable characters, the plot is fine, and the action is going.

Do not get me wrong, Sandford is his usual moronic self: bad guys are on rampage; the body count is going up by an hour; the police, the FBI, the Russian SVR, and Lukas himself all are watching helplessly; on top of all of this we learn that there is a "conservative" governor in Minnesota, but it is clearly the best in the "prey" series.




Rating:
Summary: A little too hidden!
Review: Hidden Prey was a fair read. This was my 3rd Prey book and I got thru it rather quickly. I am not a fan of Lucas Davenport, nor his wife Weather but the other characters in this book are very interesting.

I really enjoyed Certain Prey and Mortal Prey better, but this book held my interest. Trey, the bag lady, turned out to be the one to really mystify Lucas, and I am glad he didnt try to mess with her too much. Lucas is getting boring and I may try another of Sanford's heros for a change in personalities.

Rating:
Summary: --John Sandford does it again!
Review: HIDDEN PREY, brings back Detective Lucas Davenport, who's still smart and street wise, but now a little calmer and not quite so testy. His wife and young son seem to have turned Lucas into a happier man. He's still a detective, but he now works for the state government and reports directly to the Governor of Minnesota.

When the murdered body of a Russian sailor is found on the docks of Duluth, Lucas is called in to supervise the investigation. Policewoman, Nadya Kalin is sent by the Russian government to assist Lucas. Nadya`s involvement complicates the investigation since Lucas doesn't trust her motives and believes that she's keeping information from him.

This is a very fast paced story with a host of quirky characters, including a ring of Communist spies who have been living in Minnesota for decades. Their leader is a very determined former KGB colonel who happens to be 92-years old.

I listened to the recorded book that was well read by Richard Ferrone. He has become the voice of Lucas Davenport! As an added bonus, on the last tape, there's an interesting interview with the author.


Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I adore Lucas and have read each "Prey" novel and enjoyed all of them. Sadly, the best word I can use to describe this one is BORING! Who cares about aging Russian spys? And too many characters with hard to remember foreign names. Please John, take us back to nasty serial killers and psychological mysteries!

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointed!!!
Review: I have read every book in the "Prey" series and I found this one very difficult to finish. The story line is far fetched and boring. Usually I finish a book in about 3-5 evenings and it took me more than 6 weeks to finish this book....

Rating:
Summary: The streak continues
Review: Man, you would think that Sanford would run out of new things to put Davenport through - wrong. This one is purely for the readers who have followed Davenport throughout. And for the new readers - this is what good writing and plot movement is all about. For many reasons, I found this book to be the best since Certain Prey. Police work is top notch, very funny, good descriptions, some old characters popping in, and Davenport doing Davenport things. This series has been so good to me I sometimes forget this guy is fictional. Why not 5 stars?? Sanford has written better (Sudden Prey, Certain Prey), but nevertheless still better a LOT out there by far.

Rating:
Summary: Sandford Pleases Once Again
Review: Over and over Sandford has made happy people out of those who decide to follow the tales and escapades of Lucas Davenport. This time using the old tensions left from the Cold War, Sandford lures us in with tales of espionage and times forgotten. He uses past fears of the indominable Russians to help keep the reader on edge. A real page turner.

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre Prey
Review: This book was entertaining simply due to the fact that John Sanford is an excellent writer. The plot was not that interesting and it seemed to drag in parts. There were some very funny parts (Weather driving through the garage door was hilarious)but the book lacked the edge of your seat, page turning, unable to put down type of story that draws me to the Prey series every year. Though Lucas is getting older, married, and a father, he does not have to lose his edge. I sure hope the next installment will get Lucas really pissed and regain his edge.

Rating:
Summary: Solid effort from a master of the genre
Review: While this is not the most thrilling Sandford novel, it is an absolutely solid effort from one the of best detective novelists working today. What keeps this long-running series fresh is an infusion of new and fascinating characters. Fans of Sandford may not find this story as gruesomely fun and frightening as previous tales, but I sped through it and thoroughly enjoyed the read.