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: Winding down..in more ways than one
Review: I kinda agree with the general feeling on this one...the plot is thick and slow and sluggish and the ending is a major let down. The subtle hints that Davenport is looking into new careers and is tired of the politics hints that the series is winding down. Maybe, maybe not, but that's no excuse for sloppy and lazy writing. I love Sandford's other books (except for shadow prey, never could get interested enough in that one to finish it) and it's sad to see him turn out trash. It does continue the story though, and for that I was thankful. It was nice to be back in Davenport's Minnesota and visit with him and Weather and Del and Andreno. It's like coming home. This is nowhere near the caliber of Mind Prey (which is by far the best in the series, fighting for top spot with Mortal Prey) but it's a Davenport book nonetheless. Enjoy...and if nothing else read this just because it continues the story.
Rating:
Summary: I "prey" his next one is better!
Review: I read 2 books in between trying to finish this one. It started out kind of interesting...a murder witnessed by a homeless woman. But then boring, boring! The premise is just too ridiculous. A young man tries to fulfill his great-grandfather's spy ties to the Soviet Union from decades past.
Oh, John, I know you can do better!
Rating:
Summary: Fair...that really sums it up.
Review: I've read all of Sandford's previous PREY novels as well as his KIDD novels; at this point, the KIDD novels, particularly the last two offerings, are easily the better reads, in my opinion. While the PREY novels are noted for simple yet intriguing storylines, HIDDEN PREY goes the opposite direction. Sandford decides to take an improbable storyline, a rather complex one at that, and tones down our hero, Lucas Davenport. In the end, this makes for a very apathetic read, particularly if you've enjoyed the sharp edge of Davenport in novels past. HIDDEN PREY begins with the murder of a Russian merchant marine, or so it seems. Soon thereafter, a homeless woman is garroted, the site extremely gruesome. What appears to be two unrelated murders turns into an apparent murder/cover-up and Lucas Davenport is called in to begin an investigation. Lucas is partnered with a Russian "police officer," sent over by Moscow to oversee the investigation of the murdered Russian. Lucas smells a rat immediately and, throughout the book, peppers the Russian officer for information and "why" she's truly there. So as not to spoil the remaining plot...Sandford is obviously sending Davenport through middle age. He is mellowing Lucas and dulling his previously sharp edge. And, while this may follow the chronology of 15 previous PREY novels (i.e. Lucas aging), it is not why most people read fiction. Although there are bursts of brutality and violence, the vast majority of the book traces the witness/suspect interrogation lines and a painfully slow amalgamation of puzzle pieces in an effort to solve the crimes. And, not to counteract the lack of suspense, even the climax fails to thrill. Sandford laid his claim to fiction with the first few PREY novels; Spillaneish in their simplicity and Parkerish in their character builds. Davenport was a tough, no-nonsense cop who would tread on the imaginary line in the sand to catch the bad guy; almost no cost too great. Well, we now have a more retiring figure to deal with in Davenport. And, while this too can produce good storylines, it is something PREY fans will have to adjust to: not an easy transition, to be sure.
Rating: 
Summary: RUSSIAN ROULETTE
Review: John Sandford has done well in keeping Lucas Sanderson such an interesting and complex character. In HIDDEN PREY, Lucas pairs up with a Russian agent, Nadya, in the search for the killer of a Russian spy. Readers know that the killer is a young boy named Carl Walthers, mentored by his 92 year old great grandfather. Walthers and his elderly teacher are pretty clever in staging accompanying deaths to throw Lucas off.
There are several tense scenes, but HIDDEN PREY is a little more "relaxed" and "leisurely" in its tone than previous PREY books. This is not necessarily bad, but Hidden doesn't match some of the intense psychological battles Lucas has fought in previous cases. Sandford of course keeps things moving well and his narrative style is as sharp as ever. Another thing is (spoiler alert), the killer is never truly brought to justice. In the next book maybe?
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