Berkley 1990 printing with a different cover. This is not a story for a quiet lonely night or a reader with a vivid imagination. There is a terrifying force to this writers ability to encapture the nightmare quality of criminal intent and the deadly force used by the inhumane against their weaker brothers. But if you want a gripping fast paced literary rollercoaster ride into heartpounding excitement, this is the book for you.
Heather M. (celticscrapper27) reviewed Rules of Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
This was an interesting one for me! I read it in high school when I was in a "Must read everything in site phase" My brother left it laying around and I was in between books...... Anyway, I read the whole series and was dying to go back and reread them. (They were on my Xmas list and when I didn't get them, I had to jion PBS!) But I digress...it took me a few days to start reading it when I got it, like I was afraid it wouldn't live up to my own hype! Well, it did. Two days and I can't wait to go on to the next one. Full of characters you love, while still questioning their choices and lifestyle. The antagonist is a truly scary piece of work, but the humor throughout makes it a book that truly plays on all of your emotios!
Helpful Score: 5
This is where Lucas Davenport started. Good start and introduction to a decent character. Many changes happen in future books--so far the series is worth reading. This books has an excellent villain, good tone and well paced. A good read but may seem a little dated to new readers of the series.
Helpful Score: 3
A great book to start with, as my wife would agree. Excellent way to start the prey series!
Helpful Score: 3
This was really great. Incredibly exciting and fast paced. I enjoyed every moment. I was almost convinced at one point that Davenport was not going to get the bad guy, and it was really fascinating seeing how they figured it all out and finally got the evil doer.
Helpful Score: 1
For some this terrifying thriller might be a five. It is not my kind of book but Stephen King loved it.It is a serial killer story that will make you get out of bed to see if you locked your door.
Helpful Score: 1
The story is a good one and involves a serial killer whose identity is introduced to the reader at the beginning of the book. I like when an author does this as it enables me to get inside the killer's head and follow him around from place to place -- not only to the scene of his crimes but in his everyday life at work and home as well. I also love it when the moment arrives and I realize what the title of the book means. In Rules of Prey, the killer, referred to as "maddog", has certain rules that he follows so as not to get caught. For example, he never kills anyone he knows, he never uses the same weapon twice and he never has a motive. He always leaves a note at each crime scene communicating one of his rules. Not only does this serve as a challenge to our main character, Lucas Davenport, it is also the killer's "in your face" way of letting Lucas know that he is someone to be reckoned with.
As a lead character, Lieutenant Davenport is a dream. He drives around in a Porsche, which was purchased with money he earns not only from gambling but also from a side job he has creating intense, strategic video games. He's smooth, good-looking and a real lady killer (no pun intended). I enjoyed the way he tracked down the clues, which will eventually lead to the killer. He also has no problem working around the "rules" set up by his own police department and I found this flagrant use or "misuse" of his own form of justice a bit ingratiating. But this particular case will prove not to be an easy chase as his sometimes-inept Minneapolis police department is foiled by the "maddog" on more than one occasion.
I understand from other readers that these books just get better and better. That's a real incentive for any mystery reader and is an added bonus just knowing that I get to spend some more quality time with Lucas. This is certainly a series for the ladies as well as the guys. "Shadow Prey" here I come.
*First book in the Prey series but it also stands alone*
As a lead character, Lieutenant Davenport is a dream. He drives around in a Porsche, which was purchased with money he earns not only from gambling but also from a side job he has creating intense, strategic video games. He's smooth, good-looking and a real lady killer (no pun intended). I enjoyed the way he tracked down the clues, which will eventually lead to the killer. He also has no problem working around the "rules" set up by his own police department and I found this flagrant use or "misuse" of his own form of justice a bit ingratiating. But this particular case will prove not to be an easy chase as his sometimes-inept Minneapolis police department is foiled by the "maddog" on more than one occasion.
I understand from other readers that these books just get better and better. That's a real incentive for any mystery reader and is an added bonus just knowing that I get to spend some more quality time with Lucas. This is certainly a series for the ladies as well as the guys. "Shadow Prey" here I come.
*First book in the Prey series but it also stands alone*
Helpful Score: 1
The killer was mad but brilliant.
He left notes with every woman he killed. Rules of murder: Never have a motive. Never folow a discernible pattern. Never carry a weapon after it has been used...So many rules to his sick, violent games of death.
But Lucas Davenport, the cop who's out to get him, isn't playing by the rules.
He left notes with every woman he killed. Rules of murder: Never have a motive. Never folow a discernible pattern. Never carry a weapon after it has been used...So many rules to his sick, violent games of death.
But Lucas Davenport, the cop who's out to get him, isn't playing by the rules.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the very first one, I somehow never read it before. Loved it!
Helpful Score: 1
I find it amazing that John Sanford manages to take a half-dozen interesting character quirks and combines them all to create a hero you couldn't care less about.
Maybe it's because I grew up with detectives like Columbo and Nero Wolfe, but I tend to like my heroes to have the occasional flaw. Lucas Davenport is a tough and experienced cop who doesn't play by the rules. He also has rugged good looks and an animal magnatism that allows him to bed almost every woman he meets (except stupid girls and the nun with the skin problem, so I guess that proves he has standards). But he also has a sensitive side, as he enjoys reading poetry on the sly. And he's a genius, a popular game designer, which means he's also wealthy. Wow, this guy is good at everything. How boring. He's the kind of character I would expect a sexually frustrated high-school student to create.
Now let's add a serial killer into the mix, but make him a socially inept loser who is inferior to our man Davenport in every way imagineable (oh, he's clever, but not as clever as Lucas), and you have two main characters that you really don't care to read about.
Sanford has a habit of making even supporting characters appear shabby, incompetent and unappealing around Davenport (including TWO pairs of Fat Cop and Skinny Cop duos), and has him so on top of everybody else that he has to advise the Chief of Police how to handle the Media and information control (don't the police have people to handle that?).
Finally, Sanford proves repeatedly that he knows little about police procedure or the historical crimes he references (newsflash: David Berkowitz was not the lone killer in the Son of Sam case, and he wasn't caught because a cop looked in his apartment window and saw copies of the letters. He lived on the second floor, you see...). I can only assume by the success of the Prey series the books have improved. Actually, I can only hope.
Maybe it's because I grew up with detectives like Columbo and Nero Wolfe, but I tend to like my heroes to have the occasional flaw. Lucas Davenport is a tough and experienced cop who doesn't play by the rules. He also has rugged good looks and an animal magnatism that allows him to bed almost every woman he meets (except stupid girls and the nun with the skin problem, so I guess that proves he has standards). But he also has a sensitive side, as he enjoys reading poetry on the sly. And he's a genius, a popular game designer, which means he's also wealthy. Wow, this guy is good at everything. How boring. He's the kind of character I would expect a sexually frustrated high-school student to create.
Now let's add a serial killer into the mix, but make him a socially inept loser who is inferior to our man Davenport in every way imagineable (oh, he's clever, but not as clever as Lucas), and you have two main characters that you really don't care to read about.
Sanford has a habit of making even supporting characters appear shabby, incompetent and unappealing around Davenport (including TWO pairs of Fat Cop and Skinny Cop duos), and has him so on top of everybody else that he has to advise the Chief of Police how to handle the Media and information control (don't the police have people to handle that?).
Finally, Sanford proves repeatedly that he knows little about police procedure or the historical crimes he references (newsflash: David Berkowitz was not the lone killer in the Son of Sam case, and he wasn't caught because a cop looked in his apartment window and saw copies of the letters. He lived on the second floor, you see...). I can only assume by the success of the Prey series the books have improved. Actually, I can only hope.
Great!!!
enjoyed this book
Very good book. If the rest are anywhere near as good as this one I'll read them all.
Sallie M. (oldrockandroll) -
This is my first book with a new author and I think I am going to love this series! I like Lucas Davenport and his way of thinking. He reminds me a lot of Jack Reacher. The characters are down to earth and believable. I wasn't sure if he would catch the Mad Dog or not, but he had some help from his friend the nun. Overall, a great read. I look forward to the next book in the series!
Started this series in the middle and have found each story stands alone also.
This story has more of character definition for Lucas Davenport than the subsequent ones. I think it is great.
This story has more of character definition for Lucas Davenport than the subsequent ones. I think it is great.
this was a little slow moving at times and not as good as past Sandford Prey titles I have read....it was not a quick read but, it was good1
Everything you could want in a detective versus serial killer thriller. I couldn't stop reading!
Was a nice fun/exciting read.
Good read.
A good suspenseful, crime thriller. The featured detective can be both larger than life and fallibly human. This book can be crass at times.
3 stars out of 5
3 stars out of 5
The first book in an excellent series
Very suspensful.
Lucas Davenports first adventure. Awesome storyline complete with a new introduction from John Sandford.
Very good read, lots of excitment.
Iloved the book. It was a pleasure to read the first Prey book and to see where Lucas Davenport got his start.
All his Prey books are great. Lucas Davenport is never boring.
A Lucas Davenport mystery. This killer is mad but brilliant. He left notes with all the women he killed. Lucas is hot on his trail. The is a great book.
Sandford delivers another solid Lucas Davenport mystery. If you like Sandford, you'll like this one.
It was a good book. For the first in a series, there was less background information than I was expecting. I felt more like I was reading the 3rd or 4th book than the first one. The plot was good, and it was easy to follow. One word of warning - if you want a straight arrow hero you should look elsewhere. Lucas does not always strictly follow the letter of the law, but he's always working for the greater good.
Great mystery. Sandford is top.
One more in the Lucas Davenport series. Excellent writing, as we've come to expect from John Sandford. Intense, thrilling.
Different cover (newer) I have 12 of the 'prey' series
Murder mystery. Can't really remember the story. Long time since I read it. But I do remember liking it.
After urging from a girlfriend to try this series, I loved it. The main charector is great. 1st book in the series, definely should give it a try
The Killer was mad but brilliant He left notes with every woman he killed. Rules of murder but Lucas Davenport wasn't following the rules.
This is only my second book in this series (started with a newer one)and I love the Lucas Davenport character. He is so different from most characters you find in mysteries. I also like his interactions with the other characters in the book. I highly recommend this book and series. This is the first book in the series.
Inside flap: The killer was mad but brilliant. He left notes with every woman he killed. Rules of murder: Never have a motive. Never follow a discernible pattern. Never carry a weapon after it has been used...So many rules to his sick, violent games of death. But Lucas Davenport, the cop who's out to get him, isn't playing by the rules.
After reading almost all of the Prey series, I FINALLY got to read the first one. Introduces Davenport. Great, great, great!
Another great book by Sandford.
I'm now addicted to The "Prey" series of books!! I have such a crush on Lucas!!
Having started this series out of order, I was not as impressed with this book as I was with the later books. It was still well written and is a must if you're going to read the entire series.
A haunting, unforgettable, ice-bloodied thriller...so chilling that you're almost afraid to turn the pages, so mesmerizing you cannot stop...a crackle of surprises....
Spooky thriller, #2 of the "Prey" books about Lucas Davenport.
Excellent book - first in the series. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Great read!
The first in the Lucas Davenport "Prey" series. A really good book.
Very good read!
Good mystery story.
Really enjoyed this one!
This is the one that started it all, the first Lucas Davenport novel. A killer is on the loose, a killer whose "rules" make him doubly elusive. John Sandford shows that he knew what he was doing from the beginning.
Another wonderful mystery from John Sandford featuring Detective Lucas Davenport which will have you on the edge of your seat.
My first John Sandford. Great writing with some gasping moments.Looking forward to continuing the "Prey" series.As a fan of Cornwell, Reichs and Patterson..This was comparable..a really good read!
Anyone who has read any of the "prey" novels by John Sandford knows that the killings in his books are grisly. If you haven't read him, be warned.
The killer was mad,but brilliant. His credo: Never have a motive:Never follow a discernable pattern:Never carry a weapon after it has been used.
A GOOD READ!!!!!!!
I love all of John Sanford's Prey series. Lucas Davenport is the main character. The writing is so good, you almost think the characters are real people. This one has a serial killer who leaves notes at the scenes, listing rules of murder.
My first Sandford book; very fast moving, quite terrifying, a lot of stock characters but still a well-solved crime.
A crime thriller about a serial killer pursued by a tough smart detective who isn't afraid to play by his own rules when he needs to.
"Sleek and nasty... A big, scary, suspenseful read, and I loved very minute of it." - Stephen King
A good "prey" book - full of interesting bits of detective info.
This is the first John Sandford novel I've read and I truly enjoyed it. I plan on reading the rest of the 'Prey' series. John really makes the lead character, Lucas Davenport, realistic. I love how the book opens with thoughts and happenings of the killer...not the detective. I recommend this book.
every book in this series is exciting and enjoyable
Start to a great series by a Minnesota author
This is the first book of the excellent Prey series. If you like serial-killer-hunter stories, you'll love this one.
Lucas Davenport is out to get a mad killer who leaves rules at each killing. It is terrifying and trimmed to the bone.
I love John Sanford so I can only say good things about this book
"Never kill anyone you know", another one of the rules of prey, with Detective Lucas Davenport.
Very enjoyable. Good characters; good story line. keeps you guessing. Ends a bit "mushy" and abruptly, but I guess that maybe to lead into the 2nd in the series? I may look for it to find out.....
Really good!
good resd
good read
Good read-I enjoy all of his books.
great murder plot kept you on the edge of your seat the whole time
great
This is an excellent series, with a cool detective and fast paced action. This is the first in the series
Just started this series....seems like it's gonna be a good one!
The database is in error. The cover displayed by the PBS site is apparently from a different printing of this book. This cover is black and the cover art says "never KILL" instead of "E".
Just finished this and loved it. It's my first John Sandford and I'm anxious to read the next in the series. Very fast moving, edge of your seat - great ending!
Quick paced, smart writing, this series is a keeper.
The first of the Lucas Davenport series, this book establishes the character of Lucas Davenport. The killer is mad but brilliant.....leaving notes with every woman he kills that outline his sick "rules" of murder. But Lucas Davenport, the hardened homicide cop out to catch him, isn't playing by the rules.....
One of John Sandfords great books! Enjoyed reading it!
I love the Prey series of books. They have great characters and great storylines. One of my favorite authors, and favorite series.
Lucas is at it again. This is such a great series. Must read.
really good book, recommend it.
So glad I just discovered this series..........looks like a list of great books to look forward to reading! If the others are as good as the first.............I will be happy!
Great book. Great author. Series is best when read in order. Reading the series for the third time. Always find something i missed before.
