Helpful Score: 5
The Davenport books have changed over the years as Lucas has aged, and he certainly is not as active in them as he was when he was still a cop, but they are still page-turners and this one is no different. Randy Whitcomb, now a paraplegic, is out on parole and intends to get revenge on Lucas, whom he blames for his condition although Lucas did not shoot him. His plan is to kidnap Lucas' daughter Letty. Meanwhile, Lucas is working on the case of a gang of killer robbers who are hitting the Republican National Convention. Sandford expertly weaves the two storylines and then cleverly brings them together a thrilling climax. But what I enjoyed the most is the development of Letty's character - I can see her eventually growing into a series of her own!
Helpful Score: 4
Sandford's latest romp through murder and mayhem finds his BCA (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) detective Lucas Davenport on the outs with the department for doing his job too well. It's August 2008 in St. Paul and the Republicans are in town to nominate John McCain for president. Davenport had lobbied hard for extra manpower on the streets and as payback he's been sidelined.
Which leaves him free to deal with gate crashers like the neo-Nazi who's disappeared into the city with a .50 caliber sniper rifle. Or the cop-killing hold-up gang looking for one more big score to retire on. Or his ward - soon to be adopted daughter - Letty, who is 14 and growing up to be just like her adopted Dad, smart and devious.
Letty has gotten wind of a paraplegic, meth-addicted, psychopathic pimp's plot to revenge himself on Davenport through her. He blames Davenport for all the ills in his misbegotten life. Rather than bother her busy Dad with it, Letty decides to take on Randy Whitcomb herself, befriending Whitcomb's stable of prostitutes - consisting of one sad-sack teenage runaway.
Sandford switches viewpoints among this motley crew, keeping the reader a couple steps ahead of Davenport. The main focus is on the Brutus Cohn gang's robbery plans. Master planner Rosie Cruz, a secretive, detail oriented, careful soul, has targeted lobbyists, flush with illegal cash to hand out to campaign workers. Four or five of those then a big, complex finale and they go their separate ways. They get rich; no one gets hurt.
Sandford puts Davenport and his men through their paces and nobody gets it quite right. As the body count rises and Davenport gets closer and the gang grows more brutal and desperate, Letty flits in and out of the downtown crowds, getting herself in a little deeper than she planned.
A fast-paced story, big setting, witty dialogue and engaging characters make this another of the satisfying thrillers that Sandford fans have come to expect after 26 books, including 18 previous "Prey" novels.
Which leaves him free to deal with gate crashers like the neo-Nazi who's disappeared into the city with a .50 caliber sniper rifle. Or the cop-killing hold-up gang looking for one more big score to retire on. Or his ward - soon to be adopted daughter - Letty, who is 14 and growing up to be just like her adopted Dad, smart and devious.
Letty has gotten wind of a paraplegic, meth-addicted, psychopathic pimp's plot to revenge himself on Davenport through her. He blames Davenport for all the ills in his misbegotten life. Rather than bother her busy Dad with it, Letty decides to take on Randy Whitcomb herself, befriending Whitcomb's stable of prostitutes - consisting of one sad-sack teenage runaway.
Sandford switches viewpoints among this motley crew, keeping the reader a couple steps ahead of Davenport. The main focus is on the Brutus Cohn gang's robbery plans. Master planner Rosie Cruz, a secretive, detail oriented, careful soul, has targeted lobbyists, flush with illegal cash to hand out to campaign workers. Four or five of those then a big, complex finale and they go their separate ways. They get rich; no one gets hurt.
Sandford puts Davenport and his men through their paces and nobody gets it quite right. As the body count rises and Davenport gets closer and the gang grows more brutal and desperate, Letty flits in and out of the downtown crowds, getting herself in a little deeper than she planned.
A fast-paced story, big setting, witty dialogue and engaging characters make this another of the satisfying thrillers that Sandford fans have come to expect after 26 books, including 18 previous "Prey" novels.
Helpful Score: 2
Again, a very interesting story from John Sandford. Easy read that will be hard to put down. Letty is much smarter and more interesting than many teenagers. She will surprise you. The interaction between Letty and Lucas is funny and much more enjoyable than real life (if you already have teenage daughters you will know what I mean; if you don't have teenage daughters, this can help prepare you -good luck).
Helpful Score: 2
He's back, was a bit worried with the last couple, this one's back to the Lucas I love. Outstanding!!!!
Elizabeth P. (royaltroondrive) reviewed Wicked Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 19) on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyed this book, more like Sandford's early Prey books.
Helpful Score: 1
Lucas and Letty Davenport are both very involved in this one. We learn a lot more about Letty and her goal to be a reporter. There are multiple characters which makes it hard to follow at times. Lots of action! It's a fast fun read which leaves you ready for the next Davenport adventures.
Helpful Score: 1
As always, John Sandford never fails to keep his readers on the edge of their seats. Can't wait for his next one.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed Wicked Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 19) on + 1726 more book reviews
This was a good book, kept thinking it would pick up the pace but it never did, not that it was super slow but it just felt like it needed a boost. Don't get all the swearing, seems like it is there just to be there. Over use in my opinion.
I have read most of the Prey series and Wicked Prey is, by far, my favorite. I love the continued development of the character, Letty, who could be Davenport's true flesh and blood daughter. The story contains lots of twists and turn and keeps you hopping to the very last page.
Good plot and characters, well written, (of course), Sandford gets you into his stories. This one was a good read, too.. . moves right along, fast paced, good police involement. This would be a great " Die Hard" type movie.
Lucas Davenport is focused on a gang of thieves planning something "huge" during the Republican convention in St. Paul. But, what he doesn't know is that the gang of thieves is not his biggest concern. A wheelchair-bound thug that Davenport put into prison years ago is looking for revenge and plans to exact his revenge on Davenport's daughter, Letty.
this comes up as CDs in the description but "paperback" in book type which is what it is.
i just finished reading it, it's a BOOK not CDs and while good like all the Sandford "wicked" series, I found this one longer than it could have been.
i just finished reading it, it's a BOOK not CDs and while good like all the Sandford "wicked" series, I found this one longer than it could have been.
I've read all of the "Prey" series. I always enjoy them. The only problem is putting them down to get some housework doneor a few hours of sleep! This one is about Neo-Nazis that go after Davenport's daughter. Be sure to read it this action-packed story.
19th in the Prey series. This one has both a crazy wanna-be killer and a team of cunning thieves/killers. A paraplegic criminal blames Davenport for his problems and vows to hurt his daughter Letty in revenge. At the same time, a team of thieves plans on stealing big money at the Republican convention in town. I was a little worried about the teenage-fem-jep angle but Letty is too smart for the bad guy. In fact, at fourteen she shows a lot of the same traits as Davenport with a complete lack of regard for what's ethical or legal...and Davenport approves of this at the end. Sandford is true to the character even if it is rather appalling. Sandford usually has Davenport set up some kind of op where the bad guys walk in and get killed, but he's got Letty doing that in this book, so this time Davenport is late and gets there as the crime is happening. As usual a very fast-paced book, lots of action, easy to get through in a couple hours.
Good read, but not one of the best in the series.
very good
No more 'prey' books for me--this one is slow and too many characters and just boring in places so I gave up midway and decided this is the last one for me
