Rules of Prey (Lucas Davenport, No. 1) by John Sandford Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Rules of Prey (Lucas Davenport, No. 1)
Book Review: Great start
Summary: 4 Stars
I got started on this series by reading a couple volumes that have been released in the last three years or so. I decided to go back to the beginning and see how Davenport started out.
It was nice to see where the money came from and that he began as a tough guy. As with the other books I've read, I'm not wild about his main girlfriend/wife. The game development detail adds a lot to the character and how he works.
The hunt for the maddog kept me hooked. There's nothing quite like the take-down of an obnoxious jerk, for a satisfying read.
Book Review: Heard the "Prey" Novels Rocked, So...
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a huge fan of Harlan Coben, Michael Conelly, Lee Child, and the like, and was told by a friend that I have to check out John Sanford's "Prey" novels. I always start at the beginning of a series, so I picked up "Rules of Prey" and am happy to report I was not at all disappointed with this read, and look forward to the rest of Sanford's novels.
I find it interesting that most of the poor reviews given to this novel were by women but, then again, our hero, Lucas Davenport, is not exactly going to appeal to anyone with liberal or feministic values. He's a no BS, macho, womanizing cop, and a FICTIONAL one, I might add and, obviously, Sanford is catering to an audience that wants a cop who doesn't play by the rules when trying to catch a scumbag like The Maddog. I couldn't put this novel down, and found it to be everything I look for in a good thriller, with lots of twists. It was sexy at times, violent and hard-boiled, and kept a consistent pace from start to finish.
Book Review: Highly Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
I purchased the Kindle version of this book based on the fact it had earned high marks for average reader reviews. I also wanted to like Sandford because his books are set in my hometown of Minneapolis. Upon reading the book, however, I'm not at all sure I understand where the accolades come from. This is moderately adequate writing, but with characters that are extremely one dimensional. It was something of a struggle to finish the book, in fact, because it quickly stopped surprising me, and the tiresome habit of the protagonist, Lucas Davenport, bedding down every woman in the book has the feel of some kind of adolescent fantasy, not a real character. We're supposed to empathize with a detective who blithely seduces a crime victim, at the same time he is sleeping with every female news anchor in town? Perhaps this appeals to 14-year olds, but certainly not to adults.
Certainly nothing here to make me want to read the rest of the prey series. If you're looking for good writing, with nuanced, real characters, read James Lee Burke. By comparison, this first book in Sanford's series is little more than a well-crafted cartoon.
Book Review: I Wish I Had Read This One First!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read a few of the later books in the Prey series and really liked them. As with any good series, they are best read in order. That isn't to say that the books in this series can't stand alone, because they can and they do it well. But the first book gives more insight into Lucas Davenport, his habits and his many not-by-the-book ways. From reading this one and comparing it to the later ones, it is interesting how the character has grown and evolved, at least in his personal life. I look forward to reading more of the earlier books in the series.Book Review: OMG - What a Rush ...
Summary: 4 Stars
Not your cuddle-up in front of the fire mystery thriller ...
I have previously not given much thought to any of the "Prey" series, considering them too violent, too stereotypical, or something. Boy - was I in for a surprise! Lucas Davenport, the main character of these books, has a well developed persona from the get go. This being the first book of the series, as well as one of John Sandford's earlier works, was refreshingly riveting and I found myself not wanting to be distracted from reading more and more as I got into the book - I just finished this and have already started on the next book, "Shadow Prey" and it is equally as attention-getting as "Rules of Prey". I do love good mysteries - particularly when the characters get to evolve through development in ensuing books. Thank you Mr. Sandford
a good read - not for the faint-hearted