Mortal Prey

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Minnesota Book Award winner

Years ago, Lucas Davenport almost died at the hands of Clara Rinker, a pleasant, soft-spoken, low-key Southerner, and the best hitwoman in the business. Now retired and living in Mexico, she nearly dies herself when a sniper kills her boyfriend, the son of a local druglord, and while the boy's father vows vengeance, Rinker knows something he doesn't: The boy wasn't the target, she was, and now she is going to have to disappear to find the killer herself.

The FBI and DEA draft Davenport to help track her down, and with his fiance deep in wedding preparations, he's really just as happy to go, but he has no idea what he's getting into. For Rinker is as unpredictable as ever, and between her, her old bosses in the St. Louis mob, the Mexican druglord, and the combined, sometimes warring, forces of U.S. law enforcement, this is one case that will get more dangerous as it goes along. And when the crossfire comes, anyone standing in the middle won't stand a chance.

Filled with the rich characterization and exceptional drama that are his hallmarks, Mortal Prey proves that John Sandford just keeps getting better.

Hear Lucas Davenport on the case in more of John Sandford's Prey novels.

©2002 John Sandford (P)2002 Putnam Berkley Audio, a member of Penguin Putnam, Inc., and Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"With lyrical Southern accents and charm, Eric Conger transports the listener to the Deep South as he dramatizes Sandford's latest suspense-filled thriller." (AudioFile)

“Vivid cast, bristling action, neat surprises - and it’s funny. Probably the cop novel of the year.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

“Sandford’s eye for the tell-all character quirk remains finely tuned, as does his deadpan humor, rivaled by few in the crime-drama ranks.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

DON'T PISS SANDFORD OFF!!

WOW! OK.... That's a word every reviewer should avoid.... Yet...

This is the Best Lucas Davenport novel ever.... EVER!!! And I reeeeeeely liked each of the earlier 12. But of course I'm writing a glowing review of "Mortal Prey" because it's twists are so fiendishly clever that well, I'm not going to get John Sanford PO'd at me. No way.

Stuff just keeps on coming out of the Sanford chute and I dare you to duck every time. What makes it so edge-of-your-seat gripping is that Sanford is a devilishly smart craftsman. He doesn't waste a period in "Mortal Prey". And he seduces you into... Well damn, I can't tell you without a spoiler. But you will find your Clara Rinker sympathies molded by this guy like... Well, you ever see people who make butter sculptures? I mean, who the H molds butter???? The stuff's got no useful shelf life. Those things are almost gone before they're finished yet some of them are amazing and....

(SLAP!) Allright! Stop. I'm digressing. But the point is that this novel's better planned than a NYC skyscraper. YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY's WORTH! And I hope all of that is complimentary enough because Sandford absolutely proves in "Mortal Prey" that if you get this guy perturbed well, he can plan a cunningly ghastly revenge. So 15 stars... count 'em... 15!

While I totally appreciate Richard Ferrone's dramatic sense, I sort of wish he could do accents better, particularly Spanish. Still he is Lucas Davenport and no substitute will do

I know it's overused... In fact when it comes to reviewing, "WOW!" is the opiate of the unimaginative, but still, as I listened to "We hope you've enjoyed..." What kept banging around in my head was...

"WOW!!!"

BTW: I Did something stupid. Erroneously I posted this review to "Chosen Prey" which at this time I have yet to listen to. Audible has nicely taken that erroneous posting to "Chosen Prey" down and I intend to review it whenever I get to that book. Sanford, over the years, has done a lot of prey-ing. However, If this caused anyone confusion... sorry. When stupidity is sufficient explanation... Why look farther, huh?

Great Story

This book is one of my favorite "Shoot-Em-Up" stories. It held my interest from the start as it kept moving the reader along with no pauses.
I recommend this book to action listeners.

Great sequel to Certian Prey

Great book to listen to on a long drive. The back story for Mortal Prey is contained in the book Certain Prey. Although you can follow the book without problems, I would read Certain Prey first. Both are good books.

Raves for Mortal Prey

John Sandford is at his best. But,all of his books have equal rank--"tops." John excells at bringing the reader into the story and portraying the every-mans (and womans)-ideal-hero in Lucas Davenport. Mortal Prey is a mystery that can be played and replayed. Well worth downloading. I have all of his early books on cassettes and plan to download each to CDs.

Pretty Good!!

I hadn't read this author before, but think that I will look for more audiobooks from him in the future. This book was thoroughly entertaining and I would recommend it to fans of the mystery/suspense genre. The customers were fairly well developed, and I actually found myself rooting for the antagonist until I took a step back. All in all a good read!

Gritty Police Procedural With Ingenious Killer

I read a couple of the first Davenport novels and enjoyed them, but mistakenly thought tt was a series based on both the hero and his arch nemesis. But my friend Ted's review assured me this would be a stellar experience, and sure enough it is.

Lucas Davenport is a tough, smart, wealthy policeman from Minnesota. His history with a female mob hitter, Clara Rinker, leads the FBI to recruit him when she goes on a revenge killing spree.

Both Davenport and Rinker are empathetic figures despite the latter's homocidal ways. The FBI, Davenport and Rinker are remarkably smart, persistent and thorough. It makes for a stellar experience.

mortal prey

I liked this book for its straight forward story, and its roller coaster twists and spins.
Easy listen.

First Class Excitement

This is Sandford at his absolute best, a terrific sequel (Mortal Prey) to a terrific original (Certain Prey).

Clara Rinker is a baddie with plenty on her side for the empathy of the reader, and the duel between her and Lucas Davenport is well drawn.

I was disappointed when the book ended, and have re-read it many times since.

A brilliant work, such a pity Audible hasn't seen fit to include the original 'Certain Prey' unabridged in its catalogue.



brendan (atlanta)

Best Prey Book Yet

I have listened to quite a few Sandford books and have enjoyed every one of them. This book is my favorite.

iff you like Detective Thrillers then check out any of John Sandford's Prey series doesn't make a difference which one you start with they are all good.

Good listen

This was only my third audio book and I liked it very much.
I liked it enough to read another of his books to see if it read as well as it sounded. And it did.
The readers voice was good and the characters developed well I felt. After a short time into the story I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. Perfect action/mystery/thriller to make a car trip fly by.