• Rules of Prey

  • A Lucas Davenport Novel
  • By: John Sandford
  • Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
  • Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (8,429 ratings)

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Rules of Prey

By: John Sandford
Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
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Publisher's summary

The "maddog" murderer who is terrorizing the Twin Cities is two things: insane and extremely intelligent. He kills for the pleasure of it and thoroughly enjoys placing elaborate obstacles to keep police befuddled. Each clever move he makes is another point of pride. But when the brilliant Lieutenant Lucas Davenport, a dedicated cop and a serial killer's worst nightmare, is brought in to take up the investigation, the maddog suddenly has an adversary worthy of his genius.
©1989 John Sandford (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A police procedural as effective as it is brutal." (Publishers Weekly)
"Sleek and nasty...a big, scary suspenseful read." (Stephen King)

What listeners say about Rules of Prey

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,618
  • 4 Stars
    2,611
  • 3 Stars
    877
  • 2 Stars
    182
  • 1 Stars
    141
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,390
  • 4 Stars
    1,832
  • 3 Stars
    565
  • 2 Stars
    114
  • 1 Stars
    94
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,984
  • 4 Stars
    2,044
  • 3 Stars
    686
  • 2 Stars
    147
  • 1 Stars
    116

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I love this series

John Sandford Prey series is awesome but If your like me I have read/listened to a few out of order; it's really no big deal but here is the list in order just in case anyone wants to know:
. 1. Rules of Prey (1989)
2. Shadow Prey (1990)
3. Eyes of Prey (1991)
4. Silent Prey (1992)
5. Winter Prey (1993)
6. Night Prey (1994)
7. Mind Prey (1995)
8. Sudden Prey (1996)
9. Secret Prey (1998)
10. Certain Prey (1999)
11. Easy Prey (2000)
12. Chosen Prey (2001)
13. Mortal Prey (2002)
14. Naked Prey (2003)
15. Hidden Prey (2004)
16. Broken Prey (2005)
17. Invisible Prey (2007)
18. Phantom Prey (2008)
19. Wicked Prey (2009)
20. Storm Prey (2010)
21. Buried Prey (forthcoming, early 2011)

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579 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

the first prey

Like some other series I've come across, I discovered John Sandford and his Lucas Davenport series many books into the series. I think I came across an Audible sale where I got this first book in the series on the cheap and thought why not go back to the beginning? It was entertaining and I'm glad I did. I don't really think of Minnesota the land of serial killers but it is an interesting setting. I'm sure I'll pick up a few more in the series before it's all said and done.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A satisfying ending.

A good, fast paced novel. The main character is a modern hero, cool dresser, Porsche, ladies man. The final chapters are very satisfying as he brings the case to a definate conclusion, one we all would like to see more often in real life I am sure. Definately movie material. More please.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Story

I enjoyed the story. The only thing I did not care for were the accents of the characters. The book takes place in Minneapolis/St. Paul area, but all the characters sounded like they were from New York. I think they could have picked up some character speech patterns from the movie Fargo. Otherwise, I really liked the book and looked forward to hearing it over a two day period.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly Enjoyed It.

First book of John Sanford's that I've listened too and I was not disappointed in the least bit. Good story though at times it felt cliche. Would listen to it again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well written novel with an in interesting story

The story and performance were top notch. I enjoyed the characters and the steady plot.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book

This is a great book in the Prey series. John Sandford knows how to keep your attention.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing start to the PREY series!!

What a well written thrill ride!! Rules of Prey is the best series debut book ever written.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Lucas my hero

Very good plotline for an amazing character. Even though not believable, he is dream-able. The conflict with the serial killer was great.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Start Here! Book One.

The first in a series of over 20 Lucas Davenport books. I didnt start with this one, and you don't have to start with this one, they are very well written, well developed, loveable characters, one can really relate to. I have read/listened to all of John Sandfords books, and I truly love them all. I do. In 'Rules of Prey', we get to know Lucas, a Minneapolis detective who discovers his love and talent for hunting murderers. A narcotics/robbery cop, with a net of people on the streets, uses his connections to hunt down the Mad Dog. Sandford does a great job with all of his books, this one especially since it is his first in a wonderful series. If you enjoy this type of book, this genre, you'll enjoy this series. I live only 100 miles from Minneapolis, in WIsconsin, and all of the stories are basically based in Minneapolis, a couple of the stories wander into northern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota. If you are from any of these places, you will find that Sandfords descriptions of these towns and cities, are fully accurate, and you will really enjoy the familiarity.
I really love this series of books. I would tell anyone who would listen, to get one try it out, maybe you will like it as I do, maybe not, but its worth one listen, I think.

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