Silken Prey

Lucas Davenport, Book 23

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Murder. Scandal. Politics. And one billionaire heiress so dangerous in so many ways. An explosive Lucas Davenport thriller from number one New York Times best-selling author John Sandford.

All hell has broken loose in the capital. An influential state senator has been caught with something very, very nasty on his office computer. The governor can’t believe it - the senator’s way too smart for that, even if he is from the other party. Something’s not right. As Davenport investigates, the trail leads to a political fixer who has disappeared, then - troublingly - to the Minneapolis police department itself, and most unsettling of all, to a woman who could give Machiavelli lessons in manipulation. She has very definite ideas about the way the world should work - along with the money, ruthlessness, and cold-blooded will to make it happen.

©2013 John Sandford (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"If you haven’t read Sandford yet, you have been missing one of the great summer-read novelists of all time." (Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly)

Punt

Great read
I love this author
Take s you right to Minneapolis
Fabulous all the way

Good summer read, classic Davenport

John Sandford writes/develops great villains. I really like the "regulars" and how they have developed over the series. But, the reason I read and now listen to all of his books is that he has well-developed, interesting, and juicy evil characters. I enjoy listening to Richard Ferrone's narration; for me, he is the voice of Lucas Davenport. This is an enjoyable book, even if you have never read the series. Take it to the beach, or hammock , or a comfy chair. Just take a chance, and you may get hooked on a new series.

Lucas Davenport

What made the experience of listening to Silken Prey the most enjoyable?

The enjoyment of listening is enjoyable because I can listen to it while I sit in my chair, while I am doing chores around the house, or while I am working out at the gym. I get to enjoy my favorite John Sandford books this way.

What other book might you compare Silken Prey to and why?

Most of the other Lucas Davenport books, and I like him as much as I like the J.P. Beaumont books by J. A. Jance.

What does Richard Ferrone bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A depth of feeling. Also if I just read a book, I don't get as much out of it because I am a speed reader. By listening, I never miss a nuance.

Any additional comments?

John Sandford is a great author, and I like both of his primary main characters, Lucas Davenport, and Virgil Flowers.

Good story

it was a great book as usual from this author, moved along well, not to
many slow periods

Lucas Davenport is still a favorite!

This was good, not one of Sandfords best if your reading the whole series but its a fun plot twisting book. Lots of fun, easy read or listen.

Politicos will love this

Not 'House of Cards' exactly, yet intelligence with specks of 3D warmth re Minnesota investigator, Lucas Davenport, who's got several million (after building up & selling a security software application - legacy - that made millions after Sept 11 attacks). Of course, he wears English shirts, Italian suits, etc., has a beautiful wife, surgeon, and a daughter too, plus the confidence of Democratic governor, who taps Lucas to spearhead a confidential quest just 10 or so days before the gov's probable reelection. But the Rep opponent, Smalls (a womanizer who's been caught too many times to deny it), becomes the target of a vicious slur campaign. The gov doesn't want to win this way, the insinuations & the further destruction of the democratic system, such that it is. So Lucas starts quietly searching around. And just when you feel like turning to another book (b/c this one seems to have gotten terribly predictable ...), everything changes. Sandford is the best I've read so far, a master at timing & tone, like no other. And if you think this is a Dems vs. Rep story, then your POV isn't wide or high enough. Maybe it's 'depth' I'm looking for, for Sandford's ultimate view (told via Lucas Davenport, that is), is that those 'elected' officials who make it to the Senate, well, they all seem to share a lack of empathy & a desire for risk: psychopaths. And not many would disagree I dare say, whatever party you support. It's one exciting read, all the way.

Great story and players!

Just read it for the second time and really enjoyed the story and performance. Characters are very real. I really like when all the BCA people working for Davenport interact.

Fantastic on all Fronts!

I love Richard Ferrone's voice. The "Prey" books are always winners! Another great story

Worked for me

Richard Ferrone makes me happy to be human. I'd send aliens to listen to his voice: This is what the male of our species sounds like when talking. Silk embedded with gravel, never showing off, getting the job done.

And John Sandford is a reliable treasure. His characters are lean and lovely, burrowing into the stories created for them. This one needs a sequel, as the main villain is still standing. I don't listen to books like these to see evil-doers get away with it. Life requires that kind of patience. In mystery novels, I pay for closure.

Abrupt ending loses it a star

I really enjoyed this book. The characters, especially the evil Taryn Grant, were well developed and, in her case, especially dislikable. The political maneuvering, although extreme, was believable in this age of dirty politics. Lucas was leaning in the right direction but it took him a while to move there. My only beef with this otherwise well-written story was the number of major loose ends that remained at the book's closing. Can't tell you what they were without providing spoilers but I think most readers will similarly be disappointed at the manner in which the tale ended so abruptly. Maybe the next Prey book will pick up where this one left off, but that hasn't been Sandford's style. Don't know if the author ran out of ideas or ended it this way purposely. Either way, I would have preferred a more conclusive ending. All that aside, worth a credit and worth a listen.