Hidden Prey

Having read many of the installments in the Davenport series, I was a little surprised that the usual cast of family and law enforcement characters were minimized in this novel. It was all about Lucas and the characters created for this particular story. And it worked. Carl wasn't very believable but this was tempered somewhat by grandpa who was a great character and who allowed us to believe that maybe Carl could be someone in the real world. I liked Nadia and wouldn't mind seeing her in other Davenport installments (although I'm not sure exactly where this book falls chronologically in the series). As always, narrator Richard Ferrone was superb. His delivery is impeccable, especially when portraying low-life characters. This was not the best Davenport novel I've listened to but it was well worth my time.

Book #15 in the series of 22 featuring Lucas Davenport, this was my first exposure to Lucas Davenport, having picked up the book on sale. He sounds like an interesting character, but the mystery doesn't really hold together well. A 50-year-old communist cell in northern Minnesota consisting of members of several clans but previously undiscovered in a region where historically Socialism had taken root? Unknown to the FBI? A grandson brainwashed by his kooky grandfather, apparently willing to do whatever it takes to further the cause? Structurally, you need to accept that an important character in the beginning and end but apparently incidental to the plot withheld the key to the case only to reveal crucial elements when Lucas was stuck. Nevertheless, I liked the internally incompletely resolved conclusion. Will the case reach full closure in connection with a later book in the series? The writing is good; I'd be willing to give another Sandford book a try if the story had an average rating of 4+ by others.

I'm glad that a previous reviewer (Adry) mentioned a background noise that sounds like another story or radio--too faint to be understood but loud enough to be distracting, especially during pauses in the reading. This is the first Audible book that I found to be technically flawed in this way.

The title was vague...but the story was awesome. I had a little problem with the second part, it had a back noise like radio or something but AUDIBLE courteously give me $10 credit for it...Im very grateful... Thank you

I just love it

Probably not

Plot was OK but a bit forced. A little too far fetched.

Understand this is a "tough guy" mystery type but the constant use of f*** just makes the characters look stupid and lacking in any depth. Sure doesn't give me the idea that "good guys" even have brains to figure out anything ...only that they are constantly irritated and know only one word. The plot seemed a bit Far fetched. The many "exciting" twists made it feel even more so.

good story. Background voice annoying. Listened to other John Sanford audiobooks. Never had this problems before. Very distracting. Never had this problem with an audible.com book.

I plan to make it a bi-annual read because it is Sanford's best novel. There is much going on with the plot, it weaves around so easily bringing all the characters together in an intricately written plot.

The great characters from Davenport himself, to Grandpa, and the Russian female cop. I mean it was absolutely dazzling. I have now read all of Sanford's books due to the un-abridging bonanza. I would go so far as to say that this book equals or bests
any cop/thriller book on the market.

The usual perfection.

Definitely written with great humor, as are all Lucas' novels.

I promise if you like Davenport's other books it's a no-brainer, if you are new to Davenport this book should give you reason to read more by Sanford.

John Sanford has managed to create a book with a sufficiently intricate plot to keep the reader interested, along with a variety of characters that he skillfully interweaves among the activities. It surprises me that a series as established as this one can present a book with such a fresh face.

I like listening to these mystery books as you get a better feel for each different character by the voice and infliction of speech.

The Russian "cop". She was intense but very funny at the same time

NO, Listened to this book on my commute to and from work and while working out.

Yet another good Lucas Davenport read! This time Lucas is dealing with Russian spies in Minnesota. A story with a good plot and a very psychotic bad guy that is a grandpa. You don't usually find the old grandpa being such a bad guy! There was even some great humor. I was listening to this while working out at the gym one day and I know people had to be looking at me like I was crazy when I am laughing at a few scenes while lifting weights. I enjoy Sandford's intense plot lines and his sense of humor which make for a great book

I would rank this book behind the W. E. B. Griffin novels, but in front of Tom Clancy's newest two novels.

Great separation of characters with his different voices for them.

No extreme reaction. In fact, I was surprised to hear who was "the bad guy" in the first chapter. In other Lucas Davenport novels we "see" the killer, but do not know their identity until the end of the book.

I have had problems listening to this book. It seems more boring than other Sanford works.

I could not finish listening to this book; I could not get past the narrator's voice to the story. That being said, I plan on reading the book to actually see if the story is good or not.

His voice for at least one of the characters was like nails on a chalkboard to me.