Neon Prey

A Prey Novel, Book 29

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lucas Davenport tracks a prolific serial killer in this nail-biting number one New York Times best seller from John Sandford.

Clayton Deese looks like a small-time criminal, muscle for hire when his loan shark boss needs to teach someone a lesson. Now, seven months after a job that went south and landed him in jail, Deese has skipped out on bail, and the US Marshals come looking for him. They don't much care about a low-level guy - it's his boss they want - but Deese might be their best chance to bring down the whole operation.

Then, they step onto a dirt trail behind Deese's rural Louisiana cabin and find a jungle full of graves.

Now, Lucas Davenport is on the trail of a serial killer who has been operating for years without notice. His quarry is ruthless, and - as Davenport will come to find - full of surprises....

©2019 John Sandford (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"[Sandford is] his usual entertaining self in this hard-core adventure.... Davenport is an inspired creation." (Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review)

"The Prey novels are wildly entertaining with their clever plotting, mordant humor, and smart-ass dialogue. This one doesn't break the pattern." (Booklist)

Lots of moving parts! Outstanding!!

Lucas Davenport is Back!!!! With Lucas's transition from Minnesota 's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to the US Marshalls I had a hard time connecting with Golden Prey. In Twisted Prey Sanford returns to his Lucas Davenport formula and it was much better. This read blew me away! This book is fast paced and there is so much going on I almost don't know where to start.
My favorite part is in the beginning. A hired killer/strong arm (Deese) is home preparing dinner. He's thinking about steak and a hint of steak sauce and liver with fried onions. He disappears shortly after and when the police come to investigate, they find a graveyard of bodies behind his home. If you guessed that many are missing yummy delicious body parts you're right because Deese has been eating them.
Lucas and his new team are on the hunt for a depraved killer who will stop at nothing. Lucas is shot at one point because of a mistake he makes bringing on memories of previous injuries. Some old friends make brief appearances as well as Weather and Leddy.
Richard Ferrone does an excellent job narrating. He is Lucas.
This book has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
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Prey Novel does it again

I’ve read every Prey Novel. It started in High School when my Dad handed me Rules of Prey. I was hooked. Though I miss Lucas’ sexual escapades and his fearless choices this books still has everything the first had. Suspense, plot, twists, and the bad guy getting what’s coming to him. Thanks again!

Stellar!!!

I have been a fan since the 80s and have never been disappointed. You can jump into the series anywhere, no spoilers.

typically good story, with a bit too much violence

Ferrione delivers another outstanding performance in narrating this most recent Sandford book featuring Lycas Davenport. Having listened to so many of the Davenport books Ferrione has become the voice of the main character and I can't imagine anyone else doing justice to the series at this point. He is particularly good at delivering the voice of the bad guys, you can almost feel the evil.
The plot has enough twists to keep you listening long into the night. While you know the identity of the villain from the start, that does not detract from the suspense. It is more a matter of how they will get caught or stopped as opposed to whether they will get caught. As sometimes occurs in the series minor bad guys do sometimes get away in either whole or in part.
My only criticism is the gratuitous violence. This one seems to have more then is necessary to move the story line and develop the characters.
Would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a police procedural with suspence and a fair dose of humor.
Sandford's other character Virgil Flowers makes some cameo appearances in this book. As Davenport and Flowers exist in the same fictional world this occurs often throughout the two series. I can't wait for the next entry into the Flower's series as Virgil is set to become the Father of twins. Davenport's wife, daughter and son are also updated in this one.

Disappointed:

I have been a John Sanford fan for many years. Love both the Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers series. However, It seemed to me that John Sanford didn't write this book. Hardly anything about Lucas and his life. Most of the book was taken up with the villains in the story. If Sanford did indeed write this book, it seems to this long time fan, that he just "phoned it in".

I realize the series has gone on for 29 books. Maybe it is time for the author to consider retirement for Lucas.

I am sorry for this negative review, but hope he takes more time and effort if he does continue with the series.

Sanford still has it

Well written, enough sex and violence to keep it interesting with a good storyline.Richard Ferrone is spectacular as usual.

Another Winner

Great story and love the character development
Of Lucas and the crew. Keep it up JS!!!!

Just not his best..

Narrator was terrific! But the story stalled. Didn't have the fresh, aggressive "pop" Sanford had earlier.

Disapointing

Been waiting months for this one. Not much to it. I have to the best of my knowledge don all of the Prey books. This is not up to expectation.

Buckle Up - This one gets pretty bumpy

Tense action in a typical Prey book with Lucas Davenport and his US Marshall sidekicks, Rae and Bob. Lucas is aging, but he is still up to chasing down criminals with ferocity. The criminals in this book are some of the worst of any in the Prey books. Deese is a canibal killer who works for a vicious loan shark, who is a lawyer. I believe i repeat myself. Lucas chases Deese from Louisiana to California to Las Vegas. Deese is accompanied by several other baddies, They are quite experienced in crime and evading capture. The action is tense and I was riveted to the story from the beginning to the end. In fact, I did not sleep until I finished. I believe this book will be pivotal in both the Prey and the Virgil Flowers series. Lucas and Virgil are together at the end of the book when the former Governor of MN calls and tells them something dire is going on. Also we may see one or two of the characters from Neon Prey reappear in the next Prey book. Whatever happens, it is going to be exciting.

Richard Ferrone is an excellent narrator, His wonderful voice and expressive reading make it an additional pleasure to slide into a Lucas Davenport book. His talent, paired with the writing skill of John Sandford, results in a most rewarding listening experience.