Stolen Prey

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Lucas Davenport has seen many terrible murder scenes. This is one of the worst. In the small Minnesota town of Deephaven, an entire family has been killed - husband, wife, two daughters, dogs.

There’s something about the scene that pokes at Lucas’s cop instincts - it looks an awful lot like the kind of scorched-earth retribution he’s seen in drug killings sometimes. But this is a seriously upscale town, and the husband was an executive vice president at a big bank. It just doesn’t seem to fit.

Until it does. And where it leads Lucas will take him into the darkest nightmare of his life.

©2012 John Sandford (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

Sanford writes another winner!

I have eagerly awaited this latest book in the Lucas Davenport series and I was not dissappointed. I really would have liked to give in 4 1/2 stars, if it were possible. I very seldom give 5 stars. I save those for extraordinary books (like A Prayer for Owen Meany, Angela's Ashes, and Pride and Prejudice - to name a few).

Lucas and Weather now have three children - Letty (adopted), Sam and a new baby girl. There was no mention of Lucas's daughter by Jenny. I really like the character Letty, and she plays an important role in this book .Most of the reoccuring characters from previous Davenport books appear in Stolen Prey.

A random crime against Lucas begins the book, followed by an especially gruesome murder of a family. Lucas in involved in investigating the crime and the murders. The murders involve a cruel and dangerous gang from Mexico. The action is fast paced. The dialogue is snappy and witty. Lucas is his typical macho self and still has his personal code of ethics/morals. The narrator does a very good job with this book.

I found myself torn about whom was responsible for the murders and violence. Should I blame the relative harmless people who unknowlingly set the viscious gang in motion, or do I blame the viscious gang who performed the attacks - or both?

Great book, and it could stand alone if you don't mind references to events or people from previous books. However I believe it would be even more enjoyable if you have been keeping up with the series from the beginning, as I have. Even though I have read or listened to every book in the Lucas Davenport series, there were some references to prevous events that I don't recall. It makes me want to go revisit previous Davenport books. Most of all, it makes me want Sandford to write the next book in the series.

I think you will be glad you purchased Stolen Prey.

Sandford Gives A Jaw Dropping Ending!

Would you listen to Stolen Prey again? Why?

I'm already listening to it for a second time, I think there may be a third.

What did you like best about this story?

It had me seriously involved within the first five minutes. I'm so impressed with how the depth of the two stories had me wanting to keep reading because I just needed to know what was going to happen next.

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

Ferrone needs to work on his breathing, it was slightly distracting but his overall performance was very well done ... As usual.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The best of the entire series.

Any additional comments?

I have been reading Davenport for years, never missed a release. Some have Impressed me and some not so much. This one is by far his best. I was so shocked at the end that I had to listen to it three times.

Another winner in the Prey series

I've enjoyed just about all of Sandford's Prey series with Lucas Davenport. I also have become of fan of Vergil Flowers who makes his usual cameo in this story. The one thing this novel lacked was an excellent climax. You knew what was happening and there weren't any twists to getcha. Even the subplot conclusion left something to be desired. With that said, how can you not like these Davenport stories if you're a fan of this genre. And Richard Ferrone as narrator hits his usual home run. Keep 'em coming, Mr. Sandford.

One of the best in the series

I've listened to or read all the books in the Sandford Prey series. This is certainly one of his finest. Combination thriller and police procedural the plot couldn't be better and the characters more interesting and diverse. That Sandford can bring such quality after all the books in the Davenport stories is a testament to his incredible writing. There is a momentum of tension and suspense that is so compelling that I dare you to listen to this one and then not buy and download Easy Prey. Richard Ferrone is THE perfect choice for the narrator. Very compelling

Vintage Sandford

Any additional comments?

This reminds of what I really liked about the early Prey novels - a concentration on the plot that is both complex and believable. The story works on every level and the subplot with Virgil Flowers adds a little bit of humor as usual. Well done.

Sandford and Ferrone - Winners Once Again

Is it possible to fall in love with an author/narrator/protagonist combo? Yes, indeed. Sandford, Ferrone and that sometimes naughty Davenport rock the story.

John Sandford used incredibly good judgment choosing Richard Ferrone. Long live authors who "listen" to their own books being read!

More like a 3.5 star rating

This book has everything you would want from a Davenport novel. The bad guys with humor, a salty cope we just adore, the salty cop's friends, cop's perfect family and a plot that keeps the reader engaged. Good easy to listen to kinda mystery. I really liked this one.

Same Lucas...Same Story

If you like Lucas Davenport, as I do, you will like this book. It's vintage stuff.

If you would like to see something new in the series, you're going to be in for a disappointment. It's the standard Sandford stuff that you've seen before. No new ground...no new twists.

It's completely listenable and keeps chugging forward as a good detective novel should. It's just not anything new.

Sandford deviates from his recipe!

I've discussed author John Sandford's recipe for writing his detective thrillers in earlier reviews. In this novel he goes outside the twin cities to a small town and the antagonists are not "normal" serial killers. Stolen Prey involves a Mexican drug gang. Lucas' and Weather's adopted teen daughter is my favorite character in the more recent books in this series. This book also has Weather and their two young children as significant characters. Richard Ferrone narrates as always. I awarded Stolen Prey 5 stars but it is not one of the four best books in the series. This book was released in 2912.

Trivia: John Sandford is a pen name. The author's name is John Clay who was a well known journalist when he released his first books in 1989.

sanford and ferrone have nailed it again!

Would you consider the audio edition of Stolen Prey to be better than the print version?

Any book would be improved by Richard Ferrone. But the book stands on its own.

What did you like best about this story?

There is a funny little subplot weaves its way thru an intense, gory story. Keeps things moving and lightens the mood.

Any additional comments?

Start here if you wish, but don't miss Sanford's previous Davenport books! Great plots, character development, etc every single time.