Has anyone read the John Sandford "Prey" series and, if so, any reviews?

[Vinca]

Should they be read in order of publication?

[leanforward]

1. Yes in order

The series is enjoyable. If you can read in order and watch the characters grow. or
Read whatever you can lay your hands on. Enjoy!

[Taraman]

2. Excellent series

The Virgil Flowers character especially.

I suggest you keep track of the titles you read, because the names are so similar.

[Taraman]

3. Another great series are the novels by Robert Crais

that should also be read in order. Good stuff.

[Princess Turandot]

4. I would read them in order...

The main character, Lucas Davenport, has 'life' changes over time that play a more than passing role in the stories, such as the job that he is in. I think it's better to read the books in sync with the development of his personal 'plot'.

This is one of my favorite series of all time. I have e-book copies of nearly all of them, and enjoy re-reading them.

As an FYI, the Lucas character in the initial 2-3 books isn't all that likable, but that changes by book 5. I think that Sandford was still in the character-development stage, including a romantic relationship for Lucas early-on that he seems to have had second thoughts about.

BTW, book 26, called Extreme Prey, is about a crazed assassination attempt on a female candidate running for the Democratic presidential nomination. Yes, that candidate, by a different name. It's a good one.

Here's the chronological order of the stories from Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/41404-lucas-davenport

[Timewas]

5. Yes

All of them and yes in order if possible. It is indeed a great series...But he also has series using some of the protagonists from the prey series, separate and every bit as good.

[cbabe]

6. Yes. Enjoyable entertainment. Yes read in order

Last edited Sat Mar 11, 2023, 11:05 PM - Edit history (1)

as characters change and develop and plots make back references.

Midwest locations of endless corn and bean fields in the earlier books. State fair with everything deep fried on a stick. Muskie fishing with mosquitos. Twin cities. Outlaw country music. Farmhouses with ancient lilac bushes.

Contemporary plots and tech.

Main characters Lucas and Virgil (in prey series and his own series crossover) are not perfect superheros which makes them more interesting with some humor.

Interesting female characters: Weather and Frankie. Elle and Lettie (who is getting her own series now she’s all grown up).

A few of the titles are a little too dark for me.

After you read the series, you can revisit favorites for old home week.

Edit: Sandford as a crime reporter in his early years which adds strong realism.

[Vinca]

7. Wow - thanks for the all the helpful answers! I just finished the Lee Child series

with Reacher and now I'm catching up on new books from some of my other favorites. I've collected a bunch of the Prey books from our local recycling shed, but I'll have to look for some of the earlier ones. I always regretted not reading the Jonathan Kellerman books with Alex Delaware and Milo in order, so a special thanks for that info.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

8. I've read part of it

Probably the first 10 or so books.

I liked the puzzle components of the mysteries, and the writing itself is quite good. Sandford was a journalist, and it shows--his writing is crisp and brisk. He knows how to get your interest--and keep it. Every book is a pretty good page-turner type.

The cons? Well, I'll address the biggest one first: Lucas Davenport is a complete jerk. He's arrogant, self-serving and self-centered. He's not emotionally vulnerable and compassionate like Michael Connelly's Hieronymous "Harry" Bosch. Bosch is mission-oriented to a fault. When he breaks the rules, he does it because it's the only path he can see to solve the crime, so that he can bring justice to the victim--the justice is always his motivation. Davenport will break the rules because...well, because he can't stand to lose. He seems to want to get the bad guys to win, not for justice or the necessary peace of mind that closure would bring to the victim and loved ones. It makes him just about as criminal as the perpetrators he pursues.

IOW, to me, he's a pompous prick. I couldn't stand him after a while, so I quit reading.

The mysteries themselves can also be quite gory and sadistic, so brace yourself for that.

Of course, how i see things won't be the way others do. But that's what I took from the series.

[Vinca]

9. Thanks for the feedback. I've still been collecting the books to read in order and I think I

have the first 5 in order. Maybe I should read those before I fill up the book shelf.

[Vinca]

10. Thought I'd update you all on my reading of the "Prey" series. First, I accumulated all

of them and I'm reading them in order. I'm totally, totally hooked. Great series. The one I'm currently into is the one where the antique dealers knock off old people and steal their stuff. As a former antique dealer, I'm especially enjoying this one. There's nothing like picking up a book and not wanting to put it down until it's completely read.

[Mz Pip]

11. I read quite a few of them

Then they seemed to get more and more graphically violent. Just not my thing.