Book Review: Naked Prey

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Naked Prey     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
John Sandford
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Police Procedural
Series: Lucas Davenport # 14
Putnam 2003

I always look forward to a new book featuring Lucas Davenport. In this entry, he is happily married and a new father, living in a newly constructed home. Now working for the state of Minnesota running a special troubleshooting branch of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Davenport joined his boss when she was "kicked upstairs" by reason of a change in state government.

BCA receives the distressing report of two people found nude & hanged in the far northern section of the state. The woman victim is white, her male companion in death is black. No one wants the publicity arising from the dreaded word "lynching" and Davenport, with his assistant Del, is dispatched to the small community to investigate the deaths as quickly and expeditiously as possible.

The case develops into a wider ring of involvement than just the small rural community where the bodies were found, and involves drug smuggling, resale of stolen vehicles, the mysterious disappearance of two young girls, and a truly evil villian remaining hidden from everyone's awareness, including Davenport's.

Certain aspects of Davenport's character have in the past not landed him on my "most admired citizen" list - but as a reader I was gratified to get a brief glimpse that his womanizing streak has not been laid to a final rest. But the softer side of his persona is developed quite nicely here - as he meets a young orphaned girl. I'm hoping Letty becomes a continuing character as the Prey series continues.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM