Rules of Prey (Lucas Davenport, No. 1)
by John Sandford
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Book Reviews of Rules of Prey (Lucas Davenport, No. 1)
Book Review: FAST PACE Audio Unabridged 10cds
Summary: 4 Stars
Rules of Prey is the first in an incredibly long and successful series by author John Sandford.
Davenport is a maverick, brilliant, somewhat-womanising detective. A cocky loner on the surface, but the deeper you dig the more sensitivity and warmth you find.
The story is a good one and involves a serial killer whose identity is introduced to the reader at the beginning of the book. We get into the killer's head and we follow him around to the scenes of his crimes but also into his everyday life at work and home as well.The killer, referred to as "maddog", has certain rules that he follows so not to get caught. He never kills anyone he knows, only kills women, never has a motive, and never uses the same weapon twice He always leaves a note at each crime scene communicating one of his rules. Not only does this serve as a challenge to our main character, Lucas Davenport, it is also the killer's "in your face" way of letting Lucas know that he is someone to be reckoned with.
Book Review: 1989 mystery/thriller/police procedural introduces Detective Lucas Davenport
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first of John Sandford's successful series of mystery/thriller/police procedural novels starring Detective Lucas Davenport of the Minneapolis Police Department. Lucas is tasked with catching the "mad dog" serial killer who has been terrorizing women in the Twin Cities. Lucas works independently but coordinates with a team of policemen, reporters, street-level sources and others. His side income from writing computer games allows him some luxuries like a Porsche and a vacation home. The third person omniscient point of view alternates between Lucas and the killer, so the reader can follow each character's thoughts and methodology. Sandford offers a crisp pace that engages the reader. The details are occasionally dark and gory but never seem sensationalist. The setting is 1990 and the dated technological references like "IBM computer" and "payphone" are charming. I bought the second book "Shadow Prey" before finishing this one and look forward to reading more in this voluminous series.Book Review: Heard the "Prey" Novels Rocked, So...
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a huge fan of Harlan Coben, Michael Conelly, Lee Child, and the like, and was told by a friend that I have to check out John Sanford's "Prey" novels. I always start at the beginning of a series, so I picked up "Rules of Prey" and am happy to report I was not at all disappointed with this read, and look forward to the rest of Sanford's novels.
I find it interesting that most of the poor reviews given to this novel were by women but, then again, our hero, Lucas Davenport, is not exactly going to appeal to anyone with liberal or feministic values. He's a no BS, macho, womanizing cop, and a FICTIONAL one, I might add and, obviously, Sanford is catering to an audience that wants a cop who doesn't play by the rules when trying to catch a scumbag like The Maddog. I couldn't put this novel down, and found it to be everything I look for in a good thriller, with lots of twists. It was sexy at times, violent and hard-boiled, and kept a consistent pace from start to finish.
Book Review: Excellent debut to an awesome series
Summary: 5 Stars
Introducing us to Lucas Davenport, cop and video games creator, "Rules of Prey" is a thrill ride from start to finish. Taking us back and forth from the mind of maddog - a serial killer with a thing for small, dark-haired woman and a penchant for leaving notes with rules for serial killers to follow with his victims' bodies - to Davenport's attempts to track the maddog down, this excellent police procedural is sure to please anyone who likes a good thriller.
Set in the Mini-Apple (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN), with the sky-ways in the downtown areas and the narrow twisting streets in downtown St. Paul, this book introduces us to many of the players we will see in upcoming books, such as Elle (or Sister Mary Joseph - an old friend of Lucas', a nun and a psychologist), Sloan, Chief Daniels, and Jennifer Carey - just to name a few.
A great book and a great beginning to a great series - don't miss this one!
Book Review: Thump Your Chest - Grab Female
Summary: 3 Stars
Lucas is a living breathing cliché, but at least he shoves it in your face and makes you like it. He takes the law into his own hands and isn't afraid to score chicks while he does it. Sound chest bumping and sexist? Well, it is. But for some reason, you forgive Davenport and cheer for him.
I picked this book up to learn more about the Twin Cities. Sanford delivered on his lifelong relationship with the community and gave me what I wanted.
The technical jargon was smothered on a little thick, but I'm sure cop geeks will love it. The serial killer was the most interesting character to me. I haven't pulled the trigger on any of Sanford's other books yet. The second in the series doesn't grab me with its premise, and I hate to move forward without reading it. That being said, I'm not willing to give up on Sanford. This book was about what I expected, but delivered above par.