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Lucas Davenport #36
Revenge Prey
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26Lucas Davenport must track down a ruthless Russian hit team, in this latest thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author John Sandford.
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 7, 2026
5 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
John Sandford
234 books9,631 followersJohn Sandford is the pen name of John Roswell Camp, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author known for his gripping thrillers and popular crime series. After earning degrees in history, literature, and journalism from the University of Iowa, Camp began his writing career as a reporter, first at The Miami Herald and later at The Saint Paul Pioneer Press, where he earned critical acclaim for in-depth series on Native American communities and American farm life. His work won him the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing in 1986.
In 1989, Camp transitioned into fiction, publishing two novels: The Fool's Run under his real name and Rules of Prey under the pseudonym John Sandford. The latter launched the long-running “Prey” series, starring Lucas Davenport, a sharp, fearless investigator navigating politically sensitive crimes across Minnesota and beyond. The series grew to include spin-offs and crossovers, notably featuring characters like Virgil Flowers, a laid-back BCA agent with a sharp wit, and Letty Davenport, Lucas's equally determined daughter, who stars in her own series starting in 2022.
Sandford’s books have consistently appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, with over two dozen debuting at number one. Known for his dynamic storytelling, fast pacing, and keen attention to detail, Sandford combines his journalistic roots with a gift for character-driven narratives. He remains an avid reader and outdoorsman, and continues to write compelling fiction that resonates with readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers grounded in realism and driven by memorable protagonists.
In 1989, Camp transitioned into fiction, publishing two novels: The Fool's Run under his real name and Rules of Prey under the pseudonym John Sandford. The latter launched the long-running “Prey” series, starring Lucas Davenport, a sharp, fearless investigator navigating politically sensitive crimes across Minnesota and beyond. The series grew to include spin-offs and crossovers, notably featuring characters like Virgil Flowers, a laid-back BCA agent with a sharp wit, and Letty Davenport, Lucas's equally determined daughter, who stars in her own series starting in 2022.
Sandford’s books have consistently appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, with over two dozen debuting at number one. Known for his dynamic storytelling, fast pacing, and keen attention to detail, Sandford combines his journalistic roots with a gift for character-driven narratives. He remains an avid reader and outdoorsman, and continues to write compelling fiction that resonates with readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers grounded in realism and driven by memorable protagonists.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 22, 2025
I need to start off by saying that I am a huge fan of this author and this series. We are well over 50 books with this series and with the spin offs- Virgil Flowers, Letty Davenport, etc. So, yep, I am always thrilled when I get the opportunity to read an ARC.
I was thinking when I was reading this, that Lucas has gone through so many changes in his career. First as a beat cop, then the BCA, then his work with the Senators, and now his work with the US Marshals. The thing is, even though he is "officially" working for the US Marshals, he is really pretty much doing his own thing, but able to use his creds for the Marshals and contacts with everyone else to help him when he needs help. Not sure if that makes sense or not but it just felt to me that Lucas was entering yet another different phase of his career.
In this case, Lucas and fellow agent Shelly White are called out to help when there is a new Russian family being installed in a new home under the Witness Protection Program. These people- the Russian Family - they were not good people. The father was responsible for many crimes in Russia in the name of the Russian government that included torture and other things that are better left unsaid.
Unfortunately, there is a leak somewhere in the information regarding their schedule and accommodations and a Russian hit squad attacks the house. They miss the target - Leonid Sokolov - and miss his son Bernie, but kill his wife.
Things take off from there as Lucas joins a new character - CIA Agent John Sherwood - as they are in a hunt to find and stop the hit team while the hit team is determined to try again, and to keep trying until they fulfill their orders. These orders come from the very highest levels in Russia - like the President. So, needless to say, they cannot quit until the job is done.
I liked the new relationship between Sherwood and Davenport. They have a unique type of camaraderie that made for entertaining, interesting, and funny banter and definitely held my interest. There was a bit of a change in the pacing in the middle of the book that caused the story to stall a bit, but things picked back up as we got near the end of the storyline . The tension continued to build and build as the climax approached.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on April 7, 2026.
I was thinking when I was reading this, that Lucas has gone through so many changes in his career. First as a beat cop, then the BCA, then his work with the Senators, and now his work with the US Marshals. The thing is, even though he is "officially" working for the US Marshals, he is really pretty much doing his own thing, but able to use his creds for the Marshals and contacts with everyone else to help him when he needs help. Not sure if that makes sense or not but it just felt to me that Lucas was entering yet another different phase of his career.
In this case, Lucas and fellow agent Shelly White are called out to help when there is a new Russian family being installed in a new home under the Witness Protection Program. These people- the Russian Family - they were not good people. The father was responsible for many crimes in Russia in the name of the Russian government that included torture and other things that are better left unsaid.
Unfortunately, there is a leak somewhere in the information regarding their schedule and accommodations and a Russian hit squad attacks the house. They miss the target - Leonid Sokolov - and miss his son Bernie, but kill his wife.
Things take off from there as Lucas joins a new character - CIA Agent John Sherwood - as they are in a hunt to find and stop the hit team while the hit team is determined to try again, and to keep trying until they fulfill their orders. These orders come from the very highest levels in Russia - like the President. So, needless to say, they cannot quit until the job is done.
I liked the new relationship between Sherwood and Davenport. They have a unique type of camaraderie that made for entertaining, interesting, and funny banter and definitely held my interest. There was a bit of a change in the pacing in the middle of the book that caused the story to stall a bit, but things picked back up as we got near the end of the storyline . The tension continued to build and build as the climax approached.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on April 7, 2026.
November 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. PUTNAM'S SONS for the advanced reader copy, all opinions are my own.
It's safe to say the Davenport series is the longest running series I've read across the last 30 years of my life and yet somehow, John Sandford keeps it fresh and interesting every time. These books are a total thrill ride right from the get-go.
In this latest episode, Lucas and Shelly White are on assignment to help guard three Russian Nationals in the woods when they suddenly come under fire. From there the book tears forward like a runaway car as the Russian assassins attempting to kill the people Lucas and Shelly are protecting just keep trying.
This was a total cat-and-mouse adventure introducing us to a new and fascinating character from the CIA, John Sherwood who I certainly hope we haven't seem the last of.
As usual, I flew thru it..My only complaint is that I can't read these books slowly. Highly recommend...fans of Lucas Davenport will NOT be disappointed.
It's safe to say the Davenport series is the longest running series I've read across the last 30 years of my life and yet somehow, John Sandford keeps it fresh and interesting every time. These books are a total thrill ride right from the get-go.
In this latest episode, Lucas and Shelly White are on assignment to help guard three Russian Nationals in the woods when they suddenly come under fire. From there the book tears forward like a runaway car as the Russian assassins attempting to kill the people Lucas and Shelly are protecting just keep trying.
This was a total cat-and-mouse adventure introducing us to a new and fascinating character from the CIA, John Sherwood who I certainly hope we haven't seem the last of.
As usual, I flew thru it..My only complaint is that I can't read these books slowly. Highly recommend...fans of Lucas Davenport will NOT be disappointed.
November 11, 2025
Revenge Prey is the 36th book in the Lucas Davenport Prey series from John Sandford.
"The marshals are moving a Russian defector into Witness Protection when he is shot by a hit team. Lucas and his partner fire back and manage to wound one of the assassins. Now they have to find them and find the leak that brought them to the door."
All of these books are standalones. That said it was nice to see some old characters make an appearance like Del, Virgil and Letty. This is a chase story. There's a hit and Lucas uses his skill as a bad-guy hunter to find the assassins. His interactions with the CIA spook are different from previous books with the fashion shmoozing and willingness to push the limits of due process. The story is fast-paced and hard to put down. Lots of surprises - like where the leak comes from - and how the story works out. There are hints of a Sherwood - Letty collaboration. That should make for a great book.
Another great Lucas Davenport story.
"The marshals are moving a Russian defector into Witness Protection when he is shot by a hit team. Lucas and his partner fire back and manage to wound one of the assassins. Now they have to find them and find the leak that brought them to the door."
All of these books are standalones. That said it was nice to see some old characters make an appearance like Del, Virgil and Letty. This is a chase story. There's a hit and Lucas uses his skill as a bad-guy hunter to find the assassins. His interactions with the CIA spook are different from previous books with the fashion shmoozing and willingness to push the limits of due process. The story is fast-paced and hard to put down. Lots of surprises - like where the leak comes from - and how the story works out. There are hints of a Sherwood - Letty collaboration. That should make for a great book.
Another great Lucas Davenport story.
November 9, 2025
Thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for this eARC.
Revenge Prey, the latest installment in John Sandford’s long-running Lucas Davenport series, is a high-octane thriller that delivers on action but occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own formula. While Sandford’s signature pacing and procedural precision remain intact, this entry feels more like a well-oiled machine than a fresh evolution of the series.
The premise is timely and ambitious: Davenport is tasked with protecting a high-value Russian defector and his family, now living under witness protection in the U.S. When a ruthless hit squad breaches their suburban sanctuary, the novel pivots into a tense manhunt that spans multiple states and agencies. The stakes are global, but the execution remains grounded in Sandford’s trademark procedural realism.
Where Revenge Prey excels is in its structure and momentum. Sandford knows how to build tension, and the novel’s early chapters are tightly wound, with clean transitions between investigative beats and action sequences. The pacing rarely falters, and the logistics of the manhunt—surveillance, inter-agency friction, and tactical response—are rendered with convincing detail.
However, the novel’s emotional core feels underdeveloped. Lucas Davenport, once a character of sharp wit and moral complexity, now operates more like a tactical instrument than a fully realized protagonist. His internal conflicts are muted, and his interactions with other characters—especially the defector’s family—lack the depth that could have elevated the story beyond its procedural shell. The villains, too, are efficient but thinly drawn, serving more as plot accelerants than psychological foils.
Thematically, the novel gestures toward questions of loyalty, identity, and the cost of truth in a world shaped by espionage and disinformation. Yet these ideas remain largely in the background, overshadowed by the mechanics of the chase. There are moments where Sandford hints at deeper moral ambiguity—particularly in the portrayal of U.S. intelligence operations—but these threads are never fully explored.
In terms of series continuity, Revenge Prey offers familiar pleasures: crisp dialogue, methodical plotting, and a protagonist who gets the job done. But for readers hoping for character growth or thematic innovation, this entry may feel like a holding pattern. It’s a solid thriller, but one that plays it safe—reliable, but not revelatory.
For fans of the series, it’s a competent addition, but I preferred the early books.
For newcomers, it’s accessible but unlikely to showcase the full range of what Sandford’s earlier work achieved. If the series is a long-running symphony, Revenge Prey is a well-executed reprise—technically sound, with only echoing notes we’ve heard before from this typically stellar series.
Revenge Prey, the latest installment in John Sandford’s long-running Lucas Davenport series, is a high-octane thriller that delivers on action but occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own formula. While Sandford’s signature pacing and procedural precision remain intact, this entry feels more like a well-oiled machine than a fresh evolution of the series.
The premise is timely and ambitious: Davenport is tasked with protecting a high-value Russian defector and his family, now living under witness protection in the U.S. When a ruthless hit squad breaches their suburban sanctuary, the novel pivots into a tense manhunt that spans multiple states and agencies. The stakes are global, but the execution remains grounded in Sandford’s trademark procedural realism.
Where Revenge Prey excels is in its structure and momentum. Sandford knows how to build tension, and the novel’s early chapters are tightly wound, with clean transitions between investigative beats and action sequences. The pacing rarely falters, and the logistics of the manhunt—surveillance, inter-agency friction, and tactical response—are rendered with convincing detail.
However, the novel’s emotional core feels underdeveloped. Lucas Davenport, once a character of sharp wit and moral complexity, now operates more like a tactical instrument than a fully realized protagonist. His internal conflicts are muted, and his interactions with other characters—especially the defector’s family—lack the depth that could have elevated the story beyond its procedural shell. The villains, too, are efficient but thinly drawn, serving more as plot accelerants than psychological foils.
Thematically, the novel gestures toward questions of loyalty, identity, and the cost of truth in a world shaped by espionage and disinformation. Yet these ideas remain largely in the background, overshadowed by the mechanics of the chase. There are moments where Sandford hints at deeper moral ambiguity—particularly in the portrayal of U.S. intelligence operations—but these threads are never fully explored.
In terms of series continuity, Revenge Prey offers familiar pleasures: crisp dialogue, methodical plotting, and a protagonist who gets the job done. But for readers hoping for character growth or thematic innovation, this entry may feel like a holding pattern. It’s a solid thriller, but one that plays it safe—reliable, but not revelatory.
For fans of the series, it’s a competent addition, but I preferred the early books.
For newcomers, it’s accessible but unlikely to showcase the full range of what Sandford’s earlier work achieved. If the series is a long-running symphony, Revenge Prey is a well-executed reprise—technically sound, with only echoing notes we’ve heard before from this typically stellar series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
[Personal Note: I started tracking every book I read many years ago, and Revenge Prey was the 1,000th book I’ve read since then. That was on purpose.
John Sandford was one of the first adult authors I read as I was growing up because he was on my father’s bookshelf and that’s where I shopped for reads as a kid. I started reading him even before I started tracking all the books I read. Even still, Sandford (by a lot) makes up more of those one thousand books than any other author—over fifty spots. So thank you so much to Putnam Books for allowing me to read Sandford’s new Prey novel early so it could be number 1,000. I deeply appreciate it.]
You get this many books deep into a series and business-as-usual is certainly a sword that could cut both ways. Revenge Prey is an example of a novel doing just that.
The first half of the narrative is told in a fevered pitch—the action is fast and sharp and hectic—yet Revenge starts off very rote. Sandford knows what he’s doing, but he’s done it so many times the story feels reported rather than spun. I knew I should be excited as a reader, but the dryness permeated the prose. It felt like a series thirty-six books deep.
The second half of the narrative slowed down a touch, and then Sandford started doing what he does, man. It had rhythm, it had A+ dialogue, it had the cat-and-mouseness of all the best Preys. I was back in front of a master of this type of tale and this genre. It felt like a series thirty-six books deep (but in a completely better way). There are touches to these books now, that while, yeah, you could jump in any old place, for series vets, it’s like being back with old friends, reliving amazing times, and just feeling like you hope it never ends. Between Lucas, Virgil, and Letty this is the fiftieth (!) outing, and it feels like it. This is a universe of story and it’s hard not to be awed by it.
The last two Preys have done something very interesting that Sandford doesn’t do a lot. He never ties everything up perfectly, but these last two have left some juicy dangling fruit that the reader can’t help but wonder if he’ll return to. If not, it’s a fascinating thought exercise for our imagination. If he does come back to it, well, this universe getting even bigger makes me smile.
Recommended for all thriller fans (but especially—especially those Lucas/Virgil/Letty-ites like me) and also fans of watching someone who can take dialogue to the absolute highest of heights. He’s a joy to watch work.
Thank you to Putnam Books again for providing an uncorrected ARC via NetGalley. I’m so glad this was #1,000.
John Sandford was one of the first adult authors I read as I was growing up because he was on my father’s bookshelf and that’s where I shopped for reads as a kid. I started reading him even before I started tracking all the books I read. Even still, Sandford (by a lot) makes up more of those one thousand books than any other author—over fifty spots. So thank you so much to Putnam Books for allowing me to read Sandford’s new Prey novel early so it could be number 1,000. I deeply appreciate it.]
You get this many books deep into a series and business-as-usual is certainly a sword that could cut both ways. Revenge Prey is an example of a novel doing just that.
The first half of the narrative is told in a fevered pitch—the action is fast and sharp and hectic—yet Revenge starts off very rote. Sandford knows what he’s doing, but he’s done it so many times the story feels reported rather than spun. I knew I should be excited as a reader, but the dryness permeated the prose. It felt like a series thirty-six books deep.
The second half of the narrative slowed down a touch, and then Sandford started doing what he does, man. It had rhythm, it had A+ dialogue, it had the cat-and-mouseness of all the best Preys. I was back in front of a master of this type of tale and this genre. It felt like a series thirty-six books deep (but in a completely better way). There are touches to these books now, that while, yeah, you could jump in any old place, for series vets, it’s like being back with old friends, reliving amazing times, and just feeling like you hope it never ends. Between Lucas, Virgil, and Letty this is the fiftieth (!) outing, and it feels like it. This is a universe of story and it’s hard not to be awed by it.
The last two Preys have done something very interesting that Sandford doesn’t do a lot. He never ties everything up perfectly, but these last two have left some juicy dangling fruit that the reader can’t help but wonder if he’ll return to. If not, it’s a fascinating thought exercise for our imagination. If he does come back to it, well, this universe getting even bigger makes me smile.
Recommended for all thriller fans (but especially—especially those Lucas/Virgil/Letty-ites like me) and also fans of watching someone who can take dialogue to the absolute highest of heights. He’s a joy to watch work.
Thank you to Putnam Books again for providing an uncorrected ARC via NetGalley. I’m so glad this was #1,000.
December 6, 2025
Three things that you can expect when picking up a John Sandford “Prey” title are that Lucas Davenport is going to get into trouble, somehow squirm his way out, and bullets will be flying back and forth with regularity. His law enforcement career, spanning local, state, and federal agencies, has had Lucas crossing the legal/illegal line (with an "orders are for others" attitude) always with the goal of protecting the public. Revenge Prey has Lucas, now carrying a U.S. Marshal’s badge, and his partner, Shelley White, assisting the FBI and CIA is relocating a high level Russian defector and his family into their new home as part of the Witness Protection Program. Their supposedly secret “homecoming” is met with sniper fire from a Russian hit team causing the death of the wrong family member. The immediate aftermath has Lucas and the feds asking who took the shot and how did the closely held site location leak to the shooter. So begins the suspenseful hunt for the Russian sniper team and uncovering the source of the leak.
A new character is introduced in this long running series that provides the type of banter Lucas and Virgil Flowers engaged in in earlier adventures. John Sherwood shows up following the shooting and is immediately pegged by Lucas as a CIA spook. John never admits to being from the CIA but never denies it. Lucas and John are basically told by the FBI to leave the investigation to the feds. So Lucas and John go their own way when critical information comes forward that they decide not to share with the FBI. The two play off each other wonderfully and are integral in pursuing the relentless attacks on the defector by the Russians. Lucas uses his experience and contacts—John is in touch with Washington intelligence community throughout—to track down and expose the Russians in an exciting and suspenseful chase towards the book’s end.
Revenge Prey is another satisfying and highly entertaining addition to the book series. John Sandford skillfully keeps the series fresh. Lucas admits he is aging and slowing down physically but the strong motivation remains to pursue and stop those who have chosen to break the law.
My thanks to G.P. Putnam & Sons Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide a review on the latest entry in the outstanding Lucas Davenport “Prey” series.
A new character is introduced in this long running series that provides the type of banter Lucas and Virgil Flowers engaged in in earlier adventures. John Sherwood shows up following the shooting and is immediately pegged by Lucas as a CIA spook. John never admits to being from the CIA but never denies it. Lucas and John are basically told by the FBI to leave the investigation to the feds. So Lucas and John go their own way when critical information comes forward that they decide not to share with the FBI. The two play off each other wonderfully and are integral in pursuing the relentless attacks on the defector by the Russians. Lucas uses his experience and contacts—John is in touch with Washington intelligence community throughout—to track down and expose the Russians in an exciting and suspenseful chase towards the book’s end.
Revenge Prey is another satisfying and highly entertaining addition to the book series. John Sandford skillfully keeps the series fresh. Lucas admits he is aging and slowing down physically but the strong motivation remains to pursue and stop those who have chosen to break the law.
My thanks to G.P. Putnam & Sons Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide a review on the latest entry in the outstanding Lucas Davenport “Prey” series.
November 17, 2025
Another fantastic book by John Sandford. Seriously, how does this man do it? His imagination must never rest.
This time, his latest effort is "Revenge Prey". And I'm happy to say that it is a fantastic book. I have followed the author for years, and have watched as his main character, Lucas Davenport, grows just a bit more with each book. I now feel like I know Davenport, and while reading the series, feel like I am riding alongside of him in his work.
In this book, a Russian assassination team is sent to the US to kill a defector who is now in the US's Witness Protection Program. Davenport finds himself teamed with a CIA agent, who is almost as quirky as he is. Davenport is still the same smart aleck, deep thinking, and talented man that he has always been. Except now he is older, more mature, a little more careful, and a little less reckless than in his earlier adventures. I loved how Davenport manages to continue to irritate annoying bureaucrats.
The plot is great. Easily worthy of a good movie (come on Hollywood, you're missing the boat here). Exciting, suspenseful, full of action. Wraps up nicely at the end. AND....I believe Sandford has set the stage for a continuation/expansion of his Letty Davenport series, adding the CIA agent into her world. It will be interesting to see, and I am looking forward to it.
Great book, as always!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance ARC of the book.
This time, his latest effort is "Revenge Prey". And I'm happy to say that it is a fantastic book. I have followed the author for years, and have watched as his main character, Lucas Davenport, grows just a bit more with each book. I now feel like I know Davenport, and while reading the series, feel like I am riding alongside of him in his work.
In this book, a Russian assassination team is sent to the US to kill a defector who is now in the US's Witness Protection Program. Davenport finds himself teamed with a CIA agent, who is almost as quirky as he is. Davenport is still the same smart aleck, deep thinking, and talented man that he has always been. Except now he is older, more mature, a little more careful, and a little less reckless than in his earlier adventures. I loved how Davenport manages to continue to irritate annoying bureaucrats.
The plot is great. Easily worthy of a good movie (come on Hollywood, you're missing the boat here). Exciting, suspenseful, full of action. Wraps up nicely at the end. AND....I believe Sandford has set the stage for a continuation/expansion of his Letty Davenport series, adding the CIA agent into her world. It will be interesting to see, and I am looking forward to it.
Great book, as always!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance ARC of the book.
November 23, 2025
John Sandford is a master storyteller and the Lucas Davenport series spotlights him at his best. He has other series (Virgil Flowers, his daughter Lettie, Kidd, but IMHO, none as powerful as this one). He always mixes a fast-moving plot with a great cast of characters familiar to readers and non-stop believable wit to make a story that is never boring and impossible to put down. I’m supposed to be studying for a test and I keep taking breaks to read "just one more chapter". In Revenge Prey, 36 of the Prey series, Luke is pulled into the US Marshal's Witness Protection Program for a Russian family being resettled in Minneapolis. Trouble is they left a lot of enemies who hate them for good reasons and few Americans who consider saving them as saving America. More like doing their job. Once there, the trouble starts. It becomes clear someone close to the task is telling their enemies how to find them. Mom is killed then father pretty much. Son who seems like a dufus party boy remains to carry on whatever their future holds. Lucas slowly pulls thread, figures out what is going on as only Lucas can.
My only complaint is the story is a tad more scatological and sexy than usual but maybe that’s me getting older. Overall a solid 5/5 and I can’t wait for the next.
My only complaint is the story is a tad more scatological and sexy than usual but maybe that’s me getting older. Overall a solid 5/5 and I can’t wait for the next.
November 29, 2025
Revenge Prey by John Sandford is everything I love about his work—excellent pacing, razor-sharp dialogue, and characters who feel like they’re breathing on the page. From the very first chapter, Sandford drops you into the heart of a thrilling hunt: a seemingly unstoppable Russian hit team on U.S. soil and a high-value Russian asset under FBI protection. The stakes are enormous, the danger is constant, and every chapter crackles with tension.
The pacing is vintage Sandford: fast without being rushed, smart without being over-explained. The twists land exactly when they should, and the final showdown is as satisfying as it is nerve-shredding. I particularly like how he adds layers of interesting characters to the world of Lucas Davenport and you know they'll turn up in a future book.
If you love thrillers that blend intelligence, international intrigue, and nonstop suspense, Revenge Prey is an absolute winner. John Sandford delivers once again—and I’d give it six stars if I could.
The pacing is vintage Sandford: fast without being rushed, smart without being over-explained. The twists land exactly when they should, and the final showdown is as satisfying as it is nerve-shredding. I particularly like how he adds layers of interesting characters to the world of Lucas Davenport and you know they'll turn up in a future book.
If you love thrillers that blend intelligence, international intrigue, and nonstop suspense, Revenge Prey is an absolute winner. John Sandford delivers once again—and I’d give it six stars if I could.
December 6, 2025
Another awesome adventure in the Lucas Davenport series. I get so excited whenever there is a new book. In this story, Lucas and Shelly White, a fellow marshal are to meet a Russian dissident, his wife and son at a hideaway near Minnesota. They will stay there until all is set to get them into the witness protection program.
However, there are those that do not want to see that happen. I don't want to give too much away, but a Russian hit team has found them. Lucas and Sherwood (CIA) need to find this team and take them in, or down.
This story flowed so smoothly and quickly. I could not put this book down. The banter between Lucas and Sherwood is priceless. However, Lucas is always the same and he speaks pretty frankly and he does things his way. Enjoy this book! I know did.
I would like to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for this early read.
However, there are those that do not want to see that happen. I don't want to give too much away, but a Russian hit team has found them. Lucas and Sherwood (CIA) need to find this team and take them in, or down.
This story flowed so smoothly and quickly. I could not put this book down. The banter between Lucas and Sherwood is priceless. However, Lucas is always the same and he speaks pretty frankly and he does things his way. Enjoy this book! I know did.
I would like to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for this early read.
November 7, 2025
Thanks to John Sandford, Putnam, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lucas is back in this thriller that involves a Russian hit team in Minnesota after a defector in the federal witness protection program. Lucas is assigned as part of the protection detail while the witness and his family are in a rural Minnesota home. There is an unexpected attack on the witness and Lucas must uncover the plot and discover the perpetrators before it is too late.
This is the 36th installment in the Prey series and it doesn’t disappoint. Many of the usual characters are there (Del, Weather, Mallard, and Letty among others) and the banter between the characters is first rate, as always. A great edition to the Prey series. Recommended.
Lucas is back in this thriller that involves a Russian hit team in Minnesota after a defector in the federal witness protection program. Lucas is assigned as part of the protection detail while the witness and his family are in a rural Minnesota home. There is an unexpected attack on the witness and Lucas must uncover the plot and discover the perpetrators before it is too late.
This is the 36th installment in the Prey series and it doesn’t disappoint. Many of the usual characters are there (Del, Weather, Mallard, and Letty among others) and the banter between the characters is first rate, as always. A great edition to the Prey series. Recommended.
November 17, 2025
Lucas Davenport is helping to secure the safe house for a Russian defector and his family. Everything looks clear until someone take a sniper shot at said defector and his wife is killed instead. Lucas and the other US Marshall Shelly White surprise the sniper team and are able to injury most of them, but the team is still mobile enough to get away and for the hunt to start. The sniper team also missed their target; will they have the opportunity to try again?
Getting involved in spooky stuff isn't completely abnormal for Lucas, but it is a fun change of pace from other recent books. As usual, this had a lot of great action and fun plot twists. If you are this far down the Prey rabbit hole, keep coming, you will enjoy the trip. If you haven't fallen down the rabbit hole yet, why not? All the cool kids are.
Getting involved in spooky stuff isn't completely abnormal for Lucas, but it is a fun change of pace from other recent books. As usual, this had a lot of great action and fun plot twists. If you are this far down the Prey rabbit hole, keep coming, you will enjoy the trip. If you haven't fallen down the rabbit hole yet, why not? All the cool kids are.
December 2, 2025
For an incredible 37 years, John Sandford has captivated readers with his ingenious wordplay in the "Prey" series. I'm so excited to hear your ideas on how to keep a long-standing mystery series moving forward! He's given us incredible characters that cross series lines for dynamic storytelling. Revenge Prey will leave you craving more of its pulse-pounding thrills. Lucas Davenport remains cocky and well-dressed as a federal marshall on the hunt for the bad guys that still troll Minnesota. You think you've seen this series forever, but what you won't see coming is the twist and a new friendship emerge.
I can't thank GP Putnam enough for giving me the chance to read this ARC on NetGalley and provide an honest review.
#NetGalley #RevengePrey #Goodreads #libraryninja📚
I can't thank GP Putnam enough for giving me the chance to read this ARC on NetGalley and provide an honest review.
#NetGalley #RevengePrey #Goodreads #libraryninja📚
November 11, 2025
I'm pretty sure I have read every book in this series so I was happy to receive this new one to read. Honestly, I think this one may be the best one yet. The twists and turns and the edge-of-your-seat ride is phenomenal. At first I couldn't put it down. Then when I got to towards the end, I DID put it down because I simply did not want it to end. Does that ever happen to you? A book is so good that you know you're going to be sad and lonely when you finish? I loved this one. It just keeps getting better and better.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It was truly a great one!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It was truly a great one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This latest installment of the Prey series did not disappoint! Lucas Davenport, US Marshall extraordinaire, is back and this time around teams up with a crafty CIA agent to track down a group of wily Russian assassins. This storyline felt like a return to the earlier books in terms of offering up an intriguing thriller that kept me guessing, which made me very happy, especially so since I wasn't able to figure out the mysteries ahead of the reveals.
Those of you who are like me and have read every book in the series (along with the Virgil Flowers and Letty Davenport novels) will appreciate the continued evolution of Lucas' development as a character working in law enforcement and navigating the politics associated with it. But you need not have read any of these books to enjoy this gripping thriller, really!
Again, like with prior books in the series, the characters include some strong females (one of the assassins and Shelly White returns as Luas' partner on the case), which is always nice to see in this genre. We also get some very brief appearances and updates on Virgil and Letty. All in all, this was a very satisfying mystery-thriller that kept me captivated from start to finish.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons/Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
Those of you who are like me and have read every book in the series (along with the Virgil Flowers and Letty Davenport novels) will appreciate the continued evolution of Lucas' development as a character working in law enforcement and navigating the politics associated with it. But you need not have read any of these books to enjoy this gripping thriller, really!
Again, like with prior books in the series, the characters include some strong females (one of the assassins and Shelly White returns as Luas' partner on the case), which is always nice to see in this genre. We also get some very brief appearances and updates on Virgil and Letty. All in all, this was a very satisfying mystery-thriller that kept me captivated from start to finish.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons/Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2025
3 stars
I found this novel to be mildly interesting and not as exciting as several other Lucas Davenport novels. The plot centers around a Russian family in the witness protection program and a search for a “mole” who seems to have all the information about their whereabouts. The book is wordy and overly long with many murders and untoward situations on the way to a startling conclusion. I thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication.
I found this novel to be mildly interesting and not as exciting as several other Lucas Davenport novels. The plot centers around a Russian family in the witness protection program and a search for a “mole” who seems to have all the information about their whereabouts. The book is wordy and overly long with many murders and untoward situations on the way to a startling conclusion. I thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication.
November 30, 2025
When a Russian hit team tried to take out a Russian defector moving into a safe house in Minnesota, Lucas Davenport and Shelly White were on their trail. But a game of cat and mouse ensued as the team tried again and sent the defector to the hospital which led the FBI and the U.S. Marshall Service to hunt for the mole providing inside information. And then the CIA joined in. A typical Lucas Davenport tale of action, banter, fashion and climactic gun fights. A fun read if you enjoy John Sanford.
Thanks Netgalley and Putnam for the chance to read this title!
Thanks Netgalley and Putnam for the chance to read this title!
November 2, 2025
A new John Sanford release is always cause for celebration, and this entry to the fabulous Lucas Davenport series does not disappoint.
Of course, they writing is great. That's always a delightful guarantee whenever you read a book by the author.
The story was fun and fast-paced, with a perfect amount of humor, although I really missed Virgil as a main character.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Of course, they writing is great. That's always a delightful guarantee whenever you read a book by the author.
The story was fun and fast-paced, with a perfect amount of humor, although I really missed Virgil as a main character.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book 36 of the Prey Series does not disappoint! Lucas is once again involved in a case which will keep the reader frantically turning the action packed pages to see how the story unfolds! I especially enjoyed the Sherwood (CIA) and Lucas banter and am excited to see how the Letty/Sherwood connection will develop in the future. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam books for the ARC. All opinions are my own. Rating: 4 stars Expected publication date: 07 Apr 2026
November 30, 2025
Another excellent Lucas Davenport. Introducing a new CiA character Sherwood who I hope will be around for more books because he's enjoyable. Great story - all about the Russians and so much inter agency craziness...clearly pretty factual!
December 11, 2025
Not his strongest: solid premise, but a bit uneven, some strange character choices, excessively-brutal moments that jar with characters’ commitment to the justice system (which has been well-established by this point). Full review to come.
November 2, 2025
As always, a fun ride. Will review closer to release.
December 2, 2025
Another solid installment in the Prey series by John Sandford. In this book we have Lucas Davenport and several other main characters investigating the death of a Russian national in US Witness Protection. This book did not involve Letty and other past characters as much I would have liked, but they are ancillary to the story. The action and the story line are solid and the reveal is unexpected. Recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
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