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Lucas Davenport #13
Mortal Prey
Years ago, Lucas Davenport almost died at the hands of Clara Rinker, a pleasant, soft-spoken, low-key Southerner, and the best hitwoman in the business. Now retired and living in Mexico, she nearly dies herself when a sniper kills her boyfriend, the son of a local druglord, and while the boy's father vows vengeance, Rinker knows something he doesn't: The boy wasn't the target-she was-and now she is going to have to disappear to find the killer herself. The FBI and DEA draft Davenport to help track her down, and with his fiancie deep in wedding preparations, he's really just as happy to go-but he has no idea what he's getting into. For Rinker is as unpredictable as ever, and between her, her old bosses in the St. Louis mob, the Mexican druglord, and the combined, sometimes warring, forces of U.S. law enforcement, this is one case that will get more dangerous as it goes along. And when the crossfire comes, anyone standing in the middle won't stand a chance....
Filled with the rich characterization and exceptional drama that are his hallmarks, Mortal Prey proves that John Sandford just keeps getting better.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
1751 people are currently reading
4577 people want to read
About the author
John Sandford
237 books9,815 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 - 30 of 776 reviews
March 5, 2021
This is one of the times when I wish Lucas wasn't so lucky.
Who doesn't remember Clara Rinker? She was the one that got away. A killer for hire that was created and used by the St. Louis mob. She was the best at what she did, then she met Lucas, even danced with him, and she was almost able to beat him. She disappeared without a trace and the FBI had nowhere to go.
Years later, Clara is back on the FBI watch. Clara has been hiding in Mexico, she was in love and was pregnant when someone shot and killed her boyfriend, the son of a drug lord. They shoot her too and she loses her baby. The FBI will ask Lucas for help in tracking her. They believe she is coming back to the USA to seek revenge and they know he can help capture her and put her away for good. Lucas who is in the middle of a house renovation and wedding planning jumps at the opportunity to have another go at Clara.
This one was so well done! We know some of the FBI characters and Lucas meets a few more ex-cops that help with the investigation. The pace is fast and the twists are good ones.
Clara's character made me sad. She has lost everything and she has been used and manipulated for years. She was turned into a killer after years of abuse by men. She never had a chance.
Darn Iowa Kid.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Who doesn't remember Clara Rinker? She was the one that got away. A killer for hire that was created and used by the St. Louis mob. She was the best at what she did, then she met Lucas, even danced with him, and she was almost able to beat him. She disappeared without a trace and the FBI had nowhere to go.
Years later, Clara is back on the FBI watch. Clara has been hiding in Mexico, she was in love and was pregnant when someone shot and killed her boyfriend, the son of a drug lord. They shoot her too and she loses her baby. The FBI will ask Lucas for help in tracking her. They believe she is coming back to the USA to seek revenge and they know he can help capture her and put her away for good. Lucas who is in the middle of a house renovation and wedding planning jumps at the opportunity to have another go at Clara.
This one was so well done! We know some of the FBI characters and Lucas meets a few more ex-cops that help with the investigation. The pace is fast and the twists are good ones.
Clara's character made me sad. She has lost everything and she has been used and manipulated for years. She was turned into a killer after years of abuse by men. She never had a chance.
Darn Iowa Kid.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
May 20, 2018
Read a Lucas Davenport novel after a long time. Had read a couple of books in the series earlier, and not a single book has disappointed till date. I like the character of Assistant Minneapolis Police Chief Lucas Davenport – a good cop who does not mind bending the rules a little. He also made money by writing role-playing games. Different from the alcoholic and often tragic police detectives you often encounter in fiction.
Okay, now let us come to the story! It starts with the contract killing of a man – son of a Mexican drug lord, in Mexico. His pregnant girlfriend is injured and loses the baby. But, wait! It was not the fallout of a gang war – the man was not the intended victim. It was the girlfriend instead – a beautiful and intelligent American woman with a dangerous past!
The woman, Clara Rinker, recuperates, upgrades her deadly skills and returns to the States for her revenge. The FBI calls in Davenport as he had narrowly escaped being killed by Rinker once. And so begins the battle of wits and bullets between our protagonist and the killer. Davenport teams up with a bunch of ex-cops while Rinker takes the help of her loyal allies.
Rinker is not a woman to be messed with – she has brains and lethal with the gun. I enjoyed how she meticulously planned her killings, dodged the FBI, and managed to stay a step or rather several steps ahead of Davenport. Even the mighty FBI can’t intimidate her.
What I really liked about the book was how Rinker’s character was fleshed out. She is a ruthless killer, who kills without the slightest compunction, but there is a little goodness in her too. Quite a few characters in the story did admit that Rinker was a product of her traumatic childhood. In this novel, Clara Rinker was the most impactful character. I did sympathize with her, but never really rooted for her.
I am not going to say anything more and spoil the fun.
This is a fast-paced page turner. If you love suspense and thrills, then you won’t be disappointed. Would recommend to thriller lovers.
Okay, now let us come to the story! It starts with the contract killing of a man – son of a Mexican drug lord, in Mexico. His pregnant girlfriend is injured and loses the baby. But, wait! It was not the fallout of a gang war – the man was not the intended victim. It was the girlfriend instead – a beautiful and intelligent American woman with a dangerous past!
The woman, Clara Rinker, recuperates, upgrades her deadly skills and returns to the States for her revenge. The FBI calls in Davenport as he had narrowly escaped being killed by Rinker once. And so begins the battle of wits and bullets between our protagonist and the killer. Davenport teams up with a bunch of ex-cops while Rinker takes the help of her loyal allies.
Rinker is not a woman to be messed with – she has brains and lethal with the gun. I enjoyed how she meticulously planned her killings, dodged the FBI, and managed to stay a step or rather several steps ahead of Davenport. Even the mighty FBI can’t intimidate her.
What I really liked about the book was how Rinker’s character was fleshed out. She is a ruthless killer, who kills without the slightest compunction, but there is a little goodness in her too. Quite a few characters in the story did admit that Rinker was a product of her traumatic childhood. In this novel, Clara Rinker was the most impactful character. I did sympathize with her, but never really rooted for her.
I am not going to say anything more and spoil the fun.
This is a fast-paced page turner. If you love suspense and thrills, then you won’t be disappointed. Would recommend to thriller lovers.
May 19, 2019
An okay story that's nowhere near Sandford's best as the murderin, nearly invincible protagonist gets away with it far too often. 5 of 10 stars
February 18, 2019
There seems to be considerable debate as to whether discussing the identity of the killer in this novel constitutes the spoiling of a previous entry in the series. I’ve come down on the side that it is not--so if you personally have any doubt, please exit now with my 5-Star Rating and hearty recommendation because . . .
. . . I have two reasons for going forward. First of all, both her assumed identity and real name are the focus of the first chapter, so any previously issued blurb, synopsis and/or review would almost certainly contain the same information. Secondly, the author has publicly stated that four of his most popular books with fans are the pair featuring Michael Bekker and the two featuring Clara Rinker, a clear enough statement that neither was killed during their initial appearance. Mortal Prey spotlights the latter foe in her second encounter with Deputy Chief Lucas Davenport.
Which is just as well, as I have no great fondness for Bekker in either of his appearances, and therefore no real insight. Clara Rinker is a completely different matter, and this vital difference allows me to state with confidence what I consider to be the secret of her wide-ranging appeal. We like her. It’s that simple. She is a stone cold killer. She kills without hesitation or remorse. And we still like her. A lot.
In Certain Prey, her debut, Sandford quietly established our affection for Clara by revealing the traumatic and abuse-ridden childhood of her past and juxtaposing it against two major story elements in the present. The first of these was the level-headed, well-adjusted adult she somehow survived to become, in spite of the fact that she's a professional killer. The second contrast was Davenport himself, the supposed good guy, who commits some ethically questionable and fairly ruthless acts in the pursuit of Clara and her accomplice. Even Davenport--when he meets Clara before learning who she is--came away really liking her. (She was aware of who he was, by the way; she was trying to discover how close he was getting.)
Sandford could not, however, use any of this as a springboard for Clara’s return. Recaps bring no emotional impact. He could sprinkle it in later to add texture but Sandford needed a different means to get the readers on Clara’s side immediately. He chose to make her a victim again. Retired, hiding in Mexico, in love and newly pregnant, an assassin’s bullet robs her of everything but her life. Righteous anger takes her to St. Louis, seeking revenge for her losses and freedom from her past. The FBI getting word of her general location brings Davenport down from Minneapolis to help in the search. The rematch is set.
The novel is mostly about Clara. We meet friends and acquaintances, rivals and enemies. We also receive more glimpses into her past when Davenport visits her home town. She is inventive in how she eliminates her various targets, sometimes under the nose of the FBI. It forces Davenport to be just as imaginative in his pursuit. And once she realizes he’s on the scene, there is more interaction between the two of them. Over the phone, of course; at her instigation. And more than once. These are interesting conversations and readers are left to wonder just how much of Davenport’s affection and respect is real and how much is an attempt to keep her talking while trying to trace her location. Both characters had been through a lot since their first meeting years ago, and we can never be completely sure of their true feelings, at least not until the conclusion. But that’s the point. It keeps us turning the pages.
Mortal Prey contains more than a few multi-layered reasons to keep turning pages. It stands among the best John Sandford has to offer. And that’s often as good as it gets.
. . . I have two reasons for going forward. First of all, both her assumed identity and real name are the focus of the first chapter, so any previously issued blurb, synopsis and/or review would almost certainly contain the same information. Secondly, the author has publicly stated that four of his most popular books with fans are the pair featuring Michael Bekker and the two featuring Clara Rinker, a clear enough statement that neither was killed during their initial appearance. Mortal Prey spotlights the latter foe in her second encounter with Deputy Chief Lucas Davenport.
Which is just as well, as I have no great fondness for Bekker in either of his appearances, and therefore no real insight. Clara Rinker is a completely different matter, and this vital difference allows me to state with confidence what I consider to be the secret of her wide-ranging appeal. We like her. It’s that simple. She is a stone cold killer. She kills without hesitation or remorse. And we still like her. A lot.
In Certain Prey, her debut, Sandford quietly established our affection for Clara by revealing the traumatic and abuse-ridden childhood of her past and juxtaposing it against two major story elements in the present. The first of these was the level-headed, well-adjusted adult she somehow survived to become, in spite of the fact that she's a professional killer. The second contrast was Davenport himself, the supposed good guy, who commits some ethically questionable and fairly ruthless acts in the pursuit of Clara and her accomplice. Even Davenport--when he meets Clara before learning who she is--came away really liking her. (She was aware of who he was, by the way; she was trying to discover how close he was getting.)
Sandford could not, however, use any of this as a springboard for Clara’s return. Recaps bring no emotional impact. He could sprinkle it in later to add texture but Sandford needed a different means to get the readers on Clara’s side immediately. He chose to make her a victim again. Retired, hiding in Mexico, in love and newly pregnant, an assassin’s bullet robs her of everything but her life. Righteous anger takes her to St. Louis, seeking revenge for her losses and freedom from her past. The FBI getting word of her general location brings Davenport down from Minneapolis to help in the search. The rematch is set.
The novel is mostly about Clara. We meet friends and acquaintances, rivals and enemies. We also receive more glimpses into her past when Davenport visits her home town. She is inventive in how she eliminates her various targets, sometimes under the nose of the FBI. It forces Davenport to be just as imaginative in his pursuit. And once she realizes he’s on the scene, there is more interaction between the two of them. Over the phone, of course; at her instigation. And more than once. These are interesting conversations and readers are left to wonder just how much of Davenport’s affection and respect is real and how much is an attempt to keep her talking while trying to trace her location. Both characters had been through a lot since their first meeting years ago, and we can never be completely sure of their true feelings, at least not until the conclusion. But that’s the point. It keeps us turning the pages.
Mortal Prey contains more than a few multi-layered reasons to keep turning pages. It stands among the best John Sandford has to offer. And that’s often as good as it gets.
March 5, 2019
Lucas Davenport is one busy fellow with an upcoming wedding to his pregnant girlfriend, a new house in the final phases of construction, and a lot of political scheming to be done that makes sure that the top positions within the Minneapolis police get filled by people he trusts as he gets ready to leave the department for a position with state law enforcement. Even though Lucas' plate is pretty damn full, when he gets a call from the FBI about Clara Rinker he drops everything else to give chase.
Clara used to be a hit woman with over two dozen kills to her name, and she and Davenport fought each other to a draw the last time they tangled. Living a new life in Mexico, Clara has been happily hooked up with a man she loves and is carrying his child. Unfortunately, Clara’s old mob employers in St. Louis had find her and dispatch a hired gun. The attempt leaves the boyfriend and baby dead, and Clara very, very angry.
The hit on Clara exposed her real identity, and since Lucas is the only cop who had any luck at tracking her down the FBI recruits him for the hunt which takes them from Mexico to St. Louis. As Clara plans her revenge on the men responsible for the attack on her Davenport tries to figure out a way to catch one of the smartest and deadliest foes he’s ever faced.
Clara Rinker is probably the most memorable villain of the Prey novels so it’s no surprise that Sandford brought her back for an encore. Part of what makes her different from the rest of the in this series is that she’s about the only Davenport adversary that you ever really sympathize with. Rinker wasn’t born bad, she was made that way through abuse, but even though she’s a ruthless killer she’s also a woman who tried to leave that behind only to suffer more losses. Plus, she’s smart, tough, funny, and just downright likable. Sandford does a nice job of bringing you to the brink of actively rooting for her only to slap the reader in the face with occasional reminders that Clara is also capable of cold-blooded murder against innocent people.
Lucas’s attitude towards Clara is also different than any one else he’d ever go after. You can tell that he admires her on some level, but he never loses sight of what she is and the need to stop her. Her planning skills make her the perfect foil for Lucas and the devious traps he concocts to catch the bad guys.
Another element to like about this one is that Lucas is operating in St. Louis for most of the book so he’s off his own turf. Davenport has had a long standing contempt for the FBI (That he generally refers to as the Feebs.), and there’s a nice clash with him getting tired of their high handed attitude and wanting to sit around a conference table while he wants to hit the streets and operate. He can come up with more info after talking to a group of retired St. Louis cops over some beers than the Feds do in the entire book, and you get the sense that the old reporter Sandford is no fan of government bureaucracy.
This is among the very best of the Prey novels thanks to the return of one of its best villains. I’d highly recommend reading Certain Prey before this one because the recapping of those events in this one would completely spoil it.
Next: Lucas gets a new job in Naked Prey.
Clara used to be a hit woman with over two dozen kills to her name, and she and Davenport fought each other to a draw the last time they tangled. Living a new life in Mexico, Clara has been happily hooked up with a man she loves and is carrying his child. Unfortunately, Clara’s old mob employers in St. Louis had find her and dispatch a hired gun. The attempt leaves the boyfriend and baby dead, and Clara very, very angry.
The hit on Clara exposed her real identity, and since Lucas is the only cop who had any luck at tracking her down the FBI recruits him for the hunt which takes them from Mexico to St. Louis. As Clara plans her revenge on the men responsible for the attack on her Davenport tries to figure out a way to catch one of the smartest and deadliest foes he’s ever faced.
Clara Rinker is probably the most memorable villain of the Prey novels so it’s no surprise that Sandford brought her back for an encore. Part of what makes her different from the rest of the in this series is that she’s about the only Davenport adversary that you ever really sympathize with. Rinker wasn’t born bad, she was made that way through abuse, but even though she’s a ruthless killer she’s also a woman who tried to leave that behind only to suffer more losses. Plus, she’s smart, tough, funny, and just downright likable. Sandford does a nice job of bringing you to the brink of actively rooting for her only to slap the reader in the face with occasional reminders that Clara is also capable of cold-blooded murder against innocent people.
Lucas’s attitude towards Clara is also different than any one else he’d ever go after. You can tell that he admires her on some level, but he never loses sight of what she is and the need to stop her. Her planning skills make her the perfect foil for Lucas and the devious traps he concocts to catch the bad guys.
Another element to like about this one is that Lucas is operating in St. Louis for most of the book so he’s off his own turf. Davenport has had a long standing contempt for the FBI (That he generally refers to as the Feebs.), and there’s a nice clash with him getting tired of their high handed attitude and wanting to sit around a conference table while he wants to hit the streets and operate. He can come up with more info after talking to a group of retired St. Louis cops over some beers than the Feds do in the entire book, and you get the sense that the old reporter Sandford is no fan of government bureaucracy.
This is among the very best of the Prey novels thanks to the return of one of its best villains. I’d highly recommend reading Certain Prey before this one because the recapping of those events in this one would completely spoil it.
Next: Lucas gets a new job in Naked Prey.
January 6, 2014
The thirteenth entry in John Sandford's Prey series finds the protagonist, Assistant Minneapolis Police Chief Lucas Davenport, with his life in an uproar. His long-time boss, Chief Rose Marie Roux, is about to lose her job as a new mayor takes over. This means that Lucas will be out of a job as well. But Rose Marie is angling for a state job and, if she can pull off the scheme, she promises to take Davenport with her.
On the home front, Lucas's girlfriend, surgeon Weather Karkinnen, is with child. She and Lucas are planning a wedding and, at the same time, Lucas has leveled the house he has lived in for years and is building a new one. Of course, these are three of the most traumatic events that can befall a person, and no sane human being would ever have a kid, plan a wedding and build a house all at the same time. In real life, this combination would probably be the death of even the strongest relationship, but it makes for some entertaining moments in fiction.
At the same time, an old nemesis from an earlier Davenport adventure returns to haunt him. Personally, I'm reluctant to identify the villain, even though the blurb on the dust jacket does so. The problem is that doing so will spoil the ending of the earlier book in which this antagonist appears for anyone who hasn't already read it. And I assume it's possible that someone might read this review who is reading the series in order and who hasn't yet gotten to the first book to feature this villain. So...
In the earlier book, Davenport runs the villain to ground but the villain manages a narrow escape. The person leaves the country and plans never to return until old criminal enemies discover the villain living abroad and send in a hired killer. The killer misses his target and kills someone near and dear to the villain who is now an injured party and royally pissed.
The IP returns to the U.S. determined to seek revenge. In doing so, the IP turns up on the radar of the F.B.I. and they ask Davenport to join in the hunt, since he knows the villain/IP better than any other law enforcement person. Davenport agrees and a great game of cat and mouse ensues in which the determined IP tracks down targets while Davenport and the Fibbies attempt to intervene and capture the IP.
Even though most of the action takes place in St. Louis, Davenport is wise to the ways of the streets and recruits a cast of local and very able-bodied assistants. All in all, it's great fun and one of the better books in the series with all of the wit and dry humor that readers expect from Sandford. But to enjoy it to the fullest, again I would urge any interested reader to read the series in order.
On the home front, Lucas's girlfriend, surgeon Weather Karkinnen, is with child. She and Lucas are planning a wedding and, at the same time, Lucas has leveled the house he has lived in for years and is building a new one. Of course, these are three of the most traumatic events that can befall a person, and no sane human being would ever have a kid, plan a wedding and build a house all at the same time. In real life, this combination would probably be the death of even the strongest relationship, but it makes for some entertaining moments in fiction.
At the same time, an old nemesis from an earlier Davenport adventure returns to haunt him. Personally, I'm reluctant to identify the villain, even though the blurb on the dust jacket does so. The problem is that doing so will spoil the ending of the earlier book in which this antagonist appears for anyone who hasn't already read it. And I assume it's possible that someone might read this review who is reading the series in order and who hasn't yet gotten to the first book to feature this villain. So...
In the earlier book, Davenport runs the villain to ground but the villain manages a narrow escape. The person leaves the country and plans never to return until old criminal enemies discover the villain living abroad and send in a hired killer. The killer misses his target and kills someone near and dear to the villain who is now an injured party and royally pissed.
The IP returns to the U.S. determined to seek revenge. In doing so, the IP turns up on the radar of the F.B.I. and they ask Davenport to join in the hunt, since he knows the villain/IP better than any other law enforcement person. Davenport agrees and a great game of cat and mouse ensues in which the determined IP tracks down targets while Davenport and the Fibbies attempt to intervene and capture the IP.
Even though most of the action takes place in St. Louis, Davenport is wise to the ways of the streets and recruits a cast of local and very able-bodied assistants. All in all, it's great fun and one of the better books in the series with all of the wit and dry humor that readers expect from Sandford. But to enjoy it to the fullest, again I would urge any interested reader to read the series in order.
June 29, 2010
Murder mysteries typically climax with the apprehension of the murderer, or murderers; but at the conclusion of the 10th Prey series novel, one of the two culprits, Clara Rinker (who's been a professional hired killer ever since she was 16), made a clean getaway. When I finished that book, I was sure that readers hadn't seen the last of her. Sure enough, three years later, this installment picks up her story; and I knew it was a story I couldn't leave hanging.
The Goodreads book description gives a good basic sketch of the premise here (except that I have no clue where the reference to the DEA came from --that agency doesn't figure in the book). It should be stated at the outset that this book has much the same flaws as its predecessor. The bad language issue is as off-putting as ever (Sandford's illicit love affair with the f-word, in particular, shows no sign of cooling). While the characterizations of the secondary characters are sometimes, I think, a bit sharper here, most of them again are not likable. Series sleuth Davenport is even more unlikeable here than before; his abrasive, cocky, arrogant, "rules-don't-apply-to-me" personality and his fondness for physical intimidation is clearly meant to give him an edgy, "bad-boy" appeal, but for me just manages to make him annoying. Compared to most traditional fictional detectives, moreover, he's not in the top league; he's willing to slog through a lot of leg work, and both books make reference to his uncanny luck, but having case solutions fall into his lap through luck and intuition is a cheap literary substitute for close observation (though here he admittedly does pick up on a couple of crucial details at one key point) and reasoned deduction. (The Prey series isn't pure noir, but has enough similarity to it that I could recommend it to noir fans; he reminds me more of fictional detectives in that tradition, like Sam Spade --though in fairness to Spade, I can't imagine the latter freaking out like Davenport does at one place here.) That the FBI would bring him in to consult on this case at all is also a stretch; apart from luck, he was hardly that effective against Clara in the earlier book. (There, the idea that they would cooperate with the Minneapolis police was quite plausible; but here, though the main setting is St. Louis, there's apparently no attempt at all to cooperate with the local police there --which isn't so plausible.) Sandford milks a supposed contrast between the allegedly street-smart local cop culture and the putatively effete, overly technology-reliant FBI mentality for all it's worth, but I have my doubts about the realism of either end of that portrayal, as well. And readers who try to pattern their attitudes towards sex and women after most of the male characters here will probably wind up wanting to sue their role models for malpractice.
However, the strengths of the earlier book are here in spades, too. The foremost one, again, is the portrayal of Clara, who's one of the more complex, nuanced, vital and fascinating characters you'll ever meet in the pages of fiction. She was already well-drawn in Certain Prey, which brought to life both her prominent ruthless/callous streak and her off-the-job "regular gal" side. (That book also vividly sketched her formative years, which were genuinely hellish --though if she'd had better moral fiber to start with, being the repeated victim of brutal violence herself would have given her a more compassionate perspective toward other suggested victims.) Here, though, Sandford deepens his portrayal exponentially, digging down to reveal the gentler and kinder side she doesn't usually display. That broader picture helps to reinterpret some aspects of the first book, so that I'd be inclined to slightly modify my assessment of her from the review of that one. A more accurate formulation might be that the evil side of her nature is pretty strong, and used to dominating; her conscience not so much seared as weak and undeveloped (but not always impotent); and her capacity for empathy with her fellow humans usually quiescent, unless somebody evokes it. While she's no sadist, and isn't incapable of sparing people's lives if she doesn't believe killing is necessary, she also has no qualms at all about taking innocent life as part of her job, or if her survival depends on it (for her, being captured would mean death, since she'd certainly be executed), and she can be highly vengeful. (She does, though, draw some lines even she won't cross, and while she may threaten, for intimidation purposes, more than she'll actually do, her bark is sometimes worse than her bite --even though her bite can be nasty.) At the same time, she's a loyal friend you could literally trust with your life, a caring sister to her weak-minded little brother, and capable of genuine kindness and even love. Sandford shows us both the best and the worst sides of her nature here; it's not wise to forget the latter for a minute --but not fair to forget the former, either.
Much more than in Certain Prey, the author raises profound ethical questions here, which are compounded of black and white that do represent absolute polarities, but which in the real world intermix in all sorts of challenging shades of gray. They're not posed explicitly; they just arise naturally out of the situations, and they don't come across as set up to cynically discredit the idea of absolutes (as they would be in the noir tradition), but rather as serious questions that seek to apply absolutes in a fallen world. (And trying to do that in the context of practical situations --real-life or fictional-- is more apt to be illuminating than meditating on detached abstract principles.) The plotting also surpasses even the high standard of the earlier book --successive developments are again completely unexpected but logical, and the familiar frequent taut tension and suspense is there; but in about the last fifth of the book it becomes nearly unbearable, and the successive surprises literally throw your emotions and expectations around as if you were on a carnival thrill ride. The climax packed an unexpected emotional wallop that blew me out of the water. It was hard to apply a star rating, but I thought the superior quality of this second novel of the pair deserved four. Given my usual preference for happy, upbeat reads, though, that can be misleading, as is the listing of both this book and Certain Prey on the Favorite Comfort Reads list (!). This is a grim, gritty, violent read, with a high body count; not everyone who dies here deserves to, and a couple of people are gruesomely tortured to death (not by Clara --in fairness to her, that isn't her style), though their suffering isn't directly described. Adjectives like comforting, happy and upbeat don't apply here. But the adjectives riveting, thought-provoking, evocative, and powerful are most definitely appropriate!
The Goodreads book description gives a good basic sketch of the premise here (except that I have no clue where the reference to the DEA came from --that agency doesn't figure in the book). It should be stated at the outset that this book has much the same flaws as its predecessor. The bad language issue is as off-putting as ever (Sandford's illicit love affair with the f-word, in particular, shows no sign of cooling). While the characterizations of the secondary characters are sometimes, I think, a bit sharper here, most of them again are not likable. Series sleuth Davenport is even more unlikeable here than before; his abrasive, cocky, arrogant, "rules-don't-apply-to-me" personality and his fondness for physical intimidation is clearly meant to give him an edgy, "bad-boy" appeal, but for me just manages to make him annoying. Compared to most traditional fictional detectives, moreover, he's not in the top league; he's willing to slog through a lot of leg work, and both books make reference to his uncanny luck, but having case solutions fall into his lap through luck and intuition is a cheap literary substitute for close observation (though here he admittedly does pick up on a couple of crucial details at one key point) and reasoned deduction. (The Prey series isn't pure noir, but has enough similarity to it that I could recommend it to noir fans; he reminds me more of fictional detectives in that tradition, like Sam Spade --though in fairness to Spade, I can't imagine the latter freaking out like Davenport does at one place here.) That the FBI would bring him in to consult on this case at all is also a stretch; apart from luck, he was hardly that effective against Clara in the earlier book. (There, the idea that they would cooperate with the Minneapolis police was quite plausible; but here, though the main setting is St. Louis, there's apparently no attempt at all to cooperate with the local police there --which isn't so plausible.) Sandford milks a supposed contrast between the allegedly street-smart local cop culture and the putatively effete, overly technology-reliant FBI mentality for all it's worth, but I have my doubts about the realism of either end of that portrayal, as well. And readers who try to pattern their attitudes towards sex and women after most of the male characters here will probably wind up wanting to sue their role models for malpractice.
However, the strengths of the earlier book are here in spades, too. The foremost one, again, is the portrayal of Clara, who's one of the more complex, nuanced, vital and fascinating characters you'll ever meet in the pages of fiction. She was already well-drawn in Certain Prey, which brought to life both her prominent ruthless/callous streak and her off-the-job "regular gal" side. (That book also vividly sketched her formative years, which were genuinely hellish --though if she'd had better moral fiber to start with, being the repeated victim of brutal violence herself would have given her a more compassionate perspective toward other suggested victims.) Here, though, Sandford deepens his portrayal exponentially, digging down to reveal the gentler and kinder side she doesn't usually display. That broader picture helps to reinterpret some aspects of the first book, so that I'd be inclined to slightly modify my assessment of her from the review of that one. A more accurate formulation might be that the evil side of her nature is pretty strong, and used to dominating; her conscience not so much seared as weak and undeveloped (but not always impotent); and her capacity for empathy with her fellow humans usually quiescent, unless somebody evokes it. While she's no sadist, and isn't incapable of sparing people's lives if she doesn't believe killing is necessary, she also has no qualms at all about taking innocent life as part of her job, or if her survival depends on it (for her, being captured would mean death, since she'd certainly be executed), and she can be highly vengeful. (She does, though, draw some lines even she won't cross, and while she may threaten, for intimidation purposes, more than she'll actually do, her bark is sometimes worse than her bite --even though her bite can be nasty.) At the same time, she's a loyal friend you could literally trust with your life, a caring sister to her weak-minded little brother, and capable of genuine kindness and even love. Sandford shows us both the best and the worst sides of her nature here; it's not wise to forget the latter for a minute --but not fair to forget the former, either.
Much more than in Certain Prey, the author raises profound ethical questions here, which are compounded of black and white that do represent absolute polarities, but which in the real world intermix in all sorts of challenging shades of gray. They're not posed explicitly; they just arise naturally out of the situations, and they don't come across as set up to cynically discredit the idea of absolutes (as they would be in the noir tradition), but rather as serious questions that seek to apply absolutes in a fallen world. (And trying to do that in the context of practical situations --real-life or fictional-- is more apt to be illuminating than meditating on detached abstract principles.) The plotting also surpasses even the high standard of the earlier book --successive developments are again completely unexpected but logical, and the familiar frequent taut tension and suspense is there; but in about the last fifth of the book it becomes nearly unbearable, and the successive surprises literally throw your emotions and expectations around as if you were on a carnival thrill ride. The climax packed an unexpected emotional wallop that blew me out of the water. It was hard to apply a star rating, but I thought the superior quality of this second novel of the pair deserved four. Given my usual preference for happy, upbeat reads, though, that can be misleading, as is the listing of both this book and Certain Prey on the Favorite Comfort Reads list (!). This is a grim, gritty, violent read, with a high body count; not everyone who dies here deserves to, and a couple of people are gruesomely tortured to death (not by Clara --in fairness to her, that isn't her style), though their suffering isn't directly described. Adjectives like comforting, happy and upbeat don't apply here. But the adjectives riveting, thought-provoking, evocative, and powerful are most definitely appropriate!
August 27, 2018
In the 10th book, Lucas meets Clara Rinker, a professional hit woman. It seemed inevitable that she'd be back & she is in one of the best (my new favorite?) books yet. Don't read this book out of order. At least half my enjoyment was from the growth of the characters & the inevitability of Lucas & Clara squaring off again. While he's a great lead character, she's one of the best 'bad guys' I've ever read about. As terrible as she is on the face of things, she's really not all that bad & Lucas' feelings for her are perfect which makes for a truly exciting novel.
Best of all, there is an author interview at the end & it's wonderful. Nothing earth-shattering, but it's great to have Sandford explain his thought processes. He's done a truly fantastic job on this series. I'm generally bored a few books in, but he's kept the series growing without going over the top. I'm tempted to give this book 5 stars. Really tempted.
Best of all, there is an author interview at the end & it's wonderful. Nothing earth-shattering, but it's great to have Sandford explain his thought processes. He's done a truly fantastic job on this series. I'm generally bored a few books in, but he's kept the series growing without going over the top. I'm tempted to give this book 5 stars. Really tempted.
December 27, 2022
5 Stars. This one deserves the most important Star - the fifth. So good. I'd been listening to an audio version in the car, but with 45 minutes remaining, I was home. I couldn't wait until I next needed the car, so I dug out an old, never-read, print copy. Don't unpack the groceries, finish the book! It's a chase to end all chases. You'll recall Clara Rinker from 'Certain Prey,' number 10 in the series - she's a hitwoman hired by Minneapolis lawyer Carmel Loan to eliminate the wife of another lawyer who Loan fancied. When it unluckily went wrong, Clara had to retreat to Mexico. That's where she met the attractive son of a drug lord. In love, pregnant even. And then someone put a hit on her but got Paulo instead. The wounded Clara lost her unborn child. She suspects her old mob bosses in St. Louis. Clara is very good at her job and will lash out when someone threatens her or her family. Revenge is the order of the day and St. Louis is the location. You'll spend much of the book wondering who ordered the hit and on whom actually? You may also ask yourself, as Davenport chases her, 'Do I detect a touch of sympathy from Lucas?' I know, someday, I'll read it again. (December 2022)
January 5, 2019
Sigh. Wow. Sandford holds nothing back in this 13th book in the Lucas Davenport series. He brings back Clara Rinker and we are on for a wild ride. I really had no issues with anything except the ending, I wanted a different one, which probably says more about me than anything else.
In "Mortal Prey" we have Lucas and Weather planning their wedding and expecting their first child together. Lucas is going crazy with plans for their new house coming together and also with him planning on leaving the Minnesota PD to go and work for Rose Marie when she moves over to a new department as well. When the FBI calls up Lucas to ask for his help with Rinker, he decides why not, he still feels like he owes Rinker after she tried to kill him. And Lucas also admires Rinker especially after he is provided background on her life.
Sandford makes this a book about Rinker too. We get even more details about her and what she's been doing since she went on the run. And you actually will wish her well on her quest to take out the mafia after they kill her lover and cause her to miscarry. And you feel a bit sad, because Rinker had dreams of what her life was going to be, and now it's all up in smoke.
We have some old favs from the FBI returning, Mallard and Malone, and those two keep making some mistakes with Lucas coming along to fix. And we have new characters that Lucas meets in St. Louis.
The writing is very good. I cracked up a few times. And I have to say that I loved the women in this book. They definitely end up outsmarting a lot of men. Part of me wishes that Sandford had written a separate series for Rinker. The flow was very good too. I kept being happy when Rinker was getting away with everything.
The ending definitely shows you a big loss to Lucas that I don't even think he was expecting.
In "Mortal Prey" we have Lucas and Weather planning their wedding and expecting their first child together. Lucas is going crazy with plans for their new house coming together and also with him planning on leaving the Minnesota PD to go and work for Rose Marie when she moves over to a new department as well. When the FBI calls up Lucas to ask for his help with Rinker, he decides why not, he still feels like he owes Rinker after she tried to kill him. And Lucas also admires Rinker especially after he is provided background on her life.
Sandford makes this a book about Rinker too. We get even more details about her and what she's been doing since she went on the run. And you actually will wish her well on her quest to take out the mafia after they kill her lover and cause her to miscarry. And you feel a bit sad, because Rinker had dreams of what her life was going to be, and now it's all up in smoke.
We have some old favs from the FBI returning, Mallard and Malone, and those two keep making some mistakes with Lucas coming along to fix. And we have new characters that Lucas meets in St. Louis.
The writing is very good. I cracked up a few times. And I have to say that I loved the women in this book. They definitely end up outsmarting a lot of men. Part of me wishes that Sandford had written a separate series for Rinker. The flow was very good too. I kept being happy when Rinker was getting away with everything.
The ending definitely shows you a big loss to Lucas that I don't even think he was expecting.
September 23, 2022
Clara Rinker is back! After her fiancé and unborn baby are killed in Mexico in an attempt to take her out, Clara becomes hell bent on revenge. After recovering from being shot herself, she makes her way back to the states and is on the hunt. This brings along the FBI, namely Mallard and Malone, who worked previously trying to find her. They bring in Lucas because of his relationship working the case against her in Minneapolis. It’s a cat and mouse game from the beginning to the exciting ending. A very good installment to the series and a satisfying ending to this particular case.
June 28, 2019
I am reading these in order. One of the best. Both of his best so far involve Clara Rinker, killer for hire. Strongly recommended.
May 7, 2013
Sometimes illogic rules the human heart.
In Mortal Prey, we meet again a previously introduced fictional criminal who is awesome, but someone who despite her awesomeness should totally die. However, readers may feel conflicted because this serial killer, Clara Rinker, is so smart, professional and honorable with a backstory which is heartbreaking. So, there you are, victory fist-pumping away at the end of another chapter as the horrible killer-for-hire escapes from yet another trap. Giving a serious think about it, you might wonder if there is something wrong with you. If there is, Lucas Davenport, Minneapolis Deputy Chief Police Detective, shares our dilemma, even though he is actually someone she wants to kill too despite the fact she likes him as much as he likes her. If nothing else, mystery genres tend to demonstrate visibly our own twists for better or worse.
As usual, Clara is breaking our hearts with her terrible life - this time the book opens with her attempting normalcy in Mexico, but it goes phhhht with an assassin's bullet. Not only is her boyfriend murdered before her eyes, but she is struck in the stomach and loses her 5-month-old fetus. She was working as a bookkeeper and fell in love with the boss's son. Was the bullet meant for her or her boyfriend, a son of a Mexican ex-Mafia family? A few phone calls settles the question, so after an anguished recovery, Clara calms herself with planning for vengeance. Unbelievably, her ex-employers, an American mafia-style criminal group, mistakenly decided she should be eliminated.
Meanwhile, mirroring Clara's initial happiness (but hopefully not her resulting grief), Lucas and Weather are planning their wedding. Things are getting tense, though, because Lucas has torn his old house down and is building a new larger house for himself, Weather, and their expected child(ren), and unfortunately for everyone, Lucas is 'supervising' the builders, slowing down the work. When he gets a call from the St. Louis FBI requesting his help to catch the reactivated Rinker, he joins the hunt with everyone's blessing.
Bad guys are killing bad guys, but the FBI wants Rinker arrested and taken off their Most Wanted list. Rinker is too smart for them, but not smarter than Lucas. She soon realizes if she is going to fully return to her murderous job, Lucas must die. Clara adds Lucas to her kill list. Lady Luck is not always with Lucas - or with Weather.
In Mortal Prey, we meet again a previously introduced fictional criminal who is awesome, but someone who despite her awesomeness should totally die. However, readers may feel conflicted because this serial killer, Clara Rinker, is so smart, professional and honorable with a backstory which is heartbreaking. So, there you are, victory fist-pumping away at the end of another chapter as the horrible killer-for-hire escapes from yet another trap. Giving a serious think about it, you might wonder if there is something wrong with you. If there is, Lucas Davenport, Minneapolis Deputy Chief Police Detective, shares our dilemma, even though he is actually someone she wants to kill too despite the fact she likes him as much as he likes her. If nothing else, mystery genres tend to demonstrate visibly our own twists for better or worse.
As usual, Clara is breaking our hearts with her terrible life - this time the book opens with her attempting normalcy in Mexico, but it goes phhhht with an assassin's bullet. Not only is her boyfriend murdered before her eyes, but she is struck in the stomach and loses her 5-month-old fetus. She was working as a bookkeeper and fell in love with the boss's son. Was the bullet meant for her or her boyfriend, a son of a Mexican ex-Mafia family? A few phone calls settles the question, so after an anguished recovery, Clara calms herself with planning for vengeance. Unbelievably, her ex-employers, an American mafia-style criminal group, mistakenly decided she should be eliminated.
Meanwhile, mirroring Clara's initial happiness (but hopefully not her resulting grief), Lucas and Weather are planning their wedding. Things are getting tense, though, because Lucas has torn his old house down and is building a new larger house for himself, Weather, and their expected child(ren), and unfortunately for everyone, Lucas is 'supervising' the builders, slowing down the work. When he gets a call from the St. Louis FBI requesting his help to catch the reactivated Rinker, he joins the hunt with everyone's blessing.
Bad guys are killing bad guys, but the FBI wants Rinker arrested and taken off their Most Wanted list. Rinker is too smart for them, but not smarter than Lucas. She soon realizes if she is going to fully return to her murderous job, Lucas must die. Clara adds Lucas to her kill list. Lady Luck is not always with Lucas - or with Weather.
July 20, 2018
The story wasn't exciting but I enjoyed how the story played out.
A couple of negatives: Richard Ferrone's narrative had too many characters sounding like they were from NYC, NJ, or MA. instead of Missouri and Minnesota.
The use of an AR-15 for accurate targeting from 150 yards by someone who had not used that weapon in combat, and using hollow point ammo (which affects projectile accuracy) seems suspect.
A couple of negatives: Richard Ferrone's narrative had too many characters sounding like they were from NYC, NJ, or MA. instead of Missouri and Minnesota.
The use of an AR-15 for accurate targeting from 150 yards by someone who had not used that weapon in combat, and using hollow point ammo (which affects projectile accuracy) seems suspect.
September 4, 2025
My favorite hit woman, Clara Rinker, has been living under the radar in Mexico. FBI agent Mallard calls Lucas to tell him the authorities down there have found a fingerprint of hers, and the hunt is on.
A great entry in the Davenport series, with Lucas finding some new associates in St. Louis.
A great entry in the Davenport series, with Lucas finding some new associates in St. Louis.
March 3, 2015
Thirteenth in the Lucas Davenport thriller mystery series and revolving around a cop with a very sharp mind who's more interested in justice than legalities.
My Take
This is a good'un. Rinker is amazing with the different ways she takes her enemies out.
I know this is a serious story with serious mayhem, but it's fun, too. Sandford tosses the humor around, and it relieves the tension and horror of what the bad guys are up to. Lucas finds all sort of useful facts and impresses the heck out of the FBI. The ones who looked down on him. The dating advice Lucas gives Mallard and Malone separately. He's such a guy, and I couldn't help laughing. Oh, lord, Malone relates a story about one of the guys she married…oh, man. Just goes to show that it doesn't matter how smart you are in one aspect of your life, you're gonna do somethin' dumb in another part. That Porsche of Lucas' finds him taking guff from the guys, lol.
Lucas is in the middle of rebuilding his house to accommodate his fiancée and the coming baby, driving everyone nuts. When Weather tells him he's pathetic…Lucas simply agrees with her. And Weather is very grateful for that request from the FBI, lol.
Nice use of that FBI report to provide Rinker's back history. A very sad one, and another example of why parents need to be licensed! Reading about her childhood, finding out about the abuse Patsy/Dorothy suffered. Mrs. Hill, Patsy's mom is right. Where were the cops when this abuse was going on? And they wonder why women strike out. Ah well, it's all right, they're just women. Must be that time of the month. You know how hysterical women get over nothin'…*eye roll*…
I'm with Lucas. Holding Gene on a drug charge for one joint is ridiculous, a dumb move, and they deserve what they get from Rinker for abusing her brother as they did.
Lucas is a clotheshorse. And it drives the FBI agents nuts when he and Martin get into a discussion on clothes.
There's a short bit about the main philosophical difference between cops.
That Rose Marie is so sneaky. She's ensuring that her team gets good slots that the incoming regime can't stiff and putting enemies into very exposed positions.
One thing that's been popping up in the back of my mind as I read these mysteries, thrillers, and suspense stories is how the Internet and mobile access has changed how law enforcement operates. Fax machines, thumb drives, instant records access…
After Rinker's threat to take out law enforcement agents' families, why isn't Lucas thinking about protection for Weather?
That last scene with the wedding was incredibly confusing. I read it several times and am still trying to extrapolate what happened.
The Story
She's fallen in love and is pregnant with Paulo's baby. Life is good. Life is great. Until the assassin's bullet hits the wrong person.
They shouldn't have done it. They've destroyed her life, and she will destroy theirs.
The Characters
Lucas Davenport is a political appointee as a deputy chief. Weather Karkinnen is a surgeon at Hennepin General. Carol is her secretary.
Minneapolis PD
Detective-Sergeant Marcy Sherrill now runs Lucas' office and part of his life; she'll become the head of Intelligence and a lieutenant. Rose Marie Roux is chief of police, a former state senator, and is up for director for the department of public safety. She wants to get Pellegrino to retire so they can slide Sherrill in and set her up. Then Pellegrino can come with them to the state. Del Capslock will quit to join Lucas' new team while Sloan has decided to stay. Hempsted is an old-timer cop with a tip.
The governor is Elmer Henderson.
FBI
Special Agent Louis Mallard has worked with Lucas in the past and needs him again. He and Special Agent Malone with whom Lucas had an affair. She's shot and killed by Rinker in retaliation for her brother committing suicide in prison after Rinker told them he couldn't handle it. Mallard's department is now the Special Studies Group.
Cancún, Mexico
Cassie McLain, a.k.a., Clara Rinker, a.k.a., Rose-Anne, whom we first met in Certain Prey , 10, is now working as a bookkeeper in Cancún and getting ready to marry Paulo Mejia, Raul Mejia's baby boy. Anthony and Dominic are Paulo's brothers. Jamie is the security guard who helps Rinker renew her shooting skills.
Colonel Manuel Martin is with the Mexican National Police and will liaise between the Americans and Mejia.
Israel Coen is a sniper who takes independent contracts. Octavio Diaz had an idea he might have trouble. He does deserve it.
St. Louis, Missouri
Dorothy Pollock, a.k.a., Patsy Hill, works in a dead-end job; she murdered her husband Roger. Mrs. McCoombs is her landlady. Ann Diaz is a hotshot lawyer with D.C. connections. John Sellos owns the BluesNote Cafe. Carl is his assistant. Sandy White is a metro columnist for the Post-Dispatch. T.J. Baker used to run with Roy Rinker. Nina Bennett is a private investigator who gets set up. Dr. Geoffrey is with the university. His wife, Rayla, makes a good stay-at-home nurse.
The crooks
John Ross was Rinker's primary somewhat psychopathic employer and has a liquor distributorship. Treena is his wooly-headed wife with a thing for tennis. Wooden Head was one of his men; Troy is a live one. Nanny Dichter is the richest and a druglord. Andy Levy is a bank guy whose ex-wife, Lucille, wasn't an ex for very long. Honus Johnson is a torturer. He's really loves his job. On the side he builds custom furniture. Nancy Leighton is/was a friend of Rinker's. Paul Dallagio doesn't look like a guy who's ordered hits, but his wife, Jesse, does. Giancati is leaving for England where he thinks he'll be safe. Ferignetti claims he never met Rinker.
The St. Louis cops…and the retired ones
Dan Loftus is a security guard for the FBI with some great connections, and he's retired from the St. Louis PD. Dick Bender was Homicide, Micky Andreno was a patrol lieutenant, and Bob Carter was a former patrol sergeant. Jill Bender, Dick's daughter, works at Heartland Bank in the computer systems department.
Sergeant Eakins, a highway patrolman, got practical at the truck stop. Sheriff Errol Lamp is with Mellan County. Deputy Tony McCoy is the guy assigned to take Lucas and Mallard around.
St. Louis FBI
Richard Lewis is the agent-in-charge but not of the Rinker hunt. He wants to get the glory so he's got his own team going: Striker, Allenby, Lane, and Jones. Sally Bryce will be Lucas' contact with the FBI; he's finding too much good information. Without a computer. Some of the other FBI agents include Davy Mathews is the organized-crime guy, Josh Franklin, Meers, Derik, Carl, and Patrick takes it in the legs.
Cammie Rinker was Clara's mother. Carl Paltry was her abusive stepfather. Gene was her younger brother and has coping problems today. An aunt states that Clara's older brother, Roy, had also sexually abused her.
Tom and Michelle Lawton — he's writing a screenplay and she works part-time in a bookstore. It's a good cover — for smugglers. Juan Duarte is their Mexican contact. Jackie Burke once got helped by Rinker. Jimmy runs a golf shop with a guns-and-ammo sideline. Sergeant Wayne McCallum works in ordnance. He's supplied her with pistols and other useful toys.
Jim is the electrician. Jack Vrbecek is the contractor. Rick is a carpenter. Harold.
The Cover and Title
The cover is scary with that rifle glowing with a nimbus of red around it as it floats front and center in a red sky. The author's name and title glows in an embossed copper.
The title is what we all are, sooner or later, Mortal Prey.
My Take
This is a good'un. Rinker is amazing with the different ways she takes her enemies out.
I know this is a serious story with serious mayhem, but it's fun, too. Sandford tosses the humor around, and it relieves the tension and horror of what the bad guys are up to. Lucas finds all sort of useful facts and impresses the heck out of the FBI. The ones who looked down on him. The dating advice Lucas gives Mallard and Malone separately. He's such a guy, and I couldn't help laughing. Oh, lord, Malone relates a story about one of the guys she married…oh, man. Just goes to show that it doesn't matter how smart you are in one aspect of your life, you're gonna do somethin' dumb in another part. That Porsche of Lucas' finds him taking guff from the guys, lol.
Lucas is in the middle of rebuilding his house to accommodate his fiancée and the coming baby, driving everyone nuts. When Weather tells him he's pathetic…Lucas simply agrees with her. And Weather is very grateful for that request from the FBI, lol.
Nice use of that FBI report to provide Rinker's back history. A very sad one, and another example of why parents need to be licensed! Reading about her childhood, finding out about the abuse Patsy/Dorothy suffered. Mrs. Hill, Patsy's mom is right. Where were the cops when this abuse was going on? And they wonder why women strike out. Ah well, it's all right, they're just women. Must be that time of the month. You know how hysterical women get over nothin'…*eye roll*…
I'm with Lucas. Holding Gene on a drug charge for one joint is ridiculous, a dumb move, and they deserve what they get from Rinker for abusing her brother as they did.
Lucas is a clotheshorse. And it drives the FBI agents nuts when he and Martin get into a discussion on clothes.
Manuel relates a line about Cancún that cracked me up:"Cancún is just like Miami — except in Miami, they speak Spanish."
There's a short bit about the main philosophical difference between cops.
That Rose Marie is so sneaky. She's ensuring that her team gets good slots that the incoming regime can't stiff and putting enemies into very exposed positions.
One thing that's been popping up in the back of my mind as I read these mysteries, thrillers, and suspense stories is how the Internet and mobile access has changed how law enforcement operates. Fax machines, thumb drives, instant records access…
After Rinker's threat to take out law enforcement agents' families, why isn't Lucas thinking about protection for Weather?
That last scene with the wedding was incredibly confusing. I read it several times and am still trying to extrapolate what happened.
The Story
She's fallen in love and is pregnant with Paulo's baby. Life is good. Life is great. Until the assassin's bullet hits the wrong person.
They shouldn't have done it. They've destroyed her life, and she will destroy theirs.
The Characters
Lucas Davenport is a political appointee as a deputy chief. Weather Karkinnen is a surgeon at Hennepin General. Carol is her secretary.
Minneapolis PD
Detective-Sergeant Marcy Sherrill now runs Lucas' office and part of his life; she'll become the head of Intelligence and a lieutenant. Rose Marie Roux is chief of police, a former state senator, and is up for director for the department of public safety. She wants to get Pellegrino to retire so they can slide Sherrill in and set her up. Then Pellegrino can come with them to the state. Del Capslock will quit to join Lucas' new team while Sloan has decided to stay. Hempsted is an old-timer cop with a tip.
The governor is Elmer Henderson.
FBI
Special Agent Louis Mallard has worked with Lucas in the past and needs him again. He and Special Agent Malone with whom Lucas had an affair. She's shot and killed by Rinker in retaliation for her brother committing suicide in prison after Rinker told them he couldn't handle it. Mallard's department is now the Special Studies Group.
Cancún, Mexico
Cassie McLain, a.k.a., Clara Rinker, a.k.a., Rose-Anne, whom we first met in Certain Prey , 10, is now working as a bookkeeper in Cancún and getting ready to marry Paulo Mejia, Raul Mejia's baby boy. Anthony and Dominic are Paulo's brothers. Jamie is the security guard who helps Rinker renew her shooting skills.
Colonel Manuel Martin is with the Mexican National Police and will liaise between the Americans and Mejia.
Israel Coen is a sniper who takes independent contracts. Octavio Diaz had an idea he might have trouble. He does deserve it.
St. Louis, Missouri
Dorothy Pollock, a.k.a., Patsy Hill, works in a dead-end job; she murdered her husband Roger. Mrs. McCoombs is her landlady. Ann Diaz is a hotshot lawyer with D.C. connections. John Sellos owns the BluesNote Cafe. Carl is his assistant. Sandy White is a metro columnist for the Post-Dispatch. T.J. Baker used to run with Roy Rinker. Nina Bennett is a private investigator who gets set up. Dr. Geoffrey is with the university. His wife, Rayla, makes a good stay-at-home nurse.
The crooks
John Ross was Rinker's primary somewhat psychopathic employer and has a liquor distributorship. Treena is his wooly-headed wife with a thing for tennis. Wooden Head was one of his men; Troy is a live one. Nanny Dichter is the richest and a druglord. Andy Levy is a bank guy whose ex-wife, Lucille, wasn't an ex for very long. Honus Johnson is a torturer. He's really loves his job. On the side he builds custom furniture. Nancy Leighton is/was a friend of Rinker's. Paul Dallagio doesn't look like a guy who's ordered hits, but his wife, Jesse, does. Giancati is leaving for England where he thinks he'll be safe. Ferignetti claims he never met Rinker.
The St. Louis cops…and the retired ones
Dan Loftus is a security guard for the FBI with some great connections, and he's retired from the St. Louis PD. Dick Bender was Homicide, Micky Andreno was a patrol lieutenant, and Bob Carter was a former patrol sergeant. Jill Bender, Dick's daughter, works at Heartland Bank in the computer systems department.
Sergeant Eakins, a highway patrolman, got practical at the truck stop. Sheriff Errol Lamp is with Mellan County. Deputy Tony McCoy is the guy assigned to take Lucas and Mallard around.
St. Louis FBI
Richard Lewis is the agent-in-charge but not of the Rinker hunt. He wants to get the glory so he's got his own team going: Striker, Allenby, Lane, and Jones. Sally Bryce will be Lucas' contact with the FBI; he's finding too much good information. Without a computer. Some of the other FBI agents include Davy Mathews is the organized-crime guy, Josh Franklin, Meers, Derik, Carl, and Patrick takes it in the legs.
Cammie Rinker was Clara's mother. Carl Paltry was her abusive stepfather. Gene was her younger brother and has coping problems today. An aunt states that Clara's older brother, Roy, had also sexually abused her.
Tom and Michelle Lawton — he's writing a screenplay and she works part-time in a bookstore. It's a good cover — for smugglers. Juan Duarte is their Mexican contact. Jackie Burke once got helped by Rinker. Jimmy runs a golf shop with a guns-and-ammo sideline. Sergeant Wayne McCallum works in ordnance. He's supplied her with pistols and other useful toys.
Jim is the electrician. Jack Vrbecek is the contractor. Rick is a carpenter. Harold.
The Cover and Title
The cover is scary with that rifle glowing with a nimbus of red around it as it floats front and center in a red sky. The author's name and title glows in an embossed copper.
The title is what we all are, sooner or later, Mortal Prey.
October 8, 2019
Lucas had never been able to read on airplanes: the Clara Rinker file was a first.
In what may be my favorite Prey novel yet, Lucas Davenport and Clara Rinker are memorably reunited.
We last saw Rinker in Certain Prey, with Lucas having succeeded in driving her to ground. Once a capable, careful assassin-for-hire--one with a bad past and a chance of a legitimate future--Rinker has settled into a new life in Cancun. Her new identity gives her the happiness her old life never did, and she's settled down into a loving relationship and has a child on the way. If it's not a completely fresh start--her boyfriend's father, being, after all, the "Joe Kennedy" of Cancun--it's close enough. She's off the game-board and out of trouble. She's content.
All that gets shattered one day when a bullet meant for her hits her boyfriend instead; he takes the brunt of the shot, but Rinker still gets enough of it to cause her to lose the baby. Her boyfriend's family at first thinks this hit was meant for them, but soon, enough information comes to light to make Rinker know better. The mob connections she left behind don't entirely trust her to keep her mouth shut. Grief-stricken and on the far edges of her sanity, Rinker heads back to the States in search of revenge, determined to wipe out the informal committee of men who issued the command to ruin the life she'd made for herself.
It's so much fun to watch her methodical, highly competent, and oddly principled work that it's hard to want Lucas to catch her; even Lucas himself is weirdly fond of her, finding her not only fascinating but comprehensible and sympathetic. Rinker's pursuit of her enemies and Lucas's pursuit of her make for a particularly tense, engaging thrill ride, and everything in this novel works pretty much flawlessly. Lucas is at his best here: obsessed with the nitpicky development of his new house, cheerfully talking to their Cancun connection about men's fashion, quickly falling into a rapport with the St. Louis cops when he's supposed to be working with the FBI, doling out relationship advice, and making excellent but believable intuitive leaps along with all the groundwork he does. It's even a novel particularly rich in memorable subplots and supporting characters. There's Rinker's friend Patsy, an abused wife who killed her husband and has since been living under an assumed name in a kind of unhappy limbo; there's the rich sketch of the Cancun powerbroker family, an intriguing blend of legitimacy and cruel criminality; there's the tragedy of Rinker's younger brother, Gene, whom she wants to protect; there's the on-hold romantic longing between FBI agents Mallard and Malone; there's a bar owner peddling off-the-books cell phones, a trophy wife who knows what happened to one of her predecessors, and an ordnance expert with a kind of skin-crawling expertise.
It all makes for a great thriller that's not only involving on a minute-by-minute, page-by-page level but also made to linger long after it's gone.
In what may be my favorite Prey novel yet, Lucas Davenport and Clara Rinker are memorably reunited.
We last saw Rinker in Certain Prey, with Lucas having succeeded in driving her to ground. Once a capable, careful assassin-for-hire--one with a bad past and a chance of a legitimate future--Rinker has settled into a new life in Cancun. Her new identity gives her the happiness her old life never did, and she's settled down into a loving relationship and has a child on the way. If it's not a completely fresh start--her boyfriend's father, being, after all, the "Joe Kennedy" of Cancun--it's close enough. She's off the game-board and out of trouble. She's content.
All that gets shattered one day when a bullet meant for her hits her boyfriend instead; he takes the brunt of the shot, but Rinker still gets enough of it to cause her to lose the baby. Her boyfriend's family at first thinks this hit was meant for them, but soon, enough information comes to light to make Rinker know better. The mob connections she left behind don't entirely trust her to keep her mouth shut. Grief-stricken and on the far edges of her sanity, Rinker heads back to the States in search of revenge, determined to wipe out the informal committee of men who issued the command to ruin the life she'd made for herself.
It's so much fun to watch her methodical, highly competent, and oddly principled work that it's hard to want Lucas to catch her; even Lucas himself is weirdly fond of her, finding her not only fascinating but comprehensible and sympathetic. Rinker's pursuit of her enemies and Lucas's pursuit of her make for a particularly tense, engaging thrill ride, and everything in this novel works pretty much flawlessly. Lucas is at his best here: obsessed with the nitpicky development of his new house, cheerfully talking to their Cancun connection about men's fashion, quickly falling into a rapport with the St. Louis cops when he's supposed to be working with the FBI, doling out relationship advice, and making excellent but believable intuitive leaps along with all the groundwork he does. It's even a novel particularly rich in memorable subplots and supporting characters. There's Rinker's friend Patsy, an abused wife who killed her husband and has since been living under an assumed name in a kind of unhappy limbo; there's the rich sketch of the Cancun powerbroker family, an intriguing blend of legitimacy and cruel criminality; there's the tragedy of Rinker's younger brother, Gene, whom she wants to protect; there's the on-hold romantic longing between FBI agents Mallard and Malone; there's a bar owner peddling off-the-books cell phones, a trophy wife who knows what happened to one of her predecessors, and an ordnance expert with a kind of skin-crawling expertise.
It all makes for a great thriller that's not only involving on a minute-by-minute, page-by-page level but also made to linger long after it's gone.
November 23, 2022
Another outstanding Lucas Davenport book (#13) by John Sandford. This one was particularly good with the return of Clara Rinker, hit woman par exellence. This one grabs you quickly and never lets go. Lucas is away from home chasing Clara as a consultant to the FBI. He, of course, is the one turning up most of the clues/ Clara is able to stay ahead of them for quite a while.
My only nit pick was the ending, which was a little bit of a letdown, but as I said, just a nit pick.
My only nit pick was the ending, which was a little bit of a letdown, but as I said, just a nit pick.
January 19, 2014
When the FBI calls wanting his help with a hired killer that he tangled with in a previous book, Lucas drops everything to go to St. Louis and join in on the chase. While I missed the Minneapolis crew, this was a fast paced thriller with a very good plot. Listened to the audio which was read by Richard Ferrone.
August 17, 2021
4.5 stars = a great read!
Lots of twists and turns, some new characters and some old. A return of a nasty player with an agenda! Worth the read
2 thumbs up!
Lots of twists and turns, some new characters and some old. A return of a nasty player with an agenda! Worth the read
2 thumbs up!
February 8, 2025
Excellent summer, poolside read. John Sandford rarely disappoints. I'm reading his books in order and his first book was his best, a 5 star read, everything since has been 3 or 4 stars.
The characters are what makes his formula work so well. You really feel as if you know Lucas Davenport the man after the first few books. He is not James Bond or Jack Reacher but someone we can all relate to. The killer Clara Rinker is someone you almost admire with her willpower to get things done.
As with most of these books I always say suspend your knowledge of the FBI and government agencies. John Sandford has a way of making them seem incompetent when in reality they have vast resources and would have caught the bad guy or woman before Lucas Davenport and his research. That said I recommend this book and and the twelve Lucas Davenport books before it. Rules of Prey, his first Lucas Davenport book is a must read and his best, I would suggest starting there, you will not be disappointed.
The characters are what makes his formula work so well. You really feel as if you know Lucas Davenport the man after the first few books. He is not James Bond or Jack Reacher but someone we can all relate to. The killer Clara Rinker is someone you almost admire with her willpower to get things done.
As with most of these books I always say suspend your knowledge of the FBI and government agencies. John Sandford has a way of making them seem incompetent when in reality they have vast resources and would have caught the bad guy or woman before Lucas Davenport and his research. That said I recommend this book and and the twelve Lucas Davenport books before it. Rules of Prey, his first Lucas Davenport book is a must read and his best, I would suggest starting there, you will not be disappointed.
June 24, 2020
Another great Lucas Davenport book - set mainly in St. Louis after Lucas is brought in by the FBI after the return of Clara Rinker, a dangerous killer for hire who we met earlier on ‘Certain Prey’
August 5, 2019
Comfortably one of the better entries in this series, which is saying something considering how fucking great these books tend to be. It's a shame the actual titles tend to be so forgettable and homogeneous, because these are all definitely well-written and unremittingly strong enough to stand on their own. That said, this is still one of the few Davenports I've read where it's a hard rule to read another before it (Certain Prey) so if you haven't done that yet I would definitely not continue reading this review. If you've already done so or just don't understandably care, read on. You're not gonna get a whole hell of a lot out of it either way, friend!
I cannot say enough good shit about the antagonist of this book. Not only is she beautifully imagined and written, she is one of the VERY few to either survive or, on a much smaller level, escape untethered from a Davenport novel. I mean, this is not fucking Angela Lansbury we're dealing with; in earlier books Davenport was on some oft-psychotic shit, which to be honest I initially hated but fell in love with. Let's be honest, up until now if you weren't gonna get straight up murdered (Rules of Prey) forced into committing suicide (Mind Prey/Night Prey) or horribly disfigured (Eyes of Prey,) you were something truly special, and Clara Rinker, my friends, is truly special.
I don't like to talk about plot, and frankly, that was an egregious amount of backstory and exposition for me. But it's super relevant to the review because not only is it enjoyable to read a Davenport book with a likable and relatable protagonist, it's doubly enjoyable when we get to experience a sequel about said protagonist. Suffice it to say that even though Lucas is away from his very much personally-beloved regular cast of characters in Minneapolis and that he's with the fuckin' feebs, the camaraderie and humor are still there, the plot moves at a brutally rapid pace and grinds the tension up until your eyeball pops out of your head like that guy in Casino. Like I said earlier, Lucas continues to grow from the violent psycho of the earlier books and this series hasn't been anything less than really, really fucking good so far.
I cannot say enough good shit about the antagonist of this book. Not only is she beautifully imagined and written, she is one of the VERY few to either survive or, on a much smaller level, escape untethered from a Davenport novel. I mean, this is not fucking Angela Lansbury we're dealing with; in earlier books Davenport was on some oft-psychotic shit, which to be honest I initially hated but fell in love with. Let's be honest, up until now if you weren't gonna get straight up murdered (Rules of Prey) forced into committing suicide (Mind Prey/Night Prey) or horribly disfigured (Eyes of Prey,) you were something truly special, and Clara Rinker, my friends, is truly special.
I don't like to talk about plot, and frankly, that was an egregious amount of backstory and exposition for me. But it's super relevant to the review because not only is it enjoyable to read a Davenport book with a likable and relatable protagonist, it's doubly enjoyable when we get to experience a sequel about said protagonist. Suffice it to say that even though Lucas is away from his very much personally-beloved regular cast of characters in Minneapolis and that he's with the fuckin' feebs, the camaraderie and humor are still there, the plot moves at a brutally rapid pace and grinds the tension up until your eyeball pops out of your head like that guy in Casino. Like I said earlier, Lucas continues to grow from the violent psycho of the earlier books and this series hasn't been anything less than really, really fucking good so far.
May 10, 2020
Clara Rinker is back and is out for blood. Clara, introduced in Certain Prey, is a cute, petite ,fun-loving, pub-owning southern girl. She's studied psychology in college, has experience in book-keeping and managing warehouses. Oh, and she's also America's finest private assassin.
Yup, she's on top of the FBI's Most-Wanted List and has a dedicated team of federal agents hunting her with little to no success except having a thick dossier on her. She'd retired down to Mexico. Now she's back in America, in St. Louis, where the Mob trained her and made her into a weapon to be feared. But this time, she's not on a job. It's personal. A sniper, who she suspects had been hired by her former Mob bosses, makes an attempt on her life. Sniper missed and killed her lover and unborn baby. Clara angry.
I have to say, along with Winter Prey (#5 in the Davenport saga), this has to be up there as the very best of the series. There's so much to like about it. First, the story seamlessly picks up where Certain Prey wraps up. Then, the novel ensures that Clara's perspective is illuminated. The formation of the killer that is Clara Rinker; her relationships, her misfortunes, her crimes and her personality. All of it given fair treatment. There's also a lot to like about the interaction between Lucas, who's been roped in by the feebs (as he likes to call them), and Clara. Lucas understands Clara better than most. Is it because he's just intuitive or does he have some of the cold-bloodedness that Clara possesses? Draw your own conclusions. Lucas knows that Clara is a stone-cold killer who has to be stopped. But he's also perceptive enough to understand the mind of this assassin and, in a way, probably understands her better than he understands his federal law enforcement buddies.
Mortal Prey is also brilliant because of it's smaller story-arcs and characters, and their dynamic with the protagonists. Andreno, Pollock, Malone, Mallard, etc. each has something to contribute, and the story is richer for these characters.
All in all, this is a great book. However, I would recommend that Certain Prey be read before picking this one up. Its a great experience and you'll lose a little sleep finishing the two.
Yup, she's on top of the FBI's Most-Wanted List and has a dedicated team of federal agents hunting her with little to no success except having a thick dossier on her. She'd retired down to Mexico. Now she's back in America, in St. Louis, where the Mob trained her and made her into a weapon to be feared. But this time, she's not on a job. It's personal. A sniper, who she suspects had been hired by her former Mob bosses, makes an attempt on her life. Sniper missed and killed her lover and unborn baby. Clara angry.
I have to say, along with Winter Prey (#5 in the Davenport saga), this has to be up there as the very best of the series. There's so much to like about it. First, the story seamlessly picks up where Certain Prey wraps up. Then, the novel ensures that Clara's perspective is illuminated. The formation of the killer that is Clara Rinker; her relationships, her misfortunes, her crimes and her personality. All of it given fair treatment. There's also a lot to like about the interaction between Lucas, who's been roped in by the feebs (as he likes to call them), and Clara. Lucas understands Clara better than most. Is it because he's just intuitive or does he have some of the cold-bloodedness that Clara possesses? Draw your own conclusions. Lucas knows that Clara is a stone-cold killer who has to be stopped. But he's also perceptive enough to understand the mind of this assassin and, in a way, probably understands her better than he understands his federal law enforcement buddies.
Mortal Prey is also brilliant because of it's smaller story-arcs and characters, and their dynamic with the protagonists. Andreno, Pollock, Malone, Mallard, etc. each has something to contribute, and the story is richer for these characters.
All in all, this is a great book. However, I would recommend that Certain Prey be read before picking this one up. Its a great experience and you'll lose a little sleep finishing the two.
July 6, 2020
All of John Sandford’s Prey/Davenport books are really good but a few rise above the rest. The 10th & 13th books in the series certainly fit that latter category.
These two books pit our intrepid hero against one of his more unique adversaries, Clara Rinker. She’s a dynamic character who can best be described as the girl next door—if that girl is a sociopathic contract killer.
She’s cute as a button but cold as ice when it comes to killing. She’s a business owner and a college student. She’s had a tough life but risen above it. She’s a paradox of strength and vulnerability and in fact it’s her need for friendship and acceptance that drive this book. It’s her uncharacteristic choice to befriend and love that gets her into trouble.
The gems of these books are her interactions with Lucas. He latches on to her. He understands her. He feels a fondness for her and he’s determined to either kill her or get her into cuffs.
If you’ve never read Sandford you could do much worse than jumping in with these two books. While I think it’s best to start at the very beginning I see no problem for anyone choosing to read these two as a set.
I really enjoyed reading them back to back. Previously, I had only read them in order as I read (and re-read) the series.
This is a great set within a great series and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
These two books pit our intrepid hero against one of his more unique adversaries, Clara Rinker. She’s a dynamic character who can best be described as the girl next door—if that girl is a sociopathic contract killer.
She’s cute as a button but cold as ice when it comes to killing. She’s a business owner and a college student. She’s had a tough life but risen above it. She’s a paradox of strength and vulnerability and in fact it’s her need for friendship and acceptance that drive this book. It’s her uncharacteristic choice to befriend and love that gets her into trouble.
The gems of these books are her interactions with Lucas. He latches on to her. He understands her. He feels a fondness for her and he’s determined to either kill her or get her into cuffs.
If you’ve never read Sandford you could do much worse than jumping in with these two books. While I think it’s best to start at the very beginning I see no problem for anyone choosing to read these two as a set.
I really enjoyed reading them back to back. Previously, I had only read them in order as I read (and re-read) the series.
This is a great set within a great series and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
January 10, 2019
Another excellent entry in the Lucas Davenport/Prey series. Sanford re-introduces us to probably my favorite villain —Clara Rinker. Certain Prey was one of my favorites in the series (so far) because it introduced us to killer Clara Rinker. Although she was a stone-cold killer,as a reader you really liked her. Infact, Mr. Sanford told me at a book signing that at one point he even considered spinning her off in to her own series. In this one, Clara is back and revenge killing her way through St. Louis. FBI agents Mallard and Malone are back as well as some new characters. Bob Andreno is a hoot...I hope we see more of him in the future. A really well plotted thriller. There are some good surprises and the ending is satisfying. Love this series!
August 27, 2010
This is officially my favorite Prey book! It's a very good thriller, I think all of the Davenport series are pretty good but this one is the best. I thoroghly enjoyed Clara's character as well as the detailed scenery of St. Louis (my hometown). You should read it... go on... go find it...
November 21, 2013
This was pretty standard Lucas Davenport.....I only didn't love it because it brought back my favorite "bad guy" Clara Rinker, and I wanted her to have a happy ending.
October 16, 2017
Clara Rinker is back ! Clara's put a target squarely on Lucas Davenport's back in author John Sandford's thirteen Davenport thriller, "Mortal Prey". Hit-man (Woman ?) Clara Rinker was first featured in Sandford's tenth Davenport series book, "Certain Prey". Clara never misses and is a master at leaving no evidence to follow in each of her contracts. She is also able to kill in several types of ways. Davenport well knows that if he's ever to come across Clara Rinker it would get ugly and probably end with the death of either. At this stage in his life Lucas Davenport is about to marry longtime girlfriend Dr. Weather Karkinnen. Weather is also about to make Lucas a father again. In a heart palpitating suspenseful plot Lucas must track Clara Rinker throughout most of the midwest. The ever elusive Rinker is a hard target to find with all of her confederate "friends" in several states. Rinker originally was a hitter for the mob based in St. Louis. Lucas and FBI Agent Louis Mallard are teamed up in tracking Rinker. Agent Malone is also on the team just to tease Davenport even though Mallard now has a huge crush on her. A very fast paced 380 some odd pages, "Mortal Prey", may be my favorite Davenport to date, ( of books 1-13). I sat and read the last 185 pages in one sitting. I don't want to go into detail about the plot for the simple reason this is a MUST READ. It's too a good a story to give away any specifics within this plot. This Davenport tale is author John Sandford at his very best. Five stars out of a possible five stars. It's too bad I couldn't give, "Mortal Prey", SIX stars ! Sandford's Lucas Davenport series is a do not miss for any reason. Books like, "Mortal Prey", make this excellent series really stand out. It's Rinker Vs. Davenport a heavyweight battle like no other.
January 2, 2020
This novel returns Clara Rinker, a serial killer. She was eginning a new life with a man to marry and with child. Someone comes along and kills her man. She loses the child and realizes she was the target. Revenge is on her mind as she returns to St Paul and Lucas Davenport. They chase around as she kills those she believes killed her man trying to kill her. Another Sanford ending in explosion.
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