Extreme Prey (Lucas Davenport #26)

I have read all of the Prey series. Initially I was drawn to the books by their setting, mostly in the Twin Cities, where I grew up, studied and worked until I moved away for job-related reasons. Besides the plots (specially Eyes of Prey), the books kept me connected to my past.

Extreme Prey is the most recent and the last one I will read in the series. Sandford has exploited a formula that has ceased for me to capture my attention. Generally it was the psychological examination of the characters, particularly Lucas Davenport, and the parallel-action style (the reader knows what is happening and going through the mind of both Davenport and his prey) that appealed to me. This is still true of Extreme Prey. However, now everything seems trite and repetitive: descriptions of Davenport’s clothing’s designer (who cares?), the numerous iterations of how he punches numbers on his smart phone (wouldn’t “He called” do?), the extraneous details that add nothing to the plot-, the overabundance of details about Lucas’ cars, as if we needed to be impressed with his good taste and affluence–I’ve had enough. The ending of Extreme Prey seems forced, an overview of details necessary to tie all loose ends, but narrated in a superficial, matter-of-fact fashion, immaturely for a writer of his experience and ability.

That gathering at the lake cabin: what did that have to do with anything? Weather gets a mention, the rest of the family vanishes except for a mention of Letty and her hot-clad girlfriends.

It has been a great ride, following Lucas’ evolution throughout the series, being astonished at the fascinating characters–particularly the evil ones–and reminiscing about my dear Twin Cites whenever the action took place there. Now it’s time to say good-bye and stop waiting for the next tome to come out in April each year.

Good read. Lucas Davenport is “between jobs”, having left the Minnesota BCI in the last book because of a pain in the ass political boss who didn’t appreciate Lucas’ tactics. The governor of Minnesota (Elmer Henderson) is running for President but really wants to be VP on the Democrat ticket. He asks Lucas to look into possible threats against the other leading Democratic presidential candidate (Mike Bowden) who is more likely to be the party winner and who the governor would like to serve under as VP. Bowden has a cabinet position in the Obama administration (hah, unstated but assumed) and is described as less a “far lefty” than Henderson is. Davenport finds operating an investigation without a badge has major disadvantages, but also a few advantages. In the end, he cracks the plot, it fails and Bowden is unharmed…buts lots of other people are killed or wounded. For his good work, Davenport is offered a new job as a US Marshal. The story ends with him yet undecided about that, but you can guess he will take it. Lots of action in this book makes it a fun and enjoyable read. Another great Prey novel for Sandford to add to his collection!

Author John Sandford and the lead character in his PREY novels, Lucas Davenport, have made some big moves lately. Sandford has moved to New Mexico, and Lucas has quit his job working for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

But Lucas is back in the saddle when governor Elmer Henderson, who is running for president in the Iowa caucuses, asks for his help. Seems like these two weirdos have been hounding him to move to the center so leading democratic candidate Michaela Mike Bowden (think Hillary) doesn’t win the democratic nomination for president.

Sandford likes to show you who we’re dealing with and why they are the way they are. So he introduces us to Marlys and Clay Purdy early on. She’s an old sixties radical and he’s done time in the Middle East with the National Guard and is suffering from some form of PTS.

Henderson has a hunch these two are planning some kind of dangerous scheme. He doesn’t have a name, but he has a description for Lucas; she has white curly hair and he has gray eyes. Lucas still has connections in the BCA, and he compiles a list of possible radical organizations who might have a gripe against Bowden. Then, as usual in a PREY novel, people start dropping like flies.

Sandford also has another motive. Lucas needs a badge. He’s having trouble enough getting the head of the Iowa state cops to give him some support. It takes a tongue-lashing by the Iowa governor to get the jealous director to give him four state cops to help him track these people down. Bowden isn’t helping either; she insists on doing a walk through during the Iowa State Fair, the worst possible place to provide security, with thousands of people milling about.

This is an instructive book for beginning writers. If your character is tied up in a chair waiting for the axe to drop, you can’t have him/her reach into a desk drawer and find a knife. That’s too convenient. You need to plant that knife earlier in the story. Lucas does track down the Purdys, but they’re gone by the time he finds their farm. There’s a workshop in the hayloft, and Lucas finds several bolts; he can’t quite make the connection, but he does in the nick of time. The dummy should’ve known what they were for, but he was concentrating on snipers. There’s evidence Clay is a crack shot.

Sandford does accomplish his goal because Lucas always gets his man (sometimes woman), at least ninety-nine percent of the time. At the end of the novel, somebody owes him one (I think you can guess who that might be) and that something turns out to be a job.

I echo all the other John Sandford fans; this is a great read, as ever. I love the humour which never fails. Perhaps this is what stops this series getting stale even at number 26. Not sure if even the comparable James Lee Burke has the same skill with Robicheaux, but Lucas and his wonderful entourage still deliver. My only regret is that I have finished this and will have to wait a while before there is another. So glad Lucas has a new job to go to – lots more tales to tell……. ? The plot of this one is very much of the time and builds well through the book which means that it is not simply a retreat into familiar characters; if you have not yet read of this series, it stands alone but you may well want to read the other 25 – I envy you if you have this in store. Roll on, Lucas & co.

The first Sandford book I’ve read for a while. I’ve probably forgotten, but do all his books extol Coca Cola in this way? I found the constant repetition of the brand name irritating and off-putting, though not – quite -enough to make me stop reading this fast-paced story. Lantern-Jawed Lucas comes through as ever. But at he first mention of the drink in the next Sandford book I buy, I’m off.

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