[Andre Jute]

Roger that...

However, I'm just before finishing Sudden Prey, and have become a bit frustrated in that the story's conclusion just seems to drag on and on. Also, it's beginning to look like a romance between a tough, tough street cop and a surgeon may well not be meant to be...Weather has just reacted very badly when Davenport's handling of the situation in all likelihood saved her life. I've enjoyed most of the books up to now, but may strike out in a new direction after finishing this one.

David

As I writer, I admire Sandford's ability to make the denouement last a very long time. As for Lucas and Weather, I don't suppose it is a spoiler to say, Don't give up her yet!

 

[Scott D. Covey]

Loved the Prey Series from the start. Then found out it was Camp and thought no wonder this is so good! Much better writing than many in the genre.

 

[Steph H]

I was very into the Pres series for a while, but it was quite some time ago. I enjoyed them, but he kept bringing one villain back again and again and again and it was getting a bit like the Joker in the Batman comics.

Huh. I remember one guy coming back again in the early days (Eyes of Prey is still one of the hardest for me to read 'cause it's so dang creepy), and then another villain comes back in later days, but I don't remember any ongoing villain appearing numerous times. And I've read the series probably 5 times, at least, other than the last few that have only been read a couple of times so far.

David, I agree with Andre, don't give up on the series too early just because Weather is a bit of a pill in some of her early appearances. As far as I'm concerned, this series hasn't gone downhill or succumbed to series ennui at all, it still rocks. I haven't started the Flowers spinoff yet, but I do like the appearances he had in the Davenport books.

 

[Littlejohn]

Huh. I remember one guy coming back again in the early days (Eyes of Prey is still one of the hardest for me to read 'cause it's so dang creepy), and then another villain comes back in later days, but I don't remember any ongoing villain appearing numerous times. And I've read the series probably 5 times, at least, other than the last few that have only been read a couple of times so far.

David, I agree with Andre, don't give up on the series too early just because Weather is a bit of a pill in some of her early appearances. As far as I'm concerned, this series hasn't gone downhill or succumbed to series ennui at all, it still rocks. I haven't started the Flowers spinoff yet, but I do like the appearances he had in the Davenport books.

Okay, okay...I hear y'all. Hadn't decided what I was going to get next, but will go after the next Prey story. And by the way, Sudden Prey did end better that I expected it to when I made that last post...

David

 

[Andre Jute]

I found Lucas Davenport so good the second time around, I picked up the next one as well, and discovered I haven't read it before, a new pleasure.

So I'm reading Certain Prey by John Sandford for the first time, laughing so loudly in bath about Clara Rinker (on her first appearance in the series) and Carmel Loan assuring each other that they are sociopaths not psychopaths, that my wife came to tell me not to splash so much water out of the bath!

***

The guy that was brought back that Steph H mentions was Michael Bekker, the surgeon who looked for the secret of everlasting life in the eyes of people on the point of death. "Too dang creepy" is right.

***

This is an excellent thread. You're doing good, Littlejohn.

 

[J. Tanner]

I very much enjoyed all of his Kidd series books and am disappointed there are no plans for more. The character was more original to me.

The Prey series seemed too indimidating in number of books on the off chance I liked it. But someday I'll be trying them out.

 

[Littlejohn]

I found Lucas Davenport so good the second time around, I picked up the next one as well, and discovered I haven't read it before, a new pleasure.

So I'm reading Certain Prey by John Sandford for the first time, laughing so loudly in bath about Clara Rinker (on her first appearance in the series) and Carmel Loan assuring each other that they are sociopaths not psychopaths, that my wife came to tell me not to splash so much water out of the bath!

***

The guy that was brought back that Steph H mentions was Michael Bekker, the surgeon who looked for the secret of everlasting life in the eyes of people on the point of death. "Too dang creepy" is right.

***

This is an excellent thread. You're doing good, Littlejohn.

You're right, a good thread. Dunno how much credit I can take, however, I suspect Sandford gets most of the credit. ;-)

After reading your post I looked at my list (of Prey Novels, supposedly in the order written), and saw that there is one, Secret Prey, between the one I just finished and the one you're enjoying so much. Decided that, as the characters mature and change with the series (much like in the Robert B. Parker series that I enjoyed so much), I'd read them in order. Got this one, Secret Prey, to read next. It got good write-ups, by the way. Then I'll get onto the one you're enjoying so much.

David

 

[Collin Moshman]

Great recommendations, I'm putting Certain Prey next on my list!

 

[Littlejohn]

You're right, a good thread. Dunno how much credit I can take, however, I suspect Sandford gets most of the credit. ;-)

After reading your post I looked at my list (of Prey Novels, supposedly in the order written), and saw that there is one, Secret Prey, between the one I just finished and the one you're enjoying so much. Decided that, as the characters mature and change with the series (much like in the Robert B. Parker series that I enjoyed so much), I'd read them in order. Got this one, Secret Prey, to read next. It got good write-ups, by the way. Then I'll get onto the one you're enjoying so much.

David

Well this one, Secret Prey, better pick up in a hurry. I'm 20% into it, and so far, well, wishing I was somewhere else. Ya suppose that's why it was a couple of bucks cheaper than the others? I'll stick with it for a bit more then, if it doesn't pick up I'll be looking for something else. Suggestions, anyone?

David

 

[SeanBlack]

Hi David,

You should check out Gregg Hurwitz' series about US Marshal Tim Rackley. The first book is The Kill Clause. There are three others after that, all cracking reads. Gregg's moved on to standalones, which is a real shame as this was probably my favorite series in this genre.

http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Clause-Tim-Rackley-ebook/dp/B000FC12EQ/

 

[Littlejohn]

Hi David,

You should check out Gregg Hurwitz' series about US Marshal Tim Rackley. The first book is The Kill Clause. There are three others after that, all cracking reads. Gregg's moved on to standalones, which is a real shame as this was probably my favorite series in this genre.

http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Clause-Tim-Rackley-ebook/dp/B000FC12EQ/

Yes, I read The Kill Clause. I don't know why, but it wasn't for me...but thanks for the suggestion. I saw last night where one of the Robert B. Parker Spenser series can be bought for $.99. Haven't read his early books for several years now so, even though the paperback is probably in there on one of the bookshelves, I'm going to get that one so I can read it on Kindle. Then, if I give up on Secret Prey, I'll have something I KNOW I'll enjoy to read on Kindle.

I hope folks keep the suggestions coming, though!

David

 

[normcowie]

I read a bunch of the Prey books way back when, but frankly, I started missing them, and can't remember where I left off. He keeps writing new ones, and I just doing want to go back and try and figure out where I left off.  Same with his wife's books.

Weird. I kind of remember liking them.

Norm

 

[Littlejohn]

Well alright...I'm going to give up on Secret Prey...stayed with it longer than I expected to, but now, only about 40% into it, I'm giving up.  Maybe that's why it was cheaper, I don't know.  I find it vague, wandering, and TOO MANY CHARACTERS.  Going to read that Robert B. Parker Spenser story I bought for ninety nine cents, then decide what to read next.  May go back and read one of my own.  I still think they're pretty good. ;-)

David

 

[Tim Greaton]

I heard someone talking about the Prey books on Goodreads a month or so ago. I will likely try one sometime in the next year or so. My TBR list is a little filled with indie friends at the moment, but usually in the winter I can get in a little more reading time

 

[Steph H]

Great recommendations, I'm putting Certain Prey next on my list!

To bring a thread/post back from the near-dead, has anyone else seen that this book [Certain Prey] has been made into a TV movie, starring Mark Harmon as Davenport, to be shown on USA this Sunday night, 11/4? I love Mark Harmon, but I can't say he's who I would have first chosen as Davenport, just 'cause I picture him [without remembering the description and not looking] as dark/swarthy, kinda more Italian-ish maybe, and Mark Harmon doesn't look Italian at all.

But I'll definitely Tivo it and see how they do with bringing it to life. An article on Zap2It says that Mark reads the series and was part of bringing it together from the beginning....and hints that if it does well, it may become a recurring thing like Tom Selleck does on CBS with Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone character.

http://www.zap2it.com/news/zap-certain-prey-story,0,1432761.story

 

[Littlejohn]

To bring a thread/post back from the near-dead, has anyone else seen that this book [Certain Prey] has been made into a TV movie, starring Mark Harmon as Davenport, to be shown on USA this Sunday night, 11/4? I love Mark Harmon, but I can't say he's who I would have first chosen as Davenport, just 'cause I picture him [without remembering the description and not looking] as dark/swarthy, kinda more Italian-ish maybe, and Mark Harmon doesn't look Italian at all.

But I'll definitely Tivo it and see how they do with bringing it to life. An article on Zap2It says that Mark reads the series and was part of bringing it together from the beginning....and hints that if it does well, it may become a recurring thing like Tom Selleck does on CBS with Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone character.

http://www.zap2it.com/news/zap-certain-prey-story,0,1432761.story

Well I'm certainly glad you did (revive a near-dead thread)! Because, since I last posted I have read Certain prey, and absolutely loved it. Cover to cover, perhaps the best Prey story I've read. And also because my wife and I are both huge Mark Harmon fans, having followed NCIS always. So...if it's as good as it should be, and if it becomes a recurring thing like Jesse Stone, well, that is all very good stuff indeed.! And if Mark's as good as Tom Selleck, he'll make the character his. We will most certainly watch it, if we can find it (as we should, having Direct TV and their equivalent of TiVo).

I've just gotten into Mortal Prey, the second story with the Clara Rinker character. At first I didn't know how Davenport was going to feel, being married and with child on the way, but then he left (so far) all of that to chase off after Clara. Time (and story) will tell, I guess.

Again, thanks for the post!

David

edit: Just went and checked...we got it on 'record'! Yea!

 

[karneval]

Maybe Sanford constantly shows complex problems from different angles..

 

[Andre Jute]

To bring a thread/post back from the near-dead...

Threads about good authors never die, they just keep marching time in the archives until a new generation of readers need them.

 

[Alan Ryker]

They're fun, though I find themed serial killers pretty silly.

 

[Steph H]

Well I'm certainly glad you did (revive a near-dead thread)! Because, since I last posted I have read Certain prey, and absolutely loved it.

Hey, glad to hear you gave other books in the series a chance! When you last posted about giving up on Secret Prey, I guess I thought you were going to give up on the whole series; reading back, you obviously never said that, it was just my own silly interpretation.

Yeah, Harmon does a great job on NCIS, that's such a fun show to watch. There are some personality similarities between Gibbs and Davenport I think, but of course Davenport has a much darker edge a lot of the time. Some other article I read about the movie, in TV Guide maybe, speculated that perhaps some of that edge might even show up in Gibbs later in the NCIS season (he even shows a bit of an edge occasionally currently and in prior seasons, for instance if one of his people is in danger or he's realllllly mad at the bureaucracy for messing with his team). I certainly think Harmon can do a good job with Davenport in general, he just wasn't the 'type' or 'nationality/look' I would have first thought of.

Glad you got it set up to record, look forward to hearing what you think of it! I have to record it on the late re-run because I have too much going on in prime time between recording shows and watching football live, so it'll be at least Monday before I watch.