Rating: 
Summary: Very fast reading, however preferred other Prey stories
Review: While I did very much enjoy reading Certain Prey and really hated Carmen, I thought the writing was more simplistic than previous "Prey " novels. I would still highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Is this really a Lucas Davenport book?
Review: The focus of this book is the killers, Clara and Carmel: Their motivations, rationales, actions. Lucas almost -- ALMOST -- is a secondary character, and would be save for the fact that he plays such a large part in the killers' reasoning and responses. Though I enjoyed "Secret Prey" more as a total story, "Certain Prey" is worth reading just for the ending alone. Sandford sure knows how to write a closing that actually satisifies while still leaving the door open for new possibilities. I know Sandford writes faster than one book a year. Can't we get the publisher to break down and publish more frequently???
Rating:
Summary: Lucas Davenport matches wits with two female antagonists
Review: Certain Prey was a pleasant and surprising change of pace from the other Prey books. Clara,the professional hit woman seemed a lesser evil than the brilliant lawyer,Carmel,who finds out that inflicting pain and murdering people are things she relishes doing,and takes on with great satisfaction. The two main female characters were intriguing leads in this story that was fast paced,well written,and was not missing a touch of lightness here and there,to relieve some of the more unsavory moments. Of course,Lucas is his usual confident and take charge kind of hero that I've taken great pleasure in reading about in his previous books. I agree with a previous reviewer that Lucas' character was not done justice in the recent Prey TV Movie. I'll be looking forward to Sandford's next Davenport case!
Rating:
Summary: Sandford and Davenport at their best!!!
Review: It seems as though every Prey book is the best...until the next one comes out. Certain Prey is no exception. With it's awesome plot, Certain Prey is the best book I've read this year. An absolute must read, ASAP!
Rating:
Summary: intriguing and imaginative characterization and story
Review: another winner for Sandford. though the story line is an old one his twists are unique. sharp, fast moving prose. it's one of those do not start if you must go to work the next day. lucas has gone through the wars as a detective but his latest encounter leaves you breathless. the end is unique and unexpected but satisfying. the book is quick and enjoyable. there are some things you see coming and yet they do not detract from the story. carmel and clara are a dynamic pair each with her own strengths. you watch and wait to see what mayhem they'll bring to the next person they come in contact with. i found them both to be very strong and almost admirable. lucas never disappoints. he never seems to know more than anyone and i love the fact he hates to be positioned uncomfortably. this is definitely a winner.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing, thrilling read w/surprise ending
Review: I was so excited to receive the new Prey book and I was not disappointed. Stayed up half the night to finish it. Love the way Sandford develops his characters. Love Davenport even more -- much more than the character played by Eric LaSalle on television. But, I really was surpised by the ending and wonder if this leaves it open for the next book. I laughed out loud at his humor more than once, even in the closing conversation. I have an eagle eye and found a couple of errors, can you believe it? When the hitman is asleep on the couch in Rinker's apartment, how can he stand up to light a cigarette; must have meant the 2nd hitman sitting in the chair stood up. That was one; find the other. How long for the next Prey? Thanks for a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Sandford hits the bullseye!
Review: This is a really good read. For once, Lucas is not quite as "on top of things" as usual. I know my sense of humor is off beat, but there were times when I was actually laughing over poor ole' Lucas' utter bewilderment as the action unfolded. Too bad the hit lady is beyond redemption. She is a real match for Lucas!
Rating:
Summary: John Sandford's best book since "Eyes of Prey".
Review: This is the book that makes up for the last three. This book's focus is the villain, not Davenport. Sandford has not used this approach since "Silent Prey". His characters are sharp, the dialogue believable. Plot twists and surprises await the reader as Davenport closes the net on Clara and Carmel. Perhaps, we have met Davenport's "Moriarity". I look forward to John Sandford's next book.
Rating: 
Summary: John Sandford's latest just average for me
Review: Rating this book poses a question: do I rate it compared to the other Davenport/Prey series books, or in comparison to other books in the same genre? If I rated it in the Davenport series only, perhaps two stars, but any book in this series is five stars compared to many other murder mystery series.As other reviewers have noted, this book is somewhat of a departure from the usual Davenport format. No complex love interests of Davenport, no software problems. Two female killers working in tandem, with the typical professional "hit" that quickly develops complications and gets out of hand. I found myself missing the Wisconsin settings of some of the books, missing the interaction with his favorite nun, missing his love interests, missing the arguments Davenports usually has with supervisor and various politicos, and the novel had a somewhat dubious plot: a top notch female criminal defense attorney decides to murder a woman so that she can have a love interest with her husband when he doesn't have a clue about this desired relationship. How this top notch criminal defense attorney makes so many mistakes, and how she so quickly develops a lust for killing and chilling of her conscience is indeed a mystery to me, but I still enjoy every tale in this series...
Rating:
Summary: Best Davenport novel in years!
Review: I'd almost given up John Sandford as one of my "must read" authors because the last three Lucas Davenport books were so disappointing, but I decided to give him one more chance, and I was finally rewarded! Certain Prey is fast-moving and suspenseful and thankfully Sandford has removed the annoying Weather Karkinnen from Lucas' life, so he's almost back to normal. The two female characters, Carla and Carmel are like a more sociopathic version of Thelma and Louise---I actually found myself rooting for them to succeed! The only reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because a police "leak" who played an important part in the evolution of the story is never revealed. But, perhaps Sandford is planning to reveal this in a later novel. Anyway, that is my one quibble about an otherwise excellent, entertaining read.
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