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Summary: Lucas Davemport is better than ever!!
Review: Lucas Davenport has shed his multi-problem persona in John Sanford's new book "Certain Prey." In the previous editions Lucas was bordering on becoming like the psychos he always seemed to be fighting. In this selection he is up againt a "hit woman" who is smart and has a sense of humor.Carla Rinker believes in "don't get mad, get even." In doing so she discovers a new line of work, contract hit man. Carmel Logan is a high powered attorney with an over abundance of what is right. Together these women give Lucas a great run for his money. The details will keep you reading even after you've promised yourself you really should go to bed. Sanford has finally delivered a Lucas Davenport story with power, twist of plot and some laughs. Great read, can hardly wait for the next one.
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Summary: Terrific read--A great summer at-the-beach book!
Review: I had not realized how tired I was of Lucas Davenport's moods and depressions until I read Certain Prey. This book is lighthearted and upbeat, even when describing murder and mayhem. The focus is on the two women characters, both determined and successful in their respective fields, who end up as uneasy friends. I say "uneasy" because they each periodically consider eliminating the other. Lucas serves as the counterbalance of the book.Another thing that I really liked was the lack of focus on Lucas' eccentricities: the millionaire cop with the software business on the side nonsense had always been vaguely annoying to me. The characterizations are right on. The underlying humor was an unexpected bonus. A great book which I read in one long sitting!
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Summary: Absolutely terrific
Review: Deputy chief Lucas Davenport has faced many dangerous adversaries during his time as a law enforcement official. Though many are scum, none are quite like Clara Rinka, professional hit-woman, who has never even been photographed. The only apparent reason the authorities now know she is female is because of her need for a friend, Carmel. Clara would do almost anything for her only friend. The aggressive Carmel, a Minneapolis attorney, rarely loses a case. Her life seems charmed as she seems to always attain what she wants. Her current target is Hale Aller, a married real estate attorney. Carmel decides to eliminate the opposition by having Clara kill the spouse. Clara succeeds and surprisingly the females bond. Lucas suspects the tow of them even as he wonders if Clara is the mirror image of his own bull dogged determination. CERTAIN PREY is a radically different type of Lucas Davenport novel than the previous tales. This time John Sandford concentrates on the two females as opposed to the usual look at his antihero. The rapport between the two women and Lucas is the underpinning of the story line and needs to be read to be fully grasped. No longer superman, Lucas remains obstinate and cooler than the earlier incarnations. By changing the lens, Mr. Sandford has written his chilliest thriller to date, one that will entice the audience to read the back issues of Lucas. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Lovers and snipers
Review: This Lucas Davenport novel is one of the better ones. Well, they are all great, but the main-characters apart from Lucas Davemport and his team, are criminal women. And they are as hardcore as the male villains and serial killers we have met in other Davenport novels. Carmel is a high profile lawyer falling in love with a married man. As Carmel is used to get whatever she wants, and also is a sociopath, she is quick to put a contract out on the man's wife. She is recommended the female hit-woman Carla. Carla quickly takes out the wife, and Carmel can start her affair with the widowed man. But pretty soon things start to go wrong, and Carla is forced to bond with Carmel, and from then on, one killing takes another. Not only is Lucas Davenport on the look-out for them, the FBI is also trying to find them, and the book is a pageturner, an exciting and quick and satisfying read.
Rating: 
Summary: cannot suspend disbelief on this one
Review: I admit, I'm catching up on a backlog of reading, and am devouring Mr. Sandford's last few Prey books a little bass-ackwards. Just finished this particular Davenport book, and although the middle sagged JUST a little, I have to admit it was only because the first third was so nail-bitingly brilliant! Never have I been so thrilled by two antagonists, and NEVER have I found myself rooting for them. An EXTREMELY satisfying ending...and I'm champing at the bit to dive into Mortal Prey for a revisit! Thank you, Mr. Sandford. A real writer's-write. You inspire.
Rating: 
Summary: Uncertain Characters
Review: John Sandford's 'Certain Prey' is a fast-moving, adventure with cop Lucas Davenport hot on the trail of a hit-woman. But it's more complicated than that. Carmel Loan, a top Minneapolis lawyer has become buddy-buddy with the hit-woman and may have found a new way to unwind from the pressures of the high-stakes lawyer game. 'Certain Prey' is my first exposure to Sandford and I can say that he really delivers on creating action, suspense, and excitement. And his villains are well-drawn. Even the minor characters are done admirably. But I have two problems with 'Certain Prey.' One is this: Sandford is a good writer and has written a smart story with smart criminals. Why then in critical moments do the criminals behave so stupidly? I won't give it away for those who haven't read this installment, but Sandford really asks the reader to make a couple of pretty bold leaps with him as far as characters. Again, if the characters hadn't been drawn so well, it wouldn't be such a problem to see them behave in an inconsistent manner. The second problem: We don't know who Lucas Davenport is. Sure, he's a cop, but he's the least fleshed-out character. We don't know anything about his motivation (other than the fact that he's a cop) or what drives him. I'm aware that I've come into the series at Book 10, but not every reader of 'Certain Prey' will start with Book 1. More about Davenport would have been nice. If graphic, sadistic violence and strong language offend you, this is not the book for you. Just a friendly warning. But if you like a fast-paced criminal thriller, 'Certain Prey' may be the book you're looking for.
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