Rating: 
Summary: Getting Better
Review: I have frequently felt that perhaps five books was the limit for an author to express his new and fresh approaches to literature. John Sandford belies this in Mortal Prey, offering a spellbinding investigation and chase of Clara Rinker, an old foe. He still makes me laugh out loud with his occasional humor and keeps me reading into the night.I normally rank the books I read on the computer from 1 to 10, and except for the Night Crew and Stalking Code (they were 9's), he has had an unbroken streak of 10's. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Kinda Shallow and Boring
Review: For long time I've dropped this "BlahBlahBlah Prey" series, 'cause I found it too formatted and shallow and just failed to learn anything and never being touched or moved. There are incidents, cases, killings in all of this writer's Prey series, but I've never felt deeply moved or touched like being tested by Michael Connelly's or other better writers. Some of the mystery writers simply could deliver documentlike stories as police reports with more wordy description and all. Now, Davenport(?) has already become the Deputy Chief, half detective, half bureaucratic, with half fiancee and half wife, half pregnant, but still consider flirting is not a moral issue. Clara Rinker could also be a little bit deeper but failed likewise. The flow of the story is smooth but what has been delivered? Nothing, just a runnig around so-so story, that's all. Davenport now is part of a politician, part a detective, part of a mixture on the disgusting side. Well, after this "Mortal Prey", I'd return to my last decision made long time ago, I'll pass all his nexts. Thanks for nothing.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ending Killed Me
Review: MORTAL PREY is a continuation of CERTAIN PREY, and picks up with Clara Rinker in Mexico. Many other reviewers break down the plot, so I won't. I would like to point out, however, that the style of this book is different from the other books. More effort is made to get behind Clara's shoulder, and less effort is put into developing Lucas's character. The result is thrilling. I love Clara's character. She is one of my favorite female literary inventions. Her personal struggle, her terrific strategems, and her charisma made MORTAL PREY a delight to read. So why didn't I give MORTAL PREY five stars? Because of the ending -- the very last few pages. I won't put spoilers here. Furthermore, I highly recommend this book. But when you get to the end, you may feel like giving MORTAL PREY four out of five stars. Send me an email and we'll jam.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy another book, not this one.
Review: Lucas & Co. are still one dimensional characters and thus I can't cheer them on; Clara Rinker, the hit woman they are hunting, is the best 3 dimensional character in the book. Her friend Patsy and the gun expert in Alabama are more expertly done than Lucas and the FBI characters and they have smaller parts to play in the book. If Sandford wants to capture readers and have them with Lucas, he has to make Lucas real.
As I'm not quite through listening to the cd, I don't know what happens in the end, but I'm definitely on Clara's side.
I think if the Lucas character had more depth, I'd be more sympathetic. He's like a cardboard cutout. Clara has more flesh; she's tough, she's vulnerable, she's mean, she loves her few friends and her brother Gene, she has no qualms about killing, yet she devises a way to keep Patsy safe, etc. The paradoxes of life that make us unique.
I'd suggest books co-authored by L. Childs and R. Preston. These two are experts at crafting characters who can be visualized, loved, hated, etc. They also write a mean thriller.
Rating:
Summary: Prey Review
Review: Mortal Prey by John Sandford is thrilling. Mortal Prey is suspensful from the beginning to the end. Clara Rinker is the best-hit woman in the business. She has moved to Mexico to start a new life with a new man. After a sniper takes her man and her child, Rinker vows revenge. She knows the bullet was intended for her. Rinker returns to seek out her old enemies. She tracks down the men responsible. In her own unique way she takes them out one by one and anyone else who gets in her way. Rinker's old acquaintance Lucas Davenport is back. Lucas is street smart and savvy. Lucas gets close to a group of retired cops and together their unorthodox ways gets them closer and closer to Rinker. She manages to keep slipping away from the FBI.
Mortal Prey is one of a series of Prey books. Initially, the beginning puzzels you if you are not a Prey reader. After a few chapters, you are up to speed though. For those of us who are not Prey readers, John Sandford gives enough detail about the characters so you know their connection from previous books. This information makes you curious to read other books in the series. His attention to detail is magnificent you feel as though you are with each of Rinker's victims. The suprise ending leaves you wanting to know more. I was pleased with this book and look forward to reading more in the Prey series.
Rating:
Summary: Lucas needs a better editor
Review: I am amazed that only 2 readers out of 68 reviewers mentioned the fact that the same telephone conversation occurs in this book within 9 pages. I read fast and I read alot--but it was hard to miss. Not only did it confuse the story line, but it removed a level of trust in the integrity of the author and publisher. Who is editing these books???? I like the character of Lucas Davenport, I enjoy his humor and taste for the finer things--so it was fun to read--but c'mon--this should not happen.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Job!
Review: This is another excellent Lucas Davenport book by John Sandford - - actually, one of his best. I would be very interested to see what Sandford could do with a clean sheet of paper; not constrained by the Lucas Davenport character.
Rating:
Summary: A fine ride with Clara Rinker
Review:
Rating:
Summary: Fine pursuit yarn
Review: Clara Rinker, a highly intelligent and efficient hired gun, is an interesting and even sympathetic figure as she goes about avenging her fiancé's unintentional assassination - despite her propensity for blowing people's heads off. In fact there are a number of interesting characters in this fast-paced pursuit yarn. Once more the FBI is depicted as a group who wastes time taking meetings and searching data bases while the real detective work is accomplished by a bunch of ex-flatfoots who get out and pound the streets - in this case the streets of St. Louis. This is a quick read and an excellent example of its type of escapist novel.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Police Procedural!
Review: Lucas Davenport at his best, again. I'm a huge fan of the "prey" series, and this one did not disappoint. Bringing back Clara Rinker was an excellent idea of Mr Sandford. I anxiously moved through the pages racing to see what Rinker would do next, and how Lucas and company were going to solve. I'm almost ashamed to admit that I felt sorry for her, especially with her being a cold-blooded methodical killer. Regardless of my sorrow, the ending couldn't have gone any other way. Can't wait to read the next novel featuring Lucas Davenport, especially with him moving in different circles. I recommend this novel, especially to fans of the "prey" series.
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