Rules of Prey (Lucas Davenport, No. 1) Mass Market Paperback – August 2, 2005

Great Prey series!!!!! This is the first book of many. Detective you will get to love and horrible crimes he has to solve. Page turner binging awaits you.

John Sandford brings action, investigation, surveillance, and suspense to the first book in the Lucas Davenport Prey series, Rules of Prey. I’ve now read 20 out of the 34 books in this series and I’m hoping to fill in more gaps in my reading of it this year.There’s a killer in Minneapolis who leaves notes with every woman he kills. These notes are his rules of murder. Lucas Davenport is a detective lieutenant with the Minneapolis police department who is determined to stop him.Lucas is somewhat of a rebel and doesn’t always play by the rules of law. He’s controversial, smart, an inventor of games, has several commendations, and has killed five men in the line of duty. The killer is intelligent, careful, driven, controlled, and loves games.The story switches points of view between Lucas and the killer. While readers eventually learn who the killer is, the police are still trying to identify him. Their investigation isn’t always by the book and the author talks about this in his introduction at the beginning of the novel.The story is part investigation and part action thriller. The opening is strong, intriguing, and impactful. This disturbing event hooked me and immediately drew me into the novel. Humor is also sprinkled throughout the novel despite the dark theme of a serial killer. The book has great characterization and is suspenseful and full of action. While Lucas isn’t as likeable as many main characters, this novel does a great job of introducing him to readers.Overall, this was unsettling, action-packed, and filled with exciting scenes with compelling characters.I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was July 24, 1989.

Enjoyable police procedural starring seductive detective who operates confidently in moral gray zones, loves manipulating the media, and loves smart women even more.

I have long been a fan of Lucas Davenport but did not know his beginnings. I am reading all of the missed stories. Moving on to #2 with pleasure.

Enjoyed the book a great deal. Some things, like his main love interest in this book, I didn't like at all. I don't care for spiteful, dishonest, uncaring women that intentionally trap men. Enough about that. The mystery was great. I liked Lucas. Looking forward to more in series.

Lucas Davenport, ace investigator, is on the trail of the latest woman-hunter who savagely kills without leaving a clue. Louis Vullion is a mediocre attorney turned serial killer who loves games as much as Davenport. The two begin a cat-and-mouse chase once Louis fails in his attempts to murder Carla Ruiz.This is the first Sandford novel I've attempted. After reading so many positive, enthusiastic reviews of the PREY series, I simply had to start at the beginning. Was I disappointed? Not entirely. There are some interesting characters. Carla Ruiz is a rather strong, determined, intelligent woman. Sister Mary Joseph (or Elle Kruger when she grew up with Davenport) was my favorite character overall; she's witty, intelligent, confident and she serves as an anchor and confidante for Davenport. Louis himself is an interesting killer; however, there is no clear motive for his killing. There are some brief mentions of a weak mother, but nothing substantial about Louis is ever fleshed out. Annie McGowan and Jennifer Carey are rival tv reporters sniffing out the hottest story in Minnesota. Then there's Davenport. Intelligent? Yes. Brilliant detective? Perhaps. But he also possesses the scruples of a street hood, beds half the female characters before the story truly begins, and is quite willing to plant evidence or to physically threaten/harm witnesses or suspects. He designs elaborate games which supposedly supplies him with an income allowing him to drive a Porsche, own a wilderness hideaway, a boat, and several collectible firearms. One of his many girlfriends becomes pregnant, and the two share many a glass of wine and bottles of beer throughout the novel. Hmmmm.....The last 100 pages of this novel redeemed it in my opinion. I was honestly rather bored through the earlier segments, but I appreciated the quicker pace offered more toward the end. Perhaps I've read one too many serial-killer novels, but this one was a bit too predictable for my taste. I know I'll try out at least one more in the series to see if Sandford develops some of these characters (and if Davenport's libido cools off). I'd also like to see if Sandford is able to strengthen the writing and to provide a less predictable story with a more thrilling conclusion. Overall, I give this 3 stars because it was interesting enough to keep me reading. I'll reserve more glowing reviews if the next in the series does better at grabbing my attention from beginning to end.

Sandford, this is one for the ages. Folks, if you pass over reading this one, you are “nun the wiser”..for sure!