“One of [the] best” (Orlando Sentinel) Lucas Davenport Novels—now with a New Introduction by the Author. Clara Rinker is twenty-eight, beautiful, charmingly southern—and the best hit woman in the business. She just goes about her business, collects her money, and goes home. Her latest hit sounds simple: a defense attorney wants a rival eliminated. No problem—until a witness survives. Clara … witness survives. Clara usually knows how to deal with loose ends: cut them off, one by one, until they’re all gone. This time, there’s one loose end that’s hard to shake.
Lucas Davenport has no idea of the toll this case is about to take on him. Clara knows his weak spots. She knows how to penetrate them, and how to use them. And when a woman like Clara has the advantage, no one is safe.
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I find John Sandford’s books re-readable, a distinction not shared by that many thrillers. I’ve been coping with quarantine by making my way once again through his entire Prey series, and was absolutely blown away for a third time by a pair of books, #10 and #14 in the series, Certain Prey and Mortal Prey. These are the books in which Lucas Davenport deals with Clara Rinker, one of the most compelling bad girls in crime fiction. If you haven’t read these books, I envy you the joy of reading them for the first time. OTOH, I envy you the delight of re-reading them.
Rinker is a hired killer that works for the local mob out of St. Louis. She comes to the Twin Cities on a job for a local defense attorney. A minor glitch and Rinker and Loan, the attorney, start working together to solve their increasing problems. Lucas gets involved when the FBI comes to town after the assassin with 27 confirmed kills.
Rinker at least has a few rules she tries to adhere to while Loan seems to have no rules and is a lot scarier than Rinker. Rinker may be a sociopath, but Loan makes her seem like a Girl Scout.
Good story. For every person killed, another person pops up that needs to be killed to cover their tracks.
John Standford is one of most favorite authors…The Prey books are sensational very hard to get anything else done!
Lucid Davenport’s character is outstanding! I suggest you start with the first Prey book and continue all the way through. It will leave you starving for the next one.
One can never go wrong with a Lucas Davenport novel
Typical Davenport read with good plot and a few good twists plus a few glimpses into his personal life to keep you wanting to know more about him.
Good read
Never read a bad John Sanford book.
LOVE the Prey books!
I love all John Sanford books — I have read all of his books except the ones recently released. I usually try to wait for a price decrease unless I just can’t manage to wait.
Always pre-order this author’s books
Just love this series.
One of my favorites of the Prey series. Clara Rinker is one of Sandford’s best villains, tough and murderous and yet, possessing some soul. The pacing is fast, the story riveting, and Lucas Davenport is at his very best. Carmel Loan, as the other villian, is a bit over the top but not too much. A must read.
All the Prey books are awesome!
A number of years ago a friend gave me some books she had already read. In this was John Sanford and his “Prey”, “Lucas Davenport” series. Great reading, always interesting plots. From the Prey series, Sanford also writes another character – equally interesting yet a different personality – Virgil Flowers. Read them all!
Love the Prey series by John Sanford
As always with a Sandford book the caricatures are well developed and interesting.
HugeLucas Davenport fan
love his books can not put down once started
I’ve loved every book I’ve read by John Sandford.
I’ve read all of John Sandford’s books. Of the Prey series with Lucas Davenport this book is my favorite. I’ve read it a couple of times and listened to it with Audible multiple times. Clara Rinker is a great character and a real challenge for Lucas. If you have never read anything by John Sandford try this book. You won’t be disappointed.