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Lucas Davenport #1
Rules of Prey
Welcome. You are about to meet Lucas Davenport, a police detective in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who does it his way.
The "maddog" murderer who is terrorizing the Twin Cities is two things: insane and extremely intelligent. He kills for the pleasure of it and thoroughly enjoys placing elaborate obstacles to keep the police befuddled. Each clever move he makes is another point of pride. But when the brilliant Lieutenant Davenport--a dedicated cop and a serial killer's worst nightmare--is brought in to take up the investigation, maddog suddenly has an adversary worthy of his genius.
Librarian's note: the first five books in the Lucas Davenport series are #1, Rules of Prey, 1989; #2, Shadow Prey, 1990; #3, Eyes of Prey, 1991; #4, Silent Prey, 1992; and #5, Winter Prey, 1993.
The "maddog" murderer who is terrorizing the Twin Cities is two things: insane and extremely intelligent. He kills for the pleasure of it and thoroughly enjoys placing elaborate obstacles to keep the police befuddled. Each clever move he makes is another point of pride. But when the brilliant Lieutenant Davenport--a dedicated cop and a serial killer's worst nightmare--is brought in to take up the investigation, maddog suddenly has an adversary worthy of his genius.
Librarian's note: the first five books in the Lucas Davenport series are #1, Rules of Prey, 1989; #2, Shadow Prey, 1990; #3, Eyes of Prey, 1991; #4, Silent Prey, 1992; and #5, Winter Prey, 1993.
479 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 24, 1989
5,421 people are currently reading
42.5k people want to read
About the author
John Sandford
198books9,314followersJohn Sandford was born John Roswell Camp on February 23, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended the public schools in Cedar Rapids, graduating from Washington High School in 1962. He then spent four years at the University of Iowa, graduating with a bachelor's degree in American Studies in 1966. In 1966, he married Susan Lee Jones of Cedar Rapids, a fellow student at the University of Iowa. He was in the U.S. Army from 1966-68, worked as a reporter for the Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian from 1968-1970, and went back to the University of Iowa from 1970-1971, where he received a master's degree in journalism. He was a reporter for The Miami Herald from 1971-78, and then a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer-Press from 1978-1990; in 1980, he was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize, and he won the Pulitzer in 1986 for a series of stories about a midwestern farm crisis. From 1990 to the present he has written thriller novels. He's also the author of two non-fiction books, one on plastic surgery and one on art. He is the principal financial backer of a major archeological project in the Jordan Valley of Israel, with a website at In addition to archaeology, he is deeply interested in art (painting) and photography. He both hunts and fishes. He has two children, Roswell and Emily, and one grandson, Benjamin. His wife, Susan, died of metastasized breast cancer in May, 2007, and is greatly missed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,116 reviews
November 15, 2012
Okay, here's the deal: I like me some stupid thriller books every once in awhile, and so I thought I would take a chance with Lucas Davenport. He's a gritty rogue cop, yadda...yadda...yadda...you've heard it all before. But what you haven't heard is this story was so much fun. Granted it has all the cliches imaginable, and once or twice I really had to wince at the writing, but, overall, this story did exactly what it was supposed to do: ENTERTAIN. Lately, I've been reading some pretty heavy stuff at work, but at home, nestled within the confines of my den of squalor, I have been relishing pulpy crime novels and this type of thriller. I have to admit, I forgot how fun reading can be when all the other BS surrounding classics or what the "it" read is at the moment is shoved off to the side. I turned pages as fast as I could read (is there any other way?), completely caught up in the moments of impossibility and lunacy. But, and here's the kicker, I bought into it! I believed John Sanford when he had his characters do whatever idiotic or mundane activity was on the page because I approached this book expecting nothing. Let me tell ya, and this is free to all you youngsters out there, NEVER FORGET HOW MUCH FUN READING IS! Remember, a steak can taste just fine by itself, but when you add mashed potatoes and some really good brown gravy, a side salad, and a nice bottle of wine...your tastes buds rejoice. Go on, don't be shy, give your reading taste buds a new flavor. If you don't like it, spit it out.
April 22, 2023
Read only if:
1. You're John Sandford's A+ Number One Fan.
2. You are a completionist and must read every book in the Lucas Davenport series.
3. You're secretly in love with/wish you were Sonny Crockett, a spiffy dressed Extra Special Maverick Detective who loves clothes and women in equal proportions, with fast cars a close third.
4. You never tire of the serial killer character and their 'games' with the police.
5. You have no problem with detectives sexing the recent victim of an attempted rape/homicide.
6. You are stuck in Newark Airport and this is the only book available.
1. You're John Sandford's A+ Number One Fan.
2. You are a completionist and must read every book in the Lucas Davenport series.
3. You're secretly in love with/wish you were Sonny Crockett, a spiffy dressed Extra Special Maverick Detective who loves clothes and women in equal proportions, with fast cars a close third.
4. You never tire of the serial killer character and their 'games' with the police.
5. You have no problem with detectives sexing the recent victim of an attempted rape/homicide.
6. You are stuck in Newark Airport and this is the only book available.
July 3, 2017
This is the book that introduced Minneapolis homicide detective Lucas Davenport, a cunning, tough, and intelligent cop who is willing to bend the rules, if necessary, to get a dangerous killer off the streets. Davenport is independently wealthy, thanks to the fact that he writes video games in his off-duty hours. He drives a Porsche, wears Italian suits and reads Emily Dickinson. A former college hockey player, he's a man's man who is also very attractive to women. But he does have his standards. When one of his lovers suggests that Lucas is willing to bed virtually any attractive female who comes along, he corrects her by pointing out that he never sleeps with dumb women. That said, his best female friend is a nun.
By the time he first appears, Davenport has already established his reputation as a gifted detective, and when a serial killer known as the Mad Dog, begins killing women in the Twin Cities, the Chief of Police assigns Lucas to the case. Initially, at least, the Mad Dog is a very worthy adversary. He's careful, intelligent, and he follows a set of basic rules, one of which he leaves on the body of each of his victims. For example, "Never kill anyone you know;" Never have a motive;" "Don't follow a discernable pattern," etc. The battle of wits is an engaging one and the reader is caught up in the game immediately.
Lucas Davenport has gone on to become one of the most popular characters in modern crime fiction, and this is an excellent introduction both to the character and to the series. The book is cleverly plotted; the action moves swiftly, and Davenport is an extremely appealing protagonist. The supporting cast is well drawn and will grow increasingly important as the series progresses. Although often darkly violent, all of the books, beginning with this one, also have a very dark sense of humor as well. Sandford knows exactly how to straddle the line here, a talent that very few other authors illustrate better than he.
It's hard to imagine that there's any fan of crime fiction who has not made Davenport's acquaintance by now, but if you've just returned from a twenty-eight-year sojourn on Neptune or some such place where these books haven't yet been published, by all means, race out to your local bookstore and buy them all. As is the case with a lot of series, it's important that you read this one in order, simply to enjoy the development of these characters as they move through the years.
By the time he first appears, Davenport has already established his reputation as a gifted detective, and when a serial killer known as the Mad Dog, begins killing women in the Twin Cities, the Chief of Police assigns Lucas to the case. Initially, at least, the Mad Dog is a very worthy adversary. He's careful, intelligent, and he follows a set of basic rules, one of which he leaves on the body of each of his victims. For example, "Never kill anyone you know;" Never have a motive;" "Don't follow a discernable pattern," etc. The battle of wits is an engaging one and the reader is caught up in the game immediately.
Lucas Davenport has gone on to become one of the most popular characters in modern crime fiction, and this is an excellent introduction both to the character and to the series. The book is cleverly plotted; the action moves swiftly, and Davenport is an extremely appealing protagonist. The supporting cast is well drawn and will grow increasingly important as the series progresses. Although often darkly violent, all of the books, beginning with this one, also have a very dark sense of humor as well. Sandford knows exactly how to straddle the line here, a talent that very few other authors illustrate better than he.
It's hard to imagine that there's any fan of crime fiction who has not made Davenport's acquaintance by now, but if you've just returned from a twenty-eight-year sojourn on Neptune or some such place where these books haven't yet been published, by all means, race out to your local bookstore and buy them all. As is the case with a lot of series, it's important that you read this one in order, simply to enjoy the development of these characters as they move through the years.
October 13, 2020
4 stars for a well done police procedural thriller. Since the killer is identified at the beginning of the book to the reader, it is a thriller, not a mystery. The suspense lies in the police trying to identify and stop this serial killer before he kills again. Louis Vullion is a very smart killer. He is a lawyer and familiar with police procedures. He plans his kills meticulously, being careful not to leave any DNA or other clues.
The Minneapolis Police Department realizes that there is a serial killer in their city and they have both the homicide squad and Lucas Davenport investigating on parallel tracks. Davenport is also a very smart man, and 1 of the best detectives on the force. He is independently wealthy, because he designed several popular software fantasy war games.
The book is written from alternating POVs--Louis and Lucas.
Although this library book is 479 pages, I read it in 4 days, because it becomes hard to put down after about 100 pages. John Sandford is a pen name for Minnesota journalist John Camp.
Two quotes:
Davenport on a tv reporter: "He looked down at Annie McGown. Channel Eight. Dark hair, dark eyes, upturned nose. Wide mobile mouth. World class legs. Wonderful diction. Brains of an oyster."
Davenport on fantasy games: "Every fantasy game in the world, he thought, had a bunch of computer freaks with swords wandering around Poe-esque landscapes with red-haired freckled beauties with large breasts."
The Minneapolis Police Department realizes that there is a serial killer in their city and they have both the homicide squad and Lucas Davenport investigating on parallel tracks. Davenport is also a very smart man, and 1 of the best detectives on the force. He is independently wealthy, because he designed several popular software fantasy war games.
The book is written from alternating POVs--Louis and Lucas.
Although this library book is 479 pages, I read it in 4 days, because it becomes hard to put down after about 100 pages. John Sandford is a pen name for Minnesota journalist John Camp.
Two quotes:
Davenport on a tv reporter: "He looked down at Annie McGown. Channel Eight. Dark hair, dark eyes, upturned nose. Wide mobile mouth. World class legs. Wonderful diction. Brains of an oyster."
Davenport on fantasy games: "Every fantasy game in the world, he thought, had a bunch of computer freaks with swords wandering around Poe-esque landscapes with red-haired freckled beauties with large breasts."
April 16, 2018
This features a smart and tough cop who drives a Porsche on the job as he hunts a sadistic serial killer in the late �80s. Yeah, yeah. I know this book should totally suck, but the amazing thing is that it doesn’t. Neither does the long-running series that followed.
Lieutenant Lucas Davenport is officially the head of the intelligence division of the Minneapolis police force, but his real job title should be Head Rat Catcher. When big cases that get media attention happen Davenport gets called in because he is a good cop who has built up a huge network of street informants, and he's also got a knack for playing the angles that keep too much crap from blowing back on his bosses. When a psycho nicknamed the 'maddog' starts a killing spree and leaves behind notes outlining his rules of murder Davenport finds himself drawn into a dangerous and very personal contest of wills.
John Sandford (real name John Camp) was a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who covered crime in Minnneapolis, and his books have a casual way of making the procedural and political side of police work seem authentic in the context of thriller plots. Sandford’s easy-to-read style often masks how good he really is it at coming with intelligent and action-filled books that put most of the others of this type to shame.
Even after 20+ books Davenport remains one of my favorite cop characters. The schtick of him being rich and playing by his own rules should make him a bad cliché, but Sandford gave him enough personality to get you to overlook that. For starters, he’s kind of bastard in a lot of ways especially in these early days. As a guy who made his money as a designer of role playing games Davenport is a master manipulator who won’t hesitate to use any ploy to get his man even if he burns some people in the process. And he won’t lose any sleep about committing a crime if he thinks it’s necessary.
Lucas is definitely a guy who believes that the ends justify the means. That’s part of what’s kept him interesting for over 20 years.
Next: Lucas vs. Native Americans in Shadow Prey
Lieutenant Lucas Davenport is officially the head of the intelligence division of the Minneapolis police force, but his real job title should be Head Rat Catcher. When big cases that get media attention happen Davenport gets called in because he is a good cop who has built up a huge network of street informants, and he's also got a knack for playing the angles that keep too much crap from blowing back on his bosses. When a psycho nicknamed the 'maddog' starts a killing spree and leaves behind notes outlining his rules of murder Davenport finds himself drawn into a dangerous and very personal contest of wills.
John Sandford (real name John Camp) was a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who covered crime in Minnneapolis, and his books have a casual way of making the procedural and political side of police work seem authentic in the context of thriller plots. Sandford’s easy-to-read style often masks how good he really is it at coming with intelligent and action-filled books that put most of the others of this type to shame.
Even after 20+ books Davenport remains one of my favorite cop characters. The schtick of him being rich and playing by his own rules should make him a bad cliché, but Sandford gave him enough personality to get you to overlook that. For starters, he’s kind of bastard in a lot of ways especially in these early days. As a guy who made his money as a designer of role playing games Davenport is a master manipulator who won’t hesitate to use any ploy to get his man even if he burns some people in the process. And he won’t lose any sleep about committing a crime if he thinks it’s necessary.
Lucas is definitely a guy who believes that the ends justify the means. That’s part of what’s kept him interesting for over 20 years.
Next: Lucas vs. Native Americans in Shadow Prey
March 1, 2018
I am giving five stars to the book and six stars to my quick run through of every one else's reviews which was hilarious. Poor Lucas rates from 5 stars for being brilliant and intelligent to 1 star for being a complete "scumbag". Only the best books get such diversity of opinion:)
I liked Lucas myself although only on paper. In real life yes he would be obnoxious but as the principal character in my detective novel he was great. At least the women in his life knew how to treat him. The story was really good- 450 pages and not one iota of boredom. The police work was interesting, the murders were gory but bearable and there was plenty of humour even if some of it was politically incorrect.
So Lucas Davenport is not the nicest MC ever to grace the page of a crime book but he was certainly interesting and fun and I am definitely up for book 2.
I liked Lucas myself although only on paper. In real life yes he would be obnoxious but as the principal character in my detective novel he was great. At least the women in his life knew how to treat him. The story was really good- 450 pages and not one iota of boredom. The police work was interesting, the murders were gory but bearable and there was plenty of humour even if some of it was politically incorrect.
So Lucas Davenport is not the nicest MC ever to grace the page of a crime book but he was certainly interesting and fun and I am definitely up for book 2.
August 11, 2019
MadDog. Prey number 1 and like the others, well done. 8 of 10 stars
Relistened a second time and 30 years after publication, still excellent! 9 of 10 stars
Relistened a second time and 30 years after publication, still excellent! 9 of 10 stars
September 30, 2015
Having just finished reading Gathering Prey, the #25 book in John Sandford’s brilliant Prey Series, I decided to go back memory lane and read the 1st book, Rules of Prey, where we were first introduced to Minneapolis nonconformist police officer, wealthy video games creator, great dresser and ladies man, Lucas Davenport,
Rules of Prey is fast paced, gritty, dark and electrifying thriller of a cat-and-mouse game between not your average cop and a deranged and organized serial killer.
Lieutenant Lucas Davenport will have to use more than the laid down rules and use some unorthodox methods of his own if he’s ever going to stop the psychotic killer down.
The character development is extremely well done. The story is told in third person, enabling you to get into the minds of both cop and killer.
Fantastic dialogue and description of the settings in the story.
From the very first page, you are pulled into the chase until the very end.
I liked reading this book again…and just as I remembered�.still as good as ever.
One of my favorite scenes in the book was Lucas Davenport working on a new war video game one night in his study:
He was slender and dark-complexioned, with straight black hair going gray at the temples and a long nose over a crooked smile. One of his central upper incisors had been chipped and he never had it capped. He might have been an Indian except for his blue eyes.
His eyes were warm and forgiving.
Though his eyes were warm, his smile betrayed him.
If the chill of his smile sometimes overwhelmed the warmth of his eyes, it didn't happen so frequently as to become a social handicap.
Rules of Prey is fast paced, gritty, dark and electrifying thriller of a cat-and-mouse game between not your average cop and a deranged and organized serial killer.
So he was mad.
But not quite the way the police thought.
The maddog waited in the dark.
The maddog was intelligent. He was a member of the bar. He derived rules.
Never kill anyone you know.
Never have a motive.
Never follow a discernible pattern.
Never carry a weapon after it has been used.
Isolate yourself from random discovery.
Beware of leaving physical evidence.
Lieutenant Lucas Davenport will have to use more than the laid down rules and use some unorthodox methods of his own if he’s ever going to stop the psychotic killer down.
The character development is extremely well done. The story is told in third person, enabling you to get into the minds of both cop and killer.
Fantastic dialogue and description of the settings in the story.
From the very first page, you are pulled into the chase until the very end.
I liked reading this book again…and just as I remembered�.still as good as ever.
One of my favorite scenes in the book was Lucas Davenport working on a new war video game one night in his study:
When Clapton started on “Lay Down, Sally� he got up and did a neatly coordinated solo dance around the chair. Then he sat down, worked for fifteen seconds, and was back up with “Willie and the Hand Jive.� He danced in the dark room by himself, watching the song time counting down on the digital CD clock. When “Hand Jive� ended, he sat down again…�
May 6, 2024
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.
------------------------------------------
My 4.24 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
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.
------------------------------------------
My 4.24 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
May 5, 2023
Fantastic book. My favorite of all time in the thriller category. Absolutely perfect in structure, voice and story. This is my go-to when I can't find a current book that sparks my interest. This book never disappoints. Just finished my fourth time through. Can you believe it four times? Even when I knew what was coming I marveled at the writing craft. I have stacks of to-be-read books but now I've again been smitten by the Lucas Davenport bug. I'm going to rip through the series yet again until interest fades. I have the entire set on my bookshelves. Maybe I should start a pool on who can guess where my interest will flag. If you've read it before thing about giving it another go. It still stands up. :-)
David Putnam Author of the Bruno Johnson series--and now the Dave Beckett series.
David Putnam Author of the Bruno Johnson series--and now the Dave Beckett series.
January 23, 2024
2024 Review
the setup�
There’s a serial killer at large in Minneapolis who calls himself maddog. He preys on attractive women with dark hair, the “Chosen,� and after brutally murdering them, leaves a note with one of his “rules� for eluding capture. Lieutenant Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator with unorthodox methods, is brought in to work with the homicide cops after the latest assault to find maddog and bring him down. But then maddog sees Davenport as a worthy adversary, turning his murderous behavior into a game of wits.
the heart of the story�
It’s not unusual to get the killer’s point of view but it sort of is when his perspective opens the story and we’re given his identity. We learn quite a bit about him throughout the story, especially when he sets his sights on besting Lucas who, though a bit ethically challenged, has a brilliant mind and sees beyond the obvious during the investigation. His dogged determination to pursue obscure clues that prove to be highly relevant payoff substantially, causing maddog to make his own mistakes. However, Lucas’s love life is an absolute mess as commitment and monogamy are foreign concepts.
the narration�
This is my second time reading the story, the first on audio and it was an entirely different experience, for the better. Lucas is a complex character and the narrator “gets� him. He’s also a great storyteller.
the bottom line�
The first time I read this story, I was so put off by Lucas Davenport’s behavior with women it clouded my view of everything else about him. This time I was able to put that in better perspective, understanding that the women in his life were using him back. He’s a brilliant detective with lots of flaws and has a high appreciation for others who are authentic and talented in their own rights. I will definitely continue the series but only on audio. The procedurals were excellent, the storytelling highly engaging and the enigma that is Lucas Davenport is highly appealing. Go figure!
2013 Review
There’s a serial killer at large who calls himself maddog. He preys on attractive women with dark hair and eyes and leaves a note attached, outlining his “rules� for eluding capture when killing someone. Lieutenant Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator with unorthodox methods, is asked to work with the homicide cops to find maddog and bring him down. Maddog is actually pleased as he sees Davenport as a worthy adversary.
I enjoyed this case and having the killer’s perspective as the investigation proceeded. It was a bit unusual to have maddog’s identity, or at least his name, revealed early on in the story but that still didn't tell you much about him. What you learn comes from his point of view throughout the book. Lucas Davenport is an enigma and somewhat ethically challenged, though he gets the job done. His love life, however, leaves quite a bit to be desired.
I like the storytelling style of Sanford, which is brisk and to the point. I plan to continue the series though, for me, the jury is still out on Davenport.
Posted on
the setup�
There’s a serial killer at large in Minneapolis who calls himself maddog. He preys on attractive women with dark hair, the “Chosen,� and after brutally murdering them, leaves a note with one of his “rules� for eluding capture. Lieutenant Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator with unorthodox methods, is brought in to work with the homicide cops after the latest assault to find maddog and bring him down. But then maddog sees Davenport as a worthy adversary, turning his murderous behavior into a game of wits.
the heart of the story�
It’s not unusual to get the killer’s point of view but it sort of is when his perspective opens the story and we’re given his identity. We learn quite a bit about him throughout the story, especially when he sets his sights on besting Lucas who, though a bit ethically challenged, has a brilliant mind and sees beyond the obvious during the investigation. His dogged determination to pursue obscure clues that prove to be highly relevant payoff substantially, causing maddog to make his own mistakes. However, Lucas’s love life is an absolute mess as commitment and monogamy are foreign concepts.
the narration�
This is my second time reading the story, the first on audio and it was an entirely different experience, for the better. Lucas is a complex character and the narrator “gets� him. He’s also a great storyteller.
the bottom line�
The first time I read this story, I was so put off by Lucas Davenport’s behavior with women it clouded my view of everything else about him. This time I was able to put that in better perspective, understanding that the women in his life were using him back. He’s a brilliant detective with lots of flaws and has a high appreciation for others who are authentic and talented in their own rights. I will definitely continue the series but only on audio. The procedurals were excellent, the storytelling highly engaging and the enigma that is Lucas Davenport is highly appealing. Go figure!
2013 Review
There’s a serial killer at large who calls himself maddog. He preys on attractive women with dark hair and eyes and leaves a note attached, outlining his “rules� for eluding capture when killing someone. Lieutenant Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator with unorthodox methods, is asked to work with the homicide cops to find maddog and bring him down. Maddog is actually pleased as he sees Davenport as a worthy adversary.
I enjoyed this case and having the killer’s perspective as the investigation proceeded. It was a bit unusual to have maddog’s identity, or at least his name, revealed early on in the story but that still didn't tell you much about him. What you learn comes from his point of view throughout the book. Lucas Davenport is an enigma and somewhat ethically challenged, though he gets the job done. His love life, however, leaves quite a bit to be desired.
I like the storytelling style of Sanford, which is brisk and to the point. I plan to continue the series though, for me, the jury is still out on Davenport.
Posted on
August 27, 2014
Nothing about Lucas Davenport was admirable or likeable or realistic. He's a womanizing attention whore with an inflated opinion of himself who doesn't seem to do much detective work what with all the trips up to his cabin (during a case?!) and working on the computer games he creates (what?). We do get lots of exciting phone calls where he uses his awesome skills to manipulate the press. So there's that.
The fun begins as we learn that our "star" has the made-just-for-him title of Office of Special Intelligence and is a lone wolf operating without a partner and apparently assigned to whatever department needs him. Um, ok.
On top of all that, it's never clear to me why these attractive, supposedly smart ('cuz that's the way he likes 'em) women put up with him, although I didn't like his main squeeze much either so maybe they deserve each other.
We also never learn how he's come to be this wealthy game designer. I guess it's to allow him to have all his big-boy toys: the porsche and cabin and boat, etc, but it was an odd thing to throw in the mix with no explanation.
The author excuses the lack of reality in the Introduction by saying he wanted Davenport to be a "star". I'll take the realism please.
The fun begins as we learn that our "star" has the made-just-for-him title of Office of Special Intelligence and is a lone wolf operating without a partner and apparently assigned to whatever department needs him. Um, ok.
On top of all that, it's never clear to me why these attractive, supposedly smart ('cuz that's the way he likes 'em) women put up with him, although I didn't like his main squeeze much either so maybe they deserve each other.
We also never learn how he's come to be this wealthy game designer. I guess it's to allow him to have all his big-boy toys: the porsche and cabin and boat, etc, but it was an odd thing to throw in the mix with no explanation.
The author excuses the lack of reality in the Introduction by saying he wanted Davenport to be a "star". I'll take the realism please.
April 28, 2024
First time reading anything by John Sandford and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading more in the series
January 22, 2011
Intelligent nemesis and talented investigator - the author claims this many times throughout the book but there is no evidence of intelligence in the story or indeed in the author.
Half of the story is devoted to detailing the serial killers life and killings leaving NO MYSTERY WHATSOEVER, when the reader is aware of the killers identity it only serves to make his adversary look slow. Really, taking pains to avoid leaving physical evidence does not make the serial killer overflowing with intelligence it is rudimentary logic and pointing it out in such an obvious way and actually calling the character intelligent does not make him so.
It wasn't until a third of the way through the book this talented investigator actually started investigating. Instead we are treated to the minutiae of inspector Davenport's life. Being a rich so-called "ladies man" (sleeping with witnesses and reporters who leek information about the case hardly deserves the title "ladies man") does not make the character an interesting protagonist, and in fact he is as dull and predictable.
This is a truly awful piece of rot.
Half of the story is devoted to detailing the serial killers life and killings leaving NO MYSTERY WHATSOEVER, when the reader is aware of the killers identity it only serves to make his adversary look slow. Really, taking pains to avoid leaving physical evidence does not make the serial killer overflowing with intelligence it is rudimentary logic and pointing it out in such an obvious way and actually calling the character intelligent does not make him so.
It wasn't until a third of the way through the book this talented investigator actually started investigating. Instead we are treated to the minutiae of inspector Davenport's life. Being a rich so-called "ladies man" (sleeping with witnesses and reporters who leek information about the case hardly deserves the title "ladies man") does not make the character an interesting protagonist, and in fact he is as dull and predictable.
This is a truly awful piece of rot.
March 26, 2012
I will never read another John Sanford book. I stopped reading Bad Blood because it was so terrible. Rules of Prey was better, but not by much. I actually finished reading this one. John Sanford can write. I'll give him that, but his writing skills is not why I gave him one star. Many authors err on making their protagonist too perfect. He errs in making them too scummy so that the reader may have trouble identifying with his characters and caring/sympathizing with them. For example, his main character in Rules of Prey treats women despicably, and the ladies are alright with poor treatment after a little fussing, like that's going to happen. In addition to planting evidence, the protagonist is also a brawler and a murderer and has probably murdered in the past as well since he has more killings than anybody. I don't feel I have to agree with everything that a character might do, but Sanford's characters leave me with a feeling of yuck. I don't like being in their heads, and I don't want to have anything to do them. I don't like them -- any of them. The sooner I can forget about this book the better. I have concluded that I am not a John Sanford fan.
July 10, 2024
3.0 Stars
This is one of those action packed thriller that would make a good pageturner when you are in a reading slump. It was an easy read but the kind I couldn't analyze too closely without seeing the glaring plot holes and problematic elements. It's kinda fun if you don't take it too seriously. I will note that it deals with dark subject matter so this one won't be for everyone.
This is one of those action packed thriller that would make a good pageturner when you are in a reading slump. It was an easy read but the kind I couldn't analyze too closely without seeing the glaring plot holes and problematic elements. It's kinda fun if you don't take it too seriously. I will note that it deals with dark subject matter so this one won't be for everyone.
August 21, 2019
My ŷ friends convinced me that I should include Sandford’s excellent crime thriller series featuring Lt. Lucas Davenport in my reading AND they recommended that I start at the beginning. It IS a tautly plotted story with a despicable villain and plenty of twists and turns. However, Davenport is a ‘bad boy� cop that would certainly be fired from any good police department—even if he does ‘get his man�. Lucas� relationships with women are reprehensible—he has the morals of an alley cat and is not above using one as bait for a serial killer without her knowledge. So—does Davenport evolve to be a better human being in future offerings? I sure hope so.
June 22, 2024
So hubby has been recommending this series to me for YEARS!!! However, it wasn’t until GR friend, Lisa said, “Even when they're beaten and shot up, they still manage to get me to laughing!�. She was referring to Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers. Anyway, she had me at laughing and they sounded like my kind of guys and I finally added this installment to my list. I may check out Virgil Flowers (which is another one hubby has been recommending) at some later date. They seem to go hand in hand, but I also noticed a Letty Davenport series; I don’t know who she is but I’m sure I’ll find out.
Right off the bat, Lucas Davenport sounded like an “interesting� guy. He’s a decorated cop with a “complicated� history, and as such, he gets to work on pretty much whatever he wants down in his dungeon lair in the basement of the police department. He’s a rich, successful, game developer in his spare time making him a total geek, albeit a rather sexy one who doesn’t lack for female attention and company. Oh, and his childhood, best friend is a nun and fellow gamer, as well as a psychologist, and who is also a member, along with Lucas, of a local gaming club that meets once a week to engage in gaming wars. Like I said, total geek !!!
The book summary is pretty worthless and just basically introduces the primary storyline that there is a crazy killer in Minneapolis, that is supposedly brilliant. The killer leaves notes declaring his kill rules on the dead bodies of his attractive female victims that are all petite women with dark features and uses the same MO every time. Not sure how “brilliant� that is since one of his rules is “Never follow a discernible pattern�, but whatever.
Based on the account of the one surviving victim, who fought back and ran him off (YOU GO GIRL!!!), Lucas gets a pretty accurate profile pretty early in the story. From pretty much the get-go, the reader knows who the killer is too. This is ok, sometimes, because now I don’t have to spend the rest of the story trying to figure out “whodunit�, and I can just sit back and enjoy the ride. Lucas also has a lot of CI’s all over town and is constantly on the lookout for making new ones with the people he meets. None of this is a spoiler since it all happens in the first 20% of the story.
The story flips back and forth between Lucas and the killer, Louis. Lucas and Louis are now playing games with each other, which leads to more dead bodies piling up. It's well into the second half, the whole story just gets a little too disturbing, fortunately, the end comes pretty quick after that in a blaze of glory. At this point it becomes pretty clear (at least to me) how Lucas’s history became so “complicated�. I hope Sandford reveals more of that in later installments.
I loved Sandford’s author’s notes at the end (I always read those), where he said,
”Cops don’t act like Lucas Davenport; they’d be fired or in prison if they did. They aren’t rich, they don’t drive Porsches, most can give a rat’s @$$ about fashion. Lucas Davenport does all of that. Nothing better, Lucas feels, than a really good-looking new suit. He’s like that because he’s a cross between a cop and a movie star. I wanted him to be a star. I wanted him to be different. I wanted him to be a mean, tough cop that women liked. Listen, a lot of writing comes out of you in a burst, out of your heart and your experience, but there’s a good deal of calculation too. I wanted to make people like Lucas Davenport. When it came to thrills, if I had to make a choice between a good thrill and good police procedure, I didn’t hesitate to throw procedure overboard�.
And that folks is why it is called FICTION. So, if you’re the kind of reader whose enjoyment of the story is contingent on the believability of the story, then this is not the series for you. Fortunately, I am not one of those types of readers and for me, the crazier, the better sometimes, as long as the ending isn’t a hot mess. I prefer endings wrapped up into a nice little bow. This was Sandford’s second attempt at writing fiction and it was a pretty good one. His characterization was pretty good and the pacing was pretty fast, something was always happening. The storyline was interesting and the writing pretty decent. I believe Sandford accomplished what he set out to do with this book. I loved the ending! I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.25 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I will definitely be continuing with the series.
Right off the bat, Lucas Davenport sounded like an “interesting� guy. He’s a decorated cop with a “complicated� history, and as such, he gets to work on pretty much whatever he wants down in his dungeon lair in the basement of the police department. He’s a rich, successful, game developer in his spare time making him a total geek, albeit a rather sexy one who doesn’t lack for female attention and company. Oh, and his childhood, best friend is a nun and fellow gamer, as well as a psychologist, and who is also a member, along with Lucas, of a local gaming club that meets once a week to engage in gaming wars. Like I said, total geek !!!
The book summary is pretty worthless and just basically introduces the primary storyline that there is a crazy killer in Minneapolis, that is supposedly brilliant. The killer leaves notes declaring his kill rules on the dead bodies of his attractive female victims that are all petite women with dark features and uses the same MO every time. Not sure how “brilliant� that is since one of his rules is “Never follow a discernible pattern�, but whatever.
Based on the account of the one surviving victim, who fought back and ran him off (YOU GO GIRL!!!), Lucas gets a pretty accurate profile pretty early in the story. From pretty much the get-go, the reader knows who the killer is too. This is ok, sometimes, because now I don’t have to spend the rest of the story trying to figure out “whodunit�, and I can just sit back and enjoy the ride. Lucas also has a lot of CI’s all over town and is constantly on the lookout for making new ones with the people he meets. None of this is a spoiler since it all happens in the first 20% of the story.
The story flips back and forth between Lucas and the killer, Louis. Lucas and Louis are now playing games with each other, which leads to more dead bodies piling up. It's well into the second half, the whole story just gets a little too disturbing, fortunately, the end comes pretty quick after that in a blaze of glory. At this point it becomes pretty clear (at least to me) how Lucas’s history became so “complicated�. I hope Sandford reveals more of that in later installments.
I loved Sandford’s author’s notes at the end (I always read those), where he said,
”Cops don’t act like Lucas Davenport; they’d be fired or in prison if they did. They aren’t rich, they don’t drive Porsches, most can give a rat’s @$$ about fashion. Lucas Davenport does all of that. Nothing better, Lucas feels, than a really good-looking new suit. He’s like that because he’s a cross between a cop and a movie star. I wanted him to be a star. I wanted him to be different. I wanted him to be a mean, tough cop that women liked. Listen, a lot of writing comes out of you in a burst, out of your heart and your experience, but there’s a good deal of calculation too. I wanted to make people like Lucas Davenport. When it came to thrills, if I had to make a choice between a good thrill and good police procedure, I didn’t hesitate to throw procedure overboard�.
And that folks is why it is called FICTION. So, if you’re the kind of reader whose enjoyment of the story is contingent on the believability of the story, then this is not the series for you. Fortunately, I am not one of those types of readers and for me, the crazier, the better sometimes, as long as the ending isn’t a hot mess. I prefer endings wrapped up into a nice little bow. This was Sandford’s second attempt at writing fiction and it was a pretty good one. His characterization was pretty good and the pacing was pretty fast, something was always happening. The storyline was interesting and the writing pretty decent. I believe Sandford accomplished what he set out to do with this book. I loved the ending! I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.25 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I will definitely be continuing with the series.
April 16, 2018
Though his eyes were warm, his smile betrayed him.
Lucas Davenport is smart, good-looking, rich, and so obviously effective a cop that he transcends departments and has his own Office of Special Intelligence, an acknowledgment both of his well-tended network of informants and his well-documented tendency to go off and do his own thing. He's destined to be assigned to every high-profile case the Twin Cities have to offer. Oh, and he drives a Porsche.
A character this cool shouldn't work as anything other than the most basic wish fulfillment, a checklist of desirable traits. But amazingly, he does work. Sandford excels at fully developing his hero until Lucas seems organically the kind of person who would be like this and until he runs into his own limitations and some consequences. Sometimes I think one of the most valuable traits in an author is the willingness to risk the reader disliking the protagonist: that keeps the story moving smoothly and under its own logic rather than the logic of whatever the author thinks will appeal. Sandford tells a good, compelling story, and he lets the reader form their own opinions about Lucas. Most likely they'll be favorable, but there's room for them to not be. After all, over the course of the novel, Lucas threatens, bullies, plants evidence, loses his temper, engages in some shady sexual ethics, and effectively sets a woman up to be attacked by a serial killer. He has a motivation for all of this, but Sandford doesn't bend over backwards to make sure you agree with him, he just lets Lucas work. The end result is that Lucas is a character rather than an argument about what is best and most heroic, and dammit, I like him.
Also, he earned that Porsche by designing fantasy roleplaying games and his unsalable magnum opus that he designed just for fun is a Civil War reenactment RPG that he plays with his nun best friend. That's kind of adorably geeky.
Lucas is called into action in Rules of Prey because of the "maddog killer," a serial rapist and murderer who is on the verge of setting off a city-wide panic. Lucas knows how to work a media circus and also how to get sometimes-shady things done behind the scenes, so he's assigned as kind of a rogue investigator operating outside Robbery-Homicide even though he's in cooperation with them.
We also see the maddog's perspective. Sandford makes his headspace suitably slimy. In his own way, the maddog is an interesting character: pathetic enough to be realistic, smart enough to be dangerous, and both human and alien in his motivations. If Lucas has a good shot at understanding him, the maddog understands him back.
Sandford is great at the thrilling step-by-step process of tracking and capturing a killer. The case here has the complications of real life investigations. There are seemingly significant leads that turn out to be dead ends, characters who complicate the investigation by hiding unrelated crimes, headaches over how to manage the whole thing in the press, and realistic fuckups that never feel contrived. It's all lighter-toned than a Michael Mann movie, but it has the same quality to me of just treating its genre tropes straightforwardly and with depth rather than trying to subvert them, and you get some awesome, gratifying entertainment out that. And here, one hell of a thriller and series opener. I'm already onto book two.
Lucas Davenport is smart, good-looking, rich, and so obviously effective a cop that he transcends departments and has his own Office of Special Intelligence, an acknowledgment both of his well-tended network of informants and his well-documented tendency to go off and do his own thing. He's destined to be assigned to every high-profile case the Twin Cities have to offer. Oh, and he drives a Porsche.
A character this cool shouldn't work as anything other than the most basic wish fulfillment, a checklist of desirable traits. But amazingly, he does work. Sandford excels at fully developing his hero until Lucas seems organically the kind of person who would be like this and until he runs into his own limitations and some consequences. Sometimes I think one of the most valuable traits in an author is the willingness to risk the reader disliking the protagonist: that keeps the story moving smoothly and under its own logic rather than the logic of whatever the author thinks will appeal. Sandford tells a good, compelling story, and he lets the reader form their own opinions about Lucas. Most likely they'll be favorable, but there's room for them to not be. After all, over the course of the novel, Lucas threatens, bullies, plants evidence, loses his temper, engages in some shady sexual ethics, and effectively sets a woman up to be attacked by a serial killer. He has a motivation for all of this, but Sandford doesn't bend over backwards to make sure you agree with him, he just lets Lucas work. The end result is that Lucas is a character rather than an argument about what is best and most heroic, and dammit, I like him.
Also, he earned that Porsche by designing fantasy roleplaying games and his unsalable magnum opus that he designed just for fun is a Civil War reenactment RPG that he plays with his nun best friend. That's kind of adorably geeky.
Lucas is called into action in Rules of Prey because of the "maddog killer," a serial rapist and murderer who is on the verge of setting off a city-wide panic. Lucas knows how to work a media circus and also how to get sometimes-shady things done behind the scenes, so he's assigned as kind of a rogue investigator operating outside Robbery-Homicide even though he's in cooperation with them.
We also see the maddog's perspective. Sandford makes his headspace suitably slimy. In his own way, the maddog is an interesting character: pathetic enough to be realistic, smart enough to be dangerous, and both human and alien in his motivations. If Lucas has a good shot at understanding him, the maddog understands him back.
Sandford is great at the thrilling step-by-step process of tracking and capturing a killer. The case here has the complications of real life investigations. There are seemingly significant leads that turn out to be dead ends, characters who complicate the investigation by hiding unrelated crimes, headaches over how to manage the whole thing in the press, and realistic fuckups that never feel contrived. It's all lighter-toned than a Michael Mann movie, but it has the same quality to me of just treating its genre tropes straightforwardly and with depth rather than trying to subvert them, and you get some awesome, gratifying entertainment out that. And here, one hell of a thriller and series opener. I'm already onto book two.
May 17, 2021
I wanted to go back to the beginning. I have not been enjoying the more recent ‘Prey� books as much as I remember enjoying the early ones.
There is a serial killer on the loose. The plot is clever and the twists just keep coming. Lucas is no Mr. Nice Guy. He is a bit of a womanizer but you can’t help liking him anyway. He is dedicated to catching the bad guy even if he has to bend the rules � which he does! He doesn’t always get it right but he won’t stop trying.
I can see why when I first read “Rules of Prey� I made sure to real all the other “Prey� novels that came along.
For a new reader to the series “Rules of Prey� may seem a bit dated but it’s no less one heck of a murder/suspense read!
“Rules of Prey� is the first Lucas Davenport ‘Prey� novel (1988/89) in which Lucas tells us he is coming up on 30 years old. This tells me that in 2021 Lucas is nearing or already in his 60’s.
This was like going down memory lane with an old friend. I was not disappointed because “Rules of Prey� reminded me why I fell for Lucas in the first place. I’m glad I did this.
There is a serial killer on the loose. The plot is clever and the twists just keep coming. Lucas is no Mr. Nice Guy. He is a bit of a womanizer but you can’t help liking him anyway. He is dedicated to catching the bad guy even if he has to bend the rules � which he does! He doesn’t always get it right but he won’t stop trying.
I can see why when I first read “Rules of Prey� I made sure to real all the other “Prey� novels that came along.
For a new reader to the series “Rules of Prey� may seem a bit dated but it’s no less one heck of a murder/suspense read!
“Rules of Prey� is the first Lucas Davenport ‘Prey� novel (1988/89) in which Lucas tells us he is coming up on 30 years old. This tells me that in 2021 Lucas is nearing or already in his 60’s.
This was like going down memory lane with an old friend. I was not disappointed because “Rules of Prey� reminded me why I fell for Lucas in the first place. I’m glad I did this.
September 29, 2016
4.5 stars for the book, PLUS an extra half-star because this was the First Book by this author. Well Done!
NOTE: My advice is to skim the first chapter from the viewpoint of the serial killer. It's very unpleasant and detailed stuff, both action and thinking. Brrrrr! There are perhaps 2-3 other short brutal sections from the villain's viewpoint, you can safely skim the brutal plans and actions, they don't really advance the plot.
After chapter 3 or so, the book picks up speed. The police and peripheral characters are almost all very likeable; none of this cliched "Bad boss" stuff here. I enjoy Sandford's decision on this a lot. He clearly loves the characters he's writing, and it shows.
The detective, Lucas Davenport, is young, confident and famous already, for both detective work and for pre-computer board game authorship. He also very much loves women, including the sexual aspects. Some behaviours are selfish, but never mean or angry. He is a likeable "semi-rogue". His detection skills take a while to shine in the story, but the mostly linear plot is complex enough to engage you while the story unfolds and heats up.
One wonderful thing: Sandford has a terrific sense of humour in 4-5 scenes throughout the book, mostly private dialogue of the police. I laughed out loud several times, and still smile now thinking about them.
The final chapters are superb, with minor flaws. There was only one (wow!) major behavioural irritation of the form "jeez, real people would not do that", in service of the plot. It wasn’t needed and it didn’t last long.
By 2/3 the way through the book, at 1am last night, I was so captivated I read through until 4am to finish. Great finish. Honest and in character for Davenport.
As it is said in the book, Davenport is a real player of "the game".
Great stuff.
The best accolade? I am reading book #2 now, Shadow Prey
NOTE: My advice is to skim the first chapter from the viewpoint of the serial killer. It's very unpleasant and detailed stuff, both action and thinking. Brrrrr! There are perhaps 2-3 other short brutal sections from the villain's viewpoint, you can safely skim the brutal plans and actions, they don't really advance the plot.
After chapter 3 or so, the book picks up speed. The police and peripheral characters are almost all very likeable; none of this cliched "Bad boss" stuff here. I enjoy Sandford's decision on this a lot. He clearly loves the characters he's writing, and it shows.
The detective, Lucas Davenport, is young, confident and famous already, for both detective work and for pre-computer board game authorship. He also very much loves women, including the sexual aspects. Some behaviours are selfish, but never mean or angry. He is a likeable "semi-rogue". His detection skills take a while to shine in the story, but the mostly linear plot is complex enough to engage you while the story unfolds and heats up.
One wonderful thing: Sandford has a terrific sense of humour in 4-5 scenes throughout the book, mostly private dialogue of the police. I laughed out loud several times, and still smile now thinking about them.
The final chapters are superb, with minor flaws. There was only one (wow!) major behavioural irritation of the form "jeez, real people would not do that", in service of the plot. It wasn’t needed and it didn’t last long.
By 2/3 the way through the book, at 1am last night, I was so captivated I read through until 4am to finish. Great finish. Honest and in character for Davenport.
As it is said in the book, Davenport is a real player of "the game".
Great stuff.
The best accolade? I am reading book #2 now, Shadow Prey
May 14, 2019
I wanted to start a new police thriller and I had this book in my library for a long time. I heard good things about this series and I thought it was time to give it a go.
The serial killer in Rules of Prey goes by the name of the Maddog. He's a horrible person who does horrible things to women. He's also hard to catch and after killing his victims, he leaves a note behind:
"Never have a motive."
"Never follow a discernible pattern."
"Never carry a weapon after it has been used."
"Beware of leaving physical evidence."
Lucas Davenport is the cop who's called to help catch him. He's a different type of cop. He's the only member of the Office of Special Intelligence. Besides being rich, the lieutenant is smart, dresses in expensive suits, he's handsome, drives a Porche, owns a lake house, invents board games in his free time, has a nun as his best friend and he loves to bed women. He also has killed five people which we're not sure of the circumstances this has happened.
A few times, I had to remind myself that I was reading a book published in the 1990s. There were many things that I wouldn't agree with if this book was written now but for the most part, it made me laugh and the suspense was great too! I ended up liking Lucas in spite of him being a womanizer and a liar. He was determined to catch this killer and he was ready to use whatever method was necessary to accomplish his goal.
I'm going to continue this series and see where Lucas Davenport ends. After all, there are 28 more books to go.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
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May 28, 2012
This book is filled with the opposite of what the summary suggests! No one in the book can be described as half way intelligent and the author repeating continuously that they are doesn't change the fact that they're not. Couldn't take it anymore, had to quit about two thirds of the way through; only reason I lasted that long was the hope that all the characters would be killed off thereby redeeming the blasted book.
April 1, 2015
Awesome crime novel, serious fun.
August 3, 2018
It's a well known, popular, long-running series that I've read a couple in. I remembered them as being OK, maybe even pretty good, but it was clear that, while fairly self-contained, the series really should be read completely in order. I had a bunch of them in paperback before we moved over a decade ago & I wound up giving them away to save room. They've been on my radar, but never a priority.
Then I read a SF book written by a mystery author. I was very impressed, so I read a couple of his standalones & the first of his Virgil Flowers series, a spin-off of this one. Again, all were impressive, 4 star reads. My library has this series in audiobook format, so I'm taking the plunge.
Again, I was impressed. Sure, Lucas is larger than life & does things no real cop would do (or would get locked up for if he did) but this is a fictional adventure & he's kept a basic real feel to the story. There's no superman stuff. While everyone is pretty good, there are some dumb decisions & occasional screw ups that are balanced by lucky breaks on both sides. According to Sandford, even the cops he knows like the books & thinks he got the balance right.
Ferrone did a great job narrating the book & it was followed by an afterword by Sandford. He started out as a newspaper reporter & was getting burned out on covering the same disasters over & over. He wrote a couple of nonfiction books & then tried fiction starting with the first Kidd book. His publisher wanted him to use a pseudonym for this series, so he's best known by it.
Again, I'm impressed & plan to continue listening. Highly recommended.
Then I read a SF book written by a mystery author. I was very impressed, so I read a couple of his standalones & the first of his Virgil Flowers series, a spin-off of this one. Again, all were impressive, 4 star reads. My library has this series in audiobook format, so I'm taking the plunge.
Again, I was impressed. Sure, Lucas is larger than life & does things no real cop would do (or would get locked up for if he did) but this is a fictional adventure & he's kept a basic real feel to the story. There's no superman stuff. While everyone is pretty good, there are some dumb decisions & occasional screw ups that are balanced by lucky breaks on both sides. According to Sandford, even the cops he knows like the books & thinks he got the balance right.
Ferrone did a great job narrating the book & it was followed by an afterword by Sandford. He started out as a newspaper reporter & was getting burned out on covering the same disasters over & over. He wrote a couple of nonfiction books & then tried fiction starting with the first Kidd book. His publisher wanted him to use a pseudonym for this series, so he's best known by it.
Again, I'm impressed & plan to continue listening. Highly recommended.
May 23, 2011
Another Lucas Davenport weekend. After reading #21 in the series I had a hankerin' to go back to some of the early ones. Sandford has certainly improved his delivery over the years. This first one is heavy on the nonessential narrative summaries, especially in the first 100 pages or so.
Rules of Prey introduces Lucas Davenport, the badass Minneapolis cop who plays by his own rules but gets the job done when no one else can. He goes head to head with a smart lawyer who is also a serial killer.
The serial killer theme is soooo '80s! This was published in 1989, so it was right for the times, but felt a little tired to me lo these 20+ years later. I didn't read the series in order my first time through. I started with #10, which I ran across by chance at the library. I didn't know it was part of a series when I grabbed it, but Clara Rinker got me hooked! Had I started with this first one I don't know if I'd have continued with the series. I read them all out of order until I caught up.
I give this 3.5 stars.
Rules of Prey introduces Lucas Davenport, the badass Minneapolis cop who plays by his own rules but gets the job done when no one else can. He goes head to head with a smart lawyer who is also a serial killer.
The serial killer theme is soooo '80s! This was published in 1989, so it was right for the times, but felt a little tired to me lo these 20+ years later. I didn't read the series in order my first time through. I started with #10, which I ran across by chance at the library. I didn't know it was part of a series when I grabbed it, but Clara Rinker got me hooked! Had I started with this first one I don't know if I'd have continued with the series. I read them all out of order until I caught up.
I give this 3.5 stars.
June 6, 2016
8/10
This was an enjoyable read even if the main guy is, well, a grade A dickhead. There are a few things from this story that stick out and the fact that Lucas Davenport comes across as likeable at times and then a downright twat the next made it quite an interesting tale in what is a well saturated detective series market. There is a little bit of outdatedness in this one but it's not heavily prevalent and doesn't detract overall.
The serial killer aspect has been done lots of times before and will be done lots more. It works and makes for good reading but the story needs to really excel to make an impact. The Mad Dog made for a good killer and was cool and calculating throughout. It was enjoyable to see these two come up against each other.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator really grew on me. To start I was a bit unsure from the preview I listened to but an offer for the first two for one credit swayed me and I'm glad it did. I look forward to starting the next one in the near future and seeing if Davenport can become even more of a douche.
This was an enjoyable read even if the main guy is, well, a grade A dickhead. There are a few things from this story that stick out and the fact that Lucas Davenport comes across as likeable at times and then a downright twat the next made it quite an interesting tale in what is a well saturated detective series market. There is a little bit of outdatedness in this one but it's not heavily prevalent and doesn't detract overall.
The serial killer aspect has been done lots of times before and will be done lots more. It works and makes for good reading but the story needs to really excel to make an impact. The Mad Dog made for a good killer and was cool and calculating throughout. It was enjoyable to see these two come up against each other.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator really grew on me. To start I was a bit unsure from the preview I listened to but an offer for the first two for one credit swayed me and I'm glad it did. I look forward to starting the next one in the near future and seeing if Davenport can become even more of a douche.
August 3, 2024
4 Stars. He's not the most likeable detective you'll ever meet. But he does have a few of those endearing quirks which authors sometimes add to humanize characters. Yes he drives a Porsche, makes big bucks on the side developing computer games, and consults a nun, Sister Mary Joseph, for psychological advice about criminals. If you're one who suspects the police of nefarious deeds even if only to explain your recent parking ticket, this first Lucas Davenport is for you. You will be sure his unethical and illegal policing activities are thinly disguised real life. After all, isn't the author a former crime reporter? Anxiety is peaking in Minneapolis-St. Paul as a serial killer, Maddog, brings terror to the streets. He's a calculating murderer with an eye for a certain type of woman. He taunts the police with his own set of rules on how not to get caught, leaving notes at scenes like, "Never follow a discernible pattern." The media are in a frenzy - including the journalist Davenport is sleeping with. And fathering a child with. Jennifer Carey. Or is that Carla Ruiz, the artist / victim who survived the Maddog? I couldn't stop turning the page. (Jun2020/Aug2024)
April 29, 2008
Wow! Okay, I can say that Davenport is not like anything other cop character I've ever read before. He's definitely an original, and I don't know how much I should say for fear of blowing it for those who haven't read it and wish to. Lucas is intelligent and handsome in his own way, has a lot going on, but I found him to be... well, the only word I can think of is insecure when it comes to his personal life (women). He has the 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' attitude when it comes to his informants, and although some would say not entirely legal, it gets the job done. And the book has a really good pace, catches you from the start right to the finish. As I mentioned, email me if you want to discuss the book cause there's something that happens in the book that I wasn't happy with (but it in no way changes my view or rating) but I don't want to blow it for those who are going to read it. I found a few of the female characters a little on the ditzy side, but overall, I liked it.
August 3, 2018
It’s taken me awhile to get around to ’s work, being first published in 1987.
No idea why it’s taken me so long but I did.
If the rest of the books are as good as this one I’m in for a real treat.
Being a cop for Lucas Davenport is a hobby. His real wealth is generated by the computer games he writes. Lucas is a womanising show pony. He drives a Porsche, wear expensive clothes but he has a passion for, and is very good at, catching really bad people.
On this occasion the really bad person is MADDOG a serial sex killer. This is one very sick individual.
After every one of his kills MADDOG leaves a note for the police. Each note reveals a rule that MADDOG adheres to. These rules make him the perfect killer, or so he thinks.
Enter Lucas Davenport. A couple of Lucas’s sleeping partners are high profile TV journalists and it is towards them that Lucas now turns. Lucas feeds the journalists information that is designed to antagonise MADDOG and draw him out into the open. Nothing Lucas tries seems to work. All the while MADDOG is still killing.
In a desperate attempt to catch the killer Lucas convinces one of the girls to be part of a set up. She agrees but nothing goes to plan. MADDOG gets away leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
By a piece of persistent police work and a streak of good luck MADDOG’S true identity is at last revealed. But is it too late for Lucas?
There is a lot of graphic violence here but for all that it’s a thriller that once picked up is hard to put back down.
Recommended for lover of action packed thrillers.
No idea why it’s taken me so long but I did.
If the rest of the books are as good as this one I’m in for a real treat.
Being a cop for Lucas Davenport is a hobby. His real wealth is generated by the computer games he writes. Lucas is a womanising show pony. He drives a Porsche, wear expensive clothes but he has a passion for, and is very good at, catching really bad people.
On this occasion the really bad person is MADDOG a serial sex killer. This is one very sick individual.
After every one of his kills MADDOG leaves a note for the police. Each note reveals a rule that MADDOG adheres to. These rules make him the perfect killer, or so he thinks.
Enter Lucas Davenport. A couple of Lucas’s sleeping partners are high profile TV journalists and it is towards them that Lucas now turns. Lucas feeds the journalists information that is designed to antagonise MADDOG and draw him out into the open. Nothing Lucas tries seems to work. All the while MADDOG is still killing.
In a desperate attempt to catch the killer Lucas convinces one of the girls to be part of a set up. She agrees but nothing goes to plan. MADDOG gets away leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
By a piece of persistent police work and a streak of good luck MADDOG’S true identity is at last revealed. But is it too late for Lucas?
There is a lot of graphic violence here but for all that it’s a thriller that once picked up is hard to put back down.
Recommended for lover of action packed thrillers.
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