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the_windrunner94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
thecurseofchris's review against another edition
4.0
Geez, this book is brutal. It has one of the most sadistic villains I've seen out of John Sandford. In fact, it made me so uncomfortable that I had to skim some of the back half of the book just to get through it (no way was I going to DNF it). If you can stomach some of the brutality, it's closer to 4 stars because it's at least compelling.
That being said, I'm finding with these early Sandford novels that there are aspects of them that are... outdated, shall we say. Having read some of the author's later works, I know the writing improves and gets more "modern" and socially acceptable. So keep that in mind when reading early Davenport.
That being said, I'm finding with these early Sandford novels that there are aspects of them that are... outdated, shall we say. Having read some of the author's later works, I know the writing improves and gets more "modern" and socially acceptable. So keep that in mind when reading early Davenport.
holl3640's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
kanissa's review against another edition
4.0
As you'd expect, this is a dark and very angsty novel from Mr Sandford. Lucas Davenport continues to struggle with his (many) demons and does his best to be the archetypal anti-hero.
Along the lines of the first two, this story pits Davenport against a (couple of) seriously disturbed murderers. The "whodunit" is no surprise to the reader, since Mr Sandford shows you without any hesitation. The suspense lies in the game of cat and mouse between the bad guys (murderers) and the not-so-bad guys (Davenport, who technically has only murdered a few people, who all deserved it). This seems fitting, given Davenport's side job of developing games.
While this novel kept my attention, I found I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two. Dark, brooding, sexy detective? Check. Gruesome bloody murders? Check. Bizarre and interesting criminals? Check. Snarky dark humor? Check. Maybe I'm just coming off the novelty of this sort of story, but for me it wasn't a can't-put-down novel like the first one.
Along the lines of the first two, this story pits Davenport against a (couple of) seriously disturbed murderers. The "whodunit" is no surprise to the reader, since Mr Sandford shows you without any hesitation. The suspense lies in the game of cat and mouse between the bad guys (murderers) and the not-so-bad guys (Davenport, who technically has only murdered a few people, who all deserved it). This seems fitting, given Davenport's side job of developing games.
While this novel kept my attention, I found I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two. Dark, brooding, sexy detective? Check. Gruesome bloody murders? Check. Bizarre and interesting criminals? Check. Snarky dark humor? Check. Maybe I'm just coming off the novelty of this sort of story, but for me it wasn't a can't-put-down novel like the first one.
posies23's review against another edition
4.0
The third book in the long-running PREY series is a major improvement over the second book, which I felt was much weaker than the first installment. Lucas Davenport is in a deep depression following the events of the second book, and only a new love interest he meets while tracking a particularly bizarre murderer seems to pull him out of it. This book is much darker than the previous two, and that's really saying something. It's a much more cohesive novel than the second, and it doesn't get as bogged down with back-story as the first. It has some really strong suspense moments, although some of the traits of one of the antagonists seemed a bit too intentionally over-the-top for my tastes.
A strong installment in the series, which makes me want to keep on reading!
A strong installment in the series, which makes me want to keep on reading!
billymac1962's review against another edition
3.0
Truth be told, I was getting a little tired of the psycho-killer genre, but this was a good quick read.
Although it doesn't quite reach the must-read status, there are bits to this installment that merit a fair recommendation here.
Once again, Sandford creates a sick mind, cutting scenes to make your back curl (read the title), and, like Rules of Prey, one totally helpless victim. The read is harrowing at times, but the story
does fall into the same old formula (granted, this was written in 1991, so I can't lay blame here. The market is just so saturated with this genre now).
So if you're in the mood for a good psycho-killer read, jump into this one.
I do question some of Sandford's drug knowledge here though. No human can function in society with the overdoses his character pours into himself. Come on, six black beauties, PCP, acid, cocaine and then it's off to work??
Or having to be shaken awake at 6AM after dropping a heavy hit of acid only 6 hours earlier...riiiiight.
Might need a little more research there, Johnny.
Still worth a read.
Although it doesn't quite reach the must-read status, there are bits to this installment that merit a fair recommendation here.
Once again, Sandford creates a sick mind, cutting scenes to make your back curl (read the title), and, like Rules of Prey, one totally helpless victim. The read is harrowing at times, but the story
does fall into the same old formula (granted, this was written in 1991, so I can't lay blame here. The market is just so saturated with this genre now).
So if you're in the mood for a good psycho-killer read, jump into this one.
I do question some of Sandford's drug knowledge here though. No human can function in society with the overdoses his character pours into himself. Come on, six black beauties, PCP, acid, cocaine and then it's off to work??
Or having to be shaken awake at 6AM after dropping a heavy hit of acid only 6 hours earlier...riiiiight.
Might need a little more research there, Johnny.
Still worth a read.
hollsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
woody1881's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good story. I thought that things might have fallen into place with some luck that almost never occurs. Still, I enjoyed the book.
elwoodradley's review against another edition
5.0
Damn these books are awesome. This one was fucking brutal and had a brilliant twist at the end.
wolfchanreads's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75