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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Started November, 25th 2012.
For some reason I did not like the beginning, but then it picked up pace.
The ending was signaled before and that and the conclusion cost this the final star - to be real 1.5, but that's not possible, so for a first book in the series I give 4.
Not giving too much away I would like to see a killer in more than one book (Lisa Garnder, Val McDermid, Michael Slade did it).
Hopefully not all books from Sandford will end this way.
On to the next one.
For some reason I did not like the beginning, but then it picked up pace.
The ending was signaled before and that and the conclusion cost this the final star - to be real 1.5, but that's not possible, so for a first book in the series I give 4.
Not giving too much away I would like to see a killer in more than one book (Lisa Garnder, Val McDermid, Michael Slade did it).
Hopefully not all books from Sandford will end this way.
On to the next one.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5... I have mixed feelings about this book. The story is very entertaining and the intrigue is interesting. However, the main character is highly unlikable. Unethical, womanizer, violent, macho... It is difficult to root for him and I found myself several times thinking "what an awful person!". Maybe it is because of the time when it was written...
What I Did Like:
+Davenport grows on you. He comes off rough at first but he does soften a little as the book goes on. He’s smart and good at reading between the lines, which is good in a detective novel. He is a loose cannon who has a problem sticking to the rules, however.
+The mystery is solid. Despite knowing who the bad guy is early on, it's a good journey to watch the detectives spiral closer and closer to him.
+The ending is controversial and will spark discussions for sure.
Who Should Read This One:
-Readers who want a loose cannon who doesn’t follow the rules, someone who blurs the lines between good guy and bad guy.
My Rating: 3 Stars
For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/01/23/2024-book-review-rules-of-prey/
+Davenport grows on you. He comes off rough at first but he does soften a little as the book goes on. He’s smart and good at reading between the lines, which is good in a detective novel. He is a loose cannon who has a problem sticking to the rules, however.
+The mystery is solid. Despite knowing who the bad guy is early on, it's a good journey to watch the detectives spiral closer and closer to him.
+The ending is controversial and will spark discussions for sure.
Who Should Read This One:
-Readers who want a loose cannon who doesn’t follow the rules, someone who blurs the lines between good guy and bad guy.
My Rating: 3 Stars
For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/01/23/2024-book-review-rules-of-prey/
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
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.
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.
This book kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat. I found myself looking forward to listening to more and often chose listening to this book over watching TV.
However, there were parts that were so unbelievable and outlandish that I had to relisten a few times because I would get hung up on “Did that really just happen?” or “That would never happen in real life.” I do appreciate John Sandford acknowledging some of these scenarios in the forward (which was placed at the end of this audiobook for some reason).
There were also a few parts that were slightly graphic. These didn’t bother me much, but it’s something to take into consideration when starting this series.
Overall, I had been looking forward to reading this book and starting the Prey series and I was not disappointed. I can’t wait to find out what Lieutenant Lucas Davenport gets into next.
However, there were parts that were so unbelievable and outlandish that I had to relisten a few times because I would get hung up on “Did that really just happen?” or “That would never happen in real life.” I do appreciate John Sandford acknowledging some of these scenarios in the forward (which was placed at the end of this audiobook for some reason).
There were also a few parts that were slightly graphic. These didn’t bother me much, but it’s something to take into consideration when starting this series.
Overall, I had been looking forward to reading this book and starting the Prey series and I was not disappointed. I can’t wait to find out what Lieutenant Lucas Davenport gets into next.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Maybe I need to reevaluate my rating system. This is a good three but I don't feel like it's a 4 but maybe that's because I hardly ever give 5s or 4s. Hmm. Anyway, it was much better than other books I've read recently but I don't know about a 4. Still, I'll keep reading them because it was good. Oh, except I hate his girlfriend.
Really? He makes civil war board games while working serial homicide cases? Ridiculous.
Still, I enjoyed this...somehow. Curious to see how the rest of the series evolves.
Still, I enjoyed this...somehow. Curious to see how the rest of the series evolves.