The New Sandford Book:"Field of Prey"

[Texas Star]

We had a discussion here a couple of weeks ago about John Sandford's last two murder mysteries. The current one seems to be, "Field of Prey." Published this year.

Just got it and after the first 75 pages, I can't see why some posted that the author seems to be slipping after so many books in this series.

Most authors can't write stuff this good at the peak of their careers. He seems to be holding his own, unless the story takes a nosedive further on.

I like series fiction, where I can get used to the continuing characters and get to know them. This is in his Lucas Davenport series. Not sure yet if Virgil Flowers will appear. In the first, Flowers had left to go fishing in New Mexico, where he hoped to find a lake with muskies. In New Mexico? But his vacation is about over now and he may reappear and help to solve the case.

I like it that Letty, Davenport's precocious, somewhat cynical stepdaughter is back. Missed her lately. Don't especially like his wife with the odd name, Weather. But the Davenports are a good family, and Lucas looks after them and catching crooks, not always via the proper methods.

This one revolves around a couple of high school kids finding a cistern that's stuffed with at least 21 bodies of murdered girls who disappeared. No clues, until a state cop hits on a major clue, only to accidentally go to the killers and get killed himself, while asking about thefts from cemetery plots.

I may see where this is going. There's a smart-alec female deputy who I think may be about to encounter the returning Agent Flowers and find herself impressed by him.

If you like the Davenport and Flowers books and haven't read this one, hit the library or book store and check it out.
At this point, it looks pretty good.

I don't see the older thread about the series. Hope this one is okay. The other was mainly about a prior book, anyway, I think.

Anyone here read, "Field of Prey"? Did you like it? Why or why not?

What do you think is Sandford's best book in the Prey or Flowers series? I've read nearly all.

 

[H Richard]

I liked it. It has several surprising twists and turns. Yes, Virgil does get involved. I find it hard to put one of his books down. I really couldn't make a choice which one I liked better.

 

[don5]

Yeah I started the last thread about this book a couple of weeks ago. I really liked this book. I thought he was on top of his game. He ties some loose ends up with this book as well. Actually, I thought it might be one of his best writing yet.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Sandford? Meh.

 

[Muddyboot]

Been a while since I read a good ook.

 

[GKC]

Been a while since I read a good ook.

I've never tried to read an "ook." How do you get them to stay still long enough to read?

I have every one of Sandford's books, and I like his crime fiction much better than anything else I've read in the genre. Having said that, though, I don't like his later "Prey" novels as much as his earlier ones; I'm enjoying the Virgil Flowers character more these days. For one thing, Lucas Davenport has become a family man, and while even though a hard-nosed detective, he is still encumbered with those restraints. There's a reason why in most books, movies, and television shows, the detective usually isn't married...so he can focus on crime solving, spend whatever hours he needs in the process, and can also frolic with whatever females come his way. That used to be Davenport...now he is more or less civilized, and I miss the old Lucas.

Sandford writes three main characters: Lucas Davenport, Virgil Flowers, and Kidd (I don't think his first name is ever given) who is the subject of only four books, but he does appear in a couple of the other series. I do like these books better than any other crime fiction authors, as I said. Even though I didn't like the newer books as much as the older, I still liked them...and I don't think you can go wrong with a Sandford book.

 

[Big Cholla]

This is very timely! I finished "Field of Prey" yesterday. I have read everyone of Sandford's books. I think that this is in the top three of them all. It has a very difficult (for me) to read scene near the end of the book. I warned my Wife about what to expect, but she is a fan also and is electing to read "Field of Prey". This book put the main character 'Lucas Davenport' in the normal range of 'human' and took him out of the superman category he formerly was slipped into.

I too look forward to the next book featuring 'Virgil Flowers' as the main protagonist because he seems to be such a likable character and Sandford's writing is just getting better.

I had just started a program of re-reading the Davenport Series before "Field's of Prey" was available. I had just finished the very first, "Rules of Prey" when "Field's" became available to me. I will continue that program for double the pleasure. .................. Big Cholla

 

[GKC]

I had just started a program of re-reading the Davenport Series before "Field's of Prey" was available.

I do that too...I like to read a good book over and over again, as I usually find some nuances that I missed before.

 

[Texas Star]

I do that too...I like to read a good book over and over again, as I usually find some nuances that I missed before.

Yes, me too. Often something seen anew or in more careful context.

I miss Robt. B. Parker's serial characters, like Spenser and the Sunny Randall girl and Jessie Stone, played on TV by Tom Selleck. But I don't like the TV movies, which seem more depressing and in a poorer setting than the Paradise, MA of the books.

I'm glad that both Sandford and Jack Higgins are still writing.
BTW, Higgins lives on the Channel Islands, not subject to the 1997 UK gun ban. I hope he kept some good pistols.

I miss Peter O'Donnell and his Modesty Blaise, but I guess he was ready to retire and he left some good books as a legacy.

I'll correct the "ook" in the title of this topic. The retrograde position of Mercury must have affected my typing this morning. And I was watching TV, too. Should have proofread better.