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kanissa's review against another edition
4.0
An improvement over the previous novel, although not as suspenseful.
For the setting of novel #5, we move into rural Wisconsin, hip-deep in snow and with biting cold. It's a big change from #4's location, NYC, not only in weather but in scope. It takes Davenport from being a little visiting fish in a big pond to being a giant fish in a tiny pond. While he's still a guest with the local police department, in this case he's the only one with any substantial homicide investigation skill. Mr Sandford's depiction of a small-town police force is quaint, sure, but also sketched with love. The police are generally presented as good people with big hearts, even if they are a bit inexperienced.
As for the murder and the investigation, I found it to be pretty simple to figure out. There are some early attempts at misdirection, but they are so ham-handed as to be blatantly obvious. It's evident very early in who the Iceman actually is.
One of the things about the Davenport novels that has annoyed me so far are Davenport's liaisons with seemingly every woman he meets. While this installment's love interest, Weather Karkinnen, is an improvement upon Davenport's exes, I still found myself rolling my eyes any time the romance storyline was presented.
For the setting of novel #5, we move into rural Wisconsin, hip-deep in snow and with biting cold. It's a big change from #4's location, NYC, not only in weather but in scope. It takes Davenport from being a little visiting fish in a big pond to being a giant fish in a tiny pond. While he's still a guest with the local police department, in this case he's the only one with any substantial homicide investigation skill. Mr Sandford's depiction of a small-town police force is quaint, sure, but also sketched with love. The police are generally presented as good people with big hearts, even if they are a bit inexperienced.
As for the murder and the investigation, I found it to be pretty simple to figure out. There are some early attempts at misdirection, but they are so ham-handed as to be blatantly obvious. It's evident very early in who the Iceman actually is.
One of the things about the Davenport novels that has annoyed me so far are Davenport's liaisons with seemingly every woman he meets. While this installment's love interest, Weather Karkinnen, is an improvement upon Davenport's exes, I still found myself rolling my eyes any time the romance storyline was presented.
jtrook's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.75
posies23's review against another edition
4.0
This is an interesting change of pace for the PREY series. Instead of being set in a big city, the setting is a small Wisconsin town, which finds itself with a multiple homicide. Lucas Davenport, recuperating in the area and still dealing with the effects of the last few books, is called in for help. In addition to the change in setting, the antagonist of the book is NOT the usual "super-smart bad guy," which is a nice change from previous novels. Davenport's love interest is actually a well-rounded and interesting character, as well, instead of the one-note characters we've seen in a few of the past novels. I don't want to say too much more for fear of spoilers, but there are many plot complications, and a decent amount of suspense.
The PREY novels are all entertaining, and Sandford does a nice job of keeping them fresh and interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series!
The PREY novels are all entertaining, and Sandford does a nice job of keeping them fresh and interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series!
woody1881's review against another edition
5.0
I am in about a half-dozen different series, but I really should binge read John Sandford and this Lucas Davenport series. There is a pattern here, he always finds out who done it but never in time to save himself a battle to the death it seems. Still, great stories and characters I like!
cholderly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a headier and darker entry in the Prey series. In someways the violence was mean and too gritty. That said, the writing was so much better than the norm here and the quality of the story was very high. I really enjoyed the flow and the tension.
lcoverosey's review against another edition
4.0
Ahhh so this is where Weather comes in!!! Good fast read
tani's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not a mystery reader, but I picked up some mystery books for free a while back, and this is one of those.
I was initially pretty put off. The author writes an introduction to the edition I read, and while he doesn't say much in it, he takes the time to insult my genre of choice, fantasy. Definitely got off on the wrong foot there.
The beginning of the book was kind of blah. Lucas Davenport kind of comes off as a jerk to start out with, and I always struggle with extended scenes from the point of view of a completely unsympathetic villain. Also, it feels pretty dated.
It picks up a little for the middle of the book. I liked the relationship between Davenport and Weather. It made me feel more sympathetic toward Davenport. I think he and Weather were actually pretty neat protagonists for the time period, and I applaud that. I also liked the procedure of investigating.
About 75% through, we finally find out who the villain is, and the last quarter of the book is devoted to chasing him down. I was kind of bored by that, to be honest. It was very action-packed, but the point was kind of the mystery for me, and I didn't care about the action. I admit, I skimmed.
Still, not a terrible book. I think my dissatisfaction has more to do with my disenchantment with the mystery genre. I'm just happier watching my mysteries. Reading them is too tedious.
I was initially pretty put off. The author writes an introduction to the edition I read, and while he doesn't say much in it, he takes the time to insult my genre of choice, fantasy. Definitely got off on the wrong foot there.
The beginning of the book was kind of blah. Lucas Davenport kind of comes off as a jerk to start out with, and I always struggle with extended scenes from the point of view of a completely unsympathetic villain. Also, it feels pretty dated.
It picks up a little for the middle of the book. I liked the relationship between Davenport and Weather. It made me feel more sympathetic toward Davenport. I think he and Weather were actually pretty neat protagonists for the time period, and I applaud that. I also liked the procedure of investigating.
About 75% through, we finally find out who the villain is, and the last quarter of the book is devoted to chasing him down. I was kind of bored by that, to be honest. It was very action-packed, but the point was kind of the mystery for me, and I didn't care about the action. I admit, I skimmed.
Still, not a terrible book. I think my dissatisfaction has more to do with my disenchantment with the mystery genre. I'm just happier watching my mysteries. Reading them is too tedious.