Mortal Prey (Lucas Davenport, No. 13)

Lucas's character is really starting to develop.

The book was in better condition than the rating.

Great story as always. Not Sanfords best but well worth reading. V b NM, kj hg fd d s a e

This is a landmark book in the Prey Series in several ways. The story of Clara Rinker, an assassin for the underworld based in St Louis, began with Certain Prey. Here in Mortal Prey we pick up her story as she has been living in Mexico, recuperating from her wounds from that first part of her story. She was wounded in the end of that episode by Lucas after she tried to ambush him at his home. She called him as she was preparing to leave the Country. That final discussion is worth reading again before you start this book. It sets the tone for this book. They both have some level of affection for the other and yet they are seriously trying to kill each other.In this story Clara has been wounded in Mexico by an assassin sent down from the US. She was pregnant by the son of a rich Mexican and lost their baby. She vows to find the US underworld figure who ordered the assassination. After further recuperation, she comes to St Louis looking for them and finds some. Her recuperation included some instruction in rifle shooting. The FBI is looking for her. They are in the strange position of protecting known criminals from her. They call in Lucas on temporary leave from his new position with the Minnesota Division of Criminal Apprehension. The FBI is mainly chasing its tail and Lucas helps straighten them out and get back on track for Rinker. After getting most of the underworld guys, Rinker starts shooting FBI people. She finally escapes from a gunfight with Lucas' .45 slug in her butt and gets help from her Mexican friends.So that's the story - or is it? Lucas has to accomplish his wedding to the pregnant Weather who has stayed safely out of danger in Minneapolis while all this violence took place in St Louis. Lucas sets up his wedding as a trap to lure Rinker in to a final confrontation. The wedding party is full of cops and FBI agents. Marcy Sherrill stood in for the "bride" and carried her revolver like a purse through the service. Rinker took her final shot as the "wedding party" posed for photos on the steps of the church. (Rinker was only slightly bothered by the fact the church was not the denomination Lucas had mentioned in one of their "friendly" chats. Lucas shed a tear over Clara's fallen body. He was in her crosshairs. It is an excellent story.We were introduced to Andreno, a retired St Louis cop who helps Lucas navigate around St Louis. Lucas may offer him a job with the Minnesota Department of Criminal Apprehension. He and Lucas make a good pair.

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In this, his 13th book in the Lucas Davenport series, Sandford can't resist getting Lucas out of town, despite his impending nuptials, new baby, and new house (or should I say palace?) in Minneapolis. Sandford can surround Lucas with the mundane, but never for long....it's on to St. Louis (where he does a credible job of giving the reader the "feel" of the city), by way of Cancun, Mexico. Lucas' globetrotting arises when the FBI includes him in the hunt for Clara Rinker. She's surfaced again(Sandford introduced her in "Certain Prey", where she definitely got the better of Davenport) and the FBI wants her out of circulation.Who better to help them than Davenport? Although he's seeking revenge for a near-mortal blow that Rinker, the most effective hitwoman in the business, dealt him, Davenport has an instinct for what Clara would do, and that instinct helps keep the FBI close on her heels. The FBI team is unaware that Davenport has made himself a member of a close circle of ex-cops in St. Louis, men who are bored with the retirement life, whose knowledge of the city helps give Davenport the clues the team needs to corner Rinker and end her local killing spree of crime bosses who sought to kill her and ended her engagement and pregnancy. Loftus and Andreno, two of the local ex-cops, are great characters, and one would think that Sandford will bring them back.This is Sandford's best work in awhile, and he's successful at alternating the point of view of his tale between Lucas and Rinker herself. Rinker becomes multi-dimensional in the telling of the tale from her perspective. The book is a nonstop thrillride of near-misses in getting to Rinker, and Davenport finishes it off with not one, but two, big surprises in the ending.Sandford returns to masterful form, and you will not be able to put "Mortal Prey" down!

Clara Rinker is back! After her fiancé and unborn baby are killed in Mexico in an attempt to take her out, Clara becomes hell bent on revenge. After recovering from being shot herself, she makes her way back to the states and is on the hunt. This brings along the FBI, namely Mallard and Malone, who worked previously trying to find her. They bring in Lucas because of his relationship working the case against her in Minneapolis. It’s a cat and mouse game from the beginning to the exciting ending. A very good installment to the series and a satisfying ending to this particular case.

I own the audio cassette version and I had to replace it because one of my tapes broke. When I bought this not many books on CDs were available in 2002. I absolutely love the voice of Richard Ferrone. He makes the characters come alive. I've listened to this so much I've practically worn the tapes out. I used to listen in my car but now that I have a newer car that only has a CD player I can only listen to it at home. Every few years I pull it out and listen and the story never gets old. It is so much fun revisiting what now have beome old after reading the Prey series since they first began being published.This one is a particular favorite as Clara Rinker seeks her revenge and Lucas drives everyone crazy with the house. Are mobsters who have put out hits on others victims when the hit woman turns on them after they try to kill her? There were some very clever ideas for carrying out hits. This prompts me and go back and listen to when Clara made her first appearance.

These Prey books are the best series that I have read. Each one has a similar formula, but each one has its own different storyline.I have read all of the series and have never been disappointed. Wonderfully written, pure joy to read.

Another amazing adventure with the usual cast.

Love the Prey series. Lucas Davenport is my hero. Wish I could meet him in person. He gives so much of himself and is a good friend to all the cops and agents alike. He tells it like it is, thinks every action through until he gets his man or in this case woman..

This book features Lucas Davenport but not in his usual locale of Minnisota. The story starts with the murder of the lover of Clara Rinker and her being wounded and as result having a miscarriage. Rinker has featured in another "Prey" novel and we know she is an asassin. She seeks revenge as she realises she was the inteded victim and the people she is after are the crime bosses of St.Louis. The FBI seek Davenport's help.. I found myself hoping that Rinker would get away with her revenge! This is so well written in the familiar Sandford style. It has pace which is esential for a top rated thriller. A must for Sandford fans and anyone who likes thrillers.

Was waiting patiently for this book to be available and as always was not disappointed.....the story line excellent.just can’t wait now to the next one.If I could 4.9/5....