Lucas Davenport #20
Storm Prey is another excellent novel in the Lucas Davenport series. I’m glad I’m not reading the five-book bundles anymore because I want to stretch out my enjoyment of the series and not feel pressured to read them back to back. Storm Prey focuses on a pharmacy robbery gone wrong, and Weather happens to be a witness. Lucas gets involved in the case and goes to bat to keep Weather safe.
I don’t want to think about how much research John Sandford had to do regarding the conjoined twin surgery. I’m sure a surgeon could poke holes in it forever. Still, the amount of detail provided was astonishing to a layperson. The twin’s surgery is a significant touch point in Storm Prey. The technical detail of the surgery wasn’t too dry or irrelevant, overall. Initially though, it did make the story drag, but it stays strong once the groundwork is in place.
From my notes: “Weather’s rage brave, love it .” Weather’s response to threats or intimidation is to get angry. Her response to the motorcycle rider is fantastic. I got robbed a few years ago, and I got so caught off guard that I didn’t immediately give up my property. In the moments before my brain caught up to what was happening, I attempted to fight off the robber because I was angry. Was that the smartest thing to do? Absolutely not. I should have just let my phone go. Was I thinking clearly? Nope! Was Weather thinking clearly? Also no! Her reaction was dangerous for her and others around them, but rage bravery is totally a thing. It makes Weather so relatable, and it’s fiction, so it’s admirable in her.
Shake and Jenkins play a prominent role in Storm Prey. They’re such good, reliable characters. I love their descriptions and actions: Big plodding thugs sent to do intimidation and guard duty. As much as I find Letty’s banter with them hilarious, I’m also aware that Letty is a child trying to push boundaries.
The representation of women in this series is on par for the time. Lucas uses a binary ranking system for women: 1 for yes would bang, 0 for no, and most women fit into 1. It doesn’t bother me too much because the women are still given meaningful, significant roles in the plot, and their intelligence is more valued than their looks. IE, She’s a babe, but she’s also a vicious litigator at the top of her game, and that’s what the story focuses on. I have seen the writing adapt throughout this series, and I feel the author intends to be on the progressive edge while not shying away from the language and mores of the times.
I enjoyed Storm Prey. The crimes kept escalating as the criminals attempted to cover their tracks, and Lucas rises to the challenge. Usually, the murders/deaths don’t bother me too much, but one of the criminals goes after a friend of the family, and it unsettled me. I was so upset.
I’m going on an extended vacation soon and looking forward to reading Buried Prey on the plane. I always find John Sandford books engaging, so I often read them in one or two sittings, which will be perfect for a long flight.
Links
John Sandford Reviews
Lucas Davenport Series
#11 – Easy Prey
#12 – Chosen Prey
#13 – Mortal Prey
#14 – Naked Prey
#15 – Hidden Prey
#16 – Broken Prey
#17 – Invisible Prey
#18 – Phantom Prey
#19 – Wicked Prey
#20 – Storm Prey