Sally Long
asked:
Is this a series one can jump into anywhere, or should I look for the first book to start with?
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Extreme Prey,
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Colleen
As Scott says, you can start anywhere. But it will only make you want to start at the beginning. A favorite series, and Sandford keeps it both fresh and familiar. I think you'll want to get to know these people.
Scott
It kind of helps if you have read some of the other books so that you have a background of other characters or events that have happened. The author does a quick explanation of things but obviously if you have read the other books you will have a better perspective. Definitely not a show-stopper if you haven't read the other books.
Sheila Myers
I agree with the others that if you start from the beginning of the series, you'll probably understand more about some of the things the characters say and the other background information. That said, I started reading Sanford's only a few years ago. I read very few of them in order and still enjoyed them all. Whether or not you start at the beginning is a matter of personal preference.
Robert Ullrich
I've read every one of the Prey Series. I recommend you read them in order, starting with the first ofthe series, Rules of Prey. The series revolves around the main character, Lucas Davenport. It is somewhat of a biography of Davenport's life as much as it is a series of murder mysteries. Don't forget the Virgil Flowers series! It intertwines with the Prey Series. You won't be disappointed.
E M
If anyone's still reading these answers a year later ... I too like to read books featuring a recurring character from the beginning, but with the good writers (e.g. Rendell, Parker, Connelly) it truly isn't necessary. In fact I think that Sanford's later books are much better-written, although I have read - and enjoyed - all of them more than once, in order and randomly. If I had to recommend one to start with it would be "Wicked Prey" which is both typical and excellent. And I definitely would suggest leaving "Buried Prey" until after you've gotten to know the supporting cast.
Katrina Easton
I just read an earlier book (#8) and a much later one right after each other, and thoroughly enjoyed both. Timing doesn't really matter except you get to know the characters and see changes in their personal lives. From a particular plot perspective of one book, it doesn't matter what order you read them in
John Stanley
I've always found a serial character the most enjoyable when I read from the series start. But sometimes it takes an author a while to become a better writer and will lose some readers after just a book or two. Reading an entire series for someone like Sandford can be quite an undertaking however. And if you're not going to be able to read them all then which ones do you skip? Oftentimes there's a great story related to one of the secondary characters (like wife and daughter.) But while they often make for great earlier books, the earlier stories and backgrounds are not always necessary to know for the reader to enjoy the current book. And, in my experience, a good author (like Sandford) will usually provide adequate filling in of the back stories if necessary to the current storyline. So, if you're real ambitious, by all means, start from the beginning. But, if you just can't, don't let it stop you from reading "Extreme Prey" - it's too good to miss. -JS
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