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November/December Group Read: rules of Prey, by John Sanford
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message 51:
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Wendy
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Dec 05, 2014 07:30PM
Isn't John Sandford's real name John Camp or is it the other way around? I know that he used to be a newspaper writer or something years ago.
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My ebook loan expired before I could finish, and I'm not sure I'll borrow it again. It was a little too graphic, and just felt "off" to me. Can't quite put my finger on it, but I guess it's just not for me.
Sherrie wrote: "My ebook loan expired before I could finish, and I'm not sure I'll borrow it again. It was a little too graphic, and just felt "off" to me. Can't quite put my finger on it, but I guess it's just no..."You gave it a try, Sherrie. Not every book will please everyone. :0)
Wendy wrote: "Isn't John Sandford's real name John Camp or is it the other way around? I know that he used to be a newspaper writer or something years ago."
John Roswell Camp is his real name, Wendy.
Thanks Bill! Once I started thinking about it I couldn't quit. LOL I have no idea why I never think about googling stuff like that. I guess I'm getting old.
I've read this book and loved it. I love the Prey Series. I also love Davenport!
Jannene wrote: "I'm over 1/2 way through this book and oddly, I do not like Lucas. The author said he wanted to create a character that everyone loves and I just do lnot like the flaws he has as a person. Is the s..."Jannene... There are things I don't like about Lucas either. He has some very identifiable flaws as both a person and a cop. But as I ripped through 20+ "Prey" novels over the years, I became more understanding and accepting of his shortcomings. I don't know if you'll have the patience to make this discovery yourself. I have found it fascinating to watch him change and grow over the years.
If Lucas remains an annoyance, but you enjoy the style and pace of the Sandford books, may I suggest you try the spin-off series he launched a few years back. Virgil Flowers is a detective with the Minnesota BCA who tackles some very interesting cases using logic and luck to unravel the mystery. In some ways, he is the antithesis of Lucas; a kinder, gentler version if you will. Lucas, in fact, often chides Virgil for not carrying a gun (some of the Prey characters cross over to the Virgil stories). "Dark of the Moon" was the first title in the Virgil Flowers series (there are now 7) and I look forward to them as much as I do the next "Prey" novel. Anyway... just a suggestion.
I was leery of the Virgil Flowers series but I really liked the first book. He even keeps in contact with Lucas.
Virgil Flowers is the best. I thought I really liked Lucas until I got into Flowers. I have to say it is my very favorite series right now.
Excellent comments. Now I'll have to try the Flowers books too, as I get into the Davenport stories. Is it better to wait until Virgil Flowers becomes a character in the Prey books before you start that series? Does it make chronological sense?
I just bought the book and can't wait to get started. I always love reading books of characters I haven't read yet. But I'm also the kind of reader that needs to read the books in order. It's just a preference thing.
I feel the same for the most part, Timothy. Some series don't really matter as they tend to be one of type cases, but for them most part reading them in order allows you to get a feel for the development and growth of the character.
Bill wrote: "Excellent comments. Now I'll have to try the Flowers books too, as I get into the Davenport stories. Is it better to wait until Virgil Flowers becomes a character in the Prey books before you start..."Bill... Virgil makes his first appearance in "Invisible Prey" as part of the investigating team. If he appears in subsequent books, it is only peripherally. "Invisible Prey" is #17 in the series, so you'd have a long wait before you got to meet Virgil!! The Virgil stories do take place after Lucas leaves Minneapolis PD for a state job, but I don't think they need be read in chronological order with the Prey books. They stand alone quite well.
And BTW... Sandford said in an interview awhile back that early Lucas was "way over the top" and that he needed to tone him down to make him more believable. He did just that and it worked. I think that's one reason why the later Prey books are so satisfying (at least for me).
Thanks Jon, I'll look up the Virgil Flowers books as well. I can always use another series; just don't tell my wife.. ;0)
The 'Prey' books are one of my favorite continuing series. I can tell the author is clever. But Lucas himself is a scoundrel. I like him anyway, but I wouldn't make the mistake of marrying him.
He's that bad boy you want to be involved with until you grow up and want to settle down, eh? That's the way my wife explained it all to me anyway. (I wasn't the bad boy.. lol) ;0)
Mary wrote: "Bill, the bad boys are jerks lol. Your wife was wise to choose you!"lol.. I'll tell her you said that next time I get in trouble.. ;0)
I enjoyed Rules of Prey and plan on reading more in the series.
Jon wrote: "Jannene wrote: "I'm over 1/2 way through this book and oddly, I do not like Lucas. The author said he wanted to create a character that everyone loves and I just do lnot like the flaws he has as a ..."Thanks Jon. I actually have that book, "dark of the moon" and will have to move it up my TBR list. Thank you for comments to me.
I read this one several years ago - loved it - and promptly started reading the rest of the series.
I hope to read more of the series now that I've read the first book.
The 'Prey' series is one of my favorite top ten mystery series. It hasn't been knocked out of my affections in 20 years of reading.
