Title: Silken Prey
Author: John Sandford
First published June 7, 2013
406 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780399159312 (ISBN10: 0399159312)
Rating: 4.22
Overview
In “Silken Prey” by John Sandford, a high-profile businessman disappears without a trace. Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator, is on the case but the trail leads him to unexpected places.
As he delves deeper, he realizes that the Minneapolis police department may be involved in the disappearance, and the clues point to a dangerous woman with Machiavellian tactics. Will Davenport be able to uncover the truth before it’s too late?
With money, power, and ruthless ambition at play, the stakes are higher than ever in this thrilling page-turner.
About the Author
John Sandford, originally born John Roswell Camp on February 23, 1944, hails from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He completed his primary education at Cedar Rapids’ public school system, graduating from Washington High School in 1962.
After which, he attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies in 1966. While at the university, he met Susan Lee Jones, whom he later married.
John served in the United States Army from 1966-68. Afterward, he worked as a reporter for the Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian (1968-1970) before returning to the University of Iowa, where he obtained a master’s degree in journalism in 1971.
From 1971-78, he worked as a reporter for The Miami Herald, and later, for the St. Paul Pioneer-Press from 1978-1990. His investigative journalism in 1980 earned him a Pulitzer Prize finalist title, and in 1986, he won the Pulitzer Prize for his series of stories covering a midwestern farm crisis.
From 1990 until now, John has been writing thriller novels, alongside two non-fiction books about plastic surgery and art. John’s love for art (painting) and photography is evident, and he is also actively involved in the field of archeology, mainly as the principal financial backer of a significant archeological project in the Jordan Valley of Israel, with a website dedicated to it.
John is also an avid hunter and fisher. John and Susan had two children, Roswell and Emily, and one grandson, Benjamin.
Sadly, Susan passed away in May 2007 due to metastasized breast cancer, and she is deeply missed.
Editoral Review
Silken Prey by John Sandford is a thrilling addition to the Lucas Davenport series. Sandford is a prolific writer of crime thrillers, having penned over 50 novels in his career, and his expertise is evident in the way he constructs the plot and develops his characters.
Silken Prey was published on June 7, 2013 and has been widely acclaimed by critics and readers alike. The novel is set in Washington D.C., where Lucas Davenport has been appointed by the governor of Minnesota to investigate a dirty political campaign against a senator.
Lucas is tasked with finding the source of the smear campaign, but soon discovers that this is just the tip of the iceberg. He uncovers a web of corruption involving politicians, lobbyists, and businesspeople, who are all vying for control of the political landscape in D.C.
The protagonist, Lucas Davenport, is a familiar character to those who have read Sandford’s previous novels in the series.
He is a seasoned investigator with a sharp wit and a penchant for action. Davenport is accompanied by a cast of engaging characters, including his colleague Virgil Flowers and an ex-con named Slip who provides valuable information to the investigation.
Sandford is a skilled writer who has a knack for pacing and suspense. The novel unfolds at a breakneck pace, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.
The author has also done a commendable job of capturing the political landscape in Washington D.C., presenting a vivid description of the city and painting a picture of the seedy underbelly of politics. The novel deftly tackles complex themes such as political corruption, abuse of power, and the challenges of maintaining integrity in a world driven by greed and ambition.
Sandford also explores the dynamics of power, showing how it can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals. Silken Prey isn’t without its flaws, however.
Sandford can sometimes get bogged down in the details, dragging out scenes that could have been more succinctly written. Additionally, some readers may find the political machinations to be overwhelming, making it difficult to keep track of all the different characters and their motivations.
Overall, Silken Prey is an expertly crafted novel that will please fans of the Lucas Davenport series as well as those who enjoy political thrillers. Sandford has done an excellent job of weaving together a complex plot with memorable characters and creating a compelling read.
It’s a testament to the author’s skills that he has been able to produce such consistently high-quality work in his extensive bibliography. I highly recommend Silken Prey to anyone who enjoys a thrilling read with a thought-provoking message.
It’s an excellent addition to the Lucas Davenport series and stands as a testament to Sandford’s prolific writing career. I give it a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
