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Summary and Reviews of Naked Prey by John Sandford

Naked Prey by John Sandford

Naked Prey

by John Sandford
  • Critics' Consensus (5):
  • Readers' Rating (3):
  • First Published:
  • May 1, 2003, 368 pages
  • Paperback:
  • May 2004, 400 pages
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About This Book

Book Summary

Two people are found hanging from a tree. A black man and a white woman, and they're naked. 'Lynching' is the word that everybody's trying not to say, but the murders are not what they appear to be, and they are not the end of the story. There is much worse to come.

In Naked Prey, John Sandford puts Lucas Davenport through some changes. His old boss, Rose Marie Roux, has moved up to the state level and taken Lucas with her, creating a special troubleshooter job for him for the cases that are too complicated or politically touchy for others to handle. In addition, Lucas is now married and a new father, both of which are fine with him: he doesn't mind being a family man. But he is a little worried. For every bit of peace you get, you have to pay—and he's waiting for the bill.

It comes in the form of two people found hanging from a tree in the woods of northern Minnesota. What makes it particularly sensitive is that the bodies are of a black man and a white woman, and they're naked. "Lynching" is the word that everybody's trying not to say—but, as Lucas begins to discover, in fact the murders are not what they appear to be, and they are not the end of the story. There is worse to come—much, much worse.

Filled with the rich characterization and exceptional drama that are his hallmarks, this is Sandford's most suspenseful novel yet.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

The Washington Post - Patrick Anderson
Vintage Sandford, which is to say it is all but impossible to put down ... Sandford finds time for various digressions, some more inspired than others.

Booklist - Wes Lukowsky
...suspenseful and cleverly plotted, and the denouement is an exhilarating example of ultimate justice convincingly delivered ... another best-seller here.

Kirkus Reviews
Nonstop drive ... what Sandford continues to do-better, perhaps, than anyone in crime fiction-is humanize his monsters that makes for a special kind of creepiness.

Library Journal - Jo Ann Vicarel
The plot twists and turns reveal the complexity of the characters ...and the well-concealed motivation for the crimes ... this may be Sandford's best novel yet.

Publishers Weekly
This stellar 14th installment ... in a series now a decade and a half old is vintage Sandford.

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Read-Alikes

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He who opens a door, closes a prison

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