Criminally Clever (Ig Goode Mysteries Book 3)

Frankly, it turns me off and makes me wonder about Mr. Sandford and perhaps those who enjoy reading that stuff. What ever happened to the imagination which can be gory enough. OK, now that I have that off my chest, the Prey series still remains pretty decent in its investigatory plots if wildly unrealistic. Talk to any cop and see if any of them recognize themselves in these stories. Tearing around town in a luxury car and truck and rarely doing any paperwork. Sometimes it pays to be lucky rather than smart. Well, actually I'm not sure what smart would have to do with it but. I had finished the last but one of books on my nightstand and I started that one but just couldn't get into it.

So I went to my bookshelves and looked over several assuming that I had read them all. I kept coming back to Sandford and finally reached up and randomly selected Broken Prey. It turns out that I hadn't read it! Therein is the luck. I don't remember when I first beg Sometimes it pays to be lucky rather than smart. I don't remember when I first began reading the Prey series or what book I started with, I know it wasn't the original, Rules of Prey.

I do know that I became an instant fan and nothing has changed in my fandom since. Broken Prey is one of the best of the Prey series and I hesitate to say that for fear that it denigrates others in the series. Sandford writes with an attention to detail and a bam, bam style that continues through his novels. You never get a chance to catch your breath until you put the book down. Nor do you want to. Each paragraph leads you into wanting more, and so you don't put the book down until you fall asleep and it falls onto your face.

Why yes, I do read in bed, how did you know? Lucas Davenport, the protagonist of the Prey series, starts out as a Minneapolis cop, leaves the force for a bit and then rejoins it on a consultant basis, leaves it again and joins the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the law enforcement are of Minnesota.

There he is a big wig, a supervisor with a team of detectives and a couple who are more adept at enforcement than detecting. In this novel Lucas is faced with a serial killer; one who tortures his victims before cutting their throats and Lucas knows he has to find and stop him before he kills again and again. One of the things that I appreciate about Sandford's writing is his attention to details large and small.

He uses small details the way a cook will add a spice to enhance a dish; his details may have nothing to do with the story but they do enhance. One example from this book is when he pulls into a trailer park and a cat comes out from under one of the trailers and pauses with one paw raised a very cat like pose if my cat is an example. It has absolutely nothing to do with the story and once it's mentioned the cat disappears from any further involvement.

But it has added that touch of spice, that flavor, a distant bird painted in a landscape, a making it whole and especially making it real. That's John Sandford and one reason why I am a fan. If you are squeamish, don't read Sandford because his crime scenes are not for the faint of heart. If you prefer dull, stories in gray instead of vivid colors, pass him by.

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If the mundane is to your taste. And he's damn good at it. Everyone who meets Charlie Pope thinks he looks like a maniac. More essentially, he IS a maniac. He was given a hospital term for a rape and aggravated assault, and he is suspected in three more assaults and two murders. Eight years in a psychiatric hospital was a bore, although he met interesting and like-minded maniacs who taught him how to abuse and kill with more efficiency.

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He is a garbageman, and he is sick of the stink which no shower will dissipate. Worse, there are so many pretty girls walking around just flaunting themselves. His children and wife Weather are in England. She had gotten a fellowship in maxilla-facial surgery and they had decided to bring the whole family except Lucas to London.

When he was a bachelor, he never noticed how quiet a silent house could be. Now, he is feeling uncomfortable with the loneliness. The phone is ringing. Her body is discovered on a bank stripped naked. Her skin appears to be striped with bloody lines - whipped with wires? A maniac appears to be on the loose…. This is 16 in the Lucas Davenport series. It can be read without having read the earlier books in the series. In Broken Prey Prey book nr. His investigation leads him to a psychiatric facility a semi-prison where he's confronted to the most horribly insane people you can imagine.

So plot-wise I thought it was excellent. I have to admit, I really enjoy Lucas at this later age. I enjoy him being married and committed. This maturity suits him. It leads to recognizable situations, where a husband wants to spare his wife; who's s miles away for her not to worry by not telling her things, like him being shot for instance. The dialogues, as always, are excellent, especially with his good buddy Det.

His wife Weather bought him an iPod and everyone around Lucas is giving him songs suggestions. This topic brought light and fun to an otherwise gory killer story. The list of songs is in appendix to the book. There are many, many great recommendations there for any fan of rock music. Oct 23, Mike rated it really liked it. A young woman has been murdered by whipping with a sharp wire, and then had her throat slashed. Extreme, over the top torture. Soon, another body appears miles away, only this time it's a man and his young son, and the similarity is obvious.

The Big Three are the worst of the worst, and our 2nd reading - 4 stars - Lucas's friend, Sloan, invites Davenport to look at a spooky killing in the Minneapolis area. The Big Three are the worst of the worst, and our heroes believe they have programmed a just released inmate to copy their earlier deeds. My review has climbed another star this reading, as I was able to follow the trails designed to thwart the investigators and the reader.

Aug 31, Dale rated it it was ok. The writing in this one was just fine - but the crime really got to me for some reason. Sandford's scenarios are usually pretty brutal, but this one was just over-the-top. It was tough to get through. But, that's just me. Seemed a bit flat or maybe I'm just getting tired of Sandford's immature political comments inserted without relevance to the story.

He takes a shot a Bush not being intelligent. So Sandford, how many hours do you have flying a jet fighter? And your job in the army was so special that you don't mention it? I'll keep reading the series. Damn I miss Vince Fl Seemed a bit flat or maybe I'm just getting tired of Sandford's immature political comments inserted without relevance to the story. Damn I miss Vince Flynn! Jan 12, Nancy rated it really liked it. Often times we are introduced to the killer s early in Prey novels, but in this book we do not know for awhile who is doing the killing. After several dead bodies are found, clues point Davenport towards a trio of killers who are serving time in a mental asylum, but as they are locked up who is killing people with MO's similar to the way they killed in the past?

This gory book, is tempered by Davenport's new maturity and the lighthearted touch of a running commentary of the best songs to go Often times we are introduced to the killer s early in Prey novels, but in this book we do not know for awhile who is doing the killing. This gory book, is tempered by Davenport's new maturity and the lighthearted touch of a running commentary of the best songs to go on his iPod. I agree that there is no room for the Beatles ; Jan 13, Deb rated it it was ok.

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My first and last book by John Sandford Dec 16, Jim rated it it was amazing. A great Lucas Davenport murder mystery. Lucas received a telephone call from a Minneapolis PD homicide detective named Sloan who asks for his help. They have found the naked body of a young woman lying on a river bank in the crucified position, she has been scourged by a wire whip and her throat cut.

They have no leads, and work for several months when Lucas received a telephone call telling of another murder of a man killed in a like manner. All leads direct Lucas to a man released from a menta A great Lucas Davenport murder mystery. All leads direct Lucas to a man released from a mental institution a few months prior, just before the first murder. Then another murder, the media is in the panic mode, public pressure comes to bear, but there is nothing to go on. Lucas goes down every avenue, searching everything, and during a interrogation of a suspect is given a potential lead. This book is packed with the high level of anticipation and information always delivered by Sandford.

You know what every police officer knows, and at times is given some insight by the criminal into his or her mind. Be with Lucas when he is drawn into wrong conclusions by the murderer, see and experience how the criminal directs the thinking of everyone. This book is exciting and one of those where you must read at least one chapter more before you put it down. Just a great book. Mar 02, Mac Logan rated it liked it.

Why only 3 stars? I'm a great John Sandford fan, and find myself torn about this one. Much of what I like is there, yet the complexity of the plot steals spontaneity and the story labours at times. However, having said that,you'll find: In fact my 3 stars is harsh and 3. It's worth a read.

I'm leaving it 3 stars because I'm rating it against John Sandford's h Why only 3 stars? I'm leaving it 3 stars because I'm rating it against John Sandford's high standards. Aug 29, Chris rated it liked it Shelves: Davenport is on his own while everyone in his family are in London. He is in pursuit of an phantom killer who is gutting people and leaving them out in public to be found.

Once he and his gang think it's one person it's a dead end and they have to start all over looking for another suspect. Not one of my favorite books. Even though there was a lot going on and it did follow the same format as the author's other books, to me there was something missing from the one. Sep 09, Aron rated it really liked it Shelves: A great book in a great series, highly recommend!

Jan 22, Marcia Chocinsky rated it really liked it. John Sanford is nothing but consistent, meaning his books are consistently well written, with excellent dialogue, great plots and a cast of characters that are pretty unique. This series so far has never let me down. You can read them out of order too, which I like, as I read the older ones as I come across them in a variety of places. May 13, Carol rated it really liked it. I really really like this guys writing, but it is SOOOO rough and grisly that it really offends me and others that are around me that may hear it while I'm listening to it.

Maybe if you cut down one or two "f's" or "sh's" per minute it might help. I've never read books with such cruel language. But the kicker is how much I like the stories. I'm hooked, then I get mad and disappointed at myself cause the language is so bad. This was a great book in the series. It was hard to keep up with Lucas and S I really really like this guys writing, but it is SOOOO rough and grisly that it really offends me and others that are around me that may hear it while I'm listening to it.

It was hard to keep up with Lucas and Sloan and all that was going on--almost too many characters to keep track of. You kept thinking one way, but that was just tricking you. I loved the by play with the music list. It was great way to lighten up the serious tone of the book and the crimes that were happening. Happy Valley also a great detective drama with a strong female lead! So good it got canceled after the second season, which is a travesty. Atlanta Mozart in the Jungle season four, Feb 15! Oh yay for Mozart in the Jungle coming up! And Insecure and Atlanta are both fantastic!!!

Will check out Underground, since I love all your other recs! Better Things with Pamela Adlon. I also just finished Homeland. In a very different vein from the other recommendations: To prolonge the royals kick: For really good drama: An amazing, but violent, female centered Western. Even if you do not normally like Westerns, it is worth the watch. YES to Broadchurch and Atlanta. Both are amazing with strong female leads. Now watching The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

The art direction is to die. Really well written, good romantic comedy that manages to avoid being stereotypical or shallow.

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Really witty, well written rom-com-sequel that manages to avoid being stereotypical or shallow. Genuinely laugh out loud funny. They only have Season 1 on there, I read that they made 2 seasons, I hope Season 2 will be available on Prime at some point. The exact spelling makes me think so. Hm—did you ever sing publicly in NYC? We are huge fans of BBC comedies. What a great show. We just finished watching all of the Detectorists and I was sad when we were done.

Laugh out loud funny but also really touching. Also, Last Tango in Halifax, great British series, a bit soapy but intelligent. I just spent five minutes scrolling through to see if anyone had mentioned Borgen. I just finished the final season and it has ruined television for me, I feel like nothing else will live up to it. I also loved the Scandinavian version of Wallander, but I hated the British version. So many good things mentioned here! Rectify was also under appreciated and excellent, Amazon. Top of the Lake is great.

That bathroom scene — ooh! Totally obvious that it was directed by a woman. Grace and Frankie, while flawed, is hysterical. Lily Tomlin is laugh out loud funny in every episode. I felt like I was on-edge the whole time, but not for the right reasons. It was the best show on TV last year.

The second season is especially good. The Leftovers was amazing.

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The Leftovers was amazing and also amazing music. I watched most episodes at least twice and with all the good TV out there I never do that but I wanted to soak in every detail. The Tunnel, Seasons 1 and 2. If you are still in the royalty mood- Wolf Hall, which is streaming now. Bonus, it has Claire Foy in it. Otherwise, The Americans, which gets better each season. It does the whole transitional thing from the 60s becoming the 70s so wonderfully. And I really like the characters. My other favorite binge watches in the not-so-distant past have been Big Little Lies, which everyone has seen, and the even more excellent I Love Dick, which too few people have.

I sooo wanted to discuss every episode of the latter with any woman I could find, really, but especially my art chick friends. So much hilarious food for thought. I was gutted when both were canceled. Planning to watch each again. Also in the middle of watching Fortitude on Netflix. So different and interesting. It is so so good. First season streaming now on Hulu. Second season for purchase on Amazon. The Forsyte Saga — another British series that was great!

With Damian Lewis from Homeland and Billions, as well as many other great actors. Dark Master of None!!! Wolf Hall Homeland oldie but goodie The Wire ultimate oldie but goodie. It is available on Netflix. Just finished Godless Netflix western and am missing it. Music is great and find myself really rooting for the main characters, 2 traumatized adolescents on the lam together. I also just finished Godless and found it uneven, among other things. Feminist, so smart, just amazing. Saw someone mentioned The Fall.

Hell yes—if you can handle more serial murder in your life. I actually watched that series twice, which I rarely do. I would balance all the murder with Crazyhead, which I found funny and great, like Buffy. Also just finished latest season of the Expanse. Great political sci-fi with a good number of POCs. Just ignore the ridiculous romantic relationships that make no sense hello obviously everyone is actually gay. But I say that about every show… and how one guy mysteriously develops a southern accent in the second season.

Saw godless and it was such a miss for me. Not as feminist as promised. And it took so long to get to the point. And if you love those gritty Brit crime dramas already mentioned try River and Unforgotten.

Broken Prey (Lucas Davenport, #16) by John Sandford

For something more gentle and charming then Grantchester, with bonus clean cut James Norton. Nostalgia for youth and just a damn fine time, then you could inhale all three seasons of Lovesick in a weekend. Guilty pleasure is Riviera — great locations, great clothes, ridiculous but addictive story. River was amazing and heartbreaking. It is a crime drama and due to the heavy accents, I recommend caption, but Season 1 kept me on the edge of my seat and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Season 2 was just as good. Also, Bob Odenkirk is brilliant. You write for Better Call Saul!

Not to brag or anything, but have the coolest readers anywhere. I love Better Call Saul, and adore Kim! Always thought it strange and unfair that Michael McKean was not more recognized for his turn as the troubled Chuck. Niecy Nash is great in it. Picture Breaking Bad set in a Florida nail salon. And I love Casual on Hulu. I loved a Place to Call Home! Another good series is The Last Post on Amazon. Jessica Raine from Call the Midwife is one of the stars.

I have to say though if anyone is going to get me reading a book on a boat in it will be Antonia. But what is the price of salvation? Either way he made me want to read it and I have his first novel The Girl With a Clock for a Heart on my shelves already. Note — I have included a shot of Tom Pollock in the background of the photo below to a prove he was there b show you his very good listening face. The penultimate reading was from David Whitehouse, whose debut Bed I absolutely loved when it came out and yet never reviewed because I am a tool. His new novel The Mobile Library sounds like it will be just as wonderful, I mean from the title you can tell it will be about bookish adventures and so any book lover wants to read it regardless of whether I tell you more or not.

I will say in just a few pages that David read he does humour and heartbreak brilliantly well. After stumbling into a vigilante rescue one night, Jenny Pepper decides to become a hero — but with frightening consequences. It was quite a first night in London Town. A huge thanks to Vintage Books and especially the lovely host with the most Will for inviting me and looking after me so well! Have you been to Drink Shop Do?

Broken Prey

Which literary events have you been to and loved? Igoni Barrett 1 A. Robert Cargill 1 C. Scott Fitzgerald 3 F. Jefferson Farjeon 1 J. Frank Baum 1 L. John Harrison 1 M. You can see why Mildred is my spirit animal. This look made me cackle. A fascinating look at the life of one of the classical mythic witches Circe, from her childhood ignited by the gods to the acts that saw her exiled and onwards Part psychological study, part mythical adventurous romp.