Review: Judgement Prey by John Sandford

It is October as Judgement Prey by John Sandford opens and Lucas Davenport is still dealing with the aftermath of the violent events of earlier in the year. He still has some pain from his various injuries. The bigger issue is the nightmares of the shootout that killed FBI agents, wounded others, and damn near killed Virgil Flowers and himself. The pain is worse at night, as is depression, but he is making slow progress. Getting back physically is slightly ahead of getting back mentally. When he is not trying to exercise, he spends his days reading or watching way too much tv while thinking about how close he and Virgil came. Everything could have easily ended that night. It very well might have been his closest call yet in his long law enforcement career.

Then U.S. Marshal for the Minnesota District, Eddie Lamb, calls and claims that she is just checking on how he is doing. They both know that is not at all why she called. What she really wants to know is if Lucas can work. She wants him to take a look at a murder scene nearby. Lamb is out of town or she would probably do it herself. A federal judge who she very much liked and respected is dead and she is mad.

Federal Judge Alex Sands and his two sons were murdered a few hours ago in their home. The only reason his wife and newborn daughter are also not dead is because they were not home. Unfortunately, they were also the first to discover the bodies.

St. Paul Police, The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the FBI are all there at the scene, among others. It is a bad deal and Lamb is sure that the various members of the assembled law enforcement still have no idea who did it or why. She gets that Lucas is in no shape yet to be actively chasing a fugitive. All she wants is for him to get out of the house, go over to the nearby crime scene, and take a look while making the presence and interest of the U. S. Marshal Service known to all. The FBI is the lead agency and they have the case. He may see something or suggest something they are not coming up with and can show the flag. The plan is for him to be present in an advisory capacity and nothing further.

Lucas is bored as things stand and is immediately interested in the case. Long time readers know that when Lucas is interested in a case, he always stays involved. It isn’t long after he reviews the scene that he is actively working it, alongside Virgil Flowers, and back doing what he does so well--- hunting killers.

What follows is a complicated and fast-moving thriller that works well in all areas. While, as with any other series it is best to read in order, if you don’t mind knowing major details of the last book-- Righteous Prey  – via the extensive recap in the first pages here, then you could start with this read. It is a solidly good one and recommended.

 

 

My reading copy came by way of the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, through NetGalley.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023