Winter Prey - Review

Synopsis:

In four short years, John Sandford's rise has been meteoric. Critics and readers everywhere have hailed his "cracklingly authentic" (Los Angeles Times), "trimmed-to-the-bone" (Chicago Tribune) thrillers, and more than three and a half million copies of his four bestselling novels are in print. Few writers have explored the human dark side with as much insight and unpredictability - and now, in his fifth Lucas Davenport novel, he has created his most spellbinding story of all. It is winter in the remote, dark Wisconsin woods, but the chill in the local sheriff's bones has nothing to do with the weather. The extravagance of the crime is new to him: the murdered man, woman and child; the machete-like knife through the man's head; the ashes of the fire-consumed house spread over the ice and snow. In desperation, the sheriff turns for help to the reclusive lawman he'd heard had a cabin up here, and with reluctance Davenport agrees, but it is a decision he will soon have reason to regret. For this is a kind of criminal new to him, too. As he sifts through the ashes of the case itself, other crimes, shocking to his carefully hardened shell, emerge, and it becomes clear that there is an evil in these woods, an evil at once alien to him and closer than he can imagine ... and against which even his skills may not prevail. Sandford's previous novels have displayed a brilliance of characterization and pace that have made them instant favorites. But this one is his masterpiece. Rich, complex and full of extraordinary people, it is a breathtaking work of suspense.

I read this book not all that long ago, it was recommended to me by another of my co-workers, they read it in her book club and she REALLY liked it. Usually, I'm not into "thrillers" or "mysteries" but I was really drawn into this book. This is the 5th book in John Sandford's "Lucas Davenport" series....There are close to 20 books in this series now.

What I really liked about this book is that it kept you guessing. You thought you knew who "done it" but in the end you were oh so very wrong. I really enjoyed the characters as well. Lucas is one of those guys that's "been there done that" and helps out with this case reluctantly. The "Ice Man" as the killer is called is one sick puppy, that will do just about anything to get this 1 photograph back. The preacher, did he or didn't he? The Dr. is really the only person involved that knows who did it, unbeknownst to her. The local law enforcement...well they sound like your typical "fish out of water" when it comes to this particular case. The plot was in my opinion AWESOME....but then again this is the first book by this particular author that I have read. It was so good that I finished this 400 page book in a few short hours....Once I got started I just could not stop!

5 out of 5