Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12)

Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12)
Chosen Prey - Lucas Davenport, Bk 12
Author: John Sandford
ISBN-13: 9780399147289
ISBN-10: 0399147284
Publication Date: 5/7/2001
Pages: 357
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 133

4 stars, based on 133 ratings
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

61 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

tiff5413 avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on
Helpful Score: 3
I normally don't read these type of books, but it was given to me so I tried it. It is about a serial killer. I thought it was pretty good. Easy to read mostly. It was an interesting side to police work. If you like an edge of your seat book, this one is for you.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Lucas Davenport hurries to solve yet another case....John Sandford once again outdoes himself with another book in the Prey series!!
GainesvilleGirl avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 215 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The 12th in the "Prey" series. This one's one of the best! Even though you know from the start who the killer is, you're on the edge of your seat to the very end. And the end is SO good. I like John Sandford's books, and I love his handling of police procedures. I also like that you can start anywhere in the series and not feel that you've missed a whole lot by not having read the previous books. Try it, you'll love it!
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 224 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Another excellent story in the Prey series. This time a History Professor with a hobby of taking secret photographs of attractive women. The hobby turns from a hobby to a deadly obession.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
When a spring thaw disinters the body of a young woman who's been missing for over a year, Minneapolis detective Lucas Davenport doesn't have much to go on except the victim's rumored connection with an unnamed man, who may be an artist and also, perhaps, a priest. But then the deserted property where her body was discovered turns out to be a killing field full of other young blondes last seen in the company of a man with a nasty habit of superimposing their faces on pornographic drawings. Davenport begins to close in on a serial killer whose perverted hobby provides the clues Davenport needs to stop him in his bloody tracks. James Qatar isn't a priest, and he's not really an artist, but he's definitely a monster, one who's met his match in Davenport.

Davenport is a smart, thoughtful cop whose girlfriend is pressuring him to make a commitment to parenthood and whose boss is about to lose her job in a political turnover. While the search for the killer is handled in author John Sandford's usual, crisp, procedural style, it almost seems to be a pretext for exploring the evolution of Davenport's relationship with Dr. Weather Karkinnen. This 12th adventure in the author's popular Prey series will undoubtedly rocket to the top of the bestseller list, though it's not a standout. The novel displays the solid craftsmanship and narrative drive Sandford's known for, but his hero seems a little dispirited and out of sorts. Perhaps fatherhood will give Davenport a new lease on life. In the meantime, check out Sandford's backlist featuring his other hero, Kidd (The Fool's Run, The Empress File, The Devil's Code), who has a nice little walk-on here in which he begins a romance with Davenport's partner Marcy Sherrill.
Kit avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 68 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Lucas Davenport returns in the most harrowing and unexpected Prey novel yet-the story of a congenial man, and his most uncongenial obsession..
Art History professor James Qatar's hobby was taking secret photographs of women. At night when he was all alone he'd dream about them and indulge his fantasies. Then one day his fantasy went too far. Now it's Qatar's turn to become an obsession-of Davenport's. And for both men there's no turning back.

Woohoo, this book will give you a great ride if you just get on. The Lucas Davenport novels are great and this one is outstanding.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A harrowing murder mystry.
jdocop avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 66 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
If you have never read one of the 'Prey' books, then you're in for a treat. If you have, but haven't gotten to this one yet, you need it! Sandford is a great mystery writer, and Lucas Davenport is one of my heroes! Gripping, suspenseful....whatever cliche you want to use.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 683 more book reviews
Lucas Davenport returns in the most harrowing and unexpected Prey novel yet- the story of a congenial man, and his most uncongenial obsession...
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 612 more book reviews
I completely loved this book and I reccomend it to anyone.
MELNELYNN avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 669 more book reviews
He desires women, all women, many different types of women. He studies their beauty. He takes pictures of them to create art masterpieces. He takes the pictures one step further...digitaly enhancing them, and turning them into repulsive works of pornography. His desire for women, and his "art" is taken a little further by murder...
After his first killing he realized he liked it, and wanted more.

When the body of Julie Aronson is found, Lucas Davenport is called to the crime scene. The body has been dead eighteen months, and Davenport does not have a clue, except the photo of the girl when she was alive.

When several other women come forward to explain how they were also photographed by a man, for art purposes, only to find their photos have also been altered into filth, Davenport knows he is on the trail of a psycho.

As each killing becomes more daring, Davenport and his usual gang of coherts go head-to-head with a monster with one thing on his mind...blood.

While 'Chosen Prey' discloses the killer's identity early on, the reader is still plunged head first into a suspenseful ride, with twists and turns to keep the pages turning. As always in a 'Prey' novel, the characterization is rich, and the plot razor sharp.

John Sandford has been writing the 'Prey' series for many years, and some of the entries are good, and some are not so good, 'Chosen Prey' is one of the best; the plot races along combining page-turning action, and the emotional drama surrounding it's main characters guaranteed to keep readers up all night.

Fans of this series will not be disappointed.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 128 more book reviews
Awesome Davenport novel, as always!
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 11 more book reviews
Lucas Davenport returns in the most harrowing and unexpected Prey novel yet - the story of a congenial man, and his most uncongenial obsession.
redheadindian avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 55 more book reviews
An art history professor has the hobby of photographing women secretly - but one night is obsession goes too far and there's no turning back.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 89 more book reviews
Lucas Davenport returns in the most harrowing and unexpected Prey novel yet-the story of a congenial man, and his most uncongenial obession.
keycollect avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on
this is the 3rd by this author i have read - enjoyed them all - kept me reading when I should have been doing other chores. Not exactly my favorite ending, but still a very good book.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 26 more book reviews
Lucas Davenport pursues art history professor James Quatar, who is obsessed with his photos of women. He indulges his fantasy too far and with the usual results.
MyLikeIt avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 450 more book reviews
Oooh, this was a scary, fascinating book. If you can handle the gruesome violence that typifies Sanford's stories, this is a great psychological thriller.
WildOrchid avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 222 more book reviews
There are always twists and surprises with a John Sanford book. You can't go wrong reading him.
SanJoseCa avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 328 more book reviews
An art history professors hobby was taking secret photographs of women and fantasizing about them. Then one day his fantasy went too far! A tale with alot of twists and surprises!
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 25 more book reviews
good suspense author
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 9 more book reviews
A great Lucas Davenport book, lots of action.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 30 more book reviews
A man with a hobby of taking photographs of women at night, has his fantasy take him too far. Now Lucas is obsessed with finding him.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 9 more book reviews
The story of a congenial man and his most uncongenial obsession.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 593 more book reviews
excellent read.
ladycholla avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 2081 more book reviews
Good mystery.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on
Author: John Sandford
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 26 more book reviews
Art history professor James Qatar's hobby was taking secret photographs of women.At night he would dream about them.Then one day he fantasy went too far.Now its Qatar's turn to be an obsession-of Davenport's.And for both men there's no turning back.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 21 more book reviews
action and surprise. very clever plot
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 1439 more book reviews
Pretty good thriller about the search for a serial killer who doctors photographs of his intended victims to make it appear they were posing for porn shots. The resolution isn't a total shock if you've been reading between the lines.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on
It kept me interested and was a distraction from the cold winter.
maggieminnich avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 400 more book reviews
I'm quite torn about this book. On one side, I liked the crime, how it was solved, and, for the most part, the characters and their development. However, the real problem I have is when Lucas Davenport is talking to a couple of colleagues and he describes a dancer at a nudie bar as, "...I bet she went 180 and she was not a tall girl" and "You not only could get a hold on this one [the dancer], you could hardly avoid her." Finally, he says, "...hanging out in a combination bait shop-nudie bar looking at fat women dance..." really upset me. Why John Sandford feels weight-bashing women is acceptable is beyond me. He definitely does not say anything derogatory about thin/skinny women in this book. It's time he wakes up, stop being prejudiced, and realize that bashing larger people is just as wrong and discriminatory as bashing a person's race, gender, sexuality, religion, etc. As such, I will never read another John Sandford novel, nor will I be silent about this issue if/when speaking with another reader about this author. Again, Mr. Sandford, wake up, man up, and stop your weight-based discrimination. It's NOT acceptable anymore.
oldrockandroll avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 282 more book reviews
This is the 12th book in the Prey series with Lucas Davenport. This time it is about an art person whose hobby turns to a deadly obsession.
lindalee avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 13 more book reviews
Another \"Prey\" brings Lucas Davenport back! All of these Prey books are fast, page turning suspense.
TakingTime avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 1072 more book reviews
The Secret photographs of one man and how they involve a second man. A good John Sandford novel
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 51 more book reviews
I like the "LUcas Davenport" books of Sandfords. Alway entertaining, lots of twist and surprises.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 91 more book reviews
Art history professor James Qatar's hobby was taking secret photographs of women.. At night when he was all alone he'd dream about them and indulge his fantasies. Then one day his fantasy went to far. Now it's Qatar's turn to become an obsession- Of davenport's. And for both men there's no turning back..... Brutal, unrelenting action..........
celticscrapper27 avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 54 more book reviews
Another Davenport success. Lucas is getting his game back and despit the serial killer and despondent cop from a neighboring area, it wasn't as dark as some of the others.
gigi avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 355 more book reviews
#12 in the Prey series. Love this series!!!
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 219 more book reviews
Lucas Davenport thriller fast pasted a good read
Mouse7088 avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 21 more book reviews
AWESOME READ!
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 240 more book reviews
Lucas Davenport. You'll love it, I did. Remember to keep your window blinds drawn.
hearts avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on
top corner is cut off of cover other than that in good condition
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on
Another great Lucas Davenport mystery.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 2 more book reviews
Great thriller!
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 14 more book reviews
I just love this writer and all of his books so far have been great reads. Can't say enough good for them.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 3558 more book reviews
Nice book, thriller.

When a spring thaw disinters the body of a young woman who's been missing for over a year, Minneapolis detective Lucas Davenport doesn't have much to go on except the victim's rumored connection with an unnamed man, who may be an artist and also, perhaps, a priest. But then the deserted property where her body was discovered turns out to be a killing field full of other young blondes last seen in the company of a man with a nasty habit. Davenport begins to close in on a serial killer whose perverted hobby provides the clues Davenport needs to stop him in his bloody tracks. James Qatar isn't a priest, and he's not really an artist, but he's definitely a monster, one who's met his match in Davenport.
Davenport is a smart, thoughtful cop whose girlfriend is pressuring him to make a commitment to parenthood and whose boss is about to lose her job in a political turnover.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 330 more book reviews
great
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 579 more book reviews
he desired women all kinds all shapes, all sizes,he would fix a woman and build imaginary stories around them , if you like john sanford you will enjoy.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 16 more book reviews
The database is in error. This book was written by John Sandford and the cover art is by John Blackford. There is no mention of anyone named John Camp at all, that I can find.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 38 more book reviews
Amazon.com
When a spring thaw disinters the body of a young woman who's been missing for over a year, Minneapolis detective Lucas Davenport doesn't have much to go on except the victim's rumored connection with an unnamed man, who may be an artist and also, perhaps, a priest. But then the deserted property where her body was discovered turns out to be a killing field full of other young blondes last seen in the company of a man with a nasty habit of superimposing their faces on pornographic drawings. Davenport begins to close in on a serial killer whose perverted hobby provides the clues Davenport needs to stop him in his bloody tracks. James Qatar isn't a priest, and he's not really an artist, but he's definitely a monster, one who's met his match in Davenport.
debs avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 641 more book reviews
I have read one other book in this "Davenport" series, and had the same complaint: there are a large number of characters, and the author is pretty weak in his character development. It takes a lot of chapters to feel comfortable with the main players. He seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the previous books in the series, and so does not concentrate on giving the repeating characters as much depth as he should. Some authors, such as Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch series) and Lee Child (Jack Reacher series) do a much better job in making each of their series' books stand alone.
mizPJ avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 172 more book reviews
Up to Sandford's usual high standards. Very enjoyable.
ErinMc avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 373 more book reviews
Art history progessor James Qatar's hobby was taking secret photographs of women. At night when he was all alone he'd dream about them and indulge his fantasies.Then one day his fantasy went too far. Now its Qatar's turn to become an obsession-of Davenport's.And for both men there's no turning back...
cranbery avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 530 more book reviews
This was one of his best!
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 407 more book reviews
I enjoyed this mystery/thriller featuring Lucas Davenport. One of my favorite scenes was when Davenport meets the computer genius Kidd for the first time. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Mortal Prey.
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 42 more book reviews
" An art history professor and writer and cheerful pervert, James Qatar had a hobby: he took secret photographs of women and turned them into highly sexual drawings. One day he took the hobby a step further and... well, one thing led to another, and he had killed her. A man in his position couldn't be too careful, after all. And you know something? He liked it."
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 279 more book reviews
Excellent book worth reading
reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 112 more book reviews
Another very good Lucas Davenport story
KansasSunflower avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 329 more book reviews
I really enjoy all the Prey books.
Chitimacha-Princess avatar reviewed Chosen Prey (Lucas Davenport, Bk 12) on + 586 more book reviews
He desired women. All kinds, all shapes, all sizes. He would fix on a woman and build imaginary stories around her. Some of the women he knew well, others not at all. Most of them faded quickly. Only a few become objects of desire.
An art history professor and writer and cheerful pervert, James Qatar had a hobby: he took secret photographs of women and turned them into highly sexual drawings. One day, he took the hobby a step further and...well, one thing led to another, and he had to kill her. A man in his position couldn't be too careful, after all. And you know something? He liked it!
Already faced with a welter of confusion in his personal life, Deputy Chief Lucas Davenport decides to take this case himself, hoping that some straightforward police work will clear his head, but as the trail begins to take unexpected turns, it soon becomes clear that nothing is straightforward about this killer. The man is learning as he goes, Lucas realizes, taking great strides forward with each murder. He is becoming a monster---and Lucas may have no choice but to walk right into his lair...