Invisible Prey

Two elderly women are murdered for drugs--or that's how things appear until Lucas Davenport starts sleuthing. He uncovers clues that lead to the discovery of art and antique thefts and to two sexually charged killers who are skilled at making a string of murders seem like random events. As Richard Ferrone reads this 17th adventure in the Prey series, his experience with Davenport and his own talents give him an easy ability to portray a wide cast of characters, especially the sometimes sardonic, mostly affable detective. Ferrone ties all together with a deep, gravelly narrative voice. The organized plot and involving narrator make the abridgment flow well. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

March 5, 2007
Bestseller Sandford opts for a contemplative procedural rather than a high-octane nail-biter for his 17th novel to feature Minneapolis detective Lucas Davenport (after 2005's Broken Prey
). The brave and intelligent Davenport, one of contemporary crime fiction's more congenial sleuths, is working a politically sensitive case—state senator Burt Kline is on the edge of being arrested for having sex with a minor—when he's called in to investigate the beating death of wealthy widow Constance Bucher and her maid. Bucher lived in a mansion stuffed with antiques, though it's unclear if robbery was the motive for the murders. Several run-of-the-mill suspects are dealt with before the reader learns the identity of the two killers, who continue to murder a string of folks all variously connected to the Bucher slaying. Eventually, the Bucher and Kline cases come together in an unexpected way. Interesting and unusual supporting characters, good and bad guys alike, enhance an intriguing puzzle.