Interesting premise and twist, but the story was bland afterward and the character interaction was so-so. ( )

Disappointing. The author has chosen to use a cheap plot gimmick: "multiple personality disorder." The author's writing is good ... pace is quick. ( )

Began May 23, 2009. ( )

It all starts when a young girl mysteriously disappears from her mother's home, leaving only a smear of blood. The investigation into her disappearence stalls until the mother begs Lucas Davenport to intervene. He starts his investigation and only a few days in, gets shot at and wounded in the leg. This only makes him want to find out more about what happened to the girl. Missing money, Goth people who close ranks against him and people getting murdered left and right by a mysterious Goth girl known only as "Fairy" make this a read that's hard to put down. So many twists and turns and you'll never believe who the "Fairy" turns out to be. Awesome book for anyone who loves John Sandford. ( )

Another Prey novel featuring Lucas Davenport and his cohorts in the Twin Cities. Each Prey novel is a standalone book, with character building strands that flow between them. Phantom Prey tweaks these themes to offer a slightly different approach, presumably to prevent the series from being repetitive. As expected the central storyline revolves around a killer, with Davenport ushered in to support. However, there are other plots weaved through the book, some without closure, which may be building for use in a later book - new territory for Sandford. The most important plot element is interesting and offers plenty of opportunities for the wit, irony and reality checks that make Sandford's books so enjoyable and easy to read. Phantom Prey isn't the strongest in the series, however is a page-turner with great characters. ( )

Another great contribution to the always entertaining series on Lucas Davenport's battle with the devious criminal mind. If you have never read one of Sandford's "Prey" novels, start with the first "Rules of Prey" and see the character of Lucas Davenport develop; through an excellent series. ( )

Weather's friend - or at least the woman who owned the gym she goes to, has had a personal tragedy - her daughter has disappeared, and Alyssa asks Weather to get Lucas involved, as the police are doing nothing. The daughter was a goth, and now other goths are getting killed, and Lucas starts pulling on the threads...

The plot was a bit too clever for it's own good, though I definitely enjoyed the sub plot with Heather, the smart bimbo, and the back chat amongst the cops. I wouldn't rate this as one of his best ones, but a solid B+. I read it in 24 hours, and stayed up to 3am till the words blurred, so it's very easy to read and grips you, but it' more like good junk food, gives you a sugar high and then makes you feel a bit queasy at the end, than something really substantial. ( )

Most recent in Sanford's Prey series, Lucas Davenport, Minneapolis police bigwig, is asked to investigate the disappearance of a friend's daughter who is presumed dead. Not up to Sandford's usual good stories. Here he attempts to investigate the world of goths, but I didn't care, and the story lines about Sybil-like personalities and imaginary friends are really lame ( )

Phantom Prey, the latest in John Sandford's long-running Prey series, is enjoyable but not up to the standard of his best.

This time Lucas Davenport and his team are investigating the mystifying killings clustered in 'Goth' hotspots frequented by a rich young woman who herself has disappeared. The subplot involves a stakeout, as Lucas and Del take turns watching a local gangster's moll take off her undies and parade around her apartment.

As always, the story rips along pretty smoothly, with a near-perfect balance of detection, action, background and comic relief. But this one's not particularly compelling, mostly because the killer is not an interesting character, no matter how Sandford tries to manufacture such interest.

Recommended, but if you're new to the Prey series, start elsewhere. ( )

Not a great book. Plot forced and doesn't really hold you. I think Lucas Davenport is going through a midlife crisis--spends alot of time talking about women's appearances or chicks as he calls them and using the F word. Characters poorly developed. Didn't really like anybody in the book. ( )

http://icedteadiaries.blogspot.com/20... ( )