I enjoy John Sandford’s Prey novels so much more when Virgil Flowers is an essential character. Judgment Prey is called “A Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers Novel”. I hope Flowers’ fans are as happy as I am with this book.
Lucas and Virgil were both shot in the line of duty. Nine months later, Davenport is still on leave, dealing with PTSD, depression and his dreams. But, the U.S. Marshal for the Minnesota District calls him to take a look at a crime scene. Judge Alex Sand and his two sons were shot dead in their house. As a federal judge, a number of his cases could have led to this. But, it’s obvious to Lucas that the killer wasn’t a professional. He assesses the scene, but steps aside. It’s a case for the FBI and St. Paul, Minnesota police.
When the investigators seem to be spinning their wheels, people with clout send in Davenport and Virgil Flowers from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. When they talk with Sand’s wife, Elizabeth Cooper, and a friend of hers, Ann Melton, Lucas and Virgil catch on to a relationship between the two women. They also see that Cooper is hiding something from them. It doesn’t take long to realize the women seem to have access to BCA files. They appear to be tracking the case, and the two men suspect Cooper may have an unhealthy fascination with it. Is she a suspect, or is she a woman out for revenge?
Before Judge Sand was murdered, he was planning to invest in a local charity. Now that he’s dead, the head of the charity isn’t sure Cooper’s interests align with her husband’s. Lucas and Virgil add a few people from the charitable organization to their watchlist. But, their leads seem scattered all over the place. It doesn’t help that they know that Cooper is either lying to them, or hiding things.
Judgment Prey is such a satisfying, intricate crime novel. It’s a tangled mess from start to finish. Lucas and Virgil always seem one step behind the killer and various suspects. But, it’s fun to watch the two men work the case together. They share a bizarre sense of humor, a deep friendship, and trust. Those who enjoy a complex case featuring strong characters should find Judgment Prey fits the bill.
Judgment Prey by John Sandford. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2023. ISBN 9780593542811 (hardcover), 400p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley to review for a journal.
I loved the Virgil Flowers books I’ve read in the past, but I haven’t read anything by Sandford in a long time. Your review makes me want to catch up with the characters.
I prefer Virgil Flowers over Lucas Davenport, Sandra.
So do I, Lesa, very much so.
Quite disappointed in this book.
Most of the rapport between Lucas and Virgil seemed stilted, not as buddy-buddy as expected.
No one even mentioned that the victim’s wife should get counseling.
The murderer never had videos or pictures of the sons so why were they killed, and not those who were on the videos?
A confusing, disappointing and strange Sandford thriller.
I too am confused
We are never told why Hess killed the Sand family
It was a confusing book at times.
I want to know how this book ends. I really enjoyed the book…until the end. WHAT?? Can anyone tell me how the book ended!!
I’m a big fan, from Davenport, to Flowers, to Kidd, and Letty.
But this latest, Judgement Prey, has me wondering about the author. John Sandford has built complex, fleshed-out characters, with individual relationships with other characters, ways of speaking, delivery of dialog, etc.
This book had none of the intimacy. Even the times when Virgil and Lucas were together and going back and forth, the dialog didn’t sound like their voices. These moments felt slapped together, as though the author had skimmed previous novels and got the idea of the characters, not their souls.
One other thought; the book had more filler than any other Sandford novel. Paragraphs of descriptive text that neither gave you insight into the moment or moved the story forward.
I’d bet one US dollar that he came up with the plot but his wife (a very accomplished author) and his son (who edits a blog for his dad) wrote the majority of the text.
(If you don’t get the US dollar quip, you haven’t read enough Prey novels!)
I agree with everyone that the wife should have gotten counseling and the ending was strange. I just haven’r read enough John Sandford to comment as all of you seem to have read more of his books than I have.
Thank you!