Shadow Prey

This is the second book in the 22-book Prey series, written in 1990 by John Sandford, and I’ve already purchased the third one. Detective Lucas Davenport is a compelling figure who, before this book, had already killed six people in the line of duty. No one else on active duty in the state of Minnesota had killed more than two. Like the first book, the story starts with a sadistic crime, grotesque in all regards. A little Indian girl was sexually brutalized by the antagonist, Lawrence Duberville Clay. No one seemed to care about Indians, except other Indians. Sometimes it was civilians, but law enforcement personnel seemed to be even more immune from justice. I had a strong visceral reaction. I just wanted to see the perpetrator punished, even more so than the severe beating he was given by the Indians who got to Clay, but that’s not how it worked out. Clay was a cop, and after he recovered from the beating, he was seen as a hero, and he got promoted. Then, he got promoted again. He went to law school, and then was elected to state office in Arizona. He got noticed by the FBI and he eventually became the youngest Director of the FBI since J. Edgar Hoover.

Clay’s taste for young girls never left him, nor did his hostility towards Indians for the beating he had been given. And, some Indians had very long memories. Meanwhile, the Crow brothers were tired of the general discrimination against their tribe, and in the spirit of warriors of days gone by, they decided to bring some attention to their plight. Their methods were not peaceful. Their warpath was unique and bloody. Private businessmen and government officials who had been known to make decisions that did not go for the Indians were dispatched – their throats slashed with a stone knife.

The chase was on with Davenport leading the way with his usual unconventional approach. As murders continued, Clay saw an opportunity for more fame for himself, which could even carry him to the presidency. He couldn’t stay away in Washington, but had to go to Minnesota to try to take control of the investigation, to take credit for it. That decision brought him in reach of the Crows.

That’s enough of the plot – don’t want to give more away. There are some other well-written subplots including Davenport’s relationship with Jennifer, the mother of his daughter, as well as his relationship with Lily Rothenburg, and NYPD Lieutenant who was brought in to offer her expertise on the matter. Wait until you meet Shadow Love, the off-spring of the Crows. Remember Blue Duck from Lonesome Dove? Shadow Love is one scary character.  The plot is excellent, the character development is smooth and believable. I’m impressed with Sandford, and he’s quickly moving up on my list of favorite authors.