The Lower Hutt Library recently sent me an email to advise a book I had placed on reserve was now available. So I sped down to the local branch (Stokes Valley) to pick the book up, in the expectation I would be well entertained over the weekend.
The book was John Sandford’s latest episode in the long-running adventures of his cast of characters in his cop-u-dramas, and this time featured Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers.
The book starts with the brutal murder of a wealthy federal judge, Alex Sands, and his two young sons. Davenport is asked to represent the Marshals’ service by taking a look at the scene. This is a way of getting Davenport back into work, having been shot up at the end of the preceding book.
Initially, there is not much he can do; the FBI and the local Police force run the investigation, but after some weeks no progress has been made so Davenport and his sidekick Virgil Flowers are called in to do what others cannot: find answers. They eventually uncover that the judge is not the reason for the murders, but one of the sons has been targeted by a paedophile.
Sandford takes us on a tour of the Minneapolis-St Paul cityscape and various eateries as they slowly unravel the crime. Several sub plots keep things entertaining. As usual, Sandford keeps things interesting as he edges towards the inevitable conclusion. You get the feeling that the author is thoroughly conversant with his subject, though his handling of a baby in the storyline suggests to me he doesn’t know much about very young children.
All in all, a good read as Sandford never fails to grab my attention. Best read if you have enjoyed the preceding “Prey” books.