Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Ocean Prey by John Sandford – A Book Review

Ocean Prey book cover


Mystery Writer John Sandford has written 30 books in the Lucas Davenport 'Prey' Series and 12 books in the Virgil Flowers Series. With Prey Series Book #31, Sandford combines these two entertaining characters into one story and has them working together to solve a crime. 


Ocean Prey is a Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers Novel.


Main Characters in John Sandford's two well-known suspense/mystery series.


The Virgil Flowers Series


The  main character of the series, Virgil Flowers, is described as tall, lean, late thirties, three times divorced, with long hair. He often wears t-shirts featuring rock bands. Virgil works at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). He is good friends with Lucas Davenport and is frequently mentioned in various 'Prey' novels.


The Lucas Davenport 'Prey' Series


Davenport has been a police officer, a Minneapolis detective and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator.  In later books, including Ocean Prey, he now works for the U.S. Marshall's Office.  Lucas is tall with black hair, gray at the temples, blue eyes, and dark complexion.


Although each character has been mentioned occasionally in each other's series (as they are friends), this is the first book where they are featured working together on the same case.


Synopsis of Ocean Prey



Fan-favorite heroes Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers join forces on a deadly maritime case   


Ocean Prey book cover
An off-duty Coast Guardsman, fishing with his family, spots a snazzy craft with extra horsepower picking up a surfaced diver who was apparently alone without a boat in the middle of the ocean. This doesn't make sense. The Coast Guardsman calls in this suspicious behavior.  The three Guardsmen who come out to investigate are shot and killed.


Since they are federal officers killed on the job, the FBI investigates. When the case stalls out, the FBI calls in the U.S. Marshall's office in the form of Lucas Davenport and his team. 


When the case turns lethal, Davenport brings in a detective whose biggest asset is having a fundamentally criminal mind: Virgil Flowers. 

Working undercover posing as a deep sea diver, with Davenport and the FBI supporting him in the background, Virgil infiltrates the group of notorious drug runners operating off the coast of Miami. They want the men responsible for the deaths of the Coast Guardsmen, but also the head of the organization which has been bringing in tons of illegal drugs in an unusual way. The main goal is to shut down the entire operation once and for all. 


Summary


Ocean Prey brings us an outstanding and exciting story starring Sandford's two favorite characters, Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers. This may be a suspenseful mystery story, but it is also filled with humor of the type frequently used by police personnel to lesson the tension.  The jokes and wisecracks among the characters made me smile often, and actually laugh out loud in two places. A very enjoyable read. 


Quick Links:



Ocean Prey Book Review written by

Wednesday Elf





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


14 comments:

  1. What a great way to bring two main characters together working on the same case, plus it would spark interest in the other series for readers who have yet to pick up the first book in the Virgil Flowers Series. It sounds like an awesome mystery & suspense book. My dad is reading the Prey series thanks to your previous reviews. I'm sure he will enjoy this one when he makes it up to #31

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mouse. Hope your dad enjoys the Prey series. I've loaned my John Sandford books to friends in the past and discovered you either love them immediately from Book 1 in the series or it is just not the genre for you. For me, and many I've introduced to these series, we can't wait for each subsequent book to come out.

      Delete
  2. The late, great Robert B. Parker, one of my favorite authors and best known for his Spenser series, also wrote a novel that paired the lead characters in two of his other series, Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone, on a case. I loved it! I have no doubt that fans of the Lucas Davenport and/or Virgil Flowers series will likewise enjoy seeing these two “series leads” teaming up on a case. Based on your reviews, I think at least one of John Sandford’s series will be in my near-future reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, yes Margaret. Thanks for the reminder. I now remember Parker combining Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone characters in a story. I know other authors have done the same. As I mentioned in my review, Virgil Flowers is frequently mentioned in the Lucas Davenport series and vice versa, but this was the first time the two characters have shared 'Main Character' status in a story. Guess that's one of the 'draws' I had when I first picked up this book.

      Delete
  3. Oh it doesn't take too much to sell me on a new book! It just so happens that this is one of my favorite genres too, so, it goes right to the top of my to read list! Thanks Pat for adding to this list. It seems to grow faster than I can read! That's okay, better too many choices than not enough!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you enjoy it, Olivia. Thanks for your visit.

      Delete
  4. I am long overdue for another "Prey" read. This one sounds really good. Thanks for piquing my interest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't missed a Prey novel yet, Diana. John Sandford is one of my favorite authors. I think you'll enjoy this latest featuring Davenport and his friend & fellow crime-fighter Virgil Flowers.

      Delete
  5. Oh this does sound like a good read. Interesting how the author brings the two main characters together on this case. I like that there is some injection of humour alongside the mystery and suspense.Thank you for this recommendation

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Author John Sandford's injections of humor in his novels is one of the things I enjoy the most, Jasmine. In addition to his fascinating story lines and interesting characters.

      Delete
  6. Another terrific book review by ReviewthisReviews - I've been introduced to so many good books. This is another one I can put on my list as a gift for my mother. It's very handy to go to the book review section of this site and seek out a book that I know has been read and reviewed by people I know and trust.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have found so many good books to read through reading the book reviews of ReviewThisReviews. Thanks for your visit, Barbara.

      Delete
  7. My husband is reading John Sandford's books right along with you, Elf! One day I will pick one up, I am sure and then I too will be hooked. I like the idea that these mystery stories have humorous moments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Sandford's humor interspersed in his mystery/suspense stories is one of the reasons I enjoy his books so much, Brenda. Glad to hear your hubby is a fan too.

      Delete

Most Recent Reviews on Review This Reviews






Search for Reviews by Subject, Author or Title

The Review This Reviews Contributors



SylvestermouseSylvestermouseDawn Rae BDawn Rae BMbgPhotoMbgPhotoBrite-IdeasBrite-IdeasWednesday ElfWednesday ElfOlivia MorrisOlivia MorrisTreasures by BrendaTreasures by BrendaThe Savvy AgeThe Savvy AgeMargaret SchindelMargaret SchindelRaintree AnnieRaintree AnnieLou16Lou16Sam MonacoSam MonacoTracey BoyerTracey BoyerRenaissance WomanRenaissance WomanBarbRadBarbRadBev OwensBev OwensBuckHawkBuckHawkDecorating for EventsDecorating for EventsHeather426Heather426Coletta TeskeColetta TeskeMissMerFaeryMissMerFaeryMickie_GMickie_G

 


Review This Reviews is Dedicated to the Memory of Our Beloved Friend and Fellow Contributor

Susan DeppnerSusan Deppner

We may be apart, but
You Are Not Forgotten





“As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and or Etsy (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from purchases.” Disclosure Statement

X