Review: Twisted Prey by John Sandford

Title: Twisted Prey by John Sandford
Lucas Davenport Series Book 28
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Lucas Davenport confronts an old nemesis, now a powerful U.S. senator, in the thrilling new novel in the #1 New York Times-bestselling Prey series.

Lucas Davenport had crossed paths with her before.

A rich psychopath, Taryn Grant had run successfully for the U.S. Senate, where Lucas had predicted she’d fit right in. He was also convinced that she’d been responsible for three murders, though he’d never been able to prove it. Once a psychopath had gotten that kind of rush, though, he or she often needed another fix, so he figured he might be seeing her again.

He was right. A federal marshal now, with a very wide scope of investigation, he’s heard rumors that Grant has found her seat on the Senate intelligence committee, and the contacts she’s made from it, to be very…useful. Pinning those rumors down was likely to be just as difficult as before, and considerably more dangerous.

But they had unfinished business, he and Grant. One way or the other, he was going to see it through to the end.

Review:

The bloodthirsty world of politics takes center stage in John Sandford’s newest release, Twisted Prey. This twenty-eighth installment in the Lucas Davenport series takes place in Washington, DC and pits US Marshall Lucas Davenport against a formidable foe who rather ruthlessly attempts to eliminate her opposition on her climb up the political ladder.

Following an attempt on his life that leaves one person dead, Minnesota Senator Porter Smalls does not hesitate to reach out to Lucas Davenport for help. Smalls is convinced his former rival and current Senator Taryn Grant is behind the plot to take him out and he knows that Lucas is more than up to the task of proving it. For his part, Davenport would love nothing than another crack at Grant who once before turned to murder and nasty shenanigans to clinch her Senate seat. Quickly traveling to Washington, DC, Lucas, aided by fellow Marshalls, Rae Givens and Bob Matees, works hard to prove Grant and her merry band of henchman are behind the attempt on Smalls’ life.

Taryn’s Chief of Staff Jack Parrish is the first person who falls under Davenport’s scrutiny. A former Army officer and CIA operative, he is the obvious person for Grant to use for her dirty work. He, in turn, has some rather surprising ties to a defense contractor, Heracles Personnel, which is run by George Claxson. The discovery that Claxson has several former military members and mercenaries on his payroll raises eyebrows, but this does not necessarily mean they are involved in anything illegal.

Lucas quickly ferrets out some dubious defense contracts that lead right back to Heracles. He also locates the person whom he believes was involved in Smalls’ car “accident” and he must work quickly to get the authorities on board with his theory before evidence is lost or destroyed. Just as he, Rae and Bob are closing in on the person they hope will flip on key players,  the suspects put in motion a devious plan to divert Lucas’s attention.  Taryn and her crew continue to be one step ahead of him and although he, Rae and Bob make considerable progress on the case, Lucas fears she will once again slip through his fingers.

Twisted Prey is an intricately-plotted and riveting mystery. The storyline is quite clever and well-executed.  John Sandford keeps the long running Lucas Davenport series fresh by changing up Lucas’s career and adding new faces to the cast. This newest release features a topical storyline, a particularly loathsome cast of despicable criminals and an interesting investigation that takes all of Lucas’s skills to solve.  Will Lucas finally make a case against the vile and abhorrent Taryn Grant? Or will she once again escape punishment for her appalling  crimes?