Revenge Prey

Lucas Davenport #36

by John Sandford

Lucas Davenport must track down a ruthless Russian hit team

Leonard Summers—not his real name—is on the run. A former high-ranking Russian intelligence officer who defected to the U.S. after providing critical information about Russian spies in U.S. government service, Leonard, his wife Martha, and son Bernard have spent the past year holed up in a CIA facility near Washington. After the CIA makes a deal with the U.S. Marshal Service’s Witness Protection Program (WPP), Leonard’s family is transported to Minneapolis. The plan is to hide them in a wooded Minneapolis suburb that resembles their former home and dacha near Moscow.

The Summers are received at their destination by Lucas Davenport and fellow marshal Shelly White. Unbeknownst to them, the WPP group has been tracked by a Russian hit team. And while nobody in the WPP has ever been attacked…Leonard might be the first victim. As shots are fired and enemies dodged, Lucas must move quickly to uncover where the leak is coming from, before the hit team can strike again.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Suspense

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 7, 2026

About the author

John Sandford is the pen name of John Roswell Camp, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author known for his gripping thrillers and popular crime series. After earning degrees in history, literature, and journalism from the University of Iowa, Camp began his writing career as a reporter, first at The Miami Herald and later at The Saint Paul Pioneer Press, where he earned critical acclaim for in-depth series on Native American communities and American farm life. His work won him the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing in 1986.
In 1989, Camp transitioned into fiction, publishing two novels: The Fool's Run under his real name and Rules of Prey under the pseudonym John Sandford. The latter launched the long-running “Prey” series, starring Lucas Davenport, a sharp, fearless investigator navigating politically sensitive crimes across Minnesota and beyond. The series grew to include spin-offs and crossovers, notably featuring characters like Virgil Flowers, a laid-back BCA agent with a sharp wit, and Letty Davenport, Lucas's equally determined daughter, who stars in her own series starting in 2022.
Sandford’s books have consistently appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, with over two dozen debuting at number one. Known for his dynamic storytelling, fast pacing, and keen attention to detail, Sandford combines his journalistic roots with a gift for character-driven narratives. He remains an avid reader and outdoorsman, and continues to write compelling fiction that resonates with readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers grounded in realism and driven by memorable protagonists.

Reviews

[Miss✧Pickypants ᓚᘏᗢ]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This latest installment of the Prey series did not disappoint! Lucas Davenport, US Marshall extraordinaire, is back and this time around teams up with a crafty CIA agent to track down a group of wily Russian assassins. This storyline felt like a return to the earlier books in terms of offering up an intriguing thriller that kept me guessing, which made me very happy, especially so since I wasn't able to figure out the mysteries ahead of the reveals.

Those of you who are like me and have read every book in the series (along with the Virgil Flowers and Letty Davenport novels) will appreciate the continued evolution of Lucas' development as a character working in law enforcement and navigating the politics associated with it. But you need not have read any of these books to enjoy this gripping thriller, really!

Again, like with prior books in the series, the characters include some strong females (one of the assassins and Shelly White returns as Luas' partner on the case), which is always nice to see in this genre. We also get some very brief appearances and updates on Virgil and Letty. All in all, this was a very satisfying mystery-thriller that kept me captivated from start to finish.

I am reposting this review as Marked as Read without a star rating because GRs has implemented an automatic label for ARCs that influences the algorithms so that even if your review has a gajillion likes and is the most popular review, it puts the review at the bottom of the reviews because apparently people think advance reader reviews are less valid. Not sure that is a plausible argument but it is what it is. Will add GR stars once the book is published and use my own for now.

Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons/Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Lucas Davenport installment. This one seemed a little more cut and dried compared to previous books in the series, but it still had Lucas's enjoyable wit, and of course his banter with others. Of course there's appearances by favorites in the series as well. A good, solid thriller.

Thank you to Net Galley and Putnam books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to start off by saying that I am a huge fan of this author and this series. We are well over 50 books with this series and with the spin offs- Virgil Flowers, Letty Davenport, etc. So, yep, I am always thrilled when I get the opportunity to read an ARC.

I was thinking when I was reading this, that Lucas has gone through so many changes in his career. First as a beat cop, then the BCA, then his work with the Senators, and now his work with the US Marshals. The thing is, even though he is "officially" working for the US Marshals, he is really pretty much doing his own thing, but able to use his creds for the Marshals and contacts with everyone else to help him when he needs help. Not sure if that makes sense or not but it just felt to me that Lucas was entering yet another different phase of his career.

In this case, Lucas and fellow agent Shelly White are called out to help when there is a new Russian family being installed in a new home under the Witness Protection Program. These people- the Russian Family - they were not good people. The father was responsible for many crimes in Russia in the name of the Russian government that included torture and other things that are better left unsaid.

Unfortunately, there is a leak somewhere in the information regarding their schedule and accommodations and a Russian hit squad attacks the house. They miss the target - Leonid Sokolov - and miss his son Bernie, but kill his wife.

Things take off from there as Lucas joins a new character - CIA Agent John Sherwood - as they are in a hunt to find and stop the hit team while the hit team is determined to try again, and to keep trying until they fulfill their orders. These orders come from the very highest levels in Russia - like the President. So, needless to say, they cannot quit until the job is done.

I liked the new relationship between Sherwood and Davenport. They have a unique type of camaraderie that made for entertaining, interesting, and funny banter and definitely held my interest. There was a bit of a change in the pacing in the middle of the book that caused the story to stall a bit, but things picked back up as we got near the end of the storyline . The tension continued to build and build as the climax approached.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on April 7, 2026.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

US Marshal Lucas Davenport is back in book #36 in the “Prey” series, and he’s hot on the tail of a Russian hit team who are gunning for a defector. Davenport is paired in this adventure with a CIA agent, and it’s nonstop action from start to finish, a trademark of this series, with little time for the reader to catch their breath. The plot is straightforward, as the marshal’s try to apprehend a dangerous group of Russians who are hellbent on eliminating their target and anyone who gets in their way. Featuring crisp dialogue, lots of dark humor and plenty of chase scenes, this is another solid book in this series which, like Davenport, shows no signs of decline. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. PUTNAM'S SONS for the advanced reader copy, all opinions are my own.

It's safe to say the Davenport series is the longest running series I've read across the last 30 years of my life and yet somehow, John Sandford keeps it fresh and interesting every time. These books are a total thrill ride right from the get-go.

In this latest episode, Lucas and Shelly White are on assignment to help guard three Russian Nationals in the woods when they suddenly come under fire. From there the book tears forward like a runaway car as the Russian assassins attempting to kill the people Lucas and Shelly are protecting just keep trying.

This was a total cat-and-mouse adventure introducing us to a new and fascinating character from the CIA, John Sherwood who I certainly hope we haven't seem the last of.

As usual, I flew thru it..My only complaint is that I can't read these books slowly. Highly recommend...fans of Lucas Davenport will NOT be disappointed.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge Prey is the 36th book in the Lucas Davenport Prey series from John Sandford.

"The marshals are moving a Russian defector into Witness Protection when he is shot by a hit team. Lucas and his partner fire back and manage to wound one of the assassins. Now they have to find them and find the leak that brought them to the door."

All of these books are standalones. That said it was nice to see some old characters make an appearance like Del, Virgil and Letty. This is a chase story. There's a hit and Lucas uses his skill as a bad-guy hunter to find the assassins. His interactions with the CIA spook are different from previous books with the fashion shmoozing and willingness to push the limits of due process. The story is fast-paced and hard to put down. Lots of surprises - like where the leak comes from - and how the story works out. There are hints of a Sherwood - Letty collaboration. That should make for a great book.

Another great Lucas Davenport story.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucas Davenport is helping to secure the safe house for a Russian defector and his family. Everything looks clear until someone take a sniper shot at said defector and his wife is killed instead. Lucas and the other US Marshall Shelly White surprise the sniper team and are able to injury most of them, but the team is still mobile enough to get away and for the hunt to start. The sniper team also missed their target; will they have the opportunity to try again?

Getting involved in spooky stuff isn't completely abnormal for Lucas, but it is a fun change of pace from other recent books. As usual, this had a lot of great action and fun plot twists. If you are this far down the Prey rabbit hole, keep coming, you will enjoy the trip. If you haven't fallen down the rabbit hole yet, why not? All the cool kids are.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome adventure in the Lucas Davenport series. I get so excited whenever there is a new book. In this story, Lucas and Shelly White, a fellow marshal are to meet a Russian dissident, his wife and son at a hideaway near Minnesota. They will stay there until all is set to get them into the witness protection program.

However, there are those that do not want to see that happen. I don't want to give too much away, but a Russian hit team has found them. Lucas and Sherwood (CIA) need to find this team and take them in, or down.

This story flowed so smoothly and quickly. I could not put this book down. The banter between Lucas and Sherwood is priceless. However, Lucas is always the same and he speaks pretty frankly and he does things his way. Enjoy this book! I know did.

I would like to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for this early read.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to John Sandford, Putnam, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lucas is back in this thriller that involves a Russian hit team in Minnesota after a defector in the federal witness protection program. Lucas is assigned as part of the protection detail while the witness and his family are in a rural Minnesota home. There is an unexpected attack on the witness and Lucas must uncover the plot and discover the perpetrators before it is too late.

This is the 36th installment in the Prey series and it doesn’t disappoint. Many of the usual characters are there (Del, Weather, Mallard, and Letty among others) and the banter between the characters is first rate, as always. A great edition to the Prey series. Recommended.

[Howard Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
I found this novel to be mildly interesting and not as exciting as several other Lucas Davenport novels. The plot centers around a Russian family in the witness protection program and a search for a “mole” who seems to have all the information about their whereabouts. The book is wordy and overly long with many murders and untoward situations on the way to a startling conclusion. I thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a Russian hit team tried to take out a Russian defector moving into a safe house in Minnesota, Lucas Davenport and Shelly White were on their trail. But a game of cat and mouse ensued as the team tried again and sent the defector to the hospital which led the FBI and the U.S. Marshall Service to hunt for the mole providing inside information. And then the CIA joined in. A typical Lucas Davenport tale of action, banter, fashion and climactic gun fights. A fun read if you enjoy John Sanford.

Thanks Netgalley and Putnam for the chance to read this title!

[Mel Wick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid installment in the Prey series by John Sandford. In this book we have Lucas Davenport and several other main characters investigating the death of a Russian national in US Witness Protection. This book did not involve Letty and other past characters as much I would have liked, but they are ancillary to the story. The action and the story line are solid and the reveal is unexpected. Recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is crazy. Full of action. I understand Lucas trying to stop this group of killers. His insurance might now though. Quite a good storyline.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Lucas Davenport. Introducing a new CiA character Sherwood who I hope will be around for more books because he's enjoyable. Great story - all about the Russians and so much inter agency craziness...clearly pretty factual!

[Stefan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not his strongest: solid premise, but a bit uneven, some strange character choices, excessively-brutal moments that jar with characters’ commitment to the justice system (which has been well-established by this point). Full review to come.

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for this eARC.

Revenge Prey, the latest installment in John Sandford’s long-running Lucas Davenport series, is a high-octane thriller that delivers on action but occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own formula. While Sandford’s signature pacing and procedural precision remain intact, this entry feels more like a well-oiled machine than a fresh evolution of the series.

The premise is timely and ambitious: Davenport is tasked with protecting a high-value Russian defector and his family, now living under witness protection in the U.S. When a ruthless hit squad breaches their suburban sanctuary, the novel pivots into a tense manhunt that spans multiple states and agencies. The stakes are global, but the execution remains grounded in Sandford’s trademark procedural realism.

Where Revenge Prey excels is in its structure and momentum. Sandford knows how to build tension, and the novel’s early chapters are tightly wound, with clean transitions between investigative beats and action sequences. The pacing rarely falters, and the logistics of the manhunt—surveillance, inter-agency friction, and tactical response—are rendered with convincing detail.

However, the novel’s emotional core feels underdeveloped. Lucas Davenport, once a character of sharp wit and moral complexity, now operates more like a tactical instrument than a fully realized protagonist. His internal conflicts are muted, and his interactions with other characters—especially the defector’s family—lack the depth that could have elevated the story beyond its procedural shell. The villains, too, are efficient but thinly drawn, serving more as plot accelerants than psychological foils.

Thematically, the novel gestures toward questions of loyalty, identity, and the cost of truth in a world shaped by espionage and disinformation. Yet these ideas remain largely in the background, overshadowed by the mechanics of the chase. There are moments where Sandford hints at deeper moral ambiguity—particularly in the portrayal of U.S. intelligence operations—but these threads are never fully explored.

In terms of series continuity, Revenge Prey offers familiar pleasures: crisp dialogue, methodical plotting, and a protagonist who gets the job done. But for readers hoping for character growth or thematic innovation, this entry may feel like a holding pattern. It’s a solid thriller, but one that plays it safe—reliable, but not revelatory.

For fans of the series, it’s a competent addition, but I preferred the early books.

For newcomers, it’s accessible but unlikely to showcase the full range of what Sandford’s earlier work achieved. If the series is a long-running symphony, Revenge Prey is a well-executed reprise—technically sound, with only echoing notes we’ve heard before from this typically stellar series.

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a frequent reviewer of ARCs (advance review copies), I keep a running list of to-read books in order of release date so I don’t miss getting a review written and posted on time. On the rare occasions that I have a few extra days to “play with,” though, it’s a real treat because I can skip ahead a bit and read the one I truly want to read next. Well, such was the case with this one (as would be for anything written by this author, who’s been a favorite for, well, never mind how long). I know I’ll get familiar characters I’ve come to love, an intriguing plot that holds my attention from beginning to end and more than a few chortles – guffaws, even – as I move through the pages.

As this one (the 36th) begins, Russian spy Leonard Summers, his wife Martha and grown son Barnard (not their real names) are being transferred from a CIA safe house to a U.S. Marshals Service Witness Protection Program home near Minneapolis, with marshals Lucas Davenport and Shelby White to accompany them. Suddenly, shots go boom, and one of the transferees goes down. A subsequent chase ends up wounding at least two of the shooters, but they get away. Clearly security at one or both of the U.S. agencies has sprung a leak – and just as clearly, Lucas, Shelby and CIA rep John Sherwood are certain this won’t be the last time the family is attacked.

I’ll stop for a minute to say that one of the most entertaining parts of this story is the interaction between Lucas and John – an odd couple if there ever was one since cooperation isn’t exactly the order of the day between the two agencies. But these two get along famously, thanks in large part to the kind of warped sense of humor I love (and claim for myself). Lucas even invites him to his home for dinner, and Lucas’s surgeon wife, Weather, takes a liking to John as well (hopefully, this all bodes well for future books). Even Lucas’s adopted daughter Letty, who has a series by this author all her own, gets into the investigative act and develops a “connection” with John (also boding well for future books).

Needless to say, the suspicion that whoever’s out to get the defecting spy isn’t about to stop trying is spot on, so Lucas, John and an array of representatives from the Marshals, CIA and FBI, some of whom are familiar characters from previous books, get to play at playing nice (which in and of itself is a treat to read). The rest of the book deals with the art of the chase, with plenty of shoot-‘em-ups and the usual nonstop, edge-of-seat action. All told, another good one is now in the books – and I’m already looking forward to the next. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for another opportunity to meet up with one of my favorite characters by way of a pre-release copy.

[Matt Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Personal Note: I started tracking every book I read many years ago, and Revenge Prey was the 1,000th book I’ve read since then. That was on purpose.

John Sandford was one of the first adult authors I read as I was growing up because he was on my father’s bookshelf and that’s where I shopped for reads as a kid. I started reading him even before I started tracking all the books I read. Even still, Sandford (by a lot) makes up more of those one thousand books than any other author—over fifty spots. So thank you so much to Putnam Books for allowing me to read Sandford’s new Prey novel early so it could be number 1,000. I deeply appreciate it.]

You get this many books deep into a series and business-as-usual is certainly a sword that could cut both ways. Revenge Prey is an example of a novel doing just that.

The first half of the narrative is told in a fevered pitch—the action is fast and sharp and hectic—yet Revenge starts off very rote. Sandford knows what he’s doing, but he’s done it so many times the story feels reported rather than spun. I knew I should be excited as a reader, but the dryness permeated the prose. It felt like a series thirty-six books deep.

The second half of the narrative slowed down a touch, and then Sandford started doing what he does, man. It had rhythm, it had A+ dialogue, it had the cat-and-mouseness of all the best Preys. I was back in front of a master of this type of tale and this genre. It felt like a series thirty-six books deep (but in a completely better way). There are touches to these books now, that while, yeah, you could jump in any old place, for series vets, it’s like being back with old friends, reliving amazing times, and just feeling like you hope it never ends. Between Lucas, Virgil, and Letty this is the fiftieth (!) outing, and it feels like it. This is a universe of story and it’s hard not to be awed by it.

The last two Preys have done something very interesting that Sandford doesn’t do a lot. He never ties everything up perfectly, but these last two have left some juicy dangling fruit that the reader can’t help but wonder if he’ll return to. If not, it’s a fascinating thought exercise for our imagination. If he does come back to it, well, this universe getting even bigger makes me smile.

Recommended for all thriller fans (but especially—especially those Lucas/Virgil/Letty-ites like me) and also fans of watching someone who can take dialogue to the absolute highest of heights. He’s a joy to watch work.

Thank you to Putnam Books again for providing an uncorrected ARC via NetGalley. I’m so glad this was #1,000.

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge Prey by John Sandford is the thirty-sixth book in the Lucas Davenport crime thriller series. Once again, action and suspense are prevalent. Leonard Summers, a former high-ranking Russian intelligence officer, has defected to the United States with his wife and son. They’ve spent several months in a CIA facility near Washington D.C. The CIA makes a deal with the U.S. Marshal Service’s Witness Protection Program and the family is relocated to a home in a Minneapolis, Minnesota suburb.

The Summers are greeted at their destination by U.S. Marshal’s Lucas Davenport and Shelly White. Unbeknownst to them, a Russian assassination team has tracked the protection group traveling with the Summers family to the home. Shots are fired. Who is the leak?

Lucas has plenty of good qualities and always tries to do the right thing, but I sometimes dislike his methods. He likes the intensity of the work, has a reputation as a shooter, and has a tendency toward depression if he isn’t on a case. He doesn’t like people easily, and tends to be blunt, so he isn’t well-liked by some.

The story is part investigation and part action and crime thriller. The opening is strong, intriguing, and impactful. This is a story where the readers learn who the members of the Russian team are before Lucas, the CIA, and the FBI. It gives us valuable insight into their actions that Lucas and the other law enforcement officers don’t have. This suspenseful tale provides plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong, and they do.

The author is a great storyteller and kept this reader rapidly turning the pages. His world-building was great causing me to feel transported, as though living the event alongside the characters. The characters are brimming with personality. The plot is full of twists and turns to keep you reading. The final action scenes are riveting and the epilogue ties up the loose ends. My biggest quibble is that the leak was too obvious. If certain actions had been taken early on, the leak would have been revealed soon after the first shots were fired.

Overall, this was suspenseful and action packed with compelling characters and exciting scenes. Those who enjoy crime thrillers, police procedurals, and action thrillers will likely enjoy this series. I hope that CIA agent John Sherwood will show up in future novels with Lucas’s daughter Letty in her series.

Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and John Sandford provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for April 07, 2026.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three things that you can expect when picking up a John Sandford “Prey” title are that Lucas Davenport is going to get into trouble, somehow squirm his way out, and bullets will be flying back and forth with regularity. His law enforcement career, spanning local, state, and federal agencies, has had Lucas crossing the legal/illegal line (with an "orders are for others" attitude) always with the goal of protecting the public. Revenge Prey has Lucas, now carrying a U.S. Marshal’s badge, and his partner, Shelley White, assisting the FBI and CIA is relocating a high level Russian defector and his family into their new home as part of the Witness Protection Program. Their supposedly secret “homecoming” is met with sniper fire from a Russian hit team causing the death of the wrong family member. The immediate aftermath has Lucas and the feds asking who took the shot and how did the closely held site location leak to the shooter. So begins the suspenseful hunt for the Russian sniper team and uncovering the source of the leak.

A new character is introduced in this long running series that provides the type of banter Lucas and Virgil Flowers engaged in in earlier adventures. John Sherwood shows up following the shooting and is immediately pegged by Lucas as a CIA spook. John never admits to being from the CIA but never denies it. Lucas and John are basically told by the FBI to leave the investigation to the feds. So Lucas and John go their own way when critical information comes forward that they decide not to share with the FBI. The two play off each other wonderfully and are integral in pursuing the relentless attacks on the defector by the Russians. Lucas uses his experience and contacts—John is in touch with Washington intelligence community throughout—to track down and expose the Russians in an exciting and suspenseful chase towards the book’s end.

Revenge Prey is another satisfying and highly entertaining addition to the book series. John Sandford skillfully keeps the series fresh. Lucas admits he is aging and slowing down physically but the strong motivation remains to pursue and stop those who have chosen to break the law.

My thanks to G.P. Putnam & Sons Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide a review on the latest entry in the outstanding Lucas Davenport “Prey” series.

[Lisa Zeigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read every book by Mr. Sandford and enjoyed each one of the Lucas Davenport Prey series, Virgil Flowers and the Kidd and Letty series, now more than 50+ books. This one is a thrill ride with so much going on between Lucas, various other law enforcement, criminals, with an intriguing plot and full of twists and turns.

With Russian defectors to protect, one thing after another happens, and with a hit team almost one step ahead, Lucas and others traveling all over Minnesota and neighboring states on the hunt. I don’t know how Lucas and the others, legal or illegal, manage to keep up the hectic pace. The Russian hit team has no qualms about killing and, unfortunately, several people get in the way of their mission.

Lucas, currently a US Marshall, who has contacts everywhere, is always on the hunt – his favorite pastime! CIA agent John Sherwood is an interesting character, and I loved the interactions between him and Lucas and the banter was hilarious. I hope John will be included in future books as he and Lucas have plenty of differences in police procedures but also some of the same interests. It was funny to read about the two and their fashionable clothing, since Lucas is known for his style.

Lucas is in the middle of the US Marshalls, CIA and FBI, with most not wanting to handle actions the same way. Lucas tends to get his way most of the time but had to step back a few times and then re-enter the conversations due to his investigative skills.

There’s so much action and this is a fast-paced story and difficult to put down. The leak was aa surprise to me, but I could almost sympathize with the person.

I enjoy it when other characters show up in some of the books such as Weather, Del, and a bit of Virgil and Letty. Reading about Lucas’s son and younger daughter was eye opening that the years are passing and the babies are growing up!

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to ready this new book. I always look forward to reading more from Mr. Sanford. I have many audiobooks from the Prey and Virgil Flowers series and able to enjoy the stories again.

[Ashley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge Prey is a fast-moving, tightly paced entry in John Sandford’s long-running Prey series. From the opening chapters, the story rarely lets up, pushing Lucas Davenport into a relentless pursuit that carries him across multiple cities throughout the Midwest. The constant movement keeps the tension high and gives the book a road-chase feel, with each new location adding urgency and momentum rather than slowing the story down.

Sandford’s familiar, gritty Minnesota setting anchors the novel, but the shifts between cities prevent the plot from ever feeling static. Davenport’s methodical yet obsessive pursuit of the Russian hit team unfolds with Sandford’s well-honed story arc—short chapters, sharp dialogue, and a steady escalation that makes it hard to put the book down. The pacing is one of the book’s biggest strengths, balancing investigation, action, and anticipation without overcomplicating the plot.

Revenge Prey is a fast-moving, tightly paced entry in John Sandford’s long-running Prey series. From the opening chapters, the story rarely lets up, pushing Lucas Davenport into a relentless pursuit that carries him across multiple cities throughout the Midwest. The constant movement keeps the tension high and gives the book a road-chase feel, with each new location adding urgency and momentum rather than slowing the story down.

Sandford’s familiar, gritty Minnesota setting anchors the novel, but the shifts between cities prevent the plot from ever feeling static. Davenport’s methodical yet obsessive pursuit of the Russian hit team unfolds with Sandford’s well-honed story arc—short chapters, sharp dialogue, and a steady escalation that makes it hard to put the book down. The pacing is one of the book’s biggest strengths, balancing investigation, action, and anticipation without overcomplicating the plot.

Thank you to John Sanford, Putnam, and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge Prey by John Sandford is a highly recommended thriller featuring Lucas Davenport in the 36th Prey novel. Davenport is protecting a former high-ranking Russian intelligence officer.

Leonard Summers, a pseudonym, was a high ranking Russian intelligence officer who defected to the U.S. and provided critical information about spies operating in the country. Leonard, his wife and son are relocated to a safe house in a wooded Minneapolis suburb when a sniper attacks, killing the wife and son but not Leonard.

U.S. Marshal Lucas Davenport and fellow marshal Shelly White are on the scene and immediately leap into action. While firing at the escape vehicle, two of the snipers are seriously injured. What follows is a Davenport and White, along with John Sherwood from the CIA, tracking down the assassins while also uncovering how information was leaked.

Long time fans of the series will definitely want to pick up this latest action-packed thriller and join Davenport and other recurring characters on the investigation and chase. While they are being tracked and chased, the hit team keeps trying to find Leonard and finish the job, so the tension rises throughout. This was another solid addition to the series which keeps the action going throughout the novel. There was a little slow down midway through, but things soon picked up again.

If you are following the series, you will be well acquainted with the characters. Sherwood was a welcomed addition and his character fit right into the plot. Even though this is a long running series those new to it can enjoy any of the books for the action-packed plots. Thanks to Putnam for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thirty-sixth installment in the Prey series brings U.S. Marshal Lucas Davenport back to familiar territory,, the Twin Cities, for a high-stakes mission. This time, Davenport teams up with a CIA officer and the FBI to hunt down a Russian hit squad determined to assassinate a high-value defector. After an initial attempt goes tragically wrong, leaving the defector’s wife dead, the killers receive orders to try again. What follows is a tense race against the clock as Davenport and his allies scramble to stop the team before they complete their deadly assignment.

Having Lucas back in Minnesota for the second consecutive novel feels like a return to form. While the books that took him outside the state were entertaining, they lacked the unique atmosphere and rhythm that Minnesota brings to the series. This setting just feels right for Davenport.

One of the standout elements in this entry is the introduction of CIA agent John Sherwood. His personality mirrors Lucas’s in many ways, creating sharp chemistry and plenty of witty, back-and-forth banter. Their dynamic adds an extra layer of fun to the story, and if I had to guess, Sherwood isn’t going anywhere. He seems destined to reappear, either alongside Lucas or possibly in a future Letty Davenport novel.

The plot delivers exactly what fans expect: a solid mix of suspense, action, and a few well-placed twists to keep you guessing. It’s fast-paced without feeling rushed, and the character interplay shines throughout. Overall, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read that I’d recommend to any thriller fan, even if you haven’t worked your way through the rest of the series yet. Thank you to NetGalley, John Sanford, and GP Putnam and Sons for a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.

[Andrew Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas Davenport is a chaser. It’s what he does; it’s what he lives for. As a U.S. Marshall based in Minnesota he gets to do this on a regular basis. This time (in the 36th episode of this thrilling series) he does so in conjunction with a colleague, Shelly White, and a CIA agent named John Sherwood. His prey is a group of Russians who have killed an innocent victim whist attempting to murder an ex-Russian officer who has defected to America. Their mission remains active – so there’s a need to keep the target safe – but Davenport can leave that to others. He’s after the team of shooters.

As always with Sandford, we get to see the story play out from the point of view of the chasers and the chased. I always enjoy this element to the storytelling: it feels whole, with the conflicting emotions and ongoing thought patterns of all parties completely exposed. There’s involvement from the FBI here, too. But to Davenport and Sherwood the FBI are simply an annoyance and, as a result, conflict with their members is tense and combative throughout. But Lucas and John get on well. They see a lot of similarities in each other, particularly in the way they share an interest in expensive designer clothes. There’s great chemistry here, and the interactions between this pair are some of the highlights of the book, for me. I think we’ll see John Sherwood again.

The story is well paced and there’s never a dull moment as both sides try to figure out how to achieve their particular goal. Also, who should they trust? It seems that suspicion abounds on both sides. And as the story edges toward a conclusion, Sandford slips in an unexpected twist or two, just to sharpen things up. It’s just all so well done. I haven’t come across a bad book in this series and this one’s certainly up there with the very best.

My thanks to Peguin Randon House for supplying a pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to believe this is the thirty-sixth book in Sandford's "Prey" series. I have been on board since the first book and have watched Lucas Davenport's character develop as he has changed law enforcement agencies and faced numerous villains over the years. Every book has been a welcome addition to the series, and Revenge Prey showcases renegade Davenport at his best.

A high-level Russian intelligence officer and his family have defected to the U.S. and are entering the U.S. Marshal Service's Witness Protection Program. Davenport and his partner, along with the FBI and a CIA operative, are tasked with helping the family settle in Minnesota. When an attempt is made on the man's life by an elite Russian hit team, Davenport and company must step up their protection and try to find out who is supplying the hit team with their information. With the story switching between the hit team and Davenport, the action is non-stop as both factions race against time to either save or kill the defector.

John Sandford can be relied upon for a good, heart-pounding thriller. Revenge Prey is no different. Although I wasn't as enamored with the plot as in his previous books, it was still a satisfying read. It was interesting to get the hit team's point of view, and I found it hard not to root for them. They were under pressure, and failure was not an option — not if they wanted to return to Russia. Once again, Lucas was defying authority, and by teaming with the shady CIA agent, they were an unstoppable pair. 4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 7, 2026.

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by John Sandford. Seriously, how does this man do it? His imagination must never rest.
This time, his latest effort is "Revenge Prey". And I'm happy to say that it is a fantastic book. I have followed the author for years, and have watched as his main character, Lucas Davenport, grows just a bit more with each book. I now feel like I know Davenport, and while reading the series, feel like I am riding alongside of him in his work.
In this book, a Russian assassination team is sent to the US to kill a defector who is now in the US's Witness Protection Program. Davenport finds himself teamed with a CIA agent, who is almost as quirky as he is. Davenport is still the same smart aleck, deep thinking, and talented man that he has always been. Except now he is older, more mature, a little more careful, and a little less reckless than in his earlier adventures. I loved how Davenport manages to continue to irritate annoying bureaucrats.
The plot is great. Easily worthy of a good movie (come on Hollywood, you're missing the boat here). Exciting, suspenseful, full of action. Wraps up nicely at the end. AND....I believe Sandford has set the stage for a continuation/expansion of his Letty Davenport series, adding the CIA agent into her world. It will be interesting to see, and I am looking forward to it.
Great book, as always!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance ARC of the book.

[Lindsey Barger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas Davenport has handled just about every dangerous situation a U.S. Marshal can face, so relocating a high‑value family to Minnesota should’ve been routine. Of course, nothing in the Marshal’s service stays routine for long. When the family is attacked almost immediately after reaching their safe house, Lucas and his partner realize they’re up against something far more calculated — and far more personal.

Revenge Prey, the 36th book in John Sandford’s long‑running series, throws Lucas into a high‑stakes hunt for a team of elite assassins who are also hunting him. Sandford blends domestic‑thriller tension with his signature procedural detail, keeping the true mastermind hidden until the final pages. It’s fast, sharp, and absolutely addictive.

As a longtime fan of the Davenport books, I loved this installment. The introduction of international assassins adds a fresh twist, but Lucas remains the character readers know — methodical, sharp, loyal, and just a little reckless. Sandford’s writing is vivid as ever, from the action scenes to the small character moments. A bit of foreign‑language dialogue may slow some readers down, but overall it’s an easy, gripping read.

I’m giving Revenge Prey 5 out of 5 stars. I’d recommend it for mature readers (16+) due to violence and death. Even though it’s deep in the series, it works well as a standalone. Fans of Sandford — or readers who enjoy David Baldacci, Marc Cameron, or Michael Connelly — will find this one a must‑read.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. It's a great read especially for fans of Lucas Davenport and his universe. Yes, it's one long chase but wow, what a run. Deputy US Marshal Lucas and his partner Shelley White are on the scene when a Russian assassination team takes a shot at a Russian defector in the Witness Protection Program. He isn't hit but his wife is. Lucas heads out after the villains, shoots up their car even as they shoot up his. And we're off. Sandford introduces a new character here, John Sherwood, the CIA officer who had been handling the Russian and who expected to see him happily (well, as happily as possible) resettled in the Twin Cities. Sherwood adds another layer to Lucas' world. He's smart, wily, and a good partner for Lucas (and he's got both a sense of humor and a way with intergovernmental bureaucracy). Lucas and Sherwood team up to find the assassination team even as they know there's a leak somewhere passing information to it. This deserves to be read without spoilers because there are some very good twists (ok, you might see one of them coming but still). I'm a fan of Sanford for his plots, which are more complex than they might seem on the surface, but most of all for the characters. We only get cameos from Letty, Virgil, and Winter but they each have something to contribute. I'm very much hoping we see Sherwood again (perhaps in a Letty book). Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC. A real page turner.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Sandford is a master storyteller and the Lucas Davenport series spotlights him at his best. He has other series (Virgil Flowers, his daughter Lettie, Kidd, but IMHO, none as powerful as this one). He always mixes a fast-moving plot with a great cast of characters familiar to readers and non-stop believable wit to make a story that is never boring and impossible to put down. I’m supposed to be studying for a test and I keep taking breaks to read "just one more chapter". In Revenge Prey, 36 of the Prey series, Luke is pulled into the US Marshal's Witness Protection Program for a Russian family being resettled in Minneapolis. Trouble is they left a lot of enemies who hate them for good reasons and few Americans who consider saving them as saving America. More like doing their job. Once there, the trouble starts. It becomes clear someone close to the task is telling their enemies how to find them. Mom is killed then father pretty much. Son who seems like a dufus party boy remains to carry on whatever their future holds. Lucas slowly pulls thread, figures out what is going on as only Lucas can.

My only complaint is the story is a tad more scatological and sexy than usual but maybe that’s me getting older. Overall a solid 5/5 and I can’t wait for the next.