Storm Prey-John Sandford

Storm Prey
John Sandford
Putnam, May 18 2010, $27.95
ISBN: 9780399156496

Dr. Weather Karkinnen, wife of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Chief Lucas Davenport, is one of the surgical team diligently working to separate twins co-joined at the head. As they begin the complex series of operations, four men rush into the hospital’s pharmacy, taking millions in drugs. The surgery is postponed for one day.

Weather saw the face of one of the men in the garage and in the elevator. She also sees their vehicle. The robbers understand that Weather is a witness who can identify them; so she must die. They shot at her when she was in her car, but she gets away unscathed. Lucas provides his spouse with police protection while he and his unit investigate the theft. He learns that one of the thieves was a doctor. Once he finishes his inquiry and she the surgery, he and Weather become predators and no longer the prey.

Storm Prey is the twentieth Prey police procedural, but retains the freshness of the series opening act (see First Prey) as this case is personal. There is plenty of action in the plot as explosions and violence frequently occur; nut not enough to turn off the audience. The hero has grown over the course of the series, but though experienced he remains true to his values as he still does not play by someone else’s rules though he adheres to the law.

Harriet Klausner