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Invisible Prey
Lucas Davenport novel #17

by John Sandford



      Lucas Davenport, special agent for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, is investigating state Senator Burt Kline, who is about to be arrested for having sex with a minor. Kline is accused by the teen and her mother.

Davenport is pulled off the case to investigate the beating of wealthy widow Constance Bucher and her maid, Mrs. Pebbles. Her mansion is stuffed with antiques but little seems to be missing. Mrs. Pebbles’ nephew, Ronnie Lash, a teenage Afro-American who was accustomed to doing odd jobs around the mansion, is asked to notice if any items are missing. He mentions a painting stored in an attic room which turns up missing. Research indicates the painting, worth at least 1/2 million dollars, is by a forgotten artist.

Davenport's new intern, Sandy, in searching the newspaper files finds unsolved cases similar to the Bucher case. There are a series of crimes across the Midwest in which victims are all wealthy art collectors. Davenport unravels a scheme that involves the world of art and antiques, with museums and donors evading income tax.

This is an entertaining and intelligent read with excellent police procedure. It is a well-written page-turner. There are many great believable characters with Ron the Afro-American adding a bit of class. The plot is developed both from the point of view of the law but also with an insight into the minds of the evil doers. The conversations between Davenport and his surgeon wife, Weather, are insightful and humorous showing their rapport with each other. The reader gains a look into the world of antiques, their value, their donors, and museums who work together for the benefit of both.

The Book

G P Putnam & Sons
May 2007
Hardcover
9780399134218
Fiction / suspense
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2007
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