The Mystery Starts Here

I believe I’ve read all of Sandford’s “Prey” books but I give up. They have been getting  worse and worse until – I’ve decided never to read one again. At 402 pages, the book was far too long. I noticed a lot of padding, long boring conversations that basically had nothing to do with the plot. Also, there was a long subplot about Lucas’ adopted daughter, Letty, that was beyond ridiculous. I read the book in which Lucas met Lottie – it wasn’t that good either, but I liked the spunky teenager. In “Wicked,” she a lying, stealing, manipulative bitch who gets people hurt. I didn’t like her one bit.

I think part of the reason for the decline in quality of Sandford’s books is that fact that he’s writing about all of Lucas’ family! Who cares? He’s supposed to be a tough cop! Well, not any more. I’m not sure why Sandford decided to have Weather (Weather? Where the hell did that name come from???) have a child, but she promptly turned the baby over to the housekeeper and went back to work. Lucas is no better – he refers to his son, as “the kid” and never seems to actually interact with the boy.

The basic plot of “Wicked Prey” is that a group of thieves is stealing “soft” money from men at the Republican Convention that took place in St. Paul in 2008. The plot is all over the place – we hear from the robbers, then the cops, then the robbers, then Letty, the man who’s after Letty then…..well, I kept putting the book down because I was BORED! I’m a fast reader but it took me over a week to read this one. I had a hard time keeping everyone straight, too. Sandford used the characters last names, first names and nicknames! Half the time I didn’t know who the hell was talking! I teach basic creative writing and I wouldn’t let my beginning students get away with that. Pick ONE name and stick to it!

And what’s with Lucas’ Porsche? Please, if he wants to drive a sports car with a little pizazz, give him a Ferrari, or a Lamborghini or an Astin Martin! Heck anyone can drive a Porsche.

Until now, Sandford has always been one of my favorite writers. I think he’s just running out of ideas and that’s too bad. His books used to be fast-paced and full of zippy, witty dialogue. Not any more.

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