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    Buried Prey

    by Sandford, John
    “Buried Prey” by John Sandford is a gripping crime thriller featuring detective Lucas Davenport. When the bodies of two missing girls are discovered decades after their disappearance, Davenport revisits a cold case that has haunted him since his early career. The novel alternates between the original investigation and the present-day pursuit of justice, exploring themes of persistence, guilt, and the passage of time. Sandford’s sharp prose and intricate plotting highlight the complexities of police work and the personal toll of unsolved crimes. A standout in the Prey series, this book delves into Davenport’s character while delivering a tense, satisfying mystery.

    In Buried Prey, ​Lucas Dav­en­port​ con­fronts a chill­ing ghost from his past when the bod­ies of two miss­ing girls—Kate Jones and Martha John­son—are unearthed after 25 years. Orig­i­nal­ly dis­missed as a cold case from Davenport’s ear­ly days as a Min­neapo­lis cop, the dis­cov­ery reopens old wounds and expos­es a web of lies, cor­rup­tion, and a killer who’s been hid­ing in plain sight.

    As Dav­en­port revis­its the orig­i­nal inves­ti­ga­tion, he uncov­ers shock­ing police incom­pe­tence and sup­pressed evi­dence that could have saved lives. Now, with mod­ern foren­sic tools and his razor-sharp instincts, he’s deter­mined to deliv­er justice—no mat­ter how many careers it ruins.

    Sand­ford deliv­ers a mas­ter­class in pro­ce­dur­al sus­pense, blend­ing present-day detec­tive work with flash­backs to Davenport’s rook­ie years, reveal­ing how far both he and foren­sic sci­ence have come.

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    Author

    • Sandford, John

    Author Introduction

    • John Sandford, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author, is renowned for his gripping crime novels. With over 30 books, including the acclaimed “Buried Prey,” he has significantly influenced the thriller genre. His professional background in journalism lends authenticity to his compelling narratives.

    Description

    • “Buried Prey” by John Sandford is a gripping crime thriller featuring detective Lucas Davenport. When the bodies of two missing girls are discovered decades after their disappearance, Davenport revisits a cold case that has haunted him since his early career. The novel alternates between the original investigation and the present-day pursuit of justice, exploring themes of persistence, guilt, and the passage of time. Sandford’s sharp prose and intricate plotting highlight the complexities of police work and the personal toll of unsolved crimes. A standout in the Prey series, this book delves into Davenport’s character while delivering a tense, satisfying mystery.

    FAQs

    • What is the main theme of Buried Prey?
    • • Buried Prey revolves around a cold-case investigation involving the discovery of two mummified girls buried in plastic sheeting. The story explores themes of justice, forensic investigation, and the persistence of law enforcement in solving long-forgotten crimes.
    • Who is the protagonist in Buried Prey?
    • • The protagonist is Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator with the Minneapolis Police Department. Known for his sharp instincts and stylish demeanor, Davenport is drawn into the case due to his possible involvement in the original investigation years earlier.
    • What makes Buried Prey unique in the crime thriller genre?
    • • The novel stands out for its meticulous attention to forensic details and the psychological depth of its characters. The cold-case angle, combined with the grim discovery of preserved victims, adds a layer of historical intrigue and urgency to the investigation.
    • Is Buried Prey part of a series?
    • • Yes, Buried Prey is part of John Sandford’s Prey series, which follows Lucas Davenport as he tackles complex criminal cases. This book delves into a case from Davenport’s early career, connecting past and present.
    • What tone can readers expect from Buried Prey?
    • • The tone is dark and suspenseful, with gritty realism in its portrayal of crime scenes and police work. Sandford balances the grim subject matter with sharp dialogue and Davenport’s charismatic presence, keeping the narrative engaging.
    • Are there any notable secondary characters in Buried Prey?
    • • Yes, Marcy Sherrill, the head of Minneapolis Homicide, plays a significant role. Her tough demeanor and history with Davenport add depth to the investigative dynamics. Other officers and forensic experts contribute to the procedural authenticity.
    • How does the book handle the forensic aspects of the case?
    • • The novel emphasizes forensic details, such as the condition of the mummified bodies and potential DNA evidence. The scientific approach is woven into the narrative, offering readers insight into cold-case methodologies.
    • What sets Lucas Davenport apart from other fictional detectives?
    • • Davenport combines intelligence, physical prowess, and a keen fashion sense, making him a distinctive and memorable character. His personal connection to the case in Buried Prey adds emotional stakes to his pursuit of justice.

    Quotes

    • “Old dreams, dead ambitions, and lost lives, remembrance roses and spring lilacs, went in the dump trucks all together.” — John Sandford, Buried Prey
    • “Two dead girls grinned back at her, through the plastic, their desiccated skin pulled tight over their cheek and jaw bones, their foreheads; their eyes were black pits, their lips were flattened scars, but their teeth were as white and shiny as the day they were murdered.” — John Sandford, Buried Prey
    • “It looks to me like they were hanged… There appears to be some upward displacement of the cervical spine in both girls—but that’s looking through a lot of plastic.” — John Sandford, Buried Prey
    • “He looked as though he’d just stepped out of a Salvatore Ferragamo advertisement, his eyes, shirt, and tie all entangled in a fashionable blue vibration.” — John Sandford, Buried Prey
    • “She’d erased that attitude…” — John Sandford, Buried Prey (on Marcy Sherrill’s resilience as a female cop)
    1. Chapter 1
      1,991 Words
    2. Chapter 2
      2,207 Words
    3. Chapter 3
      2,732 Words
    4. Chapter 4
      2,024 Words
    5. Chapter 5
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    7. Chapter 6
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    8. Chapter 7
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    9. Chapter 8
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    10. Chapter 9
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    11. Chapter 10
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    12. Chapter 11
      2,198 Words
    13. Chapter 12
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    14. Chapter 13
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    15. Chapter 14
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    16. Chapter 15
      2,104 Words
    17. Chapter 16
      2,313 Words
    18. Chapter 17
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    19. Chapter 18
      2,027 Words
    20. Chapter 19
      1,939 Words
    21. Chapter 20
      2,296 Words
    22. Chapter 21
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    23. Chapter 22
      2,579 Words
    24. Chapter 23
      2,218 Words
    25. Chapter 24
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    26. Chapter 25
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    Ongoing July 23, 2025Jul 23, '25 55.8 K Everyone

    Quotes

    “Old dreams, dead ambitions, and lost lives, remembrance roses and spring lilacs, went in the dump trucks all together.” — John Sandford, Buried Prey

    “Two dead girls grinned back at her, through the plastic, their desiccated skin pulled tight over their cheek and jaw bones, their foreheads; their eyes were black pits, their lips were flattened scars, but their teeth were as white and shiny as the day they were murdered.” — John Sandford, Buried Prey

    “It looks to me like they were hanged… There appears to be some upward displacement of the cervical spine in both girls—but that’s looking through a lot of plastic.” — John Sandford, Buried Prey

    “He looked as though he’d just stepped out of a Salvatore Ferragamo advertisement, his eyes, shirt, and tie all entangled in a fashionable blue vibration.” — John Sandford, Buried Prey

    “She’d erased that attitude…” — John Sandford, Buried Prey (on Marcy Sherrill’s resilience as a female cop)

    FAQs

    What is the main theme of Buried Prey?

    • Buried Prey revolves around a cold-case investigation involving the discovery of two mummified girls buried in plastic sheeting. The story explores themes of justice, forensic investigation, and the persistence of law enforcement in solving long-forgotten crimes.

    Who is the protagonist in Buried Prey?

    • The protagonist is Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator with the Minneapolis Police Department. Known for his sharp instincts and stylish demeanor, Davenport is drawn into the case due to his possible involvement in the original investigation years earlier.

    What makes Buried Prey unique in the crime thriller genre?

    • The novel stands out for its meticulous attention to forensic details and the psychological depth of its characters. The cold-case angle, combined with the grim discovery of preserved victims, adds a layer of historical intrigue and urgency to the investigation.

    Is Buried Prey part of a series?

    • Yes, Buried Prey is part of John Sandford’s Prey series, which follows Lucas Davenport as he tackles complex criminal cases. This book delves into a case from Davenport’s early career, connecting past and present.

    What tone can readers expect from Buried Prey?

    • The tone is dark and suspenseful, with gritty realism in its portrayal of crime scenes and police work. Sandford balances the grim subject matter with sharp dialogue and Davenport’s charismatic presence, keeping the narrative engaging.

    Are there any notable secondary characters in Buried Prey?

    • Yes, Marcy Sherrill, the head of Minneapolis Homicide, plays a significant role. Her tough demeanor and history with Davenport add depth to the investigative dynamics. Other officers and forensic experts contribute to the procedural authenticity.

    Note