I am one of the author's biggest fans. Over the years, I have read all of his books. And enjoyed them very much. BUT THIS ONE!!! Holy smokes! It scared the bejeesus out of me! The whole idea of the bi0-terrorism is horribly frightening. And Sandford really, really outdoes himself in this one. After the whole Covid pandemic, it just seemed like this plot could actually happen.
Sandford brought in his newest character, Letty Davenport, to work alongside her father (Lucas Davenport, the main subject of most of the Prey novels). Together with a re0ccurring cast of characters, they make the book seem so real. I especially enjoyed how, in this novel, Sandford expanded the regular cast by actually bringing in the military. Which seemed pretty logical, considering the scope of the threat. And I'm enjoying the expansion of his world, as poor old Lucas is deserving of a good break.
All in all, this is another home run for the author.
Highly recommend!

Another Lucas Davenport book that doesn't disappoint! Or is it a Letty book, because they are both in it. I love both Davenport series and this was a great crossover. The hunt and search for bio terrorists was fast paced and engrossing, I loved following along and couldn't put it down. Can't wait for more father/daughter adventures!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you NetGalley & John Sandford for the eARC of Toxic Prey. The Lucas Davenport "Prey series" has been a long time favorite, must read. I was excited to see that Lucas was teaming up with Letty in the latest installment. The novel was told quickly and it had me engaged from the very first chapter. I also loved the addition of Hawkin's character, hope to see more of that in the next book.

Lucas Davenport returns for another adventure in John Sandford’s latest book, Toxic Prey. This is the 34th book in the Prey series and it’s as good as all the others. This time Lucas and his daughter, Letty, join forces to track down a scientist who is involved in dangerous and potentially lethal research.

The Prey series is so enjoyable and it’s always difficult to read just a few pages at a time. The returning characters are unique and they seem to become more developed with each book. Their interactions are fun to witness and the dialogue and humor are excellent. The plots are often timely, always interesting, and very well written. The addition of Letty, Lucas’s adopted daughter gives this series a new dimension and she’s a welcome addition to the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Toxic Prey. I don’t know how Mr Sandford continues to come up with such fresh story ideas and then proceeds to write such entertaining books, but I hope he doesn’t stop! NetGalley provided an advance copy.

I enjoyed that this was a detective in his daughter, It made a different from other thriller novels. I enjoyed that this was a detective in his daughter. The story worked really well and I liked that it involved scientists in a project that could endanger the world. It had everything that I enjoyed from the other books in the series and had the same great writing that I enjoyed about the series. The rest of the cast of characters worked with the story and I'm glad I got to read this. I hope to read more in the series and from the author.

This wasn’t my fav in the series, but with 34 books you’re bound to connect with some more than others. This is the first book featuring Lucas and Letty together as the MCs, though to me it felt more Letty focused. I thought the crime aspect was really well done, it’s a realistically terrifying scenario and added a lot of tension. There were aspects of the plot that stretched credibility and while I was happy to see Barbara again, she felt underutilized as did the extra Marshalls they called in that we barely met. There is a romance subplot that was unnecessary and I wish it hadn’t been included. The juxtaposition between stopping a virus that could potentially end humanity to a horny MI5 agent talking about sex non stop was off putting. Speaking of the MI5 agent, there are two British characters in this book that don’t sound overly British (ex - using college instead of university, gas instead of petrol, etc). I just wish they all had a more distinct personality.

It’s still a series I really enjoy and will keep reading and looking forward to new releases. I’m not sure if Letty will be the focus going forward but it felt like perhaps Flowers is being phased out sadly. Thanks Putnam and Netgalley for the DRC!

Letty and Lucas Davenport team up to defeat a villainous group out to reduce the world population, so that Gaia( a belief system that the earth is a living organism ) can once again flourish. Lionel Scott, a British doctor now in the USA has developed a sure fire deadly virus, far more dangerous to human life than Covid, By rounding up sympathizers to his cause, Scott is ready to contaminate the busiest world airports in an attempt to spread the virus rapidly. Letty, in her role as an agent of Homeland Security, together with an MI5 operative and love interest, Alec Hawkins, join forces with Letty’s adoptive dad, Lucas, a US Marshal. Mayhem and murder reign, as the good guys try to beat the clock to end this unthinkable atrocity.

Underlying this fast paced plot is concern for our home on planet Earth. Overcrowding and continual reduction of the Earth’s resources is a topic that needs addressing and Sandford steps up to the job. Short of killing off a huge segment of humanity, what can we do to avoid the ultimate destruction of our home? So much to think about.

I liked that Letty is brought down a notch or two and is less super hero and more humanized. Still, at age twenty five she is a force to be reckoned with and part of an A team effort to stop the treacherous plot. Lucas is Lucas; always engaging , charming and heroic. Virgil Flowers, my fave, alas is not in this tale, although we do get a brief update on his status.

Although Toxic Prey is listed as book 34 in the Lucas Davenport series, it seemed to me that is was more Letty’s story than her dad’s. It is a stand alone and can be read by beginners to this series but is oh so much more enjoyable for reader who is familiar with all of their past exploits and can put them into context.

Four stars for a wild ride into the world of viruses, villains , and various law enforcement agents. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam publishers for providing an advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Toxic Prey is not easy to read. A small group of people believe the only way to save the world is to lessen, or possibly eliminate, the population that is destroying it. What better way than to spread a deadly, painful, and highly infectious disease. Are you wincing yet? Yes, the Sandford touch is still there. We love and welcome the characters back into our lives. We enjoy the pace, the bizarre humor in the face of this horror still comes through. There's even a new guy introduced, (romantic interest for Letty), and I'm betting he'll return. This is John Sandford after all, and he is fabulous. He truly is. (I'm such a groupie). BUT, normally I have to finish a Sandford reading nonstop. With Toxic Prey, I found myself taking breaks from it. I actually put it down and picked up something easier. Something soothing. I have never done that before. It reminded me of when we all were watching the loop of the man whispering to George Bush at an elementary school on September 11th. My friend turned to me and said what we're not seeing is when the president whispers back "bring me my brown pants." I gasped. She looked at me and queried, "too soon?" (if by any crazy chance that punch line doesn't compute - just google bring me my brown pants and the 100 year old joke will no doubt appear). So yeah, Toxic Prey is pretty hard to read but it's Sandford and you still have to finish it.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Letty Davenport just got called in to the Senator’s office again – that’s never good. A British doctor has gone missing on American soil. On it’s own, that’s not too worrisome. However, Doctor Scott is an expert in infectious diseases and some of his research has negative implications in a world where simple diseases could be transformed into weapons of mass destruction. After the events in Texas and California over the past year, Letty’s gotten a reputation for solving dangerous situations like this, but opts to bring in her dad Lucas Davenport and his partner from the Marshall’s Service. This is one of the first times Letty and Lucas will get to work together and it will definitely be memorable!

Toxic Prey makes the 34th book in the Lucas Davenport series from John Sandford and the third in the Letty Davenport series. Sandford delivers the snarky conversations and law enforcement procedurals readers have come to love from his writing. This book delivers some of our biggest public fears in the pages – highly contagious diseases, weaponized and mutated for maximum damage, and criminals, skilled in the medical field, with no qualms about wreaking havoc on the innocent public. This is a book about the power of observation and how easy it might be for a repeat of COVID if the right players had the right tools.

I give Toxic Prey 5 out of 5 stars. I have been a fan of John Sandford’s since I read the first Letty Davenport novel. The only holdback I have is around the death of children late in the novel. Not to give away too much, but I typically don’t do well when children are harmed in a story. However, Sandford handles this aspect of the story in a way that wasn’t as traumatizing as I’ve seen in other books – readers don’t build a connection with the children ahead of the incident. I enjoyed getting to know Lucas Davenport’s character through the frame of his daughter in this novel. I do wish I knew more about his back story, but can fix that soon as I read through the earlier novels in the series.

If you are a fan of Sandford’s work, you will not be disappointed with this latest release! With inclusion of sex, death, and violence, I would recommend this book be directed to more mature audiences over 16. And while this is a book later in a series, it can be read as a standalone novel with minimal knowledge loss to the reader. Also, if you like works by writers like Marc Cameron or Michael Connelly, you will love this series, too!

This is another book I requested to review based on the previous books in the series – I loved the first two Letty Davenport novels so much, I had to read the third! I was not disappointed! And because I loved the three in this series so much, I am working on acquiring the entire Lucas Davenport series, too!

This is book 34 in this series. If you are reading this review, I assume that you've read the synopsis. Since they do such a better job than I do at that, I'm going to tell you why John Sandford has so many books in this series instead. The man can write. He writes in such a way I feel I know the main characters. He isn't wordy (Thank you Mr. Sandford) but his words 'show don't tell'. There is always a mystery to solve, and I truly believe this might be one of the scariest. His adoptive daughter Letty has a major role in this book and I truly like and enjoy her. Smart female (there are some books with her as a main character also). The reason I find this particular book the scariest is because of the subject matter. Scientist trying to save Earth by eliminating some people. If that isn't scary especially after what we have gone through recently. The book grabbed me and off we went. I was given an ARC and thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons.

In John Sandford's Toxic Prey (G.P. Putman's Sons 2024), Lucas Davenport and his adopted daughter Letty work together on a case that involves a group of ecoterrorists intent on saving the planet--Gaia--from its death at the hands of human beings. They have devised a virus that will kill half the world's population which in their estimation leaves the planet survivable for the remaining half. Though amateurs in the world-destroying field, they are committed and command a large enough group to accomplish their goal if all goes well. When the first parts of the plan do work, Lucas and Letty team up with a British MI 6 agent and together try to get far enough ahead of the ecoterrorists to stop them from killing the planet or any portion of it.

It’s a good story with the typical fast moving plot and witty Sandford voice. He throws in all the buzz words so ecowarriors will know they're in the right place--Covid gain of function, climate change, Gaia, and a bunch of planet-saving goals ecowarriors and SJWs would agree with if not the methods. It took a bit of willing suspension of disbelief to get past a few unbelievable parts, but if I put those aside, I enjoyed the story. Not the best Sanford has delivered but good.

Toxic Prey
by John Sandford
Pub Date: April 9, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Lucas Davenport and his daughter, Letty, team up to track down a dangerous scientist whose latest project could endanger the entire world, in this latest thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author John Sandford.
FANTASTIC book! I couldn't put it down. The author has long been a master at his craft, but has outdone himself with this novel - a crime/medical thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages just as quickly as possible.
5 stars

It’s been a while since population explosion and control has been at the heart of any thriller I’ve read. But in this, the 34th Lucas Davenport book, a scientist has decided the only way to save the planet is to significantly reduce the number of people living on it. Lionel Scott has spent his career studying infectious diseases, how they spread and the ability to make them more infectious. Now, he’s gone missing.
In truth, the book is a Letty and Lucas story and Letty is at the forefront in the action. Lucas and Rae are brought in because of their ability to hunt down people.
The book moves along at a brisk clip as the team tries to outthink the villains. For me, it’s important that thrillers stay on this side of the believability line. This one does that, especially given our recent experience with Covid. It works well to have a high level of tension, but with the inevitable downtime. Sandford realizes that even action heroes need to eat and sleep. The action is all within the realm of the possible. Sandford’s writing style is such that it’s easy to envision every scene.
I also liked that Sandford has toned Letty down so she’s not some super girl character she displayed in her earlier books.
Unlike some of Sandford’s other books, there’s not a lot of humor here.
And while this is part of a long standing series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
My thanks to Netgalley and Putnam Group for an advance copy of this book.

Toxic Prey, the latest novel by John Sandford in his Prey series, is about a British doctor, Lionel Scott, who goes missing while working in the United States. Scott worked for Doctors Without Borders before coming to the U.S. and was doing research in to infectious diseases.
Scott believes the Earth is dying due to over population and the only way to save it is to drastically reduce the human population. Lucas and Letty team up to find the doctor and stop him before disaster strikes.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to like the Lucas/Letty Prey novel but Sandford really pulls it off. Although I was hoping for another Lucas/Virgil novel, I thing this new combination has great potential and is going to grow on me. Virgil, one of my favorite characters, was missing in this novel but we did have another old time favorite, Rae Givens.

Sandford is a master at the crime thriller and this one does not disappoint. A terrifying plot line (especially so soon after COVID), very realistic characters, fast paced and hard to put down, this is one you don’t want to miss. Even as part of the Prey series, this can be read as a stand alone for those who are new to the series and a must read for all fans of Sandford and the Prey novels.

Another pulse pounding/stay up late novel by John Sandford. Letty and her dad, Lucas are together with a bunch of other government/local peeps looking for Dr. Scott(and his crew), who is trying to save the Gaia hypothesis.
The story involves terrorism using a virus in order to save the world, which is interesting, but the real reason this book is so excellent is the banter between the characters, the action, and the tension of a virus that could kill half the world population.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC and I highly recommend this novel.

One of the best Prey books. The story was topical with the threat of an altered virus being unleashed on the world which would kill half of the population. It would make Covid look like the common cold. It was great to have Lucas and Letty working so closely in this book. New and old members on the side of good were well-defined and likable.. The evils were just as defined, but they weren’t likable. This is a “real page-turner.”

Yet another Lucas Davenport novel, and while they're always captivating, this one is especially interesting. This is a story very much set in our time, a time when so many folks believe that they know what's best for everyone else. What is exciting about this book is that as the Davenport fight to save humanity unfolds, the battles are heroic and their outcome is uncertain until the very end. Could not put this one down.


I received an ARC for free, but gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

I’ll admit I wasn’t excited about the premise of John Sandford’s Toxic Prey. But, the thirty-fourth book in the Prey series was riveting, a tension-filled novel all the way to the end. Letty Davenport, and her father, Lucas, are together trying to save the world from a plot that really could wipe out most of the people on earth.

Dr. Lionel Scott is a British doctor who has worked all over the world, dealing with viruses and pathogens. He’s seen the worst diseases in tropical countries. Now, he’s convince that Gaia, the earth, is dying, and the only way to save Gaia is to wipe out most of the population. And, he has a plan. When he disappears from his job at Los Alamos in New Mexico, it’s cause for concern.

Technically, Letty Davenport works for the Department of Homeland Security, but her actual boss is the senator who chairs the committee on Homeland Security. When, he tells her she’s heading to London to interview several of Dr. Scott’s connections, she’s on a plane. She’s met at the airport by Alec Hawkins from MI5. When they learn Scott might have plans to develop a virus that can kill half the population of the earth, and it’s bigger than Covid, they know they’re in trouble.

Even before they return to the U.S., Letty calls for help from Homeland Security, and recommends that several U.S. Marshals, including her father, Lucas Davenport, be invited to a meeting in D.C., because they are hunters, and she knows they’ll be hunting for a man. The more they learn about the fast-moving virus, the more the team worries. Letty, Hawkins, and two Marshals head to New Mexico, but it isn’t long before they realize they need much more manpower. How do you contain a deadly virus, and find the man determined to spread it?

Sandford’s Toxic Prey is an edge-of-your-seat novel as a small group of fanatics who are willing to die for their cause are hunted by the government. And, as events spiral out of control, the governmental forces have two orders; contain the virus, and shoot to kill.

Gripping, tense, can’t put it down. The best words to describe Toxic Prey. When Letty Davenport is involved, it’s disaster on a grand scale.

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.

Lucas AND Letty? Squee! I love, love, loved this book. No spoilers to ruin it for other readers but I will share that they do team up as they race against the clock to try to stop a madman who thinks he is saving the world in a truly horrific way. The pacing and tension of the story had me perched at the edge of my seat and it was incredibly difficult to put this book down, so much so I was sneak reading it during the Superbowl!

The closer I got to the end of this book the more I did not want it to end. While there are a plethora of prior Lucas Davenport Prey novels and a few Letty Davenport novels you need not have read any of them to enjoy this novel. Really! While this is listed as the 34th Prey book it felt a bit more like a Letty novel, don't misunderstand, both are prominently featured but from my perspective it came across as weighted slightly more towards Letty.

In addition to the suspenseful and thrilling storyline, I also appreciated that it shines a light on a host of difficult to solve issues, like climate change, that we should be thinking about. And as with his prior novels, the author continues to write and include powerful female characters.

Past characters from both series also make appearances. If you are a longtime reader like me, you might miss that Virgil (f*cking) Flowers isn't part of the caper this time around, but you will appreciate that late in the novel there is a tidbit tucked in regarding how he is doing while we await the next installment of his series.

Letty Davenport of Homeland Security is investigating the disappearance of a British Disease scientist Lionel Scott.
It appears that Scott is convinced that in order to save the planet, the population needs to be decreased by
releasing a deadly contagion. Her father Lucas of the Marshals Service, other government agencies and M16
become involved in hunting down Scott and his cohorts before they can carry out their plan
Page turner and disturbing.
#ToxicPrey #NetGalley