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

A group of lunatics have decided to save the earth by releasing an extremely lethal biological concoction that will wipe out half the humans on the planet. Letty and her father, Lucas, work together on this one, chasing the bad people through New Mexico to stop the apocalypse. Although I enjoyed the banter, the depiction of investigative work, and the fireworks, there were a couple of things I wasn't as crazy about. The pacing was a little off, as in too long descriptions of the travel and logistics at certain parts of the book. Also, the ending was too abrupt. I get that Lucas is a man's man, but we got more of a wrap-up for Letty's partner, Alec. So I'm a little mixed on this one.

Lucas and Letty are working together in this book to try and stop a group of people from releasing a toxic virus. The virus has the potential to kill a large portion of the population on earth. The situation is sometimes too realistic considering recent events. The tension starts from the first page and doesn’t let up. The resolution to the story requires great work between law enforcement agencies along with a little luck. This is a good addition to the series but could stand on its own. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Thanks to John Sandford, Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for access to the advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lucas and Letty together in the same story again. For fans of the Prey series, that’s all we need to know.

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 it is another chance to see Lucas and Letty working together to literally save the world. Recommended.

Posted manually to Goodreads due to a technical issue:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6249431852

John Sandford does it again. I was lucky to get an advance copy of his latest Lucas / Letty novel. One of those books you look forward to getting back to, which are my favorite kind. 5 stars.

With his new chapter in the Lucas Davenport’s series, John Sanford delivers another uncomfortably close to home ‘read-thru-the-night’ thriller
“Toxic Prey” by John Sandford - (5 Stars) (Pub Date: 4/09/2024)

Good Things: John Sandford always delivers and this 34th iteration is no different. The setting, characters, and plot lines are all true-to-life and feel like places and people you know albeit, people you know in tremendously stressful and emotionally draining scenarios that ring uncomfortably familiar with recent pandemic themes. I also really like that he brings back Letty Davenport which enhances the relatability of Lucas, as a parent. The sporadic humor woven into the story and the dialogue is great.

Opportunities: While the pandemic themes make the story very believable, they do make it a harder read…I know what it’s like to be scared like that now, so in certain moods, this book can be emotionally draining. Sandford has included both Lucas and Letty as equally ‘main’ characters in past books, but this one was just a tad more Letty-focused, and I am first and foremost a Lucas fan so I’d prefer equal billing, but these are just small things…the book is great as is.

Final Thoughts: Toxic Prey is part of a great continuous series, but could stand alone since there’s not too much time hopping or “now and then” story-telling. I loved the story for it’s believability and this would make a great limited series or movie.

I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #toxicprey #johnsandford #thriller #preyseries #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs

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Publishing Review 2/7/2024

An environmental extremist has decided that the only way to save the planet is by eliminating half of humanity; it appears that he and a few fellow zealots may be about to implement this plan. Letty Davenport of Homeland Security gathers a dream team—including her father, Lucas—with collective expertise in everything from terrorism to virology. Together they race against time to try to stop the plot, preventing mass casualties while also avoiding a general panic among the populace. Letty is at her best in this compelling story, getting the job done while facing the highest of stakes. It’s always fun to watch her interact with the rest of the team and especially with her father. Expect to stay up late finishing this one and then have disturbing dreams.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a digital advance review copy.

According to the Gaia hypothesis, the Earth is a living organism with the overall thrust of life being cooperative. Life on Earth self-regulates its environment to create optimum conditions for the advancement of life. The correct balance is held in place, perhaps cruelly, through population limiting disease. But some believe that this balance is at threat as the world’s population expands, unchecked. Could it be that Gaia is now being destroyed. If that’s the case how can this imbalance be addressed?

Doctor Lionel Scott, a British subject now working in America, had studied viral and bacterial diseases before working in a series of Third World countries. He’d subsequently found his way to the U.S. Army Medical School of Infectious Diseases and has, for the past year, been working at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico – a primary research facility into diseases that might be weaponised by an enemy. But now Scott is missing and very high ranking people are worried.

Letty Davenport works for the Department of Homeland Security and is asked undertake some background investigation into Scott, to ascertain whether he’s someone who might possibly go off the rails and in essence become an existential threat. Her investigations begin in Oxford, England, where Scott began his studies. There she makes contact with a weather-beaten but handsome MI5 agent, Alec Hawkins. Before long they’ve assessed that Scott may well pose a threat – a very serious threat.

Letty’s dad, Lucas, is brought in as a member of a team whose mission is to find Scott and deal with any threat he poses. Also in this group are several other carry-over characters from previous books. Lucas is a natural hunter and he’s in his element here, but Letty is a hard nut in her own right and is also never far from the heart of the action. They each have a role to play and I think Sandford just about pulls off the trick of ensuring their partnership here doesn’t feel forced or false. However, events quickly escalate and soon the group is faced with a potential crisis.

Sandford is consummate story teller and once again he’s come up with an intelligent plot to grab his audience: it’s at once outlandish but also spookily plausible. In Lucas and Letty he’s developed characters who are clever, relentless and unafraid of conflict. In addition, there’s always humour in his stories and here’s it’s largely provided by Lucas as he’s forced to deal with Letty’s ambiguous relationship with Hawkins. It’s all cleverly balanced: I couldn’t help but be grabbed by the seriousness of the challenge faced, and yet a grin was also never far from my face.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the prospect of Lucas and Letty working together (something that’s felt inevitable for a while) but it really does work well here. That said, I hope this isn’t something that he repeats too often as I do like the subtle distinction he currently draws between books featuring his major characters (Lucas, Letty and Virgil Flowers). Overall it’s another winner from one of the top crime fiction writers operating today.

I loved Lucas and Virgil but the Lucas and Letty combo has grown on me. These books have improved with each one. This was a terrifying tale with the risk of a virus that could kill half the population. Great story!

I am a huge fan of the Prey series and Toxic Prey (Book 34) did not disappoint!

The short summary without spoilers: Lucas and Letty work together to stop Dr. Lionel Scott and his small crazy Gaia group. The situation is truly terrifying in today’s world. I am going to have flashbacks while at future masses, especially when I see the Holy Water by the church doors.

This is a must read for John Sandford fans (or those looking to be)! I found it to be a gripping, fast read and I loved the introduction of the character “Hawk” with Letty!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: April 9, 2024

This was a great book with Letty Davenport as the lead. Her father and most of his new and old associates, along with Letty's associates, and some new people are trying to find out about a virus that may wipe out quite a bit of the world's population. It's a book about who will win the good guys or the bad guys and what it takes to stop the virus. As usual there are moral dilemmas. Another great book!

The earth (Gaia) is being murdered by its human occupants and a group of people have come up with a plan to save it. Their plan,however, involves killing half of humanity (or more) with a dangerous virus. In come Lukas and Letty Davenport to pursue the bad guys and save humanity.
Credit to author John Sandford for taking on a criminal thriller that encompasses climate change rather than sticking to the tried and true. Toxic Prey is indeed different.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Another great Lucas and Letty Davenport thriller ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................