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Psychiatrist Andi Manette is being watched. So are her daughters. Minneapolis Deputy Chief Lucas Davenport is walking around crime scenes with an engagement ring in his pocket. Gamer, sociopath, sexual deviant, and firebug John Mail kidnaps Manette and her girls. Davenport finds himself up against a smart psychopath who leaves a very cold trail behind with the exception of taunting phone calls and symbolic clues. Trying to stay one step ahead of this freak is difficult enough but the political background of Manette's father and husband raise the urgency of the case and cloud the suspect pool with their acquaintances and connections. Lucas must rely on his influence in the police force, in addition to his wit, to find this ruthless kidnapper.

Mind Prey is truly exciting! Mail is a vicious villain whose actions make the reader cringe and his interactions with Mannette are brutal and barbaric. This makes for some difficult passages but encourages the reader to press on with the hopes that Davenport will find his man. Sandford pulls off some shocking surprises and wonderful twists. For me, this is the first Davenport book in the series in which the plot turns fit the rhythm of the narrative without feeling like they were peppered in for unnecessary shock value or action. The cheesy one liners and forced humor have been toned down a bit as well. There are some corny jokes but Davenport has some decent catch phrases which make the reader do a fist pump and murmur "F-ing A" instead of rolling their eyes.

The scenes involving MPD and their executions of quarantine, show of force, and investigations are the best parts of the book. This couples well with Davenport's ladder climbing in the Department as he can use the MPD like a private army. I'm telling ya, it's badass.