John Sandford

John Sandford: Biography

John Sandford (John Roswell Camp) was born on February 23rd, 1944 and is currently 80 years old. John Sandford was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA. Sandford attended University of Iowa where he received a B.A. American history and Literature and University of Iowa where he received an M.A. Journalism.

John Sandford is the author of the Prey/Lucas Davenport series which currently consists of 34 novels. The Prey/Lucas Davenport series started in 1989 with the novel Rules of Prey. The most recently released novel in the Prey/Lucas Davenport series was Toxic Prey which was released in 2024. There are no upcoming novels for the Prey/Lucas Davenport series.

John Sandford (John Roswell Camp) has also written the Virgil Flowers series which has 15 books including Dark of the Moon and Heat Lightning.

John Sandford has a wife who is also an author, Michele Cook. John Sandford has co-authored 3 novels with Michele Cook they are: Uncaged, Outrage and Rampage.

John Sandford: Awards & Accolades

John Sandford won the International Thriller Writers Award, Thrillermaster, in 2019.

Sandford's book, Bad Blood won the International Thriller Writers Award, Best Hardcover Novel, in 2011.

John Sandford books have also been nominated for multiple awards, Mortal Prey was nominated for the Audie Award, Best Male Narrator, in 2003. Buried Prey was nominated for the Goodreads Awards, Best Mystery and Thriller, in 2011. FaceOff was nominated for the Anthony Award, Best Anthology / Collection, in 2015. Gathering Prey was nominated for the Goodreads Awards, Best Mystery and Thriller, in 2015. Golden Prey was nominated for the Goodreads Awards, Best Mystery and Thriller, in 2017.

John Sandford: Lists & Other Mentions

• Easy Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2000.
• Chosen Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2001.
• Naked Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2003.
• Wicked Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2009.
• Storm Front was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2013.
• Gathering Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2015.
• Extreme Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2016.
• Escape Clause was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2016.
• Golden Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2017.
• Twisted Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2018.
• Holy Ghost was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2018.
• Neon Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2019.
• Masked Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2020.
• Ocean Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2021.
• Bloody Genius was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2022.
• The Investigator was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2022.
• Righteous Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2022.
• Dark Angel was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2023.
• Judgment Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2023.
• Toxic Prey was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2024.

John Sandford: TV/Movies Based on Books

Two of John Sandfords novels have been made into TV movies. The first one was Mind Prey in 1999. It was directed by D.J. Caruso and starred Eriq La Salle as Lucas Davenport. Titus Welliver also started in it.

The next movie based on a book by John Sandford was Certain Prey. It was released in 2011 and starred Mark Harmon as Lucas Davenport. This was also a movie made for TV.

Related Authors

The most common authors followed by users who also follow John Sandford are:

1. Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
2. Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
3. David Baldacci, author of the Amos Decker Series.
4. John Grisham, author of the Jake Brigance Series.
5. Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.

John Sandford: F.A.Q

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Austin D.

2 years ago

I was introduced to John Sandford’s work because my mother read his stuff, and got me into him too.

I started with what I believe is the best of the series, “Certain Prey”. The relationship the hitwoman and lawyer have together was just great, and the assassin’s back story was excellent.

It was great how he would develop the villains and showed exactly why they killed people. He spent a lot of time fleshing them out, which made the novels that much more fascinating to read.

Favorite series by Sandford was the Kidd books. I’d start one and finish it quickly. I don’t see how these aren’t more popular with his fans.

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Edgar A.

2 years ago

John Sandford is an author whose works I have been reading for several years now. I have read the entire Prey series and watched and rewatched the Mind Prey movie when it came out.
I have also read the entire Flowers series and I am currently reading through the Kidd books which I have found to be surprisingly good even if they do not have as much of a reputation as Sandford’s other works.
John Sandford is a writer with the exceptional ability to carry over his plot elements and characters through a series while still allowing everything to develop in unexpected and interesting but natural ways.
I have read and reread the Prey series with great pleasure as I always find something interesting to nibble at each time. I find that the unexpected plots and fast paced narratives makes me read fast the first time around and it is only on the second or third read that I can slow down and really enjoy the story.

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Andrew M.

2 years ago

I have to admit that I was almost sure that no one could be Lucas Davenport’s competitor but Virgil came close.
‘Prey’ series was excellent and just when I was searching for another dark mystery book I came across Virgil Flowers and it ever disappointed.
I loved the serial killer thriller thanks to its rural Minnesota setting and the introduction of lovable detective Virgil Flowers.
Flowers displays the hard-nosed realism in most of the tough situations he finds himself in.
The mystery was full of twists and turning that kept me guessing.
I’m looking forward to reading more of Sandford’s work in future.

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Kyler F

2 years ago

John Sandford’s long running Prey series has been a favorite of mine for a while now, since I randomly picked up one of the earlier books in the series. Since that time, I have read almost every other installment in the series, as well as tried the spin-off with Virgil Flowers. Even this far in, Sandford manages to keep the characters fresh and the writing taut, meaning that even the new books still capture the feeling of the early ones, so that a new reader can jump into the series at any point and get the same quality of writing. There have been a couple of TV movies made of his work, but neither was particularly notable unfortunately; hopefully this will change in the future. 

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Michael K.

2 years ago

John Sandford’s Prey series reminds me of a TV show whose title continues to elude me. The protagonist was a wealthy detective who became a millionaire after suing the city. He was played by the guy from Billions. I think the same actor appeared in Homeland.

I cannot remember the name of the show, no matter how hard I try. Initially, I thought it was inspired by the Prey series because detective Lucas Davenport, the hero, is also wealthy.

If the two are unconnected, they should give Davenport a TV show. The concept makes sense. Most fictional detectives are poor. They have to play by the rules because they can’t afford to get fired. I wouldn’t mind watching a show where the detective has more money than he could ever spend in one lifetime.

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Judi Marro

7 months ago

I enjoy seeing John Sanford each year at the Tucson Festival of Books.

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mngirlco

7 months ago

I was introduced to Lucas Davenport when I was living in CO. What caught my attention immediately was that the book was set in MN. I am originally from Minnesota and could immediately picture the locals in the book. Since then I have read all of the Prey series, Kidd books, and Flowers series. I have read several of stand alone books as well. Waiting right now for Judgement Prey.

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LaVada Roufs

7 months ago

When you read John Sandford, you are in for a ride! Being a resident of MN. makes him feel like family. I haven’t missed many of his books and may he live a long time because when I need a Sandford fix – I really need one! (And now the hubbie is hooked too)

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Cindy M

7 months ago

l initially enjoyed John Sandford’s ‘prey’ book series but after awhile they became redundant and predictable. I haven’t read him in awhile so maybe I need to give him another chance. He definitely is a quick read….

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Cindy M

7 months ago

The Virgil Flowers books were my favorite series. Very quick read. He’s also very easy to read and follow in his story lines.

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mngirlco

6 months ago

Love the Prey series and Flowers as well. The current book Judgement Prey, used a phrase that was totally out of the norm for the Lucas character. “his adopted daughter” it’s a statement that was totally unnecessary. His character would never think in that way or ever introduce her that way and new readers could care less.

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Jungleed

5 months ago

Finished Judgment Prey two days ago and the Cooper woman was much like Davenport. Did like the ending and would love to see this character along with Melton in future books. Also anxious for the next Letty novel as well.

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azangie

4 months ago

John Sandford is one of my go to authors. Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers are 2 of his excellent characters. Many of the Davenport books take place in St. Paul/Minneapolis, which happens to be my hometown so I recognize many of the locals.

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Julia pimentel

4 months ago

Had the opportunity to ser mr sandford at sn author discussion at the tucson book fair – a real treat!

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Ruth Richman

4 months ago

I have a friend in Minnesota with all the Sandford titles in hardcover. When I first saw them there were half as many as now and that was still a heft collection. I had not read any and I avoided him for several more years. who knows really why, perhaps I knew that when I started time was going to become very tight for doing much else. I mostly read digitally getting books from two libraries. Neither are large systems so I have not completed Sandford yet. He is incredibly prolific and inventive in his plots and character dialog. I see from the lists here that I am only halfway through the Virgil Flowers series and will need to join an online book site to catch up! They are excellent audio books and as I drive every day they are welcome companions.

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cpottsy71

4 months ago

The Prey books are an outstanding series that follow a strong protagonist. While the bad guys kind of blur into each other after a while, the detective steps toward catching him make the books worthwhile. The earliest works are by far the best. Do yourself a favor and start from the beginning.

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LRH900

1 month ago

John Sandford is my favorite author. I have read almost all of his books and loved everyone of them. The reason I say almost is I am not sure if I have missed any. Searching now to see if I missed any.

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Tom

23 days ago

Back to reading a few of his books. It’s been a long time. “The Investigator” seems worthwhile so far.

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Pam

11 days ago

I’m not sure how long I’ve been reading John Sanford – pertained in the paperback era, then always bought the hardbacks as soon as they were out. Now, it’s digital. I cringe a little when I say I “enjoy” the books as they are bad people doing bad things, but then it works out okay – bumps, bruises, blood, death, notwithstanding. One can’t be squeamish when reading this genre. Hope to enjoy many more in the years to come.

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Jim Benson

3 days ago

I, too, have read all the ‘Prey,’ Flowers, Kidd, and Letty books. Mystery, adventure, and laugh out loud moments have me addicted to them.

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