Below is the complete list of John Sandford’s Prey books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Prey Books
- Rules of Prey (1989)
Rules of Prey was published in 1989 and is listed as book #1 in the Prey series. - Shadow Prey (1990)
Published in 1990, Shadow Prey is listed as book #2 in the Prey series. - Eyes of Prey (1991)
Eyes of Prey is a 1991 release and appears as book #3 in the Prey series. - Silent Prey (1992)
In the Prey series, Silent Prey is book #4 and was published in 1992. - Winter Prey (1993)
Winter Prey was first published in 1993; within the Prey series, it is listed as book #5. - Night Prey (1994)
Night Prey was published in 1994 and is listed as book #6 in the Prey series. - Mind Prey (1995)
Published in 1995, Mind Prey is listed as book #7 in the Prey series. - Sudden Prey (1996)
Sudden Prey is a 1996 release and appears as book #8 in the Prey series. - Secret Prey (1998)
In the Prey series, Secret Prey is book #9 and was published in 1998. - Certain Prey (1999)
Certain Prey was first published in 1999; within the Prey series, it is listed as book #10. - Easy Prey (2000)
Easy Prey was published in 2000 and is listed as book #11 in the Prey series. - Chosen Prey (2001)
Published in 2001, Chosen Prey is listed as book #12 in the Prey series. - Mortal Prey (2002)
Mortal Prey is a 2002 release and appears as book #13 in the Prey series. - Naked Prey (2003)
In the Prey series, Naked Prey is book #14 and was published in 2003. - Hidden Prey (2004)
Hidden Prey was first published in 2004; within the Prey series, it is listed as book #15. - Broken Prey (2005)
Broken Prey was published in 2005 and is listed as book #16 in the Prey series. - Invisible Prey (2007)
Published in 2007, Invisible Prey is listed as book #17 in the Prey series. - Phantom Prey (2008)
Phantom Prey is a 2008 release and appears as book #18 in the Prey series. - Wicked Prey (2009)
In the Prey series, Wicked Prey is book #19 and was published in 2009. - Storm Prey (2010)
Storm Prey was first published in 2010; within the Prey series, it is listed as book #20. - Buried Prey (2011)
Buried Prey was published in 2011 and is listed as book #21 in the Prey series. - Stolen Prey (2012)
Published in 2012, Stolen Prey is listed as book #22 in the Prey series. - Silken Prey (2013)
Silken Prey is a 2013 release and appears as book #23 in the Prey series. - Field of Prey (2014)
In the Prey series, Field of Prey is book #24 and was published in 2014. - Gathering Prey (2015)
Gathering Prey was first published in 2015; within the Prey series, it is listed as book #25. - Extreme Prey (2016)
Extreme Prey was published in 2016 and is listed as book #26 in the Prey series. - Golden Prey (2017)
Published in 2017, Golden Prey is listed as book #27 in the Prey series. - Twisted Prey (2018)
Twisted Prey is a 2018 release and appears as book #28 in the Prey series. - Neon Prey (2019)
In the Prey series, Neon Prey is book #29 and was published in 2019. - Masked Prey (2020)
Masked Prey was first published in 2020; within the Prey series, it is listed as book #30. - Ocean Prey (2021)
Ocean Prey was published in 2021 and is listed as book #31 in the Prey series. - Righteous Prey (2022)
Published in 2022, Righteous Prey is listed as book #32 in the Prey series. - Judgment Prey (2023)
Judgment Prey is a 2023 release and appears as book #33 in the Prey series. - Toxic Prey (2024)
In the Prey series, Toxic Prey is book #34 and was published in 2024. - Lethal Prey (2025)
Lethal Prey was first published in 2025; within the Prey series, it is listed as book #35. - Revenge Prey (2026)
Revenge Prey was published in 2026 and is listed as book #36 in the Prey series.
About Prey
The Prey series is a long-running crime thriller franchise created by John Sandford, centered on investigator Lucas Davenport. First introduced in Rules of Prey (1989), the series blends procedural investigation with psychological suspense, focusing on complex criminal cases across Minnesota and the broader Midwest. Over time, the novels have grown into one of the most consistent and enduring detective series in modern crime fiction.
Lucas Davenport begins the series as a Minneapolis police detective known for his unconventional methods and sharp analytical instincts. He is intelligent, impatient with bureaucracy, and willing to challenge authority if it helps him solve a case. Early novels establish this defining trait: Davenport’s willingness to pursue criminals with relentless focus, even when his approach pushes the limits of departmental rules.
Reading the Prey books in publication order is the best way to experience the character’s development. Unlike some crime series where the protagonist remains largely unchanged, Davenport evolves significantly across the novels. His career progresses from detective to high-level investigator, eventually working for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and later in federal-level roles. These professional transitions unfold gradually across the series.
The first few books—Rules of Prey, Shadow Prey, and Eyes of Prey—establish the tone of the series with tense investigations involving highly intelligent and dangerous adversaries. Sandford frequently places Davenport against criminals who are just as strategic as he is, creating a psychological duel between hunter and hunted. The novels emphasize both investigative work and the mental games between detective and suspect.
As the series progresses through titles like Silent Prey, Mind Prey, and Certain Prey, Davenport’s personal life also becomes more visible. His relationships, particularly his eventual marriage to Weather Karkinnen, add emotional depth to the series and highlight how his demanding career affects the people around him. Reading the books sequentially allows these personal developments to unfold naturally alongside the investigative plots.
Another hallmark of the series is Sandford’s pacing. The novels typically begin with a crime already in motion, quickly introducing the antagonist and building tension as Davenport pieces together the evidence. Sandford’s background in journalism contributes to the realism of his dialogue and investigative procedures, giving the stories a grounded, fast-moving feel.
Across the decades, the Prey novels have adapted to changing investigative technologies and law enforcement practices. Later books incorporate digital forensics, surveillance technologies, and evolving criminal tactics. Reading the books in publication order highlights how both Davenport and the investigative landscape evolve with time.
Several recurring elements define the series:
- Intelligent adversaries who challenge Davenport strategically
- Detailed procedural investigation mixed with psychological suspense
- A strong Midwestern setting that grounds the stories in a specific region
- Character continuity that carries through dozens of novels
In addition to the main series, Sandford expanded the universe with spin-off novels featuring characters such as Virgil Flowers and Letty Davenport, Lucas’s adopted daughter. These interconnected stories deepen the broader world surrounding the original Prey novels.
Over the course of more than thirty books, the series traces Lucas Davenport’s career while maintaining the suspense and intensity that defined the early installments. Experiencing the novels in publication order preserves the gradual evolution of Davenport’s role in law enforcement, the development of his personal life, and the shifting landscape of crime that shapes the investigations throughout the series.