Silken Prey by John Sandford

The Black Krim.

Sounds ominous, right? Good thing this discussion will eventually lead into a review of John Sandford’s new thriller-mystery Silken Prey (review copy provided by publisher) – because there’s nothing particularly mysterious about the Black Krim, aside from a name that could double as a terrorist organization.

Rewind a few hours. By nature I am an anxious person. Bet you didn’t know that. Those who did, it’s not nice to laugh. If you keep track of my monthly doings, today was the day – part three. Yes, I recently concluded the trilogy of my public speaking engagements, for which we are all thankful. Please note that I did not ask for luck this time. This is progress – accomplished by continuously reminding myself that it’s okay. Is it really okay? I have no idea.

In between planning of my discussion (the scintillating world of seed saving – we all adore alliteration, right?), I’ve been sneaking in bits of Silken Prey. Because John Sandford’s latest, his 23^rd entry in the Lucas Davenport series, is very, very good.

Well-respected conservative politician Porter Smalls is found with child pornography on his computer. Who stands the most to gain from his fall from grace? His liberal opposition Taryn Grant, however proving her involvement is another matter entirely, if she’s even guilty. With Marilyn Monroe looks and a bottomless bank account, Grant is an appealing candidate for the U.S. Senate seat she is running for, but her opponent won’t give up that easily. Lucas is hired to deal with the matter, quickly discovering that Porter Smalls was framed.

At the same time Tubbs, a political fixer and sometime blackmailer goes missing. Are the cases related? As the author is wont to do, he teams Davenport up with a few of his characters from his other series – Virgil Flowers, Kidd, and LuEllen (now going by Lauren).  John Sandford is one of the few exceptions to my no series rule. The Prey novels are consistently good – well-paced, well-plotted, and full of memorable characters. Essentially, they are the ideal way to begin the summer reading season (as I have every summer for the last 10 years).

Silken Prey, the follow up to Stolen Prey, perfectly contrasted with my seed saving research – serious vs. fun, dry vs. entertaining, depressing vs. comical. And given the ending of this novel, I am very much looking forward to what happens next. If you like mysteries or thrillers (or a mystery-thriller hybrid) or are looking for a good, lightweight read, this is your book. And for long time Sandford readers, it was nice to see Kidd again.  4/5.

For those of you wondering what the Black Krim is, it’s a type of tomato grown from heirloom tomato seeds. It’s rather pretty as far as tomato plants go and was part of my discussion on the benefits of seed saving. I do my best to keep FSR literary and educational.

So the dish that everyone loved in Silken Prey was Macaroni and Cheese and Pepperoni. If I’m being honest, I would not eat that if it could possibly be helped, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t. Here is a recipe for Pepperoni and Cheese Casserole. Enjoy?

1/2