"Shadow Prey"

"Shadow Prey" is the second Lucas Davenport novel by John Sandford and it is just as good as all the other Sandford books I've read.  This time there has been a series of identical and ritualistic murders committed in various cities across the U. S.  and the link seems to be Minneapolis but clues are hard to ferret out because Lucas (who seems to have contacts in all communities) has very few contacts in the Indian community and those he does have seem to be closing ranks against outsiders.  What appears to be a series of unconnected murders of high ranking officials is really a case of revenge and the target is one man and the murders are to get that man to Minneapolis so he can be killed.

On a personal note, Lucas is now the father of a daughter who he sees regularly along with his daughter's mother, Jennifer.  He's asked Jennifer to marry him on a regular basis but finally gave up and just put the offer on the table for her to act on when or if she's ready. 

However, his personal life soon becomes complicated by the current case when a married female New York policewoman (Lily) is sent to work with the Minneapolis police to identify and arrest the killer of a New York man whose family is big money and aren't afraid to spend some of it to bring about justice for their son.  Lucas is attracted to Lily and when the attraction turns mutual and is acted on, it not only endangers their lives but his relationship with his daughter and Jennifer.

As usual, Sandford weaves a complex and satisfying tale of murder and revenge with twists and turns....pazt