Book Review: THE INVESTIGATOR by John Sandford

THE INVESTIGATOR by John Sandford (Random House Large Print Publishing, April 2022) Trade paperback, 528 pages. ISBN # 059355633X / 9780593556337 

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Letty Davenport, the brilliant and tenacious adopted daughter of Lucas Davenport, takes the investigative reins in the newest thriller from #1 bestselling author John Sandford.

By age twenty-four, Letty Davenport has seen more action and uncovered more secrets than many law enforcement professionals. Now a recent Stanford grad with a master's in economics, she's restless and bored in a desk job for U. S. Senator Colles. Letty's ready to quit, but her skills have impressed Colles, and he offers her a carrot: feet-on-the-ground investigative work, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security.

Several oil companies in Texas have reported thefts of crude, Colles tells her. He isn't so much concerned with the oil as he is with the money: who is selling the oil, and what are they doing with the profits? Rumor has it that a fairly ugly militia group--led by a woman known only as Lorelai--might be involved. Colles wants to know if the money is going to them, and if so, what they're planning.

Letty is partnered with a DHS investigator, John Kaiser, and they head to Texas. When the case quicky turns deadly, they know they're on the track of something bigger. Lorelai and her group have set in motion an explosive plan . . . and the clock is ticking down.  

My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . . 

     While I'm still enjoying the Prey novels with character Lucas Davenport as well as the Virgil Flowers series, both are starting to get a bit too familiar. OCEAN PREY was the recent exception. That team-up book with both Davenport and Flowers was excellent. 

     With THE INVESTIGATOR, writer John Sandford has a fresh new subject to chronicle the adventures of, and he makes the most of it. This was a true page-turner, hard to put down (even though I did when other obligations called). This was new and exciting, especially not knowing the character's full inclinations just yet and where they might go and/or do.

      THE INVESTIGATOR has humor, suspense, plenty of action and shines a spotlight on current affairs. And, without editorializing too much. I thought the militia’s point of view was presented fairly, even though I don't agree with the rationale and proposed solutions. I won't spoil the story any further. 

     If you've been thinking about picking up a Sandford novel but unsure where to start, this would be a great place. There is enough back-story of Letty Davenport's history and upbringing to keep new readers informed. She's a true bad-ass. I can't agree with all her methods, but I certainly admire the spunk.