The stars of Certain Prey are two very unusual women. Clara Rinker is a professional killer and a damn good one. Her career began at the age of 16 when the unusual way she revenged herself on her rapist (with a baseball bat to his head) attracted the attention and immediate respect of certain underworld parties.

Petite, attractive Clara gets the job done in a low-key style, then goes home to her business and her college classes. With years of successful work behind her, no has even seen her face until complications arise with a job in Minnesota.

Carmel Loan is one of Minneapolis' most successful defense attorneys. Intelligent, charming and rich, Carmel is used to getting what she wants. And now she wants Hale Allen. Only problem is Hale has a rich wife, so Carmel, through an intermediary, hires the services of Clara Rinker.

But things get complicated, so Clara and Carmel team up to try to fix a few loose ends which include an eyewitness and a videotape. These two friendless women bond and suddenly Lucas is facing not one, but two competent, bright and sociopathic women.

In what may be his most intriguing Prey book in years, John Sandford delivers a brutal, witty, at times even gruesomely funny, but always entertaining, chase. The vivid and complex Clara and Carmel are worthy adversaries for Lucas' hard-earned crime solving skills – skills that, at times, seem almost too magical.

Certain Prey's effective characterizations almost have the reader rooting for the criminals. Clara Rinker is the most memorable villain since Hannibal Lector. Whatever you do, don't start Certain Prey late at night or you'll regret it in the morning. The action is non-stop, the pace breathless and, best of all, the great Lucas Davenport has finally met his match.

--Dede Anderson