John Sandford Books in Order: The Complete Guide to the Prey Series & Beyond

You know that delightful buzz when you’ve just polished off a John Sandford thriller and you’re already itching for the next one? That’s exactly where I was, not long ago, sitting curled up with a mug of chai, feeling that familiar tug: so many books, so little time.

It hit me then: I needed to map out the order to read John Sandford’s novels across his beloved series, because diving into the Prey, Virgil Flowers, Kidd, Letty Davenport, and other worlds in just any order feels like eating dessert before dinner. And trust me, the build-up matters.

Order to Read John Sandford Books : by Series

Prey (Lucas Davenport) Series

1. Rules of Prey (1989)
2. Shadow Prey (1990)
3. Eyes of Prey (1991)
4. Silent Prey (1992)
5. Winter Prey (1993)
6. Night Prey (1994)
7. Mind Prey (1995)
8. Sudden Prey (1996)
9. Secret Prey (1998)
10. Certain Prey (1999)
11. Easy Prey (2000)
12. Chosen Prey (2001)
13. Mortal Prey (2002)
14. Naked Prey (2003)
15. Hidden Prey (2004)
16. Broken Prey (2005)
17. Invisible Prey (2007)
18. Phantom Prey (2008)
19. Wicked Prey (2009)
20. Storm Prey (2010)
21. Buried Prey (2011)
22. Stolen Prey (2012)
23. Silken Prey (2013)
24. Field of Prey (2014)
25. Gathering Prey (2015)
26. Extreme Prey (2016)
27. Golden Prey (2017)
28. Twisted Prey (2018)
29. Neon Prey (2019)
30. Masked Prey (2020)
31. Ocean Prey (2021)
32. Righteous Prey (2022)
33. Judgment Prey (2023)
34. Toxic Prey (2024)
35. Lethal Prey (2025)

Virgil Flowers Series

1. Dark of the Moon (2007)
2. Heat Lightning (2008)
3. Rough Country (2009)
4. Bad Blood (2010)
5. Shock Wave (2011)
6. Mad River (2012)
7. Storm Front (2013)
8. Deadline (2014)
9. Escape Clause (2016)
10. Deep Freeze (2017)
11. Holy Ghost (2018)
12. Bloody Genius (2019)
13. Ocean Prey (2021) – team-up with Davenport
14. Righteous Prey (2022) – team-up
15. Judgment Prey (2023) – team-up

Kidd & LuEllen Series

1. The Fool’s Run (1989) – originally as John Camp
2. The Empress File (1991) – originally as John Camp
3. The Devil’s Code (2000)
4. The Hanged Man’s Song (2003)

Letty Davenport Series

1. The Investigator (2022)
2. Dark Angel (2023)
   (Letty plays a prominent role in Toxic Prey – but her solo series is here.)

Singular Menace Trilogy (with Michele Cook)

1. Uncaged (2014)
2. Outrage (2015)
3. Rampage (2016)

Standalone Novels

• The Night Crew (1997)
• Dead Watch (2006)
• Saturn Run (2015, with Ctein)

Non-fiction & Short Stories

• The Eye and the Heart (1988)
• Plastic Surgery (1989)
• “Rhymes with Prey” (short story, 2014, with Jeffery Deaver)
• “Deserves to Be Dead” (2017, with Lisa Jackson)

Beyond the Titles: What Makes Sandford So Addictive

1. That Growing Universe Feel

Starting with Rules of Prey and moving onward, you’ll see Lucas Davenport grow, not just as a detective, but as a character. His promotions, struggles with authority, and evolving personal life reflect across the arc. Reading in order gives you a layered narrative that rewards patience.

2. Spin-offs that Expand, Not Dilute

Virgil Flowers isn’t just a sidekick, he’s got an awesome series exploring his world. And then there’s Letty, stepping into her own detective shoes: The Investigator and Dark Angel bring fresh dynamism while staying rooted in the Prey universe.

3. Team-ups That Feel Earned

When Ocean Prey, Righteous Prey, and Judgment Prey bring Lucas, Virgil, and sometimes Letty together, it’s not just a gimmick, it’s storytelling gold. Those books build on the world you’ve already immersed yourself in.

4. His Writing : A Journalist’s Touch

Sandford (aka John Camp) won the Pulitzer as a journalist before flipping to thriller writing, and that shows up. His prose is tight, dialogue crisp, and scenes feel vivid, precision meets pace.

FAQ: Quick Answers to Common Questions

Q: Are the Prey books connected to each other? Must I read them in order?
Absolutely, they follow Lucas’s career and personal arc. Reading in order gives full context, character depth, and keeps continuity tight.

Q: Can I start with the Virgil Flowers books?
You can, yes, but starting with Rules of Prey gives you Davenport’s origin and builds the relationship that fuels their crossover. Still, Virgil’s solo adventure is fun on its own if you’re in the mood for something lighter.

Q: Do I need to read The Investigator before Toxic Prey?
The Investigator introduces Letty’s character; Toxic Prey brings her and Lucas together. Reading both back to back, especially after building Lucas’s storyline, amplifies the emotional ride.

Verdict

Here’s the bottom line: if you’re craving gripping mystery, evolving characters, and a smart plotting machine, you want to go in order. Start with Rules of Prey, ride Lucas’s whirlwind detective journey, branch into Virgil’s mischief, maybe explore Kidd’s world as a palate cleanser, and circle back with Letty as the next generation takes the stage. That reading pace you get, the character arcs deepening, it’s pure storytelling synergy.

Trust me, plotting that ladder out feels like a secret handshake among fans, and now you’ve got the map. Happy reading, I’ll be over here, trying not to finish Lethal Prey too fast!