The Night Crew

Not sure how long this battery will last but this unit right out of the box after a full charge really works great. Hope it lasts. Thiink I will get one for my kids. Better than getting vacuum out for small stuff and no cord to mess with. Even cleans my cars carpets well. No more shop vac
Really easy to clean out filter and wash also

This one was a bit different than Stanford's normal work. I have read most of his books and in particular have enjoyed the Davenport and Flowers series. It this book, `The Night Crew.' the author has chosen a female protagonist (this did not bother me as I perfer books with strong female characers0, and a non police protagonist at that. Our main lady is a free lance video reporter who chases about finding interesting and often violent stories to sell to local and national television stations. The location features California rather than Minnesota which actually makes quite a difference in how the story flows.

While the book can most certainly be classified as a thriller, there is much more of an element of mystery in this one than in either the Davenport or Flowers books. Now there is murder of course and there is retribution...a standard for Sanford, but the action is not as intense here as in his other books.

I was not at all sure if I was going to like this one or not but since I was running out of books in the other series I figured I would give this one a shot. I am happy to report that I was pleased and found it a soundly written book that held my interest. I felt that the author did a good job of viewing the story through the eyes and perspective of a woman...not always an easy thing to do for an author of the opposite sex.

The book was filled with likeable characters and I sort of wish the author would take this series on to the next book...he most certainly has fertile ground to work with. The one complaint which stands out for me and indeed has been mentioned by other reviewers is the fact that the author is using a different location and he does not seem quite as familiar with the geographical area as he is with his previous novels. Now that did not bother me much as I have not been in California for years and years and will quite likely never go back, but I can see how it my bother some who are familiar with the area.

All in all this was a good book and I was satisfied.

This was a library find.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Written with the same choppy scenes of an MTV video or the guerrilla journalism film of the story's main characters, this novel is quite unlike Sandford's Prey or Kidd series. Not only is the pacing and style different, but also his male characters have fully embraced their feminine sides to the point of being almost wimpy (even a minor character, a massive weightlifter, can freely admit to his fear of surgery). Perhaps this is to enhance his female protagonist's machoness, perhaps it's a slam at sunny California from the security of his snowbound Minnesota; either way it's a noticeable departure from his stubborn, tough-as-nails, manly-men characters.

Sandford has structured The Night Crew like a standard mystery, where the reader doesn't discover the identity of the killer until the heroine does. This means a lot of dead ends, as every last red herring has to be tracked down before the case cracks wide open. This too is a departure from Sandford's standard fare.

As with any "introductory novel," Anna Batory's story is packed with background information about its characters. Combined with the brief story segments, accommodating all the backstory makes for some very choppy, occasionally disoriented reading. I'm sure some of this is intentional, but at times it all became a little overwhelming. Combined with a lackluster serial killer (there's really nothing to him beyond general creepiness and a generic FBI profile) and several noticeable plot holes (How is Anna's neighbor able to check up on Creek who's registered in the hospital under an alias? Why aren't suspects immediately written off when they lack the requisite facial damage?), and The Night Crew becomes a run-of-the-mill story, rather than a masterpiece.

For all its shortcomings, though, The Night Crew is still an enjoyable read. Television is full of shows that didn't gel right away or took awhile to find an audience. Should Sandford choose to send Anna, Creek and company off on another investigation I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up.

Anna Battory is the star of John Sandford's stand alone thriller, "The Night Crew." Sandford is best know for his Prey series featuring Lucas Davenport. This novel revolves around a group of people roaming Los Angeles at night trying to film newsworthy events and sell them to local and national television networks.

Anna and her crew film an animal rights group raiding a research lab at UCLA, then they stumble on a distraught high school kid on the ledge of a hotel. The kid jumps, the crew films it, and they sell it to all the networks. Then a member of the crew, Jason, winds up dead.

The novel summary says the suicide and Jason's murder are two murders that drive the plot. And they do, but not in a relevant way. Also, the father of the suicidal teen shows up bent on finding out what happened to his son. He was an okay character, except for the fact that little was done about his pain over his son's suicide. Anna and her crew are all portrayed solidly, and Anna was given more background and depth than Lucas Davenport has in any of the Prey books, yet this book wasn't as near as fun as the worst Prey books.

Anna and Harper, the kid's dad, investigate the killings but the investigation lacks the depth or the twists that Sandford is so good at in the Prey series.

This was a fun, quick book to read, but not as exciting as the Prey series. Still, I'd recommend it to all Sandford fans.

This is only my 2nd John Sandford novel, my first being "Certain Prey". It was a bit of a letdown as I wasn't able to connect to the characters in "Night Crew" like I could in his other book. For one thing, Jake, the once-policeman now turned lawyer, just lost his son to suicide. He even watched it several times on tape and never really seemed to get too upset about it. He referred to the incident as "my kid" died. Well, as a woman, maybe my perspective is different, but wouldn't a dad still be a bit more upset than that? And to jump into bed with someone he had just met up with a couple of days later...also I agreed with other reviewers who thought Sandford left alot of loose ends. Like when Jake and Anna watched the suicide tape looking for clues, a piece of paper fell to the ground. What was it? Did I miss something? I was listening to it on audiotape and may have skipped something there, but couldn't see where it tied in. I usually hate to hear a good story come to an end, but with this one I was tempted to do some fast forwarding. I believe I will go back and check out some more of the Prey series, they seem to be John Sandford's best work.

This one was a bit different than Stanford's normal work. I have read most of his books and in particular have enjoyed the Davenport and Flowers series. It this book, `The Night Crew.' the author has chosen a female protagonist (this did not bother me as I perfer books with strong female characers0, and a non police protagonist at that. Our main lady is a free lance video reporter who chases about finding interesting and often violent stories to sell to local and national television stations. The location features California rather than Minnesota which actually makes quite a difference in how the story flows.

While the book can most certainly be classified as a thriller, there is much more of an element of mystery in this one than in either the Davenport or Flowers books. Now there is murder of course and there is retribution...a standard for Sanford, but the action is not as intense here as in his other books.

I was not at all sure if I was going to like this one or not but since I was running out of books in the other series I figured I would give this one a shot. I am happy to report that I was pleased and found it a soundly written book that held my interest. I felt that the author did a good job of viewing the story through the eyes and perspective of a woman...not always an easy thing to do for an author of the opposite sex.

The book was filled with likeable characters and I sort of wish the author would take this series on to the next book...he most certainly has fertile ground to work with. The one complaint which stands out for me and indeed has been mentioned by other reviewers is the fact that the author is using a different location and he does not seem quite as familiar with the geographical area as he is with his previous novels. Now that did not bother me much as I have not been in California for years and years and will quite likely never go back, but I can see how it my bother some who are familiar with the area.

All in all this was a good book and I was satisfied.

This was a library find.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Written with the same choppy scenes of an MTV video or the guerrilla journalism film of the story's main characters, this novel is quite unlike Sandford's Prey or Kidd series. Not only is the pacing and style different, but also his male characters have fully embraced their feminine sides to the point of being almost wimpy (even a minor character, a massive weightlifter, can freely admit to his fear of surgery). Perhaps this is to enhance his female protagonist's machoness, perhaps it's a slam at sunny California from the security of his snowbound Minnesota; either way it's a noticeable departure from his stubborn, tough-as-nails, manly-men characters.

Sandford has structured The Night Crew like a standard mystery, where the reader doesn't discover the identity of the killer until the heroine does. This means a lot of dead ends, as every last red herring has to be tracked down before the case cracks wide open. This too is a departure from Sandford's standard fare.

As with any "introductory novel," Anna Batory's story is packed with background information about its characters. Combined with the brief story segments, accommodating all the backstory makes for some very choppy, occasionally disoriented reading. I'm sure some of this is intentional, but at times it all became a little overwhelming. Combined with a lackluster serial killer (there's really nothing to him beyond general creepiness and a generic FBI profile) and several noticeable plot holes (How is Anna's neighbor able to check up on Creek who's registered in the hospital under an alias? Why aren't suspects immediately written off when they lack the requisite facial damage?), and The Night Crew becomes a run-of-the-mill story, rather than a masterpiece.

For all its shortcomings, though, The Night Crew is still an enjoyable read. Television is full of shows that didn't gel right away or took awhile to find an audience. Should Sandford choose to send Anna, Creek and company off on another investigation I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up.

Anna Battory is the star of John Sandford's stand alone thriller, "The Night Crew." Sandford is best know for his Prey series featuring Lucas Davenport. This novel revolves around a group of people roaming Los Angeles at night trying to film newsworthy events and sell them to local and national television networks.

Anna and her crew film an animal rights group raiding a research lab at UCLA, then they stumble on a distraught high school kid on the ledge of a hotel. The kid jumps, the crew films it, and they sell it to all the networks. Then a member of the crew, Jason, winds up dead.

The novel summary says the suicide and Jason's murder are two murders that drive the plot. And they do, but not in a relevant way. Also, the father of the suicidal teen shows up bent on finding out what happened to his son. He was an okay character, except for the fact that little was done about his pain over his son's suicide. Anna and her crew are all portrayed solidly, and Anna was given more background and depth than Lucas Davenport has in any of the Prey books, yet this book wasn't as near as fun as the worst Prey books.

Anna and Harper, the kid's dad, investigate the killings but the investigation lacks the depth or the twists that Sandford is so good at in the Prey series.

This was a fun, quick book to read, but not as exciting as the Prey series. Still, I'd recommend it to all Sandford fans.

This is only my 2nd John Sandford novel, my first being "Certain Prey". It was a bit of a letdown as I wasn't able to connect to the characters in "Night Crew" like I could in his other book. For one thing, Jake, the once-policeman now turned lawyer, just lost his son to suicide. He even watched it several times on tape and never really seemed to get too upset about it. He referred to the incident as "my kid" died. Well, as a woman, maybe my perspective is different, but wouldn't a dad still be a bit more upset than that? And to jump into bed with someone he had just met up with a couple of days later...also I agreed with other reviewers who thought Sandford left alot of loose ends. Like when Jake and Anna watched the suicide tape looking for clues, a piece of paper fell to the ground. What was it? Did I miss something? I was listening to it on audiotape and may have skipped something there, but couldn't see where it tied in. I usually hate to hear a good story come to an end, but with this one I was tempted to do some fast forwarding. I believe I will go back and check out some more of the Prey series, they seem to be John Sandford's best work.

John Sandford is obviously a prolific and talented writer, as evidenced by the success of his Lucas Davenport "Prey" series. However, with "The Night Crew," I have to wonder why all the hoopla? Granted, this book has a very interesting and unusual premise---following a bunch of "reporters" who film unusual or bizarre accidents/murders/arsons, as they occur. The main character, Anna, is sympathetic and you can relate to her, in some ways. The book's best character, Jake, the ex-cop, is also quite different and interesting.
Alas, however; the plot gets so confusing and the identity of the murder is so "convenient," yet unexplained. The ending, both in regards to what occurs with Anna and Jake's relationship, and Creek's strange visit to Anna's ex-boyfriend, is just frustrating. No closure!
Now, if Sandford intends a series, this ending might work, but if he doesn't, he's robbed the reader of the all-important resolution of vital closure. A real disappointment.

John Sandford isn't the best writer around & he's not the greatest plotter around. But he's one of the most interesting mystery writers around because his stories take place at the intersection between the police & the news media. Half the fun of his Lucas Davenport series lies in watching Davenport use leaks to manipulate the media to his own ends.
In this new series, Sandford gives us a sort of guerilla news crew. They roam the streets of LA at night & catch incidents on video tape, then sell them to the Networks. One night they film an animal liberationist raid on a lab and a drug addled youth jumping from a ledge. In short order someone starts attacking & killing members of the video crew. Is it connected to one of the videos they shot? connected to both?
Sandford moves the story along briskly & he's created several likable characters who seem certain to pop up in future books.
GRADE: C+

John Sandford steps away from his familiar "Prey" series to write about a free lance film crew in Los Angeles that finds itself embroiled in crime and mystery. Sandford took some risk in leaving his Lucas Davenport character and some of the critics of this book have panned him for doing so. But I loved this book. It is interesting, believable and not as "boxy" as his "Prey" novels. In the "Prey" novels, which I love by the way, they all follow a pattern and the characters are somewhat cookie cutter. But here he expands, he writes some fascinating characters with real depth and personality. The idea of this free lance film crew out on the prowl through the streets of LA hoping to get some good footage to sell to tv newsrooms, is unique and appealing. You can also read this book without any knowledge of the "Prey" novels and you will find it irresistable.

The Night Crew was a different twist for Sandford. I really like most of the Prey series. I was prepared to not like this book but it was fair. Anna Batory was a little unbelieveable. With no real police training she did better than the real ones did. I liked Jake Harper and Creek, they were more believeable to me. A killer is after Anna, no one can figure out who it is. Of course they finally do and that part ends ok but then the last chapter is added and the whole book does not end right unless Sandford is coming back with these same people. I doubt he is as the copyright is four years old. You are left hanging at the end. Part of the book is very scary and hard to put down, but because of the unbelievealbe Anna and the bad ending I only gave three stars. If you like a book with fast action but it doesn't seem possible then this is the book for you.

While initially disappointed when I realized it was not another of the Lucas Davenport series, I was quickly hooked by the story line and the new cast of characters. As he has done with his "Prey" series he develops the characters well, but weaves in twists and turns that even the most avid mystery reader wouldn't think of. I was convinced on who the killer was only to be thrown a curve as the plot developed. The book was definitely a cannot put down, and in fact I finished it in less than two days. I am looking forward to more by Sandford involving these new characters. I particularly like "Jake" the ex-cop turned lawyer. As a retired police officer who then went on to law school I can empathize with him. Keep up the great writing

I read "The Night Crew" while waiting for the latest Prey novel to come out in paperback. If this is any indication of his non-Lucas material, I won't be in a hurry to check out his Kidd series.
Normally, I think Sandford is a great storyteller who writes with clarity. This book is just sloppy. I had a very hard time figuring out what was happening and why.
Also, none of the characters or their relationships really ring true, except for Anna's platonic relationship with her second-in-command of sorts, Creek.
It's a quick read, and it's not totally horrid, but I would recommend it only as a last resort if you're the type that absolutely has to have something to read and this is all you can find.

This is a very pretentious and unrealistic book; not only on plot but even the printing is very artificial. I found that the jumbo letterings were very bothering for my reading. And this book should be condensed at least 1/3 on pages consumption. Another trick of the publisher's to push higher price for a thicker book. The whole story is such a bore and disappointment. You just could not watch some tabloid TV programs to get a novel done, Mr. Sanford, you should have some realistic night-crewing street exeperience. You got same problem as your PREY hero, a detective driving a Porche? Give me a break, it could only have happened in Eddie Murchy's "Beverly Hill Cop"

Fortunately, this was not the first John Sandford novel I've read. Had it been, I probably would never have discovered the delights of Sandford's "Prey" series, which is far more accomplished and enthralling.

"Night Crew" is about Anna Bantory who runs a free-lance TV crew that roams Los Angeles at night, gathering footage they hope to sell to television stations. One night, they tape a raid by animal activists. Coincidentally a call comes in that someone is on a hotel window ledge and may jump. Anna's crew records the jump.

Hours later, someone murders a member of Anna's crew and off we go into the pursuit of a crazed killer who is obsessed with Anna.

Ho-hum. The characters are thin, the plot contrived and the novel interminable. It's not a total waste of time, but there are many other cop-novels out there that are far more enjoyable, including Sandford's own "Prey" series, which I highly recommend.

Jerry

I must admit I was pleased to see another Sanford novel, even if it was not a "Prey" book. The book started off promisingly, but ultimately leaves one in the dust wondering what happened. The ending is far too abrupt and I had the feeling that Sanford simply ran out of gas. As usual, the nice touches abound; Anne Batory is a non-practicing pianist, Creek is a veteran and the ex-cop is a lawyer. These touches are not unlike normal L.A. life where everyone is someone else. As a pleasant evenings diversion, this book suffices, but for re-reading, far too much is telegraphed and the ending seems more like a ten car pile-up.

Just finished "The Night Crew," I've been a Sandford fan for years and this is not one of his best but an OK read. The job of the night crew roving Los Angeles searching for newsworthy events is exciting in itself but Sandford doesn't seem as comfortable in L.A. as he does in Minnesota and neither does the reader. Also, "the Night Crew" Lacks the police focus and viewpoint that Sandford is so good at as with Davenport and Flowers. Also, the development and insight into the life of the serial killer is lacking as compared to Sandford's other villians. If you are a true Sandford fan as I am you will want to read it. If you like Sandford try my Horseshoes & Nuclear Weapons (Attacks on America the Mike Hatch Terrorism Series) and Take It to the Limit

After reading this , I'm convinced some guy who has it in for the real John Sandford somehow got this book published under his name. It seems almost impossible that the same author who turns out the great "Prey" series could also be responsible for this. Weak , unexplored characters, a uninvolving plot and a "who cares?" resolution makes this the worst book I've read in awhile. I can understand how an author can get sick of writing the same characters over and over and want to try something new, but this entry was just a wasted effort. I don't mean to sound so brutal, but I can't fathom how someone can write such consistently excellent books like the "Prey " novels and then turn around and write something so terrible.

This is totally a mediocre stuff from John Sandford...the story begins with a suicide jump and the video crew picturising it,this is followed by some more killings,some more false leads and what not.If John sandford thinks that he has kept the readers on the edge of their seats through out the book then he is totally wrong.When you come to the ending and find out who the killer is then you realise that almost three-fourths of the book does not lead you anywhere.There are so many loose ends and i could not find any connection between the suicide jump and the killer.Did the killer murder him or did he commit suicide..well who cares.I think John sandford should stick to Lucas Davenport character and his prey series ....avoid this book at any cost.

The way John Sandford creates a psycho who stalks an innocent videographer, Anna Batory, was sheer brilliance. Anna attempts to find the stalker who is slowly eliminating everyone she comes in contact with. Teamed up with one of the best homicide cops, she is searching for the truth in a web tangled with lies. The story is choppy in some parts, but the suspense is definitely there. I recommend this book to anyone looking for the suspense ride of their life. I am looking forward to reading other John Sandford books.

This was one of the first John Sandford books that I read. It has well developed characters with a great story line, lots of action, and a great ending. I would recommend this book and any John Sandford book to anyone looking for a great mystery/thriller with lots of action, some romance, and very interesting characters. Enjoy.

Sorry that the eagerly awaited new Sanford wasn't to be a 'Prey' novel, but still a good read by one of the best of todays crime/mystery writers.
I'm sure this book was written as a screen play for a film. It's got all the elements and should make for a very good action, murder, mystery film with a terriffic, strong female, lead.
Don't look at this book as anything but a new offering from Sanford with a new direction. The book, and the film, will attract new Sanford readers

I am nearly finished with the Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford. He is a greater writer - but as with any writer where you are reading a series, it is always best to read them in order. I highly recommend this seies, but also suggust that you start with the first book of the series and work your way forward. You will enjoy them much more and not be sorry that you did.

This book THE NIGHT CREW is an oldie, 1997, stand alone novel. Big fan of the Prey series here and hoped for another start, but it just didn't quite make it. Three and a half stars would be better. I liked Anna Bantory but there just wasn't much else. Come on the police have to be better than in this book. The book was an ok beach read but nothing special. Jon Sandford is much better than this book.

John Sandford is a phenomenal writer. It's too bad that this book doesn't show that. It is a fast read, and does have a swift pace, but the plot was a bit unrealistic and the characters weren't as fun to read as the ones in his "Prey" and "LuEllen and Kidd" novels. I was dissapointed in this novel, but I do think it's worth reading once. It isn't a bad book, but it isn't a great book either.

I enjoy the series written by John Sandford. Since I live in Minnesota it is also fun to read about the area and recognize some of the streets mentioned int he book. The murder mystery is well written and keeps you interested throughout the book to the end when you finally find out the villan.

The Night Crew is so different from Sandford's more famous "Prey" books. When I say "different", I mostly mean "worse." Not only is it an arduous read, but character development (which Sandford excels at with Lucas "Prey Series" Davenport) is weak and inconsistent. The red herrings are painfully obvious and the cop turned lawyer who still gets incredible access to crime scenes is ridiculous. I really don't understand what happened in The Night Crew as Sandford's regular series is consistently excellent.

Anna is an interesting character; she's complex, tough yet likeable. The story is a thriller, with a good amount of suspense and tension. I enjoyed the bits of dark humour and the well written dialogue.

This book is not quite as good as those in Sandford's 'Prey' series, but it is worth reading. I'd look forward to another book in this series.