Moonlit Jealousy Unleashed

In 2003, Amanda Fisk, a sharp, ambitious law school graduate, is consumed by jealousy over her boyfriend Timothy's infidelity. One night, she follows him to his office, where he's with another woman, Doris Grandfelt. Driven by rage and a sense of destiny, Amanda arms herself with a kitchen knife, sharpens it on a red brick, and waits. When Doris is alone, Amanda attacks her in the restroom, stabbing her repeatedly in a psychotic frenzy. She meticulously cleans up, disposes of the body in a nearby park she knows from childhood, and covers her tracks. The murder is brutal, calculated, and leaves little evidence, setting the stage for a cold case that will haunt the city for decades.

Body in the Park

The next night, a couple walking their dog in Shawnee Park stumbles upon Doris's mutilated body. The scene is horrific—multiple stab wounds, signs of postmortem rage, and a body dumped with chilling indifference. The police and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) descend on the scene, but the evidence is scant. The killer left no obvious clues, and the only DNA found is from recent consensual sex. The case quickly becomes high-profile due to the victim's appearance and the brutality, but despite extensive interviews and forensic work, the investigation stalls. Doris's twin sister, Lara, is left devastated, and the city is left with a mystery.

Cold Case, Cold Clues

BCA agents Jenkins and Shrake, along with other investigators, dig into Doris's life. They find she was living beyond her means, possibly involved in sex work, and had a string of lovers, but none fit as suspects. The murder weapon is never found, and the only physical clue is a set of size ten-and-a-half Nike footprints. The DNA from the last sexual encounter is preserved, but no match is found. The case cools, and Doris's murder becomes another unsolved file, with her twin Lara growing increasingly bitter and obsessed with justice.

Lucas's New Life

Lucas Davenport, once a top homicide detective, has left police work for the tech world, building a successful simulation company. He's drawn back into the Grandfelt case by old friends and his own curiosity, but even his sharp mind finds nothing new. Years pass, and Lucas returns to law enforcement, now a U.S. Marshal, but the Grandfelt case remains unsolved, a ghost in the background of his career.

The Reward That Ignites

Twenty-one years later, Lara Grandfelt, now wealthy and still haunted, offers a five-million-dollar reward for information leading to her sister's killer. The case explodes into the public eye, fueled by true crime websites and social media. Lucas and BCA agent Virgil Flowers are recruited to lead a new investigation, joined by a swarm of amateur sleuths. The files are downloaded hundreds of thousands of times, and the murder scene becomes a pilgrimage site for true-crimers, bloggers, and would-be detectives.

True Crime Frenzy

The reward triggers a frenzy. True-crimers descend on the park, searching for evidence with metal detectors and cameras. They unearth a table knife, sharpened on red brick, matching the suspected murder weapon. The knife's origin is traced to Bee Accounting, Doris's workplace, reigniting suspicion around her colleagues. The investigation is now a public spectacle, with every move scrutinized and broadcast online, and the pressure mounts on Lucas and Virgil to deliver results.

The Past Resurfaces

As the investigation heats up, Amanda Fisk, now a respected prosecutor, watches with growing anxiety. She meticulously erases traces of her late husband Timothy, who died in a suspicious fall soon after the reward was announced. Amanda's past at Bee Accounting, her marriage to Timothy, and her proximity to the original crime scene all come under scrutiny. Meanwhile, the true-crimers' relentless digging begins to uncover connections between Doris, her clients, and a mysterious doctor.

The Knife in the Grass

The discovery of the knife near the original dump site is a turning point. Forensic analysis links it to Bee Accounting's executive dining room and shows it was sharpened on red brick, just like the building's walls. The crowdsource effort identifies a series of men in Doris's life, including a string of white-collar professionals and a doctor with a Porsche. Photos from Doris's camera, found by her old roommate, provide new leads and faces to chase.

The True-Crimer's Death

Charles "Bud" Light, a true-crimer who found the knife, is found dead in his motel room. At first, it appears to be a murder, but later is revealed as a tragic accident—anaphylactic shock from peanut-laced chili. Still, the death adds urgency and paranoia to the investigation, as the killer may be watching and ready to strike again. The true-crimers become both a resource and a liability, their amateur efforts sometimes helping, sometimes hindering the professionals.

Amanda Fisk's Calculations

Amanda, feeling the net closing, takes drastic steps. She eliminates her husband, Timothy, staging his death as an accident to prevent his DNA from being tested. She scrubs their home of his DNA, disposes of his belongings, and manipulates the narrative. When the investigation threatens her further, she kills again—this time targeting Lara Grandfelt, but accidentally murdering Lara's assistant, Marcia Wise, in a case of mistaken identity. Amanda's psychopathy and cunning are revealed as she tries to stay one step ahead.

The Crowdsource Storm

With the case now a national obsession, the true-crimers, led by a handful of savvy bloggers, crowdsource every detail of Amanda's life. They uncover her childhood in Woodbury, her proximity to the park, her employment at Bee, and her rapid marriage to Timothy after Doris's death. They also dig up a string of suspicious deaths around Amanda, including a law school rival and her own mother, both of whom died under mysterious circumstances that benefited Amanda.

The Photos and the Past

Photos from Doris's camera, developed after two decades, reveal her last companions—one of whom is identified as Timothy Carlson, Amanda's late husband, with his distinctive Porsche. The timeline tightens: Timothy was with Doris the night she died, and Amanda married him soon after. The evidence mounts, but the DNA from Doris's body, when finally tested against Timothy's, does not match. Suspicion shifts back to Amanda, who had the motive, means, and opportunity.

The Doctor's Secret

A psychologist, Klink, provides a key insight: Doris was killed within minutes of consensual sex, likely by someone close to her. The investigation focuses on doctors and medical professionals, cross-referencing Bee's client list with Porsche owners. Amanda's manipulation of Timothy's DNA samples is uncovered—she sterilized his belongings and planted false evidence, further implicating herself. The net tightens as her lies unravel.

The Net Tightens

Lucas and Virgil, with the help of the true-crimers, assemble a damning circumstantial case: Amanda's proximity to every victim, her history of violence, her financial motives, and her pattern of erasing evidence. They discover she grew up a block from the park where Doris was dumped, and that she had a history of violence dating back to childhood. The burning of Virgil's stable, which injures his family, is traced to Amanda, who bought gasoline in the middle of the night.

The Stable Burns

Amanda, desperate to derail the investigation, sets fire to Virgil's stable, nearly killing his fiancée and her son. The attack is a message and an attempt to force Virgil off the case. Instead, it galvanizes the team, who now see Amanda as a serial killer willing to eliminate anyone in her way. The evidence of arson, combined with Amanda's other actions, convinces the authorities to move forward.

DNA and Deception

Forensic analysis reveals Amanda's elaborate efforts to destroy Timothy's DNA and plant false samples. The shoes from his golf locker, however, provide a match to the footprints at the crime scene, but not to the DNA in Doris's body. The lack of Timothy's DNA in his own home is itself evidence of Amanda's guilt. The case is now strong enough to present to a grand jury, even if much of it is circumstantial.

Childhood Shadows

Investigators dig into Amanda's past, uncovering a childhood marked by trauma, abuse, and early violence. Her father and stepmother describe her as cold and uncaring, and her possible involvement in the death of a childhood friend and the disappearance of an abusive uncle is revealed. The discovery of the uncle's body, buried and mutilated, cements Amanda's status as a lifelong predator.

The Grand Jury Gathers

With the evidence compiled, a grand jury is convened. Amanda is indicted for the murder of Doris Grandfelt and other crimes. The case is built on a mountain of circumstantial evidence, psychological profiling, and Amanda's own actions to cover her tracks. The trial looms, with the outcome uncertain—Amanda's defense is formidable, and the evidence, while overwhelming in pattern, is thin on direct proof. The story ends with Amanda out on bail, the city transfixed, and the question of justice still hanging in the air.

Characters

Amanda Fisk

Amanda is the central antagonist, a brilliant, ambitious woman whose psychopathy is masked by her professional success as a prosecutor. Her jealousy, need for control, and lack of empathy drive her to murder rivals, lovers, and even family members. She is meticulous in covering her tracks, erasing evidence, and manipulating those around her. Her development is a chilling study in the banality of evil—her violence is both impulsive and calculated, and her ability to blend into society makes her all the more dangerous. Her relationship with Timothy is transactional, and her pattern of violence stretches from adolescence to adulthood.

Lucas Davenport

Lucas is a former homicide detective turned tech entrepreneur, then U.S. Marshal. He is sharp, stylish, and driven by a need to solve puzzles and catch killers. His relationships with colleagues are marked by banter and mutual respect, especially with Virgil Flowers. Lucas's psychological insight and attention to detail make him a formidable investigator, but he is also haunted by the cases he cannot solve. His return to the Grandfelt case is both a professional challenge and a personal quest for justice.

Virgil Flowers

Virgil is a BCA agent and novelist, known for his laid-back demeanor, rural sensibility, and deep empathy. He is more comfortable in the country than the city, and his investigative style is intuitive, often relying on patterns and gut feelings. Virgil's personal life—his family, his writing, his love for the land—grounds him, but also makes him vulnerable when Amanda targets his home. His partnership with Lucas is a blend of contrast and complement, and his ability to connect with people is key to breaking the case.

Lara Grandfelt

Lara is Doris's twin sister, whose life is defined by her quest to find her sister's killer. Her wealth and determination drive the renewed investigation, and her willingness to use her resources for justice is both admirable and tragic. Lara's psychological journey is one of grief, obsession, and, ultimately, a measure of closure as the truth comes to light.

Timothy Carlson

Timothy is Amanda's husband and Doris's last lover. Handsome, successful, and somewhat oblivious, he becomes both a motive and a victim in Amanda's schemes. His death, staged as an accident, is a turning point in the investigation. Timothy's relationships with women are transactional, and his inability to see Amanda's true nature seals his fate.

Marcia Wise

Marcia is Lara's personal assistant and partner, whose resemblance to Lara leads to her murder by Amanda. Her death is a case of mistaken identity, but it also serves to escalate the investigation and reveal Amanda's desperation. Marcia's loyalty and kindness make her loss especially poignant.

Jenkins and Shrake

These BCA agents represent the institutional memory and skepticism of law enforcement. Their banter and experience provide both comic relief and a counterpoint to the main investigators. They are competent, world-weary, and ultimately supportive of Lucas and Virgil's unconventional methods.

Dahlia Blair & Anne Cash

These women embody the new wave of citizen investigators, using the internet and crowdsourcing to dig up clues and pressure authorities. Their motivations range from justice to fame, and their methods are both helpful and chaotic. They represent the democratization of investigation in the digital age, and their efforts are crucial in breaking the case.

Cory Donner

The CEO of Bee Accounting, Donner is cooperative but protective of his company's reputation. He provides key information about the workplace, the knife, and the culture of secrecy that allowed the original crime to go unsolved. His role is that of a gatekeeper, balancing transparency and self-preservation.

Earl Gray

Gray is Amanda's lawyer, a seasoned, pragmatic, and sometimes ruthless defender. He recognizes the strength of the circumstantial case against Amanda but is skilled at exploiting doubt, procedural errors, and the lack of direct evidence. His presence ensures that the trial will be a battle of wits as much as facts.

Plot Devices

Crowdsourcing and True Crime Culture

The novel's central device is the use of crowdsourcing and true crime communities to solve a cold case. The five-million-dollar reward transforms the investigation from a closed, bureaucratic process into a public spectacle, harnessing the collective intelligence—and chaos—of thousands. This device explores the power and peril of democratized justice, the blurring of lines between professionals and amateurs, and the impact of social media on real-world events.

Dual Timelines and Flashbacks

The narrative alternates between the original 2003 murder and the present-day investigation, using flashbacks to reveal key events and character motivations. This structure builds suspense, allows for gradual revelation of secrets, and highlights the long-term consequences of violence and trauma.

Red Herrings and Misdirection

The investigation is littered with red herrings—false suspects, misleading evidence, and ambiguous motives. The DNA evidence, the focus on Doris's lovers, and the initial suspicion of Timothy all serve to distract from Amanda, whose guilt is hidden in plain sight. The use of misdirection keeps both characters and readers off-balance.

Psychological Profiling

The novel delves deeply into Amanda's psychology, using both professional profiling and amateur speculation to build a portrait of a female serial killer. Her childhood trauma, emotional detachment, and pattern of violence are explored through interviews, research, and her own internal monologue.

Forensic Science and Its Limits

Forensic evidence is both a tool and a trap—DNA, footprints, and the murder weapon provide tantalizing clues, but Amanda's skill at erasing evidence exposes the limits of science. The absence of proof becomes as significant as its presence, and the case hinges on the interpretation of circumstantial evidence.

Media and Public Pressure

The role of media—both traditional and new—is central. The investigation is shaped by public opinion, viral stories, and the relentless pressure of the internet. The line between investigation and entertainment blurs, raising questions about privacy, due process, and the nature of justice.

Analysis

Lethal Prey is a masterful exploration of the intersection between old-school detective work and the new world of crowdsourced justice. John Sandford uses the cold case of Doris Grandfelt's murder to examine how trauma, jealousy, and ambition can fester for decades, and how the democratization of information can both solve and complicate crimes. The novel is as much about the psychology of evil as it is about the mechanics of investigation—Amanda Fisk is a chillingly plausible female serial killer, her violence rooted in childhood wounds and adult resentments. The story interrogates the limits of forensic science, the dangers of mob justice, and the ethical ambiguities of using public pressure to crack a case. Ultimately, Lethal Prey is a meditation on the persistence of evil, the hunger for closure, and the messy, uncertain nature of truth in the digital age.

Last updated: May 23, 2025