Best-selling crime authors release new books with well-known main characters

Two recent crime novels by prolific bestselling authors John Sandford and Janet Evanovich showcase the memorable main characters that have made them exceptionally popular.

Each book provides unusual plot elements that could be torn from today's or tomorrow's headlines.

"Righteous Prey" by Sandford (Putnam, $29.95) is the 32nd in his series starring U.S. Marshall Lucas Davenport.

The author also has written 12 novels featuring Virgil Flowers, an agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

This carefully plotted tale offers insights into a group of vigilantes known as "The Five" who "murder people who need to be murdered."

The killers are bored Bitcoin billionaires with nothing else to do; they communicate on the dark web and start their plan in San Francisco, then Houston, choosing their targets carefully.

They leave an anonymous press release, explaining their motives, offering 5 Bitcoins to a local charity that can help thwart similar behavior.

When the next murder occurs in Minnesota, Davenport and Flowers are called in, along with the FBI and other authorities.

Although "Righteous Prey" is over 400 pages, there's rarely a dull moment. Loyal fans won't be disappointed.

"Going Rogue" by Janet Evanovich (Atria Books, #28.99) is the 29th in her series starring Stephanie Plum.

It offers great escapism - this time Plum is worried when she gets to work and finds the business not open.

She works for Vinnie's Bail Bonds in New Jersey and the place is tightly locked.

There's no sign of reliable office manager Connie Rosolli; Plum suspects that something might have happened to her.

Plum gets a call - Rosolli has indeed been abducted - but the kidnapper doesn't want any money, just a strange coin that was left as collateral by a man who was recently murdered.

Unfortunately, it's nowhere to be found. As Plum investigates, the case becomes increasingly complex.

She gets help from her usual associates, including Lula, Ranger, Morelli, Vinnie, and assorted family members.

The villains are unusual too. The search leads to an Atlantic City comic book convention and beyond.

"Going Rogue" is a funny, fast-paced tale that's almost impossible to put down.

It's full of explosive situations, dangerous interactions and violence, with a touch of dark humor and romance thrown in.

The next book in the Stephanie Plum series, "Dirty Thirty" is scheduled for release in November 2023.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has been reviewing crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987. His email address is raywalsh@voyager.net.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: John Sanford, Janet Evanovich crime novels hit mark with key players