John Sandford is an American author best known for his popular series of crime novels featuring the character Lucas Davenport. Born on February 23, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he began his career as a journalist before transitioning to fiction writing. His books often blend elements of mystery, thriller, and police procedural genres. Sandford's writing is characterized by its fast-paced plots and well-developed characters. He has published numerous novels, including the Prey series, which has garnered a large following and critical acclaim. In addition to his fiction work, Sandford has also written non-fiction and has received several awards for his contributions to literature.