He received a bachelor's degree in American history and literature[6] and a master's in journalism, both from the University of Iowa.
While working at the Pioneer Press, he wrote two non-fiction books, "The Eye and the Heart: The Watercolors of John Stuart Ingle" and "Plastic Surgery: The Kindest Cut," with University of Minnesota surgeon Bruce Cunningham.
After the "Prey" series proved to be more popular, with its charismatic protagonist Lucas Davenport, The Fool's Run and all of its sequels were published under John Sandford.
Camp is a personal friend and hunting companion of fellow Minnesota author Chuck Logan.
He returns in Night Prey as a deputy chief (a political appointment), running his own intelligence unit.
He serves in that capacity through Gathering Prey, at the end of which he quits working for the BCA, later becoming a United States Marshal.
The novel Mind Prey was sold for a TV movie, and Davenport was portrayed by Eriq LaSalle.
The protagonist of the series, Virgil Flowers, is described as tall, lean, late thirties, three times divorced, with long hair and often wearing t-shirts featuring rock bands.