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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
Sanders is perhaps best known as the author of the Lucas Davenport mystery series set in Minneapolis / St Paul MN. Now he gives one of Davenport’s colleagues his own series. Virgil Flowers has been in the Army and the St Paul Police. Now Davenport has recruited him to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, promising him “We’ll only give you the hard stuff.”
This case begins as Flowers heads to the western end of the state, to help the local police solve a grisly murder. As he approaches the town, he notices a glow in the sky which can only be a fire. In fact, it is the mansion of a well-known man – Bill Judd – which has erupted in flames, with Judd trapped inside. Not too many people are sorry to see Judd go; years ago he perpetrated a scam involving Jerusalem artichokes which resulted in many farmers losing their land, and one or more suicide. Flowers is curious but doesn’t begin to notice a pattern until yet another murder happens.
Sandford crafts a tight plot with several twists and turns, plenty of suspects, a little love interest, and a skilled, likeable lead detective. I like the way Flowers pieces together the puzzle. He’s deliberate and cautious, but aggressive when questioning a reluctant witness. He’s an astute observer and is careful when drawing conclusions, keeping his theories to himself until he is more certain both of the person he might confide in, and of who the culprit is. If he has a fault, it’s that Virgil is a bit more of a ladies’ man than I like, but he’s always honest about his intentions and women seem to willingly go along for the ride. The supporting characters seem to be a good match for Flowers; they hold their own and support/challenge him as they see fit (including the women).
Sanders is perhaps best known as the author of the Lucas Davenport mystery series set in Minneapolis / St Paul MN. Now he gives one of Davenport’s colleagues his own series. Virgil Flowers has been in the Army and the St Paul Police. Now Davenport has recruited him to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, promising him “We’ll only give you the hard stuff.”
This case begins as Flowers heads to the western end of the state, to help the local police solve a grisly murder. As he approaches the town, he notices a glow in the sky which can only be a fire. In fact, it is the mansion of a well-known man – Bill Judd – which has erupted in flames, with Judd trapped inside. Not too many people are sorry to see Judd go; years ago he perpetrated a scam involving Jerusalem artichokes which resulted in many farmers losing their land, and one or more suicide. Flowers is curious but doesn’t begin to notice a pattern until yet another murder happens.
Sandford crafts a tight plot with several twists and turns, plenty of suspects, a little love interest, and a skilled, likeable lead detective. I like the way Flowers pieces together the puzzle. He’s deliberate and cautious, but aggressive when questioning a reluctant witness. He’s an astute observer and is careful when drawing conclusions, keeping his theories to himself until he is more certain both of the person he might confide in, and of who the culprit is. If he has a fault, it’s that Virgil is a bit more of a ladies’ man than I like, but he’s always honest about his intentions and women seem to willingly go along for the ride. The supporting characters seem to be a good match for Flowers; they hold their own and support/challenge him as they see fit (including the women).
woody1881's review against another edition
4.0
I have wanted to read Virgil Flowers for some time, and here is the first book in his series. I do like the story, I do like the character. It is always a little grating to me when a cop is described as loathe to carry his gun when he is working, it just doesn't ring true. It wouldn't be very smart either. It isn't a big deal here, just one of fiction pet-peeves.
I liked Virgil a lot. I thought the story was pretty good, and for sure worth reading on in the series.
I liked Virgil a lot. I thought the story was pretty good, and for sure worth reading on in the series.
vandermeer's review against another edition
1.0
Wie unglaublich schlecht kann man schreiben und trotzdem veröffentlicht werden? Die Beschreibungen sind unklar und schlecht. Der Protagonist ist ein totaler Idiot. Er sieht eine Frau und fängt sofort an, einem Fremden gegenüber von ihrem Hintern und ihren Brüsten ('Cupcakes', echt jetzt???) zu sprechen? Was, ist der Typ zwölf Jahre alt? Nein danke.
i11iane's review against another edition
4.0
Virgil Flowers is one smart-alec whose exploits and come-backs I enjoy. Nice interwoven plot, looking forward to another Virgil book.
lcoverosey's review against another edition
4.0
Fast paced... Gets you caught up in the web! Of course he gets the girl :)
stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this one before, but it's been a long time. Still a great read. I love the characters and especially Virgil. In spite of reading it before, I still kept guessing who the bad guy was.
janko27's review against another edition
4.0
I'm sure it's just the Midwestern girl in me, and the proximity of the story setting to where I live, but I really enjoyed the apt descriptions of the small town and the region. The story was well paced and Virgil is quite likable. I have the feeling I am really going to enjoy this series.
books4biana's review against another edition
2.0
I spend a lot of time in solitude and thus, power thru audio books. This is a story that left my head almost as soon as I returned the book to the library.