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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed reading this book. Didn't care for the ending too much, but other than that - it was a fun read.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
.
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2
John Sandford opened this book with the following preface:
In a sense, John Sandford brought this on himself--if being honest and not giving undo emphasis to something he accepts as normal--should be considered some form of punishment. He’s admitted in various formats that friends and family have plotted Virgil Flowers novels and that he has discussed plot points with his family regarding the Lucas Davenport series. But, like Francis, he has written every word himself. So what do you do? Not say anything and take credit for someone else’s contribution, or acknowledge Chuck Logan--and hopefully persuade someone to pick up one of your friend’s novels--but open yourself up to the inevitable rumors.
I suspect Logan's contribution to Heat Lightning had to do with the Sioux and Chippewa, their reservation, and their relationship to the state and local cops of Minnesota. Sanford has ventured into American Indian territory before, not always successfully. He made some of them the villains of his second Davenport novel, overall a disjointed effort, but Sandford was still finding his way. In later work we’ve met a few Native Americans here and there that were fully rounded characters, as one might expect from a writer who has a Pulitzer Prize nomination for articles on the subject. But the macro relationships have never been explored. Still, just a guess on my part and I could be completely wrong. I have never read Logan so I do not know his strengths or areas of expertise. I have picked up one of his novels so Sandford did succeed there, if that was indeed his goal in his opening disclaimer. When I'll get around to reading it is another matter.
Sandford’s second novel starring Virgil Flowers opens with a call sending him to a nearby veterans' memorial, where a body had been dumped, the details of which exactly matching a body discovered two weeks earlier. It’s your standard Sandford opening concept, designed to draw the reader instantly into the story. What’s not standard is that almost immediately it becomes obvious that this is the work of a professional, not the usual serial killers that pepper John Sandford’s Minnesota. But that's why Lucas Davenport recruited Virgil; to work the tough ones. He finds a thread to follow, which leads to a couple more possibilities, and soon spread before him is a mosaic of vaguely related elements that somehow must have a deeper connection to each other besides the opening plot point: Vietnam. In 2008 the Vietnam War was some 30 years in the past.
What follows showcases the best of John Sandford. Its only fault--possibly a fault--will only be obvious to long time readers, particularly if you read in order. Near the end you'll get the feeling that Sandford is retreading old ground. And he is. But these are different characters. It is a situation now impossible to revisit with Davenport. But Virgil is not Davenport, and this is a different relationship. It also perfectly encapsulates what has been built up over the course of the novel. To me it is entirely appropriate. And it is the final, crowning achievement that makes Heat Lightning his best since Naked Prey.
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2
John Sandford opened this book with the following preface:
Heat Lightning was written in cooperation with my old friend and hunting partner Chuck Logan, the author of a terrific bunch of thrillers of his own--the latest being South of Shiloh from HarperCollins. Chuck and I have shared a number of adventures that later turned up in our books, and that taught us about things like tracking blood trails through the North Woods....And with that a door is opened. Out goes the exclaim: “Ah! So he doesn’t write his own books.” I don't understand it. Dick Francis had to deal with the same thing once he’d mentioned in an interview that his wife did the bulk of the research, even going so far as to becoming a pilot or a photographer once that was decided to be the occupation of his next protagonist. Yet there are reviewers who go out of their way to write “by Dick and Mary Francis.” It doesn't matter that she never wanted credit and that he wrote every word.
In a sense, John Sandford brought this on himself--if being honest and not giving undo emphasis to something he accepts as normal--should be considered some form of punishment. He’s admitted in various formats that friends and family have plotted Virgil Flowers novels and that he has discussed plot points with his family regarding the Lucas Davenport series. But, like Francis, he has written every word himself. So what do you do? Not say anything and take credit for someone else’s contribution, or acknowledge Chuck Logan--and hopefully persuade someone to pick up one of your friend’s novels--but open yourself up to the inevitable rumors.
I suspect Logan's contribution to Heat Lightning had to do with the Sioux and Chippewa, their reservation, and their relationship to the state and local cops of Minnesota. Sanford has ventured into American Indian territory before, not always successfully. He made some of them the villains of his second Davenport novel, overall a disjointed effort, but Sandford was still finding his way. In later work we’ve met a few Native Americans here and there that were fully rounded characters, as one might expect from a writer who has a Pulitzer Prize nomination for articles on the subject. But the macro relationships have never been explored. Still, just a guess on my part and I could be completely wrong. I have never read Logan so I do not know his strengths or areas of expertise. I have picked up one of his novels so Sandford did succeed there, if that was indeed his goal in his opening disclaimer. When I'll get around to reading it is another matter.
Sandford’s second novel starring Virgil Flowers opens with a call sending him to a nearby veterans' memorial, where a body had been dumped, the details of which exactly matching a body discovered two weeks earlier. It’s your standard Sandford opening concept, designed to draw the reader instantly into the story. What’s not standard is that almost immediately it becomes obvious that this is the work of a professional, not the usual serial killers that pepper John Sandford’s Minnesota. But that's why Lucas Davenport recruited Virgil; to work the tough ones. He finds a thread to follow, which leads to a couple more possibilities, and soon spread before him is a mosaic of vaguely related elements that somehow must have a deeper connection to each other besides the opening plot point: Vietnam. In 2008 the Vietnam War was some 30 years in the past.
What follows showcases the best of John Sandford. Its only fault--possibly a fault--will only be obvious to long time readers, particularly if you read in order. Near the end you'll get the feeling that Sandford is retreading old ground. And he is. But these are different characters. It is a situation now impossible to revisit with Davenport. But Virgil is not Davenport, and this is a different relationship. It also perfectly encapsulates what has been built up over the course of the novel. To me it is entirely appropriate. And it is the final, crowning achievement that makes Heat Lightning his best since Naked Prey.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I have been reading Sandford novels for more than 20 years - his new character of Virgil Flowers is fast becoming one of my favorites. Flowers, not your typical "stud" cop, but quite human with his personal weaknesses. Plot lines are generally in rural areas, which, for me is a delightful change. Entertaining read.
I like reading books from a local author and hearing landmarks I know. Also, John Sandford is a great author.
This is the first Virgil Flowers book I've read, and so far, I'm impressed. I didn't think anything would compare to the Lucas Davenport novels, but Sanford has done well with that F*%#ing Flowers. Can't wait to finish this and move on to others...
Sanford has created another great character in Virgil Flowers. A fun read!
Sanford has created another great character in Virgil Flowers. A fun read!
Definite summer beach read. Sanford novels usually center on davenport. This one is about one of his up and comers, Virgil flowers. Like davenport when he was younger, Flowers can't keep it in his pants because he falls in love with just about every woman he encounters. (this is to make women feel better, I suppose)
Anyway, Flowers is investigating a series of murders where the men are dumped at Vietnam vet memorials with a lemon in their mouths. This leads him back to a decades old crime. Pretty easy to pick out at least one of the killers early on, and even though Sanford tries to distract you, you know it's only that.
Can't decide if I like flowers on his own. Tries to humanize him with the fishing and writing sports articles about it. Plus unlike Davenport with his high end fashion, here is a jeans and t-shirt cop, but he spends a big too much time choosing the shirts. Too affected.
Anyway, Flowers is investigating a series of murders where the men are dumped at Vietnam vet memorials with a lemon in their mouths. This leads him back to a decades old crime. Pretty easy to pick out at least one of the killers early on, and even though Sanford tries to distract you, you know it's only that.
Can't decide if I like flowers on his own. Tries to humanize him with the fishing and writing sports articles about it. Plus unlike Davenport with his high end fashion, here is a jeans and t-shirt cop, but he spends a big too much time choosing the shirts. Too affected.
Love Virgil Flowers! All the explaining at the end seemed unnecessary, except for the final conversation with Mai.