The very first Virgil Flowers novel by internationally bestselling author John Sandford! In the small town of Bluestem, Minnesota, where everybody knows everybody, a house way up on a ridge explodes into flames. Its owner, a man named Judd, is trapped inside and dies. But Judd's death wasn't a tragic accident... someone set his house on fire. Lots of people hated Judd, Flowers discovers. Years ago, Judd had perpetrated a scam that'd driven a lot of local farmers out of business, some even to suicide. There are also rumors ...
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The very first Virgil Flowers novel by internationally bestselling author John Sandford! In the small town of Bluestem, Minnesota, where everybody knows everybody, a house way up on a ridge explodes into flames. Its owner, a man named Judd, is trapped inside and dies. But Judd's death wasn't a tragic accident... someone set his house on fire. Lots of people hated Judd, Flowers discovers. Years ago, Judd had perpetrated a scam that'd driven a lot of local farmers out of business, some even to suicide. There are also rumors swirling around: of some very dicey activities with other men's wives; of involvement with some nutcase religious guy; of an out-of-wedlock daughter. In fact, Flowers concludes, you'd probably have to look hard to find a person who had actually liked the man. But the thing is, Judd's death isn't the first in this small town in recent weeks. Three weeks earlier there'd been another murder - two, in fact - a doctor and his wife. The doctor was found propped up in his backyard, both eyes shot out. Before this, there hadn't been a murder in Bluestem in years - and now, suddenly, three? Flowers knows two things: This wasn't a coincidence, and this had to be personal. But just how personal is something even he doesn't realize, and may not find out until too late. Because the next victim... may be himself. * * * Praise for John Sandford and the Virgil Flowers novels * * * 'Along the way to the satisfying ending, Virgil displays the rough humor and rough justice that make him such an appealing character' Publishers Weekly on Deep Freeze 'A knowing portrait of small-town life layered into a very well plotted mystery. Virgil understands that, in small towns, no one ever outgrows high school... One of the very best novels in a superior series'Booklist (starred review) on Deep Freeze 'Add a gripping storyline, a generous helping of exquisitely conceived characters and laugh-out-loud humor that produce explosive guffaws, not muted chuckles, and you're in for the usual late-night, don't-even-think-of-stopping treat when Flowers hits town' Richmond Times-Dispatch on Deep Freeze 'An outstanding novel' Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Escape Clause 'Perfect entertainment' Kirkus Reviews on Escape Clause
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I like Sandford's style, I enjoyed the book; it is a very good read for a snowy evening when there is nothing to watch on TV.
Nancy D
Dec 21, 2011
good read !
good read for a dreary afternoon - arrived promptly and in good condition
sally f
Nov 24, 2011
I Love Virgil!
I have read all the Virgil Flowers books and highly recommend them all. He is equal to if not better than Lucas Davenport.
SeldomSeen
Mar 4, 2008
For Fans Only
Dark of the Moon is a competent, if uninspiring, police procedural set in a modern high plains small town. Fans of the rural detectives of JA Jance and CJ Box will recognize the smart, but ?just-folks? nature of the protagonist who, in this case, happens to be an outdoor sportsman/freelance writer/ brilliant detective.
There?s some well-drawn characters without a lot of emotional depth and enough conflict and puzzles to keep the author?s many fans turning pages to the resolution. There?s nothing seriously wrong with the plot, the setting or the characters, just nothing extraordinary or particularly surprising.
For fans of the genre only.
CommodoreTVP
Oct 24, 2007
Virgil: the next generation
I miss Lucas Davenport! But Sandford has sculpted an interesting new detective in the character of Virgil Flowers. He's younger and sexier and cockier than Lucas and has the potential to start a whole new franchise for John Sandford as Lucas heads toward retirement.
