Rough Country

A Virgil Flowers Novel

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Eric Conger

The murder of a successful advertising executive leads Detective Virgil Flowers to the unlikely scene of the crime: a peaceful and bucolic wooded resort with as many suspects as it has secrets...

While competing in a fishing tournament in a remote area of northern Minnesota, Virgil Flowers receives a call from Lucas Davenport to investigate a brutal murder at a nearby resort for women only. As Virgil begins investigating, he finds a web of connections between the people at the resort, the victim, and some local women, notably a talented and popular country singer. The more Virgil digs, the more he discovers the arrows of suspicion point in many directions, encompassing a multitude of motivations: jealousy, blackmail, greed, anger, and fear.

Then Virgil discovers something that sends his investigation reeling. This is not the first murder connected to the Eagle Nest Lodge. Nor will it be the last...©2009 John Sandford; (P)2009 Penguin

Critic reviews

Praise for Rough Country

“Rich, satisfying, and frequently hilarious.”—Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly

“Sandford takes literary chances, and he succeeds brilliantly here with Minnesota state cop Virgil Flowers. The characters, especially Flowers, come vividly and delightfully to life, and the dialogue is sprightly, witty, and sometimes sexy. Sandford writes entertainment that’s not to be missed. Grade: A.”—The Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Unexpected twists...Sandford excels at all the required elements of the novelist: plot, personality, and prose. The melding is masterful and produces an exquisitely paced book at once beautiful and profane, a story that fans of both crime-novel approaches can enjoy. He makes Flowers as appealing and captivating a character as always. With a confident touch, Sandford brings it all home in Rough Country.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch

“An entertaining romp...Sandford has long been one of the best crime series mystery writers around. He keeps the pages turning and the dialogue snapping better than anyone this side of Elmore Leonard. An entertaining...and completely engrossing page-turner.”—The Post and Courier

“Fast-paced [and] action-packed.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“It’s a complicated case, but Virgil is up to the task, and, as always, he’s funny, smart, and tough when he needs to be.”—Publishers Weekly

Sandford Does Not Disappoint as Flowers Blooms

Sorry, couldn't resist. When Sandford first spun off the Virgil Flowers novels, my reaction as a dedicated Davenport fan was "oh no, please don't distract your efforts from the next Davenport novel!" I listened to the first Flowers novel (Heat Lightning?), though, and really enjoyed it. This latest story is no different. As always, Sandford spins a complex plot with an unknown killer in an unusual situation in the Minnesota north country.

As is often the case in Sandford's work, there are many characters and while they give the novel a sense of reality and complexity it is somewhat difficult to keep track of them all (a special challenge for an audiobook). In my view the way many of the characters are in the spotlight for a short time and then kind of fade away quickly leads too strongly to the real villain by a simple process of elimination in the reader's mind. That said, though, I really did not figure this one out until Virgil did. And when that key clue came to light - mentioned almost in passing - there was an AHA! moment that made the whole book worthwhile. And there was a twist at the very end in one of the book's key sub-plots that really got me. Others will see this coming but for me it was a bolt from the blue that again made the book really enjoyable.

Eric Conger does a perfect job of the narration. For me his voice is now as much a part of Virgil Flowers as Richard Ferrone's voice is of Lucas Davenport. Production is flawless, well directed, and clear and easy to listen to.

If Sandford holds to his usual cadence there'll be another Davenport story to listen to later this year, and another Flowers story at the beginning of 2011. I already can't wait. Thanks Audible for bringing back one of my favorites.

LOVE VIRGIL FLOWERS!!!

I think I'm going to enjoy this series very much! Sandford has hit pay-dirt with this character! Can't wait to download the next story! It's NEVER boring and keeps me on my toes. Eric Conger is the perfect choice in narrator. I'm delighted to see that he's the voice throughout the series.

that f*****g flowers

Although I am partial to the Davenport series, and love the Kidd series, Virgil is quickly becoming a new fav in my house. I listened to the entire book in one sitting as I drove across country, and every time I had it figured put, a new twist would make me question my reasoning. This book kept me guessing till the end! Can't wait to get started on the next one.

another Fing Flowers story and it's Great!

Sandford's Fisherman sleuth Virgil Flowers almost catches the fish and the ladies, but does catch the bad guy! Fun story!

Decent audio book

I like the Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport series except for the demeaning sexual comments about women as objects for a man’s desire. The plots keep you guessing and the action keeps my interest.