Customer Reviews

Rough Country (A Virgil Flowers Novel)

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Okay, I admit it. I've got a crush on Virgil Flowers, John Sandford's great new detective. Flowers is reminiscent of Lucas Davenport during his younger, single years. Davenport is now older, married, and unfortunately boring. So, I've been thrilled that Sandford created a younger, hipper, sexier detective, one who thinks about God a few minutes every night before he goes to sleep but oozes sex appeal during the daylight hours. Whereas Davenport dealt with his depression and mental demons, Virgil has a brighter outlook on life. That's refreshing.

The plot is fast-paced and involving. While I've been reading John Sandford for almost 20 years, I was wholly taken by surprise at the end of the investigation. The final twist is interesting and unnerving. Totally didn't see that coming. But, it's Virgil Flowers with his quasi surfer look, obscure and sometimes old-school band t-shirts, cool demeanor, and quiet intelligence that really floats my boat. He's a great character. I'm already looking forward to the next book.

I've got to say that Virgil really grows on you. The action and twists kept me guessing the entire time. I couldn't put it down. I've liked Virgil since Invisible Prey, (back then I wondered what kind of a name was Virgil Flowers for a hippy-type cop?) his laid-back manner and his aversion to guns. That's so funny for a cop in his position to not like guns the way he does. I've always liked the Prey novels and John Sandford's really done it up right again. Each Virgil Flower's offering keeps getting better. Although, I felt a little sorry for Virgil at the end of Rough Country. I won't elaborate for spoiler sake. But come on! Didn't he suffer enough in the line of duty? Isn't the hero supposed to get a little something in the end? It was an excellent read all the way around. If John will keep writing them, I'll keep reading them!

I read this book, and I loved it just as much as the previous two Virgil Flowers books. He's an interesting detective, and I always like John Sandford's plots. This one was well thought out, and had a strong ending. What I expect from Sandford. Great as always.

But I am TIRED of reading reviews from people that do nothing but complain about the price. If you have a gripe about the price, contact Amazon customer service! Don't give the book a one-star review because you don't like the price. This is a place for BOOK REVIEWS. It is not a forum for launching a protest against Amazon's pricing policies.
These reviews complaining about the price are improper and unfair to the author, and also unfair to fans who may get the wrong impression of the book.

So please, don't be misled by the bad reviews. This is an excellent read. If you don't like the price, then wait for the paperback.

I've long been a Sanford fan, and have REALLY enjoyed the Virgil Flowers books. I find him fresh and innovative, and a terrific counterpoint to Lucas Davenport's dourness.

There's quite a bit in this book to appreciate: first and foremost, the irony of chronic womanizer and hound Flowers finding himself smack-dab in the middle of a murder case heavily populated with beautiful - and gay - women.

You see, a murder has taken place at a resort hotel patronized exclusively by women - especially gay women. The victim's gay, as are many of the suspects and witnesses and other characters. Gay women.

What's a hound like Virgil to do?

Though this is a really clever device for a while, the blush does come off that rose, and there's only so far it can be driven as the primary mover of the story.

And that's why I didn't rate the book higher. After a while, we have to address the fact that there's supposed to be an actual story here. There is, in a sense: it's fun seeing Virgil driving and flying hither and yon chasing down clues and leads. The problem is this: less than halfway through the book, I'd figured out who the perp was and why that person committed the crime.

Oh, there was a slight twist thrown in at the end that I hadn't figured out, but I had the right perp and motivation at about page 120 or so.

So.... Buyer beware. If you're looking for a puzzler, this isn't going to satisy. If you're looking for a very light romp, some beach or airline reading, then this book's for you.

PS... to you Kindle whiners. This isn't the forum for that. Write an email to Amazon or something. No one wants to wade through your tantrums while trying to figure out if this is a book they want to read.

John Sandford's Rough Country is the third Virgil Flowers novel and the best yet, and it is even better than many of the recent Lucas Davenport Novels. The pace is quick from the beginning, and full of Sandford's humor and wit, as displayed by the three-time divorced gun hating, women and fishing loving BCA detective Virgil Flowers.

I think Flowers is so interesting because he's new. Sandford's iconic character Lucas Davenport has been around awhile and his direction in life is pretty much set. Flowers is what Davenport used to be. Young and free, but without the temper.

The plot is also different. A woman named McDill is murdered while kayaking at a lodge in the woods of Minnesota. Flowers is called into investigate because the victim had some political clout. He quickly discovers this lodge isn't like most others. It caters to mostly women, and women who prefer the company of women. Flowers is first flustered by the number of female suspects. But he soon narrows in on a few characters, including Wendy Ashback, a wannabe country singer, and Zoe, the accountant who hopes to buy the lodge someday. There are many more suspects and there is a lot of money, jealousy, and secrets to be unvieled.

My complaints would be in the handling of the points of view. Sandford writes mostly from Flowers' point of view, but switches to the killer on occasion. This usually works, but I thought perhaps the killer was revealled too early in this one. Also, the whole "whodunnit" and the reasons why, and the way in which Flowers figures everything out, wasn't one of Sandford's best. But the journey to get there was great.

I haven't read a bad John Sandford novel yet. He's been one of my favorite authors since I began reading him. This is a great book and a must read. Even with the acknowledgement of a co-author, this is 100% John Sandford.

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. JOHN SANFORD DOESN'T DESERVE BAD RATINGS FOR AMAZON AND KINDLE ISSUES--IT'S VERY UNFAIR TO AN AUTHOR WHO HAS ENTERTAINED READERS WITH GREAT STORIES FOR YEARS.

I read quite a few procedurals, and since Lucas Davenport first came gunslinging onto the scene chasing the maddog killer, he's consistently been by far my favorite 'serial cop.'

But....

I think I need to confess that I've been cheating on Lucas recently.

With That F***ing Flowers, of all people!

He's just so laid BACK, you know? And always looking for a way to show a girl a good time before he gets his. Not to mention that it's a lot easier to hang out with a guy who wears vintage t-shirts instead of Italian suits.

I find myself watching the release dates list, wondering which of them I'll be spending the night with next. I guess it's a good thing that these are fictional men....

When I first started this book I was afraid maybe I had stepped away from this genre for too long. It felt rough around the edges, seemed more of a "man's" book, and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But, I knew if I walked away from a mystery, it would bug me not knowing who the killer was. So, I stuck it out through the language (which wasn't excessive, but apparently I've been reading books that don't contain a lot), and the focus on the lesbian issues. Then it really started to draw me in, and I was extremely glad I hadn't given up on it. I got a great twist towards then end that I really didn't see coming. I love that because I've read enough of this type of story that I usually can see it coming. The mystery was tied together nicely and the last pages left me laughing!

I think all of you rating this book low due to Kindle prices are selfish and ridiculous! Your one-star review doesn't reflect on the content at all, and I hope you all realize you're missing out on a really great mystery.

This is my first experience with Virgil Flowers and I will definitely be back for more. In fact, I might even order Sandford's backlist from Amazon in hardcover (I hope all you Kindle readers cringe at that!) because the character and plot managed to keep me intrigued from start to finish and had me laughing out loud while developing quite a crush on Virgil (I see I'm not alone in this, as another reviewer noted as well).

ROUGH COUNTRY is a fun, unique mystery that I highly recommend!

Virgil is much more my sort of guy than say...Lucas Davenport. I'm not rich, not into men's fashion and prefer rock band T-shirts and fishing. Virgil lacks the innate violence of Davenport and comes off as more a guy who can do it but would rather not. Lucas has that whole vigilante vibe going on while Virgil would rather not hurt anyone....even a child molester if he can catch him.

Rough country goes into some different social ground in dealing with lesbians and Sandford appears to have a good time poking fun at both the rainbow crowd and the homophobic. I enjoyed it all but he really needs to give me better directions to those fishing lakes instead of just teasing me.