Heat Lightning

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Eric Conger

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

John Sandford's introduction of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator Virgil Flowers in Dark of the Moon was an immediate critical and popular success.

Flowers is only in his late 30's, but he's been around the block a few times, and he doesn't think much can surprise him anymore. He's wrong. It's a hot, humid summer night in Minnesota, and Flowers is in bed with one of his ex-wives (the second one, if you're keeping count ) when the phone rings. It's Lucas Davenport. There's a body in Stillwater, two shots to the head, found near a veterans' memorial . And the victim has a lemon in his mouth. Exactly like the body they found last week.

The more Flowers works the murders, the more convinced he is th at someone's keeping a list, and that the list could have a lot more names on it. If only he could find out what connects them all...and then he does, and he's almost sorry he did. Because if it's true, then this whole thing leads down a lot more trails than he thought it did - and every one of them is booby-trapped.

Filled with the audacious plotting, rich characters, and brilliant suspense, this is Sandford writing at the top of his game.

©2008 John Sanford (P)2008 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“Features a colorful protagonist quite distinct from Davenport, and contains the usual snappy dialogue and suspenseful action.” (The Tennessean)

"A fun, breezy read.” (The Post and Courier)

Another excellent John Sandford book...

This is another excellent John Sandford, Virgil Flowers story. Sandford does a great job moving the story forward while also portray the sick humor of real life.

Good

All of John Sandford's books are good. I've both read and listened to these for many years. The difference is in the narrating. Mr Conger is ok. The problem is Richard Ferrone is GREAT. I search out Sandford book narrated by Richard Ferrone.

Captivating

I found the story really kept my interest. It moved fast and kept me guessing.

Rousted!

This book seemed to proceed slowly for the 2/3. And, then suddenly burst into action, a big improvement.

Love Virgil, hated the between chapter music!

My late husband and I read and/or listened to all of the Lucas & Virgil books. I listened to the 1st of his Letty books and have the next preordered. To try to distract myself from losing my soulmate of 57 years on home hospice two days after Christmas & the tsunami of financial and legal paperwork that involves, I started binge listening again from book 1. After all these years, I’ve forgotten most of the details so they’ve been like new. Reading back to back to back, it was especially interesting watching both Sandford’s and Lucas’ growth as novelist and character. I’ve always loved Virgil but the between the chapters music was a big mistake. Sandford writes to keep you turning the pages, even when you know you should be going to sleep. Why break up the momentum and remind listeners the chapter is over? And it’s quite a long, annoying piece of music. But I’m still giving this a 5 because that doesn’t reflect against the writer nor narrator.

why the music ?

love everything about this book/series except for the random music in between parts
...weird! great story great narrator,love the humor.. love.that fucking Flowers !!

What is up with the music???

I'm not done with the book yet, what I've listened to so far is fine. I just wanted to know who decided to put the random bursts of music in this production?? It is horrible & distracting. I really hope the other books don't have it in it.

Music?

Why did you not use music that went with the t-shirt Virgil was wearing the Nostradamus of the awful sounds you did use?

Another good one by Sandford

I enjoy the Lucas Davenport series and liked the first Virgil Flowers book, so i was looking forward to this one. I guess i just like the way Sandford writes. This was a good book with good narration. Nothing too deep really, just entertaining crime fiction. I think i like the fact that Virgil is the rare fictional cop who doesn't hate life, have a drinking problem or an ex-wife who wants him dead. It's a little refreshing. I'll get the next one in this series for sure.

Excellent

Much better reader this time! Eric Conger fixed his problems from the last book. Yay! Great story! Looking forward to the next one.