Mad River

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Eric Conger

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Bonnie and Clyde, they thought. And what's-his-name, the sidekick. Three teenagers with dead-end lives, and chips on their shoulders, and guns.

The first person they killed was a highway patrolman. The second was a woman during a robbery. Then, hell, why not keep on going? As their crime spree cuts a swath through rural Minnesota, some of it captured on the killers' cell phones and sent to a local television station, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator Virgil Flowers joins the growing army of cops trying to run them down. But even he doesn't realize what's about to happen next.

©2012 John Sandford (P)2012 Penguin Audio

It's always the journey with Sanford.

If you like entertainment that lets you think then this book is for you. With Sanford the Flower books are almost always the same - no mystery as to whodunit. But that misses the point. These are wonderful stories of mid-west Americans that for this left coaster hit all the romantic notions of what are the real shades of grey in the world of crime. The same mass culture that produces intelligent detectives has the opposite effect on alienated youth. Nobody does it better or more entertainingly than John Sanford.

Mad River by John Sandford Review

What made the experience of listening to Mad River the most enjoyable?

John Sandford is my favorite author of thriller novels, and he did not fail me with this book. I love the characters and the sense of humor. Even though the murders are always gruesome, I'm just fascinated by the clever writing. I enjoyed this book very much, and John Sandford is still at the top of my list. The reader was very good, although I prefer Richard Ferrone, who reads the Lukas Davenport (Prey) series by Sandford.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Virgil Flowers, of course!

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

No.

solid Virgil story

Solid Virgil Flowers book. All of the elements of good detective work backgkinded in rural Minnesota.

2nd in row missing complexity

The last two in this series played out methodically. Piece after piece fell together without much complexity or suspense. However, Virgil becomes more interesting as a character and is a bit more humorous.

Another great Virgil Flowers story

Would you listen to Mad River again? Why?

I have read or listened to all of John Sandford's novels. Hit characters are well developed and plots full of twists and suspense. This novel featuring his Virgil Flowers character was no exception.

What about Eric Conger’s performance did you like?

Even when I read one of Sandford's books, I hear Eric Conger's voice. He is one if my favorite Audible narrators. He does a great job helping listeners follow different characters.

A Great Tale

A different tact for the author. He shows us more of the mind of Virgil Flowers than we usually see. Virgil Flowers is not only cool but human. This is a fun read.

Love Flowers! Great Series!

If you could sum up Mad River in three words, what would they be?

Great Series

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mad River?

The moments leading up to the bridge part

What does Eric Conger bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Eric brings life to this series and the voices he changes are what make the differnence

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yeah!,but did it in 2 parts had to get some sleep for work the next day

Any additional comments?

Want to see more of the flowers series and more of the Lucas D with Virgil

Entertaining story, but I honestly don't like...

...Eric Conger's narration..
I've been a fan of John Sandford ever since I picked up a copy of "Rules of Prey" many many years ago I've read, in one form or another, every "Prey" novel that has been published but only became aware of the Virgil Flowers series after I became a member of Audible, so naturally I just had to read them too.

I won't go into too much detail about the story, I personally hate reviews that just regurgitate a book's plot so I'll simply state that I found the story to be entertaining, a couple of nice call backs to the events in some of the earlier "Prey" novels, but to be honest it doesn't stay with you the way some of Sandford's other novels have a tendency to do.
My only real "problem" with the audiobook is Eric Conger's narration, he doesn't seem able or willing to actually "voice" the various characters, at one point early in the novel Lucas Davenport is talking to Virgil about Virgil's vacation and it was difficult for me to figure out who was suppose to be speaking, by comparison, Richard Ferrone in the Prey series is able to easily switch between Lucas and Virgil and make it clear who is speaking.just by the tone/inflection of the character.
Conger isn't as bad as some of the "old school" Books on Tape readers, but he's just not an engaging narrator.

Good Stuff !

John Sandford did a great job again with this Virgil Flowers novel. Never a dull moment with Virgil around. Good story line and the Narrator did a fine job too. Can't wait for another Virgil Flowers story to come out !

John Sandford does it again!

This is a Virgil Flowers mystery and lives up to the previous ones. A story that keeps moving forward with twist that are not expected. The young people that are the problem are interesting and are the basis for all the action to find a killer. The numerous police forces involved are also important to the story. It keeps going to the last page.