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

Love that Virgil!

I liked this one better than the last couple of Virgil Flowers book, though they were good. I thought this one had a better story. I always like when there is at least a bit of Lucas Davenport in it also. I also like when Virgil has a bit of a fling, though Sandford cannot write a sex scene. But the characters have that "true" flavor with conversations that sound like real people. And while there is no mystery, since you know from the start "who-dun-it", there's still the figuring out how to catch them. Eric Conger doesn't do a great range of voices, but you expect him to read the Virgil books, so it's all good.

Good bugt less of an edge

Virgil is good but he's got less of an edge to him than Lucas does. Not that, it's bad but it is a bit different. I still like the books a great deal as Virgil can be kind of a wild hare some times.

I miss Virgil when I finish a book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I love John Sandford's writing style and Eric Conger's narration. Always a good story !

Virgil: your guide to the Minnesota underworld

Sanford is one of the few American mystery writers who can actually write. Crais, Lehane, a few others maybe, but too many seem to be putting their names on stuff written by aspiring English majors who went to too many writing workshops. Rant off, sorry.

But Virgil is always fun, ever ready with a felicitous turn of phrase, like "she had a fondness for little white truck driver pills she bought from little white truck drivers." And later, over a cheeseburger and fries after being on the receiving end of a major asskicking, he feels guilty: "When you get released from a hospital, shouldn't you eat something healthy? Lettuce or something?" ROFL

Eric Conger's narration is pitch perfect -- one of those magic books (in this case, a whole series) where the audio version is way better than reading it yourself.

Decent Sandford entry

I would give this 3 1/2 stars if I could and Eric Confer turns in his expected laudable performance. This is just a decent entry compared to Sandford's best, though.

That said, Mad River is superior to most police procedurals/mysteries that come out. I love John Sandford's books and find them a great, light reading experience. While this isn't his best, I'd still recommend it.

Favorite so far.

Where does Mad River rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Best so far

What did you like best about this story?

Characters, both good and bad had traits I could relate to, even though not pleasant traits at times.

Fantastic

Another solid book by John Sanford. Keeps you on the edge of your seat till the very end.

Virgil being Virgil

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

It is great being back with Virgil Flowers in his hometown, meeting his parents, and riding around with him on a crazy case!

What about Eric Conger’s performance did you like?

Eric Conger has a great voice, very versatile when it comes to characterization. I identify his voice with Virgil, of course. But he is also really good with Lucas Davenport.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The kids are dangerous as hell, but hey, they aren't all that bad.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy John Sandford novels, you will love this one.

Delicious Twists......

John Sanford's plot continues to peak the listeners attention on a on-going basis.....the plot has very interesting twists.....it takes one unexpected turn after another....but is comfortably understandable.....and urges one to keep listening !!!!!!
Great narration...great story line......just plain over-all great book

I ended this one in tears, so great!

It started some what slow but it ended with me an emotional wreck. Great book.