Rough Country

A Virgil Flowers Novel

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Eric Conger

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Virgil's always been known for having a somewhat active, er, social life, but he's probably not going to be getting too many opportunities for that during his new case. While competing in a fishing tournament in a remote area of northern Minnesota, he gets a call from Lucas Davenport to investigate a murder at a nearby resort, where a woman has been shot while kayaking. The resort is for women only, a place to relax, get fit, recover from plastic surgery, commune with nature, and while it didn't start out to be a place mostly for those with Sapphic inclinations, that's pretty much what it is today.

Which makes things all the more complicated for Virgil, because as he begins investigating, he finds a web of connections between the people at the resort, the victim, and some local women, notably a talented country singer.

©2009 John Sandford (P)2009 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Rich, satisfying, and frequently hilarious.” (Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly)

"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)

“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)

I love Virgil!

What made the experience of listening to Rough Country the most enjoyable?

John Sandford's writing and Eric Conger's reading. Eric brings the writing alive. He is more of an actor than an attractive voice just reading the words.I

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rough Country?

Virgil Flower has a way with women. I loved the scene where he is starting to embed himself into the investigation by getting to know the locals. This time he gets it wrong and is trying to seduce a lesbian.

What about Eric Conger’s performance did you like?

This is by far the best reading of ANY artist. Conger's reading of all the Virgil Flower's books is spot on.

Any additional comments?

Listen to all the Flower's books and Eric Conger---What a treasue!

Virgil...hmmm

narrator was great and knows how to read the story. couldn't stop listening until the very end. poor Virgil got his man but not the woman

Worth the credit

I’m never disappointed with a John Sandford novel. I thought I had heard them all but this one I skipped some how.

Complex Murder Plot .....

I enjoy Virgil Flowers stories. This murder mystery is an easy listen with a number of characters to keep straight without being overwritten. The story is told in an interesting way without too much fluff. It held my attention from the very beginning with the mysterious sniper killing. I liked how Sandford described the murder scene and the search for clues along the swampy banks of a river. I could "see" the scene and felt like I was there watching rather than listening. There are twists and turns with a good bit of humor and a couple of interesting subplots weaved in and out of the storyline.

Eric Conger is an excellent narrator. He performed the story very well.

Finally

This is the first Virgil Flowers book I've really enjoyed. I hope the rest r as good because the first two weren't!!!

Poor Virgil

This is a keeper. Virgil is so human. Sandford's Virgil Flower is a great down to earth kind of a guy. Sandford leaves enough out to keep you guessing but not so much that you lose interest. I suspected the ending but it was funny how Sandford pulled it off. Poor Virgil.

Good story, even better narrator

If you could sum up Rough Country in three words, what would they be?

Intricate, interesting, entertaining

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoy the way John Sandford uses his characters. Whatever action they take always seems exactly right, they never behave out of character.

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

I can't imagine hearing anyone else read a Virgil Flowers book. His performance is excellent and his voices seem exactly right, even for characters I've read about in other books by Sandford.

FINALLY!!!!

I've liked Virgil all along but compared to the Prey series there was just something lacking ... until now. This was one of those books you hate coming to a close. Enjoyed every minute and hope Sandford keeps up the pace. Eric Conger does a top notch job with Virgil.

I am half in love with Virgil “F***ing” Flowers.

I am half in love with Virgil “F***ing” Flowers. I just adore this character. As with the other books, I couldn’t wait to get back in my car to keep listening. In my opinion, the book is about Virgil and the case takes second stage.

What I liked in the book is the author seemed to want to focus on letting us get to know Virgil a little better. We met a friend from outside of work. We learn about some of his ex-wives. We also learn that Virgil likes his job but it isn’t his only motivation. I also liked that Virgil’s love life was less of a focus in this book and it helped you focus on Virgil’s intelligence as a detective. We get a real focus into the way Virgil sees and parsecs information on the case.

The case in this book was not that engaging to me and I admit I didn’t really about whodunnit. I just felt like it lacked the intensity of the first two cases in this series. Eric Conger has one of the best voices to me. I look forward to the next one.

Pretty good book

The only part of this book that really irritated me and this is a spoiler sort of is when the owner compares her whorehouse to Hooters it says it's the same thing it's not the same thing it's not even close but the author just has Virgil completely ignored I would have liked at least a token effort at refuting what she said and yes I know Virgil supposed to be this really kind of liberal guy it's probably supposed to be more leaning in that way