Heat Lightning

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Eric Conger

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

Virgil Flowers is only in his late 30s, 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 that someone's keeping a list, and that the list could have a lot more names on it. If only he could find out what connectsthem all...and then he does, and he's almost sorry he did. Because if it's true, then thiswhole 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 topof his game.

©2008 John Sandford; (P)2008 Penguin

Heat Lightning with Virgil Flowers

"That F*!#ing Flowers!" We've all heard that exclamation coming from Lucas Davenport, his boss Rosemarie Roux, and other working compatriots of Virgil Flowers over the years of John Sandford's novels, but we've never really known why. Now, we know! Virgil Flowers is brought forward in this Sandford book and is really given some character. The story line has lots of twists and turns-- CIA involvement in a 30-plus year Viet Nam War-era coverup that extends into a current-day Minnesota killing spree-- and like his boss Lucas Davenport in his Porsche, Virgil drives his old pickup truck through them all, getting shot at the whole time. Flowers is an amazing investigator-- a little crazy, perhaps, or maybe just "unconventional"-- but with an uncanny ability to figure out the "who dunit" of the crimes while on one of his well-known fishing trips. Muskie and Northern Pike fishing will never be the same... Virgil Flowers really comes out as a "fleshed-in" character-- more than just an honorable mention in a Lucas Davenport story. A great "listen"-- I loved it!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Virgil, Virgil, Virgil!

What made the experience of listening to Heat Lightning the most enjoyable?

John Sandford is great at description. His characters are real-bad habits and not always tightly wrapped! He makes you "see" an area that he clearly loves and he tells a good story. I like all of his books but especially the Virgil Flowers series! I love series with interesting characters that make you want to read more about them. You can't go wrong with a book by John Sandford.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not "edge of my seat" but certainly in it until the story was finished.

What about Eric Conger’s performance did you like?

Narrators can make or break a good audiobook. Eric is a very good narrator. He is perfect for this series and I enjoy the sound of his voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, I can't say that. I just liked the whole thing which I think is more important.

Too much violence

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Less graphic description of torture before victims were killed.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Nothing by this author, that's for sure!

Did Eric Conger do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

No, not at all. He had a strange intonation in his reading that was distracting and irritating.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Revulsion.

Any additional comments?

I couldn't even finish this. I got less than eighth of the way through and couldn't bear it anymore. Neither the reading nor the content. A credit wasted...

Like this Author

Love to read or listen to this author. Can't wait until the his next book hits the market.