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Camp's interests turned to fiction in the mid-1980s, and he took time off to write two novels which were ultimately accepted for publication: The Fool's Run, a techno-thriller featuring a complex con man known as Kidd, and Rules of Prey, a police procedural starring maverick Minneapolis detective Lucas Davenport. When both books were scheduled (by different publishers) to be released three months apart in 1989, Camp was persuaded to adopt a pseudonym for one. He chose his paternal grandmother's maiden name, "Sandford" for Rules of Prey, and the nom de plume has remained attached to all the books in the series.
Less Dick Tracy than Dirty Harry, hard-boiled, iconoclastic Lucas Davenport is a composite of the cops Camp met while working the crime beat as a reporter. Intelligent and street smart, Davenport is also manipulative and not above bending the rules to get results. And although he has mellowed over time (something of a skirt chaser in his youth, he is now married with children), he remains one of the edgiest and most popular protagonists in detective fiction. Fans keep returning to the Prey books for their intelligently hatched plots, high-octane pacing, and deft, fully human characterizations.
From time to time, Camp strays from his bestselling series for standalone thrillers (The Night Crew, Dead Watch), and in 2007 he introduced a new series hero, Virgil Flowers of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, who debuted in Dark of the Moon. Although he is no longer a full-time journalist, Camp contributes occasional articles and book reviews to various publications. He is also a passionate archaeologist and has worked at a number of digs, mainly in Israel.
The Sandford pseudonym has caused a few problems for Camp in the past. At an airport once, his ticket was reserved under Sandford, while all of his identification, of course, had the name Camp. Luckily, he had one of his novels with him, and thanks to the book jacket photo, he was able to convince airport security to let him on the plane.
The books in Camp's less successful Kidd series (The Fool's Run, The Empress File, The Devil's Code, and The Hanged Man's Song) have been re-released under the Sandford pseudonym.
I truly enjoyed this book! A reader always know they're up for a treat when a new John Sanford novel arrives. I've been a Lucas Davenport fan for a long time now, and this new character, Virgil Flowers, has also gotten me hooked. The tightly woven, well written plots of Sandford's books make it hard to put them down for whatever reason. With the worries of todays economy, it sure is nice to have a good book to escape into. I want to thank the author for such a great read and now I will begin my wait for his next book.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Agent Virgil Flowers is in a fishing tournament when his boss Lucas Davenport calls him. Lucas directs Virgil to investigate the shooting death of Minneapolis ad executive with strong ties to the Democrats Erica McDill at the nearby Eagle Nest Lodge.
Virgil quickly heads to the Grand Rapids to learn what he can at the lodge. He interviews owner Margery Stanhope, who explains most people who stay at the lodge are lesbians. Virgil questions the all girl rock band and wealthy guests who can purchase young men or women for a tryst without blinking. As Virgil investigates he learns there was a homicide here last year that seems unrelated, but now he seeks a link when a third killing occurs. He knows he better find the killer before another homicides occur.
The setting of the lodge being a place for lesbians to relax and have fun makes for a great counter to super womanizer Virgil, who is at his outlandish amusing best as he muses whether he is in heaven or hell. The investigation is super with Virgil adjusting his theory to new clues and especially another homicide. Fans who enjoy the Davenport police procedurals will enjoy the terrific efforts of one of his detectives (see DARK OF THE MOON and HEAT LIGHTNING) whose behavior is quite different from that of his superior.
Harriet Klausner
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 5, 2009
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THIS WAS NOT UP TO PAR WITH THE PREY SERIES. IT JUST SEEMED THE STORY COULD NEVER TAKE-OFF AND JUST WENT IN CIRCLES. THE ENDING WAS PRETTY GOOD, HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR THE FIRST 315 OR SO PAGES PRIOR TO THE LAST 73.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A-Reba
Posted December 27, 2009
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I have really enjoyed this series even though I am only two books in. Virgil is a likeable guy. I love the dry humor--it makes it more real and keeps me turning the page. I haven't read the Prey series, but I definitely intend to after reading these.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 31, 2011
I always enjoyed a good Sanford book, but started to tire of Davenports tough guy act and his brutality. Enter Virgil Flowers who solves cases by talking and listening. He is a master at using the networks and relationships of the townfolk to get to the bottom of things. I love how he tells anyone he may talk to who he thinks may be a suspect.
Virgil is a fresh new character and i cant wait for the next one.
Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2011
Deezly-Doo
Posted November 25, 2011
A Great Read!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 31, 2011
The series has got much better after the first. Still dont like Flowers as much as Davenport, but it's still worth the read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.arlee50
Posted October 13, 2011
Keeps you on the edge of your seat. I still want to know why they call him "That F****** Flowers". He is a great character. Loved all of the books with him in it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Deezly-Doo
Posted September 21, 2011
If you Lucas Davenport, then you already know Virgil. He is a spin-off character from the Prey Series. Virgil lives up to his reputation in this book. A must Read!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.5138643
Posted August 16, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Another good story of Virgil Flowers
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.9928044
Posted April 30, 2011
Otherwise like the surfer type Virgil character. first sanford book most likely will not read another.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 19, 2010
a little annoying with the same suspects from beginning to end.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Virgil Flowers is a minor character in John Sandford's "Prey" series. As the major character in Mr. Sandford's most recent series, these novels are a much lighter read than the Prey series. I enjoy John Sandford's work immensely, falling immediately in love with the Prey Series many years ago. I was somewhat skeptical when I came up on the first in the Virgil Flowers series, but was not disappointed in the least. This third installment in the Virgil Flowers series are just as riveting, but have a much softer edge to them than the Prey Series. There are still crossover references to characters and cases shared amongst the Minnesota BCA, which make the books that much more enjoyable (especially if you read both series). I found the storyline to be quite interesting, especially coming from a male author. However, the mystery and suspense created is typical John Sandford - you get completely involved in the characters and the plot twists until the very end.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ChesbaySailor
Posted April 10, 2010
As a long time Sandford reader ..... frankly, I've read all of his fiction .... Rough Country is in my opinion one of his all time best stories .... period. I struggled a bit with Wicked Prey but Rough Country is a real page turner infused with Sandford's innate humor, particularly evident in one major subplot. The main plot will keep you guessing. There are few current fiction writers, with which I am familiar, whose works possess an element of believability from start to finish. Sandford never disappoints on this level. May he live long and keep his pencil sharpened to write more books as enjoyable as Rough Country.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 16, 2010
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I loved this book. It was a really good "who done it". I read in a magazine that it was one of 2009's best books. I wasn't dissappointed.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I really enjoyed this book. The story was very entertaining, a page turner that I couldn't put down.
I've read the prior two novels in the Virgil Flowers' series and found this one the best yet. Now understand. I'm not expecting a major classic work here. Just a well told, believable mystery with characters that engage me and ring somewhat true. I got both in spades!!
A woman is murdered at a rustic resort in northern Minnesota. She was shot between the eyes while relaxing on a boat floating on a lake one early morning. Why? Thus starts the story. You are lead on a merry chase as Virgil Flowers from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension leads a team trying to solve the case. And what of Little Linda? Take the trip. You'll be glad you did!
I could not put the book down from the start. The pace was quick with the suspect list piling up with each discovery. My only regret is not reading his early Flowers series books prior to this.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Garnet113
Posted February 6, 2010
I especially enjoy John Sanford's Virgil Flowers books. This is the third one I have read. The plots are interesting and the characters quirky and human.
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Overview
The murder of a successful advertising executive leads Detective Virgil Flowers to the unlikely scene of the crime: a peaceful and bucolic wooded resort. But one with as many suspects as it has secrets.