Heat Lightning (Virgil Flowers, No. 2) (U)

John Sandford's introduction of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator Virgil Flowers in Dark of the Moon was an immediate critic al and popular success "An immensely satisfyingtale by a writer at the top of his game" (The Providence journal); "an idiosyncratic, thoroughly ingratiating hero" (Booklist); "Sandford makes Flowers such an interesting character, and this is such a good story, that you'll be up late" (Richmond Times-Dispatch). But now it's Flowers who's up late. Flowers is only in his late thirties, 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 (thes econd 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....Publishers WeeklySandford follows up Virgil Flowers's first time in the center spotlight (2007's Dark of the Moon) with this captivating mystery. While investigating a brutal murder in suburban Minnesota, Flowers discovers the killing is part of a series of murders of Vietnam veterans who all served together. Eric Conger's gritty reading is perfectly suited to Sandford's literary world. His voice is at once serious and invigorating, drawing listeners into the story and setting loose the all-out anarchy that Sandford meticulously crafts throughout. Conger refreshingly underplays Flowers, opting to steer clear of stereotypes and offers a character so real and flawed that he creates an instant connection with listeners. A Putnam hardcover (Reviews, Aug. 25). (Sept.)Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.