Rough Country Audiobook – Virgil Flowers, Book 3

Rough Country Audiobook: Navigating the Treacherous Waters of Murder and Mystery with Virgil Flowers

Rough Country Audiobook is the third story in the Virgil Flowers thriller series by John Sandford and revolving around a roving detective with a penchant for band T-shirts and writing fishing and hunting articles. This murder mystery is an easy listen with a number of characters to keep straight without being overwritten.

As always, Sandford spins a complex plot with an unknown killer in an unusual situation in the Minnesota north country.

Filled with the brilliant plotting and compulsively readable prose that are his hallmarks, Rough Country is another “immensely satisfying tale by a writer at the top of his game” (The Providence Journal-Bulletin).

Plot 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.

This 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, and the more he digs, the move he discovers the arrows of suspicion that point in many directions, encompassing a multitude of motivations: jealousy, blackmail, greed, anger, fear.

And then he discovers that this is not the first murder, that there was a second, seemingly unrelated one, the year before. And that there’s about to be a third, definitely related one, any time now.

And as for the fourth… well, Virgil better hope he can catch the killer before that happens.

Because it could be his own.

About the Author

John Sandford is the pseudonym for the Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist John Camp. He is the author of twenty-six Prey audiobooks (most recently Extreme Prey); four Kidd audiobooks; eight Virgil Flowers audiobooks; two YA novels coauthored with his wife, Michele Cook; and three other books, including Saturn Run. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Reviews

It was a crisp autumn evening when I nestled into my favorite armchair, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, ready to plunge into the murky depths of John Sandford’s Rough Country. The room was silent except for the soft crackle of the fireplace – a perfect setting for an audiobook that promised to wrap its suspenseful tendrils around me. As an ardent mystery aficionado, there’s nothing I relish more than a narrative that beckons me into its intricate web, and with Eric Conger’s voice set to lead the way, I pressed play.

From the onset, Rough Country seized my attention. The juxtaposition of serene nature against a violent crime is something Sandford portrays with unnerving ease. Virgil Flowers stands as a beacon of flawed humanity amidst chaos – his personal life in disarray, yet his detective instincts as sharp as ever. It’s this dichotomy that makes him such a compelling protagonist; he’s someone who can’t escape his calling even when leisurely casting lines during a fishing tournament.

The murder scene that Virgil stumbles upon shatters any illusion of tranquility. A woman killed while kayaking seemed straightforward enough until it became clear that this wasn’t just any resort – it was exclusively for women, doubling as a haven and possibly harboring sinister secrets beneath its surface. With every suspect being female and plastic surgeries offering potential disguises, Sandford cleverly constructs layers upon layers of intrigue.

As I listened to Conger narrate each twist and turn with impeccable clarity and precision, I found myself transported to the very banks of Minnesota’s lakeside resort. His voice carried the grittiness of an experienced detective mixed with the subtle undercurrents of surprise as new revelations came to light.

Sandford’s writing style echoes elements from his other works like Bloody Genius and Neon Prey, particularly in how scenes develop abruptly yet seamlessly – much like the unexpected rapids one might encounter on calm waters. This approach keeps you on your toes, making predictions futile as each chapter offers new potential leads or dead ends.

Delving deeper into Virgil’s investigation felt akin to peeling back layers of an onion – each layer revealing connections extending beyond the resort’s confines. The murdered woman’s ties to external entities not only expanded the suspect pool but also amplified my curiosity about how these threads would intertwine in conclusion.

As hours passed unnoticed and my coffee turned cold beside me, I realized just how masterfully Sandford weaves his tales; they’re not merely stories but immersive experiences that hold you captive until resolution is met – and even then leave you pondering long after.

For those eager to embark on this gripping journey through Rough Country, it may please you to know that this enriching audiobook experience is available for free download at Audiobooks4soul.com – an opportunity no mystery lover should pass up.

In reflection, what stood out most about this audiobook was its ability to balance intensity with methodical pacing. Virgil Flowers’ character development continued to impress me – he is both relatable and extraordinary in his dedication. Moreover, Eric Conger’s narration was nothing short of exemplary; he brought life to every character without overshadowing Sandford’s storytelling prowess.

Rough Country isn’t just another entry in a series; it’s proof positive that John Sandford understands what keeps readers – and listeners – hooked: complex characters embroiled in even more complex situations where danger lurks behind every peaceful facade.

As I closed my eyes post-listening session, still ensconced in my armchair sanctuary, echoes from Virgil Flower’s latest case reverberated within me – a testament to Sandford’s skill at crafting narratives that linger like whispers in quiet rooms long after their telling has ceased.

Eagerly awaiting our next narrative adventure – with ears perked for whatever may come – I bid fellow book enthusiasts happy listening until we meet again through whispered words and daring deeds.
With anticipation,

Stephen

Listen & download free

Rough Country by John Sandford is now available in audible format, mp3 is more than 10 hours long, yet the narration by Eric Conger is so enticing that you get hooked instantly, and keep you up at night listening!