"Same old Flowers shit. You gotta ride with it."

For years, my favorite literary crime hero was James Patterson's Alex Cross. While I still faithfully read the Cross series, John Sandford's Virgil Flowers has recently ascended to the top spot. There's something about his eccentric investigative antics and never wavering moral compass that makes Flowers a must read. Like any long-running series, Virgil Flowers has had his highs and lows. The last two novels, both focusing largely on finding missing animals, have been true to form. Beyond his usual case studies, Flowers was allowed to truly evolve as a character in new and exciting ways. With Deep Freeze, the tenth installment in this series, John Sandford attempts to take his character to new heights by returning to a familiar setting.

The rough and tumble lady's man Virgil Flowers has been steadily dating his girlfriend Frankie for the last several books. Seeing the way Frankie interacts with her sons has started to cause Virgil think about potentially being a father one day, a role the three time divorcee never imagined he would even consider. The couple's vacation is cut short when Virgil is called by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to travel to Trippton, Minnesota. Virgil has a troubled history with the small town. The last time he was there, he encountered a dog smuggling ring and a corrupt and murderous school board.

This trip sees Virgil investigating the murder of a local banker who was pulled from a frozen river by a local fisherman. She was last seen alive at her home where she hosted a meeting of several other townspeople. They were gathered to plan their 20th high school reunion. As Virgil begins to interview the attendees of that meeting, he begins to see that each of these people may have had some incentive to murder the victim. What is it with this small town?!

As if things weren't already complicated enough, Virgil also receives a request directly from the governor's office. Mattel, maker of Barbie, has commissioned a lawyer from LA to present a cease and desist to a local woman who has been buying, altering, and reselling the dolls. She adds voice boxes to the dolls that cause them to spew suggestive and highly off-brand sounds that Mattel is eager to see stop. The problem is, the this seemingly insignificant operation puts food on the table to many struggling families within the Trippton community. Citizens are less than eager to assist in this particular investigation.

In this tenth novel in the Virgil Flower series, John Sandford continues to develop his character in ways that make this long-running series seem as fresh as ever. Virgil seems to be more calculated in his approach to investigation and takes less risks than he did in earlier novels. This can probably attributed to his relationship with Frankie. There's a couple close calls in this book that have him pleading with police to not inform Frankie of what happened. His concern for her well-being has definitely shifted his actions. Still, he continues to have the quick wit and keen ability to read between the lines of the people he interviews. I always marvel at Sandfords ability to reveal a killer from the start of a book and still hold my attention and create suspense out of an investigation that I know the answer to. Deep Freeze is no different. It is the perfect display of Sandford's writing prowess and the wonderful character he has created. Bring on the next Virgil Flowers adventure!

Virgil Flowers, ace investigator for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is called from vacation to Trippton, Minnesota, a small river town south of Minneapolis. An attractive middle-aged woman who owned the local bank has been murdered and her body has been deposited in the frozen Mississippi River. She had hosted a high school class reunion organizational meeting the night before so several of her former classmates as well as her estranged husband and his boyfriend are prime suspects. Virgil’s inquiries send him through the private and business life of the deceased. As in all Sandford novels, the killer is revealed to the reader and we see the criminal’s motivation and efforts to cover up the crime well before Virgil does. The killer’s effort to cover up includes the murder of a second woman and deadly warnings directed at Virgil.

To complicate Virgil’s investigation, his boss asks him to casually attend to another matter in Trippton, this one of interest to the governor. Apparently a small group of women in Trippton are altering Barbie dolls by installing erotic noises and selling them online. The Mattel Corporation, a political supporter of the governor and maker of Barbie dolls wants this to stop immediately. Virgil is ordered to assist a private detective already in Trippton to find the doll manipulators. Virgil soon learns these women are desperate for the extra income and are protective of their co-conspirators. While Virgil clearly sympathizes with the women, he is duty bound to stop their operation.

Flowers’ laid back investigative style is all wrong according to every crime show on TV. He is open with information which tends to get back to the suspect but somehow always works out in Flowers’ favor… thus the universal response from those who know he’s coming, ‘That f…ing Flowers.’ Sandford’s protagonist is unorthodox but likable and effective, the perfect combination for a good investigator and the perfect character for a good read.

Never one to disappoint, John Sandford provides another entertaining book starring his favorite character, Virgil flowers!

OK, I’m biased. I admit it! I love Virgil Flowers (aka “That f----- g Virgil Flowers,” as he is often referred to). Virgil is an investigator with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), sometimes sidekick to Lucas Davenport (one of Sandford’s most frequent protagonists), hunter and fisherman, wildlife photographer, and good guy.

So I was pleased to settle in with Virgil’s latest adventure in Sandford’s new title, Deep Freeze. (with thanks to Penguin Group/Putnam and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review). Virgil’s most recent adventure takes him back to the town of Minnesota, where in Sandford’s Deadline he dealt with a corrupt and murderous school board. Now, a local woman has been found dead, frozen in a big block of ice. Apparently she is part of a group planning a high school reunion, so members of the group all need to be investigated.

The book opens with the murder, including the identity of the murderer, so it isn’t really a “whodunit”—but Virgil is on the case, so we know it will be solved somehow, and it will be entertaining. At the same time as this murder is being investigated, Virgil is tasked by the governor to investigate another situation in Trippton: some women are making a living by modifying Barbie and Ken dolls in an interesting (some might say obscene) way. When Virgil starts to investigate, he is beaten by a group of women who just want to be left alone to make a living in this economically distressed time and place.

I love the way Sandford captures the feeling of the locations in his work. This time, I felt cold just reading about the Minnesota weather – but I could still visualize the natural beauty. And Virgil also generally meets up with interesting characters, which Sandford captures perfectly. This time, we again encounter Johnson Johnson, one of his best friends. Sandford (and Virgil) warm my heart with observations like this: “Pretty people, Virgil believed, both male and female, had a totally unwarranted, unearned lifelong advantage over average and ugly people.” And “As he drove up the driveway, it occurred to Virgil that if it had been a scene from a Stephen King movie, somebody was gonna die and it was gonna be ugly.”

It is part of the Virgil Flowers series, but stands on its own. Although there is plenty of the expected humor in this book, beneath the laughs it really is is a fairly dark story of rejection, economic hardship, and violence. So, overall, I really enjoyed the experience of reading it, and I will eagerly grab the next Sandford release – but this one loses a star for the ending. I hated it. Just didn’t work for me. (Not the ending of the mystery – the actual final paragraph). Four stars.

I'd love to meet Virgil Flowers. There. I said it. He's long been a favorite character (this is, I believe, his 10th book). Actually, so is the author's other series hero, Lucas Davenport, but Virgil always won out (if only by a little bit). I'm not exactly sure why, except Virgil has that "bad boy" appeal - coupled with an irresistible offbeat - many would say irreverent - sense of humor.

But Virgil wasn't all that thrilled to get involved here, for a couple of reasons. First, he's still got a couple of days left on his week's vacation. Second, the case takes him back to Trippton, Minnesota, where a while back he dealt with members of a local school board who put a unique twist on the concept of education. Now, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agent has been called in to help with the murder of a very wealthy, divorced businesswoman whose body literally was fished out of a mostly frozen river. On the suspected night of her death, she'd hosted a get-together of planners of their high school class's 20-year mid-winter reunion - and as Virgil somewhat reluctantly begins his investigation, he learns the planning committee members may have been closer to enemies than friends.

Then, along comes another investigation - this one at the insistence of the Minnesota governor - and Virgil is even more reluctant to get involved. Mattel, it seems, has paid a California lawyer to track down whoever's been buying up Barbie dolls - then modifying them to "talk" using, shall we say, very suggestive phrases and reselling them on the black market. Just for the record, being not even close to a fan of Barbies (Ken and Skipper? Not in this lifetime), I immediately gave the perps points for ingenuity despite realizing (of course) the gravity of the crime.

The Barbie-doll lawyer isn't the most pleasant of women (that she keeps bugging Virgil to work harder to catch the culprits while he's busy on the other murder case is one of her less endearing qualities). To make matters worse, that murder is followed by a second - and now Virgil really has his hands full; dealing with two issues at once really puts his nose out of joint. As usual, Virgil works everything out in the end, taking readers along for another fun ride.

Maybe it's just me, but I sense that Virgil seems to have mellowed a bit over the last couple of books (or at least, ever since he hooked up with girlfriend Frankie). Of course, no one can stay young and irresponsible forever - this, I believe, is the tenth book - but I really do miss his feistiness. On the plus side, though, he's still got his chuckle-eliciting one-liners. When, for instance, Virgil is told that Amazon sells "sex toys" all of which are eligible for Amazon Prime, he doesn't miss a beat.

"That's a relief. I'd hate to wait for three days," he quips.

Virgil, my man, you've still got it (and if you'd like to discuss that over a cold Leinenkugel next time you're passing through my part of Ohio, give me a jingle - I'm buying). Meantime, many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I do believe I've talked before about the series I read cos they comfort me. Not in a hot toddy and blanket way. Although maybe that is exactly how they comfort me... if a hot toddy involves alcohol of some sort.... but either way, what I'm saying is John Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers (aka that f*cking Flowers) series are a couple I rely on to get me through the hard times. And the easy times.

Any time really.

I missed the last book in this series and Sandford's books seem hard to get hold of as a reviewer. In Australia. And of course my TBR pile is such that I only venture outside of it during the week I take 'off' as a Christmas break so other than that I kinda stick to the books I'm sent by publishers.

Anyhoo, I hadn't remembered Virgil has hisself a girlfriend. (And yes, I meant the double 'ss' thing there. Down with the lingo of Minnesotans as I am. Although I'm not entirely sure where Minnesota is. Maybe I'm thinking of Texas? Yes, ignorant Aussie here.)

As is SO often the case with Flowers, he's on leave when he gets the call that there's a crime he just MUST investigate. As an aside... in that respect, I'm pretty sure he has more fishing, photography and writing weekends and holidays than any other cop I've read about.

So he's on the trail of the killer, though all and sundry seem to believe the death in question will be some sort of accident. Or something. Town tycoon and banker Gina Hemming was not particularly loved locally but similarly it seems no one really hated her enough to cosh her with something, drag her to an icy river and dump her in it.

As usual Flowers plays hard and fast with the law, cutting corners and more interested in justice than legalities which of course is his raison d'être.... as the case may be.

Of course, Flowers gets himself involved in another local case with a private investigator. I initially liked PI Margaret Griffin and wondered if she'd spin off into her own series. She's savvy. Disenfranchised and disillusioned enough to warrant airtime from the author who's give us Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport. But after a good start she (and her case involving sexualised Mattel Barbie dolls - yes really!) became a bit unwieldy and kinda pointless.

I was perhaps a little disappointed in this book as it brought nothing really new. There is perhaps a bit of character growth or change afoot for Virgil at the end of this book but the crime / whodunnit itself wasn't hugely alluring. We meet the killer in the beginning so I kept waiting for a twist or something to jolt me out of my malaise. And I know these are crime fiction / police procedurals more than thrillers but it all felt a bit stale.

Sandford has recently changed up Lucas's role and I wonder if Virgil needs a kick up the butt as well. Don't get me wrong, I'll keep coming back for more (for now) but though I used to love his schtick, it now feels a bit 'done'.

Is it is just me, I wonder? I'll be keen to hear what others think.

3-3.5 stars

Loved it! Funny, intriguing, a great story. I really like the way Virgil makes friends with various people in the town. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I got sneak preview of this one last spring when I made a long drive to attend a John Sandford signing, and he told us about the current book he was fighting a deadline on that he was going to have to spend the evening working on when he got back to the hotel. All work and no play may make Jack a dull boy, but it makes John one of the best and most productive thriller writers on the bestseller list.

It’s another hard Minnesota winter in the small town of Trippton, but there’s spot near the sewage treatment plant where the river doesn’t freeze. That’s where the body of the lady who owned the local bank pops up, and soon state cop Virgil Flowers is on the job. Virgil is familiar with Trippton because his fishing buddy Johnson Johnson lives there, and he also worked another case there just a few books back.

Complicating the murder investigation is the side gig his bosses want Virgil to help with that involves a ring of the locals adding sound chips to Barbie dolls that make it sound as if she’s having orgasms and selling them on the web. The Mattel corporation has no sense of humor about these so-called Barbie-Ohs and has dispatched a private detective to serve cease-and-desist orders, but the hard boiled lady gumshoe is having no luck tracking down the people involved. Virgil isn’t happy about such a silly distraction, but he finds out the hard way that times are so tough in this struggling small town that the people involved are desperate to keep anyone from interfering with the income they make from selling the dolls.

This is pretty typical Sandford in a lot of ways. Virgil gets a case in a rural Minnesota town, and he tries to solve it using his sneakily low key way of chatting up people and tapping into local gossip. Like most of his books we know right from the start who the killer is, and the tension comes from the cat-and-mouse game between the cop and criminal. Sandford often holds back some info from the reader that is a critical part of how the bad guy will be found and figuring that out provides the mystery element to his books rather than a straight-up whodunit. He adds a new wrinkle to that in this one because while we know who killed the woman we also know that he left he body in her house after trying to make it look like an accident. One of the interesting aspects in this one is that the killer is as confused as we are as to how her body wound up in the river.

There is also all the typical Sandford stuff about Virgil having funny conversations with people, and one of the better running gags in this one is that everyone he asks about the leader of the Barbie-Oh gang acts as if they’ve never heard of her though he knows damn good and well that every one of them knows exactly who she is.

There’s one potential problem here with a huge unresolved plot thread. [ We never find out who shot at Virgil and destroyed his truck in the process. (hide spoiler)] Sandford doesn’t always wrap everything up neatly, but usually even if the cops don’t know everything by the conclusion the reader always does. It’s also possible that he’s leaving a loose thread for a future book, but that's’ not really his style so it’s odd that it isn’t even mentioned in the wrap-up as a loose end. It really does seem like something that Sandford just forgot to address, but I’m also reading an advanced copy so it’s possible that it might get fixed in the final published version. But Sandford’s plotting is usually air tight so it really made me scratch my at the oversight.

Overall, it’s still another satisfying thriller from a writer whose casual readability masks how well conceived and executed his books really are.

5 stars
I just love that f-ing Flowers. Virgil is back in Trippton, this time to investigate a murder, along with a side investigation into someone who's hacking Barbie and Ken dolls to make them into x-rated dolls. He's helped a little by his best buddy, Johnson Johnson, as well as the local police. This was a fast-paced read, good story, and just the right amount of humor.

DEEP FREEZE is the 10th book in the Virgil Flower series by author John Sandford, and finds Virgil back in the small town of Trippton in the d ad of winter to investigate a murder of a local businesswoman who apparently was killed in her own home following a meeting with former-classmates for an upcoming high school reunion, and then later dumped into the frozen waters of the local river.

Virgil is also asked to look into an illegal operation on behalf of a request by the governor of Minnesota that involves altering Barbie and Ken dolls to X-rated novelties, thereby incurring the wrath of the manufacturer who may or may not be a contributor to the governor’s campaign funding.

Johnson Johnson (who like his brother Evinrude, is named after an out-board fishing boat motor by their father), Virgil’s best friend and cohort, is along to assist using his inside knowledge of the small community to get inside information needed to break both cases, and Virgil also works with an assigned female investigator from L.A. on the “Barbie-Oh!” doll case, who finds the winter in Minnesota not to her liking, but is a tough and relentless pursuant of the woman allegedly responsible for the black market dolls.

Facing strong opposition and personal safety issues from unknown locals on the doll case, and a seemingly hopeless search for clues on the murder case, Virgil’s lack of progress and cooperation from the local community begins to wear on him, and an attack resulting in injuries impedes his progress on both cases.

John Sandford created Virgil as a character first present in the highly successful “Prey” series with Lucas Davenport occasionally assigning him to difficult and unusual cases based on his knack for solving the case using his unconventional methods that differ from his own, but are also very effective.
Winter settings sometimes present in both the Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport books are a welcome change from the majority of books in the genre taking place in warm weather-urban settings, although often Sandford’s books often involve the Twin Cities as well.

Virgil is an interesting off-beat character who differs from Davenport as a somewhat laid-back investigator who’s success is often made possible by his non-threatening appearance, as he’s described as being good looking; somewhat like a “surfer dude” resulting in locals making the assumption that he’s not up to the task, only to regret their mistake much too late.

Several of the long running series that I read eventually struggle with an aging character maintaining an edge that appeals to readers of the earlier books, and I’ve found this seems to be a bit more difficult with Virgil as compared to Davenport based on his personality differences, since maintaining an edge based on Lucas’ well developed mean streak and ruthless pursuit is compatible with his getting older.

I’ll be interested to see how author Sandford handles Virgil’s character in upcoming books, and while I definitely enjoyed this one, I’m still waiting for a book that compares to the earlier books in the series like [book:Bad Blood|7713965] and [book:Mad River|13593555], both highly recommended to readers interested in the series along with all the other previous ones starting with [book:Dark of the Moon|988950].

4 stars.

In the last Virgil Flowers Novel, Escape Clause Virgil is sent to Trippton, Minnesota, and cleaned up the town school board, a hotbed of corrupt and homicidal citizens. If it’s true that no good deed goes unpunished, Deep Freeze is proof of it.
Virgil has to return to Trippton to investigate the town’s beautiful and now dead bank president. But solving a murder is only one thing Virgil is tasked with. The governor of MN asks him to help a CA private investigator serve a cease and desist order from Mattel to Jesse McGovern who, with a crew of people grateful for work in a depressed area, are transforming Barbie and Ken dolls into Ken and Barbie-Os as the Chinese call them because they have been anatomically changed and been given voices that talk dirty. Mattel is not amused.
Last time it was the school board, now it’s the members of the class of ’92 (“Go Otters”) who seem to have landed in the middle of murder and mayhem mystery. And it’s up to Virgil Flowers to once again save the day.

“That f----- g Virgil Flowers,” a sobriquet used at least once by everyone who comes in contact with him. Ace investigator with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), wild-life writer and photographer, hunter, fisherman, and loyal friend, Virgil is pulled early from his vacation and send back to Trippton, Minnesota. In the recent past he arrested and charged with murder the entire school board and newspaper editor. Yep, Virgil sure makes an impression on folks.
This time he is asked to investigate the murder of a beautiful woman, president of the bank, town mover and shaker. The crime is confusing on many fronts, especially to the murderer. We know the murderer from the beginning, and to Virgil it is almost a ‘locked room’ mystery, but with way too many people in that ‘locked room’.
Life for Virgil gets more dangerous and complicated before he even reaches Trippton. First there is girlfriend, Frankie who gobsmacks him with a suggestion.
Then Virgil is tasked by the governor to help a CA private detective serve cease and desist papers to some women who are just trying to make a living in difficult times. Mattel ain't too happy with what these women are doing to Barbie and Ken dolls. But we sure are and can’t wait to see if they follow through with their planned Apple Ap.
This is all on top of the original murder he is traveling to Trippton to investigate.
What can I say? Sandford is a pro. I picture him sitting in front of his computer maniacally laughing as he writes the Barbie and Ken doll scenes.
But oh, what he does to Minnesota, a character in its own right. It doesn’t matter if he is writing about the wondrous summers or the harsh winter of this book; Sandford captures the beauty and poetry of the state.
Virgil is lucky enough to team up again with Johnson Johnson, one of his best buds, who balances out Virgil’s craziness by being crazier. Virgil is crazy like a fox, he likes that his surfer dude attitude is so misleading.
There is a great deal of humor in this book, but overall it is a dark story of rejection, violence and economic hardship.
No need to read the previous Virgil Flowers books, this one works great on its own. But then, why deprive yourself of the pleasure?
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.

Virgil Flowers is back! While I like all of John Sanford's series, I believe the Virgil Flowers series is my favorite. As always this one has great supporting characters with small town intrigue and politics. Since I'm originally from the upper mid-west, I always enjoy the wildlife and scenery descriptions as well. My only regret is that it looks like Virgil might be settling down. Don't get me wrong, I think Frankie and family are probably the perfect fit for him but I'll miss his various amorous adventures. Oh well....he's too young for me, anyway LOL!

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

BCA Agent Virgil Flowers is back in the tenth book in the #1 New York Times best-selling series. Flowers would rather be photographing wild life as a freelance photographer instead of solving a murder. But unfortunately his much needed vacation has been cut short by a call asking him to investigate a murder in the tiny town of Trippton, Minnesota.

Not only does this put an abrupt halt to his much needed rest and relaxation, it also pulls him away from his girlfriend and his dog. The prospect of going back to Trippton in the middle of winter isn’t very appealing, even though he has friends there since he previously solved a case there.

After a Class Reunion meeting held at the home of the richest woman in town, she turns up dead. The murder happened minutes after the meeting, so one would assume the killer is one of her classmates. Unfortunately, almost everyone in the small town disliked the victim and more than a few had a solid motive. Virgil knows how catting people can be; especially those with a history.

The townspeople mostly like Virgil, for an outsider that is. He has a few true friends in the snow covered town, Johnson Johnson being at the top of that list. Johnson is happy to see him and more than willing to help him get information that Virgil may have trouble getting on his own.

Then, as if Virgil needed more irritation, enter Margaret Griffin. She has been sent by a major toy manufacturer to serve cease and desist orders to someone in Trippton because they are making “modified” dolls of an x-rated nature. Someone in high places within the state wants the little homegrown shop closed, so Virgil is also asked to give Griffin a hand. Unfortunately for him, that results in more problems than the murder investigation.

When an attempt is made on Virgil’s life, he isn’t sure if it is the people in the town that depend upon the illicit income from the modified dolls or the murderer feeling the heat.

I loved everything about this book. The humor, the twists and turns, the characters and interestingly entertaining plot add up to another best seller. As a longtime fan of Sandford’s writing, I was not disappointed.

The engaging plot had me reading “just one more chapter” late into the night. Sandford skillfully pulls the reader into the story and holds you there in the bitter cold of Minnesota right there with his characters.

Virgil is an interesting man. He seems laid back, but looks can be deceiving. His mind is always turning and moving towards the goal of finishing up the cases and getting back home. The reader can tell he is smart, savvy and more than a little compassionate for the plight of those who need help, even if they are on the wrong side of the law.

There is a reason Sandford is a best-selling author. His books are interesting, funny and easy to read. Don’t confuse “easy” with simple. Deep Freeze is a complex story told in a laid back manner that keeps readers turning the pages.

I am sorry to say I have not read one of Sandford’s books for several years. Conversely, I am excited to have rediscovered his masterful prose and will be catching up with some of the previous adventures of Virgil I have missed. I highly recommend this book to thriller fans as well as anyone who loves a well written book with a fabulously entertaining plot.

Copyright © 2017 Laura Hartman

I love all of John Sanford books, but I think Virgil may be my favorite. This is another great read. I love Frankie and the kids. My mothers 81 year old best friend is in love with Virgil. LOL. Virgil is so laid back in some ways, but still a stickler for the law. I really like that about him. Always ready to drink beer or go fishing and maybe solve a crime or two along the way. I enjoyed revisiting the town also. If you haven't read John Sanford, I really recommend all his books. I have read him for years.

John Sandford books always have great characters, fast moving plots and interesting sub-plots. This latest entry in the Virgil Flowers series is no exception. A page turner from the first page. Highly Recommended

This is a fun read that keeps you interested and wanting more. Two mysteries to solve by a super likable leading character who gets things done his own way. He's handsome, he's down to earth, often shows up without a weapon, sometimes lets things slide and he's Virgil F*&KIN' Flowers!

5 stars

Virgil Flowers is in the Minnesota woods hunting owls – with a camera. On his way back to his home, he receives a phone call from his boss telling him to go to Trippton to investigate a body found in the river. The woman has received a bash to the side of her head. The autopsy also shows that she has older bruises that show she might have been into S&M.

As Virgil begins his investigation, he receives another phone call from his boss asking him to meet a private investigator who is looking into another crime in Trippton. He meets her and finds out she is looking into a case of “sexually enhanced” Barbie dolls – one might say. Virgil reluctantly agrees to look into that as well.

Interviewing acquaintances, employees and others who knew the murdered woman, Virgil finds no one who looks god for a suspect, although he does learn quite a bit about Gina Hemming. Her almost former husband is not only in the process of divorcing her, but also undergoing the procedure for a sex change. Her friends claim to know nothing about the B & D thing. Her boyfriend says they broke up some time ago.

Meanwhile the Barbie doll investigation takes a painful turn. Virgil receives an unusual phone call. A witness comes forward. There are some seriously dumb people in Trippton, MN.

Then, another woman is murdered; a shooting this time. Margot Moore, Gina’s best friend is the victim. Is it the same killer, or different?

Just as Virgil is getting really frustrated at his lack of progress, he notices something and has an “ah ha” moment. He and another officer confront the suspected killer and things take a dastardly turn.

This is a very well written and plotted novel. I like Virgil and his sassy friends and the way he gets along with (most) everyone else. He is a competent investigator and very observant. The book is written in an easy, laid back style and the pages fly along, almost without the reader noticing. The book was over long before I wanted it to end. Then tension in the story is subtle, but there nonetheless. I appreciate the way Mr. Sanford ties up all the loose end at the ending of the book. I have enjoyed most of this writer’s novels, and will continue to read them as long as he continues to write. Well done, Mr. Sanford!

I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for forwarding to me a copy of this most wonderful book to read and enjoy.

Love the Virgil Flowers series. John Sandford's novels are always a perfect escape.

John Sandfor does not disappoint in this newest Virgil FLowers mystery. Flowers returns to Triptonn (remember when he arrested the town's school committee?) in the dead of winter to investigate the death of the town's bank president. Engaging characters, a lively plot that zips along, and Virgil FLowers....what more could you want? My customers will eat this book up in time for the holidays!