Dark of the Moon

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Eric Conger

Virgil Flowers kicked around for a while before joining the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. First it was the army and the military police, then the police in St. Paul, and finally Lucas Davenport brought him into the BCA, promising him, "We'll only give you the hard stuff."

He's been doing the hard stuff for three years now, but never anything like this.

In the small town of Bluestem, a house way up on a ridge explodes into flames, its owner, a man named Judd, trapped inside. There are a lot of reasons to hate him, Flowers discovers. In fact, he concludes, you'd probably have to dig around to find a person who doesn't despise Judd.

And that isn't even why Flowers came to Bluestem. Three weeks before, there'd been another murder, two, in fact, a doctor and his wife, the doctor found propped up in his backyard, both eyes shot out. Flowers knows two things: this wasn't a coincidence, and it had to be personal.

But just how personal is something even he doesn't realize, and may not find out until too late. Because the next victim may be himself.

©2007 John Sandford (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

Critic reviews

“A book that will keep you turning pages, guessing, and completely immersed - and engrossed - in whatever Sandford wants to throw at you. It’s a great ride, and Sandford proves that sometimes it’s not the character, it’s not the series, it’s the writer.” (The Post)

“An adrenaline rush peppered with laugh-out-loud moments." (Booklist)

Really good with just a couple of flaws

I liked this story a lot. I loved the mystery and the way it kept me guessing right up until the very end, and in this book, I was guessing literally until the last couple of sentences which was a nice twist. I liked getting to know Virgil, I have started listening to the next book.

My experience with any series (books or television) is that the first book or first episode aren't as good as the rest of the series. I've learned to give it time for the character to develop. This series shows a lot of promise.

The narrator was a little too monotone for me. After listening to 17 books read by Dick Hill, I'm a tough critic there.

There were just a couple things that were annoying in the story--I didn't love the part where he is writing a mystery book on the side. I got a little confused each time that happened.

I also didn't find his womanizing charming. I get that for a detective's character to be developed that it needs some flaws, but there were a couple of comments about women that made me go "ewww." Hopefully that part of his character gets down played in future books, or made sexy or something instead.

Really liked it overall.

Loved it

A great read. I didn't come into it as a Davenport fan so was able to enjoy it without the comparisons. He kept me guessing and changing my mind about the real killer up till the end. The only drawback was the flat, boring almost grade-school type reading of the narrator.
I'll definately be reading more John Sandford

Dark of the Moon

I enjoy John Sanford's books and quickly listened to all the Prey books available in unabridged. Dark of the Moon was available and I am so glad I bought it! I fell in love with Flowers and was totally entertained by the characters, the plot, the action, the humor and the reader! Eric Conger rivals Scott Brick as a reader (Scott Brick is GOOD!) in my opinion and his low key but sexy voice is perfect for this great book. I can't wait for more of that f****** Flowers!

Flowers does it again

I always enjoy Sanford's writing, be it Davenport or Flowers in the lead role. An easy read, decently graceful, a few decent plot twists, and Virgil being Virgil. Well worth the time and money.

Slow and steady till the end

Thought the story moved slowly. The ending was good, but took a while to get there.

Droning narrator

Droning Narrator makes book hard to engage with, almost ruins a good book, but I persisted, like the characters/writing, & will give second book in the series (unfortunately, with the same narrator) a try...

Great story!

The held my interest to the very end of the story. Love love the author@

found a mistake that discouraged me

one of the men going to the door in the middle of the night hoped that it wasnt about his children. then this man was shit as well as his wife and a cop later asked if the family arrived yet. the other coo said these 2 dead ppl didnt have much family and never had children.

I'm a Virgil Flowers fan

I'm so glad I'd forgotten that I'd already heard this book. I'm glad, enjoyable characters, delightful plot. The introduction of Virgil Flowers who leads us on a twisting path, a must read.

bad narrator

narrator could put you to sleep, hard to hear.will not purchase another book with him as narrator