Customer Reviews: Read 86 more reviews...
 Finally, a really clever thriller, and it's set in Minnesota! November 18, 2008
I picked this book up in desperation at a supermarket: I desperately needed some mind candy. I've read one or two of Sandford's "Prey" books, found them interesting enough to finish, but too disgusting to recommend to anyone. (I'm not a fan of serial-killer thrillers.) That said, I read Dark of the Moon with great pleasure. In fact, I savored many of the scenes. The characters are engaging and very realistic (one psychopath comes from Wichita Falls, TX, for instance). And best of all the story isn't set in New York City. In fact, it isn't even set in a city; it's set in rural Minnesota among ethanol farmers.
Then there's the truism that you can learn a lot if you read. One tidbit I particularly enjoyed in Dark of the Moon was the discussion of the "Jerusalem artichoke scam." It was so peculiar, I almost suspected there really had been a pyramid scheme involving Jerusalem artichokes. I can even remember once-upon-a-time buying a Jerusalem artichoke and trying to cook it, only to wind up with an inedible rutabaga-like object. So, I looked it up on the web and guess what? There really was a Jerusalem artichoke scam, and it's related to the current corn-for-ethanol scam.
Now, I admit there is a psychopathic serial killer in Dark of the Moon. But the description of the atrocities is fairly brief and not too disgusting (if you don't try to visualize the scene or dwell on it). And it really is a mystery: you really do keep guessing whodunit, and I really was convinced I had cleverly figured it out, and I was satisfyingly wrong.
I don't read many bestsellers, and the ones I do I usually don't finish. I finished this one. I would recommend Patterson's Judge & Jury for fans of Dark of the Moon, except that I wish Patterson didn't farm out his writing to partners, and Sanford seems to do it all himself (BTW, Mr. Patterson: where do I sign up?). I'm going to buy and read the first in the Virgil Flowers series, Dead Watch (Night Watch), probably in the Kindle edition--but I won't seek out a Patterson book unless its topic is enticing. This was a fun read.
Sandford brings us Flowers November 9, 2008
Most of John Sandford's books feature his cop hero Lucas Davenport, and most of the remaining books feature other characters from the same world, most notably artist/problem-solver Kidd. Dark of the Moon stars another character from the Davenport universe, Virgil Flowers. Flowers has played a supporting role in the recent Davenport books as another detective in Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, but this novel gives him a chance to shine on his own.
Flowers has been called to the small rural town of Bluestem to look into the murder of an old doctor and his wife. Even as Flowers gets into town, however, another murder takes place, the arson-killing of Bill Judd, the local big wig that plenty of people hated (kind of a nastier version of C. Montgomery Burns). It doesn't take long for Flowers to sense a connection between the two crimes. And since all three victims were getting on in years, Flowers also suspects a connection to the past.
The most likely culprit is a born-again crook who now leads a racist Christian sect that may or may not be involved with other criminal activities. But this man is a present-day problem and Flowers also looks back in time and a link to a "man-in-the-moon" that ties the victims together. Assisting Flowers is the local sheriff (an old childhood friend) and providing a romantic interest is the sheriff's sister.
Unlike most Davenport books, which have the killer identified early on and get the suspense from the killers capture or death, Dark of the Moon leaves the reader guessing as to who is responsible. It is not, however, a whodunit, as there is little way for the reader to guess the killer any earlier than Flowers.
As the protagonist, however, Flowers is unimpressive: though he is likeable enough with his little quirks (for example, he has a fondness for rock band tee shirts), he is not particularly memorable. When I first read the Davenport books, I thought that this was a character I wanted to read more about; with Flowers, I wouldn't feel bad if he never appeared in another book. However, if he did, I'm sure the book would be a lot like this one: an entertaining if forgettable effort by Sandford.
A totally fascinating crime genre novel by a master November 8, 2008
Kinky sex and bloody violence is said to sell books, and I believe it. This effort by Sandford is one of his best. Some five bloody murders and as many prime suspects. Once the culprit is identified, obtaining proof requires much historical research. Along the way is a side action involving a DEA action taking down a meth lab. The final chase scene is a little weak, but dramatic, our protagonist somewhat tired from all of the casuaL sex he has encountered throughout the story.
 use your imagination and just read for enjoyment November 6, 2008
i love john sanford. love his novels!!!! kidd books and prey as well. i have read several of these reviews and have to laugh at people for taking the time to quote grammar mistakes including paragraph descriptions and page numbers. lets use a little imagination people and not focus on the literal view for a moment. reading should be enjoyable; an escape if you will. not to grade but to just read and his books are fantastic.
 Only a Half Moon November 3, 2008
This book goes lunar. A key character is called Moonie. There are references to the 1969 moon landing. There's a bit about a cheap tattoo depicting the man in the moon. A woman wears man-in-the-moon earrings. All of this inspired me to create a rating system based on the phases of the moon between the new moon (one star) and the full moon (five stars). I could only give this book a half moon (three stars).
There are just too many undeveloped characters. I wasn't able to (and didn't want to) read this in just a few sittings. It took me about a week. I often found myself looking back to identify obscure characters that I knew had been referenced earlier. Also, too many subplots and suspects. The main story concerns a psycho serial killer. But there is also a major meth operation, a gaggle of greedy/meddling octogenerians, a son embezzling from his father, a suspicious newspaper editor, and a sheriff sweating his next reelection campaign.
Working the crimes are the local sheriff's department, the DEA, and Virgil Flowers, a hotshot with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Flowers is the tough, womanizing, rock-band-T-shirt-wearing hero that author John Sandford has developed in his last few novels.
Large portions of this book were vividly written: clever interrogations, skillfully described stakeouts, and exciting gunfights. Sandford is a master at creating the atmosphere of a small Minnesota town where everybody knows everybody else's business. Unfortunately, such bursts of brilliance were often obscured by a cluttered cast.
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