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Bloody Genius

(Virgil Flowers #12)

John Sandford

4.32 · Rating details · 7,327 ratings · 642 reviews

Virgil Flowers will have to watch his back--and his mouth--as he investigates a college culture war turned deadly in the latest thriller from #1 New York Times-bestseller John Sandford.

At the local state university, two feuding departments have faced off on the battleground of PC culture. Each carries their views to extremes that may seem absurd, but highly educated people ...more

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Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Published October 8th 2019 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

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Oct 15, 2019 David Putnam rated it liked it

Alas, this one did not do for me. Sanford is my favorite, my go-to author that has never let me down.
There is still much to like in this book, the characters, the relationships. But the story...Yikes. In the very beginning where the conflict is set I even heard it in my head, oh, "The professor was killed in the library with a laptop computer," the Clue Game reference. (this isn't a "true" spoiler, it happens in the first pages).
I think what was also missing in this book was the jeopardy. ...more

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Sep 24, 2019 Maureen Carden rated it it was amazing

Shelves: thriller, netgalley, mau-s-challenge, police, amusing

The Lothario, hunter, fisher, writer, photographer and ace investigator of the upper Midwest returns in Bloody Genius . The advent of girlfriend Frankie soon to be delivered of twins has kept him closer to home and has put paid to Virgil Flowers' roaming.
Unfortunately, the position of being one of the governor’s golden haired boys (one sided as Virgil does not return the affection) still exists and results in the governor sending him to Minneapolis to solve a particularly vicious murder. The Lothario, hunter, fisher, writer, photographer and ace investigator of the upper Midwest returns in Bloody Genius . The advent of girlfriend Frankie soon to be delivered of twins has kept him closer to home and has put paid to Virgil Flowers' roaming.
Unfortunately, the position of being one of the governor’s golden haired boys (one sided as Virgil does not return the affection) still exists and results in the governor sending him to Minneapolis to solve a particularly vicious murder. Virgil, an investigator for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, once inadvertently did the governor a great favor. No good deed goes unpunished and so Virgil has to put his boat up, avoid serious farm chores, and head to the Twin Cities.
The victim is a wealthy, well-respected professor and brilliant researcher at the University of Minnesota. Virgil suspects it is the wealthy part that has attracted the Governor's attention.
In two weeks, the well regarded MPD’s homicide unit has had no luck in solving the crime even though suspects abound; ex-wives, fellow researchers, students, a whole other university department and of course, the famous “some other guy”. Of course Virgil is warmly welcomed by MPD’s homicide unit, especially the lead detective, Margaret Trane whom the media has characterized as being ‘baffled’. No really, would I lie?
Eventually Trane and Virgil come to an accommodation when she realizes Virgil does not want any credit for solving the case whereas Trane and her unit need the solve after the drumming they have received from the press. They quickly established an easy work relationship which is a change from the usual ‘competitive partnership until the last moment’ trope found in so many books.
As Virgil pokes around he quickly makes a few discoveries that put the stalled investigation back into gear.
I have always thought books with the easiest readability might be the hardest to write.
Sandford excels as making his books rewarding with well thought out stories, some quirky characters and uncommon settings. Who ever thought the U of Minn. would be a great setting for a murder, except maybe for the students of the University of St Thomas?
Virgil Flowers-nope not gonna say it-has long been known for his charm, his womanizing (formerly), his band tees and his astute insight into the men and women he meets, but his defining characteristic is his innate decency. Virgil must have demanded his own series from author John Sandford after being a part of the Lucas Davenport series. I don’t want to forget Virgil’s toughness. As easy-going as he can be, he is nobody’s fool and won’t be played for one.
Now I’m going to spoil the gushing a bit by saying there was one distasteful moment when Virgil visualized a suspect’s “hair spread out on a pillow and her legs wrapped around his neck.” Just too jarring with Virgil in love with the mother of his twins; the woman he is planning to marry. Not to mention a very unprofessional view of a woman who might have committed a very brutal murder.
I like that Virgil has no problem talking about his cases to people he meets. His smart view is that it is surprising the information or insights he gains. Toward the end of the book we are treated to Flowers trying to waffle out of admitting to an acquaintance that he was wrong about an important aspect of the investigation. Too funny.
Bloody Genius is a terrific continuation of the Virgil Flowers series. It is hinted Virgil might take some time off to write his own novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. ...more

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Oct 24, 2019 Diane S ☔ rated it really liked it

Thoughts soon.Hi Virgil,

I think it's been about a year since I've last written. Many changes, seems they've managed a better way to keep track of you, so some of your excuses will no longer fly. Your dress sense though, that hasn't changed, those t-shirts are so you, glad you seldom bow to convention.

A new case, one that sends you back to college. A murder of a well renowned, research Professor, with few apparent clues. I have to say you do work will with others when you want too, you were more ...more

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Sep 27, 2019 Kemper rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, virgil-f-flowers, arc, 5-0, crime-mystery, whodunit

I received a free advance copy of this from NetGalley for review.

If a dead body was found in a library I’d assume that he must have had some serious overdue fees. Those librarians don’t play around.

A professor who does high end medical research is found murdered in a college library so Minnesota state investigator Virgil Flower is assigned to help out when the local Minneapolis cops hit a dead end. As Virgil digs into the case his problem isn’t that there aren’t any clues, it’s that there are I received a free advance copy of this from NetGalley for review.

If a dead body was found in a library I’d assume that he must have had some serious overdue fees. Those librarians don’t play around.

A professor who does high end medical research is found murdered in a college library so Minnesota state investigator Virgil Flower is assigned to help out when the local Minneapolis cops hit a dead end. As Virgil digs into the case his problem isn’t that there aren’t any clues, it’s that there are far too many. Sex, drugs, blackmail, lawsuits, ex-wives, an estranged daughter, and a bitter academic rivalry are all angles that come up. Sifting through the noise and finding the killer’s motive is the key to cracking the case, but the more Virgil digs into it, the less sense the entire thing makes.

This is a crackerjack of a whodunit. Sandford’s usual MO is to let the reader know the villain is from the jump, or at least give us their point of view. His books are generally a cat-and-mouse game between the cop and the bad guy so his stuff is often more thriller than traditional mystery although detective work always plays a major role. He has done a few where the reader is completely in the dark as to the killer and their motives, and this is one of his best pure head scratchers.

We’ve got an intriguing scenario with plenty of viable red herrings so that I was as stumped as Virgil for the entire time. When the killer’s identity is revealed it’s a very satisfying answer because Sandford plays fair, and the clues were all there the entire time.

There's also a good tense situation built up at the end that plays into Sandford’s strength of building momentum in action scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. Virgil continues to be a strong lead character with his laid back persona making for a nice change of pace from your typical thriller heroes. There’s a little less humor in this one than the last couple of Flowers books, but still some good chuckles that make this a touch lighter than the Prey series.

Overall, it’s a very nice piece of crime writing with a solid mystery and a great ending. ...more

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Nov 04, 2019 Tim rated it it was amazing

I always enjoy listening to a Sandford novel to and from work. It's just like floating along to another awesome story! 9 of 10 stars

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Nov 12, 2019 Tim rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I wrote an earlier review that's either missing or part of a different edition. Perhaps Goodreads could combine all additions for reviews, please. 9 of 10 stars

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Sep 23, 2019 Monnie rated it it was amazing

It's no secret that I love Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agent Virgil Flowers - he long ago earned a forever spot on my Top 10 list of favorite book heroes. But it's also no secret that I'm not thrilled that he's in a serious relationship with a woman - Frankie - who in fact is close to delivering a set of twins she and Virgil concocted seven months or so ago. Somehow, he'd turned into a kinder and mellower Virgil - and in the process lost a bit of the edge that endeared him to me.

Well, after It's no secret that I love Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agent Virgil Flowers - he long ago earned a forever spot on my Top 10 list of favorite book heroes. But it's also no secret that I'm not thrilled that he's in a serious relationship with a woman - Frankie - who in fact is close to delivering a set of twins she and Virgil concocted seven months or so ago. Somehow, he'd turned into a kinder and mellower Virgil - and in the process lost a bit of the edge that endeared him to me.

Well, after reading this, the 12th book in the series, I'd say he's still a little mellow and his language is, for the most part, more like a tricycle salesman than a truck driver. But overall, he's got that edge back - and for sure he's kept that irreverent sense of humor alive and well, as evidenced by my chuckles throughout, to-wit:

"You know how to kill any earworm? You hum that Walt Disney thing, 'It's a Small World.' It'll kill anything, but it's such a miserable song...it won't stay in your head on its own."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

But I digress. This story begins as Virgil is called in when a big-shot medical doctor and University of Minnesota professor is murdered in an upper-level, usually locked library room on the campus - a place he's really not supposed to be. Especially since he's for the most part an unlikable jerk, there's no shortage of suspects, from his research team colleagues to members of a rival research team to his own daughter. Most of the characters are quirky, to say the least (well, this is a university campus, after all). And early on, it appears the good doctor just might be living a secret life that involves illicit drugs and blackmail.

As is customary in these books, Virgil touches base with his former boss, Lucas Davenport (the subject of another popular series by this author and another of my love-to-read-about characters, BTW). A couple of his old friends get to help out, as does a scrappy female officer from the local police who gives Virgil a good run for his money in the sarcasm department.

Problem is, all of those above-mentioned suspects have what appear to be iron-clad alibis. Clearly, it will take a goodly amount of sleuthing to uncover the motive and catch the killer. All that is accomplished in fine Virgil style, making this another must-read book for fans like me. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. Bloody good!
...more

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Oct 24, 2019 Truman32 rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The thing that is great about John Sandford isn’t that he writes great thrillers (though he does). It is not that he habitually churns out high-quality work like he is some kind of mystery-writing Honda production line (though he consistently publishes two novels each year). It is not even his ability to stuff 18 hard boiled eggs into his mouth at one time (though this majestic feat has won Sandford globe-spanning accolades as well as audiences with everyone from John Stamos to the Pope). No, ...more

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Sep 18, 2019 Janet Newport rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-reads, kindle-books, netgalley

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group/Putnam for this arc.

Gotta love that f**cking Flowers. Virgil is back! And he doesn't have his boat! He's come in from the backcountry and into the city for this story (without his boat). He's sent to Minneapolis to the university by the governor to help out on a two week old murder the city's investigation has stalled on. Naturally, the city detective resents his presence and well, Virgil wasn't wild about the assignment either. He does however manage to ...more

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Sep 21, 2019 Joyce rated it it was amazing

5 stars

That effing Flowers is on the trail of a killer once more. This time he must go to the city – reluctantly – of Minneapolis to investigate the murder of a brilliant college professor and doctor who specializes in neurosurgery and microsurgery for those who are disabled.

With a host of suspects, including two ex-wives and one about to be ex, an estranged daughter, her two weird friends and an ongoing feud with another department at the college he and his Minneapolis detective partner have ...more

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Sep 26, 2019 Lesa rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime-fiction, police, mystery-series

John Sandford is a bloody genius. I wish I could tell you how he messed up my book review for Bloody Genius, the twelfth Virgil Flowers novel, but it would spoil the book. In fact, that's what happened. I had an opening sentence all set after I read the first five pages, and then the conclusion preempted my opening. How would I know my opening sentence would have been a spoiler for the end of the book?

After Professor Quill's body is found in his library carrel at the University of Minnesota, the ...more

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Oct 04, 2019 Carol Jean rated it it was amazing

As usual, Sandford writes an excellent, entertaining mystery. Secret sex in a library, murder, theft of intellectual property, money money money -- he doesn't miss a trick!

Bloody Genius is so entertaining I ordered the four books of the Kidd series to slake my reawakened appetite for Sandford!

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Oct 22, 2019 Jeff Dickison rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A good murder mystery for Flowers in this one. Not quite as bizarre as most of the Flowers' books. Sanford is beginning to domesticate Virgil who is rapidly becoming a one woman man and who appears to want to turn to a farming lifestyle. Tell me ain't so, Joe. Next thing you know he'll be wearing Beatles and Stones t-shirts.

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Sep 04, 2019 RachelW (BamaGal) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

A good read that had the potential of being a great read until it lost its way and got a little sloppy towards the end. Virgil is investigating a murder in a Minneapolis suburb dominated by a college campus and its environs; armed with nothing but some odd, random clues. This was a refreshing break from the last few books, which had revolved around small town politics, gossip, and some ‘friendly’ backstabbing.

The story was a solid murder investigation, pretty straightforward and interesting. ...more

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Nov 10, 2019 Bicky rated it it was amazing

Hallelujah! John Sandford is back. His previous book Neon Prey was so boring that one wondered whether the author had changed somehow. But this book shows Sandford at his best. Virgil Flowers is as endearing as ever, the humor laugh out funny and the plot while taut and fast is also a proper detective mystery with clues and all.

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Oct 22, 2019 Val rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, series, 2019, crime, fiction

I always enjoy reading how Virgil Flowers's mind works as he follows a crime from clue to clue to clue, and Bloody Genius was no different. The humor in this series makes it lighter fare, which is always fun to read. Flowers is hilarious but is also a first-rate investigator, which is definitely required in this book as this particular investigation includes prostitutes, students, crooked lawyers, a CEO of an up and coming company, scam artists, and the victim's past wives. Whew!

I very much ...more

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Oct 22, 2019 Skip rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series-in-progress, crime-detective

With the Minneapolis PD investigation into the murder of wealthy, politically-connected university professor (Barthelemy Quill) going nowhere, the governor asks Virgil (that fucking) Flowers from the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to help. Facing obvious resentment from the local detective sergeant (Maggie Trane), he slowly wins her over with his easy going, I don't want the credit attitude, especially when he begins to find overlooked clues. With ex-wives, a slacker daughter with a ...more

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Nov 20, 2019 Donna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars! The book begins with an exciting first chapter. Professor Barthelemy Quill died in the darkened library carrel at midnight -- killed after being bashed over the head with his laptop computer as he came upon an intruder. Quill was wealthy but not well liked and there's a plethora of suspects -- 2 ex-wives, person who filed a lawsuit, his own research staff, current estranged wife, slacker daughter, and participants in an academic feud. After 2 weeks, the police have no suspects and ...more

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Oct 21, 2019 CoachJim rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mysteries

Bloody Genius
by John Sandford

I suppose like most people, I read different genres for different reasons. I enjoy reading History and Biography to learn about times and people. I read Historical Fiction to satisfy some intellectual curiosity, but good mysteries are just pure enjoyment.

Most of John Sandford stories take place in the Twin Cities in Minnesota where I have lived for most of my life. Reading about events that happen in places you are familiar with adds enjoyment to the story.

Virgil Bloody Genius
by John Sandford

I suppose like most people, I read different genres for different reasons. I enjoy reading History and Biography to learn about times and people. I read Historical Fiction to satisfy some intellectual curiosity, but good mysteries are just pure enjoyment.

Most of John Sandford stories take place in the Twin Cities in Minnesota where I have lived for most of my life. Reading about events that happen in places you are familiar with adds enjoyment to the story.

Virgil Flowers is called up to the Twin Cities to help investigate a murder at the Wilson Library on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In this story he mentions Minnehaha Creek in South Minneapolis, someplace I lived for a decade, he mentions a bookstore next to Breadsmith and Jamba Juice in St. Paul, a bookstore I frequent and have bought many books, and a major arrest in the story takes place in Eagan, where I currently live.
But you don’t need to live in the Twin Cities to enjoy this book.

This story has the usual lineup of interesting characters. The characters are well developed and you have no problem recognizing them as they reappear. The mystery develops slowly but consistently as it unravels. There is the usual slam bang finish that gets your pulse beating. There are some tangents and false leads, for instance, the arrest in Eagan is not connected to the murder Flowers is investigating, but these are also intriguing stories.

A further note, Sandford writes about 2 characters — Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers. Generally he releases a new Davenport book in the Spring and a new Virgil Flowers book in the Fall. Virgil and Lucas are good longtime friends. In this book Virgil visits Davenport and during the visit Davenport gets a phone call from a Senator in Washington DC about an issue that needs to be investigated. I am betting the Davenport book next Spring involves this phone call. There is also a hint that Virgil might be considering a career change. That would be disappointing. Many people I have talked to that read Sandford seem to favor the Virgil Flowers books. Unlike Lucas, Virgil’s fashion comments center on the band t-shirt he is wearing.

A very exciting read. ...more

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Oct 08, 2019 Randal White rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, netgalley, crime-police-corrections

Another fantastic book by Sandford! How does he keep putting out these incredible page-turners?
This one is another story in the Virgil Flower's timeline. A murder in the library of the University of Minnesota. An initial dearth of suspects, giving way to the Sandford technique of finding lots of suspects. Which Flowers has to weed through, one by one. And in the end, managing to surprise the reader with the identity of the killer.
I've come to love these books. Not for any amazing detective ...more

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Oct 15, 2019 MicheleReader rated it liked it

Enjoyable yet somehow Bloody Genius did not quite live up to my high expectations. The case was interesting but the overall story did not keep me as riveted as I had hoped. Virgil remains a fun character so I look forward to the next book in the series.

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Oct 08, 2019 Lori rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Virgil Flowers is mixed up again in murder that winds up all over the place, as he usually is and it's complicated and fun. I have a fear here about Flowers though and that's" run with it," when you read it you'll understand.

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Oct 08, 2019 Kay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, thriller, crime, audiobook

Always fun to read a Virgil Flowers novel. I love it all except the perp in the end felt too convenient.

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Sep 05, 2019 Donna Hines rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, netgalley

College culture turned deadly!! It's up to Virgil to figure out who on this college campus is nuts v who is pure psychotic as a killer.
Normally intellectual individuals can agree to disagree in proving their points but in this case it turns deadly and there's no turning back.
For me there was too many subplots with too many characters and it made me lose interest which became muddied with the main story line around the midway point.
Thank you to the publisher and John Sandford for this ARC in ...more

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Oct 27, 2019 Erin Glaser rated it did not like it

As someone who's read every book John Sandford has written, I'm actually angry at how terrible this one is. The pacing is abysmal, which I get; its hard to maintain a solid pace when literally nothing happens in the entire book. The character work is lazy and insulting, frankly; Virgil comes off as annoyingly hokey with too many try-hard quips, and enough with the boots and stupid tee-shirts, already, we get it.

Sandford's female characters could've stepped out of a Stuart Woods novel in 1991: As someone who's read every book John Sandford has written, I'm actually angry at how terrible this one is. The pacing is abysmal, which I get; its hard to maintain a solid pace when literally nothing happens in the entire book. The character work is lazy and insulting, frankly; Virgil comes off as annoyingly hokey with too many try-hard quips, and enough with the boots and stupid tee-shirts, already, we get it.

Sandford's female characters could've stepped out of a Stuart Woods novel in 1991: their only purpose is to provide sexual fodder for the male characters. Describing a female professor: "tidy breasts under a pale blue blouse who'd look great with her head on a pillow and her legs wrapped around his neck, in Virgil's humble opinion." Another character about the same professor: "after I get my degree, I'd like to turn her upside down." About another female character, a prostitute because of course she is: "She was wearing a mid-thigh green satin dressing gown that showed off her legs, her best feature."

This goes on and on and on. I won't even get into the over-the-top and unnecessary sexually graphic descriptions of Quill's daughter. I guess Detective Trane may be exempt but it hardly matters since she's basically on the phone during this entire stupid novel. Haha, just kidding, of course Trane's not exempt, no woman is exempt: "...when you got out of Maggie Trane's bed, you definitely knew you'd been in bed with Maggie Trane. I lost about five pounds that first night."

One of the hallmarks of a good Sandford novel is the quick natural dialog, and boy are we missing that here. The dialog is stilted and trying way too hard; again, think Stuart Woods thirty years ago:

"Shake asked, 'If she's here, which I doubt, you wanna go in hard?'
'Semi-hard,' Virgil said.
'Last time I heard that phrase, I was in bed with a woman from the county recorder's office.' Shrake said.”

Good one. I also enjoyed the joke about the cop dating a 14-year-old, that was hilarious.

Antiquated misogyny aside, this book is still a failure. There's no depth and no subplot-- gone are the more sophisticated layered plots of past books that built suspense and kept the reader engaged, here Sandford just drags us headlong through a one-dimensional and unconvincing story full of unlikeable people and implausible answers.

I don't think John Sandford wrote this, I think he's gone the way of so many popular writers before him and he's sold his name to the highest bidder. For the last five or so years I've preordered his upcoming books and looked forward to reading them the day they hit my Kindle, and those days are definitely over. If you're a fan of Sandford's and a fan of this series, you can skip this one and be better for it. ...more

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Oct 05, 2019 Albert Riehle rated it really liked it

Another great addition to what I affectionately like to call the That Fuckin' Flowers Series. In the days prior to this book being released I read a review that compared this series to the Lucas Davenport/Prey Series and came to the conclusion that while the Prey Series leaned more in the direction of Thriller, the Flowers Series leaned a bit more in the direction of Mystery and that is definitely in evidence in this installment.

I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't, but if you keep your Another great addition to what I affectionately like to call the That Fuckin' Flowers Series. In the days prior to this book being released I read a review that compared this series to the Lucas Davenport/Prey Series and came to the conclusion that while the Prey Series leaned more in the direction of Thriller, the Flowers Series leaned a bit more in the direction of Mystery and that is definitely in evidence in this installment.

I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't, but if you keep your eyes open and pay really close attention to every clue, you might even solve this one before Virgil does. As always, Sandford does an excellent job of giving readers a chance at solving the case, but balancing that with some very solid and convincing red herrings and reader-baiting. I'm happy to say that my gut told me whodunit even if I didn't connect the clues and figure out the motive even though Sandford splashed them all over like colors on a painter's pallet.

Best Line Award goes to Shrake who, at one point, quips: "I'm sweating more than a blind lesbian at a Sushi Bar!"

And I'd be remiss if I failed to throw some kudos out to Sandford for some really solid band references like Larkin Poe and Cage The Elephant. He also turned me on to a new poet, Robert W. Service whose poem The Cremation of Sam McGee was part of the story. Clearly, some people learned his works in high school. I don't remember him being a part of my education though. But I wound up looking up the full poem and really enjoying it. I'm looking forward to reading more of his stuff.

It's another great installment in this series and an easy one to recommend. It goes off at the usual Sandford downhill pace. There's some great dialogue and the plot is solid and strong throughout. This is a book and a writer who respects the reader. I devoured it primarily in two sittings. It sucks you in and takes you for a fast-paced, fun ride to a satisfying end. And easy 4 star book for me. I highly recommend this book, this series and everything else that Sandford's written. ...more

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Oct 07, 2019 Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I am able to remember a time when there were no Virgil Flowers novels. So I was caught just a bit off-guard when I realized that this newly published book is the 12th in the series featuring a character developed in the even longer running Lucas Davenport canon (and yes, I can remember a time when those books did not exist either). We are richer intellectually for both series, particularly for BLOODY GENIUS, which is one of John Sandford’s better works.

Yes, I am aware that I just made quite a I am able to remember a time when there were no Virgil Flowers novels. So I was caught just a bit off-guard when I realized that this newly published book is the 12th in the series featuring a character developed in the even longer running Lucas Davenport canon (and yes, I can remember a time when those books did not exist either). We are richer intellectually for both series, particularly for BLOODY GENIUS, which is one of John Sandford’s better works.

Yes, I am aware that I just made quite a statement, but I would not lie to you. Sandford switches up each of his police procedurals so that in some, the identity of the villain is revealed immediately to readers, and it is left to Virgil or Lucas to identify and apprehend. His second practice is to start Virgil or Lucas on a chase after a known target from the beginning of the book while giving readers just enough information to know who is the cat and who is the mouse at any given point. His third method, which BLOODY GENIUS employs, is to put readers as much in the dark as his protagonist. They do get to witness the murder, as well as events leading up to it, but little else.

The victim here is a highly respected but thoroughly disliked medical research physician named Barthelemy Quill. The murder takes place in his reserved study carrel in a university library well after hours. Quill, who intends to use the cubicle for a frolic of his own, discovers an interloper who violently dispatches him. His companion du jour, who was expecting a climax of a decidedly different sort, flees the scene at the first hint of conflict and without seeing either the murder or the doer.

Given that Quill was politically connected, Virgil is brought in to the investigation when the Minneapolis police are left with a paucity of clues. His presence is initially resented by Margaret Trane, a prickly investigator who soon warms to his lack of interest in receiving credit for solving the case --- even as his unconventional mode of dress, which includes faded t-shirts of obscure rock bands, causes some to wonder if he is truly a law enforcement officer.

Virgil has a personal interest in wrapping up the case correctly and quickly, as he is about to become the father of twins, but it’s difficult from the start. While there may be a lack of evidence, there is no shortage of suspects, including Quill’s two ex-wives, his estranged third wife and his trustafarian daughter. There is also a researcher in another scientific discipline with whom he had been feuding, occasionally violently. That’s just the shortlist. There are plenty of twists and turns as Virgil and Trane slowly but steadily eliminate suspects and zero in on a final one, which puts an innocent party --- not to mention this unlikely duo --- in terrible danger. Not everyone reaches the end of the book unscathed. You’ll race to the end to see who does and who doesn’t.

BLOODY GENIUS is a well-concocted mix of memorable characterization and sharp, twisted plotting. It is also filled to the brim with unforgettable dialogue --- some of it joyfully politically incorrect --- with turns of phrase that you will nuzzle to your bosom and call your own. Be sure to give proper credit.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub ...more

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Oct 08, 2019 Steven Zacharius rated it liked it

Not my favorite Sanford book. This was a mystery; a whodunnit kind of mystery. Although Virgil Flowers is always a fun character to read, I just felt that something was missing with this entire storyline. It's about a professor who is killed in a private study area and trying to figure out how killed him.

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Oct 29, 2019 Mal Warwick rated it really liked it

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers

Virgil Flowers is growing up. In times past, you could always depend on Virgil jumping into bed with the prettiest suspect in his current case. You wouldn't get upset with the man, because that was just . . . well, Virgil being Virgil. Which is to say, a bundle of contradictions. You'll typically find him wearing jeans, cowboy boots, and a T-shirt from a vintage rock band. And that might mislead you into thinking he's a trifle on the dim side. Which is reinforced when you hear him sharing Virgil Flowers is growing up. In times past, you could always depend on Virgil jumping into bed with the prettiest suspect in his current case. You wouldn't get upset with the man, because that was just . . . well, Virgil being Virgil. Which is to say, a bundle of contradictions. You'll typically find him wearing jeans, cowboy boots, and a T-shirt from a vintage rock band. And that might mislead you into thinking he's a trifle on the dim side. Which is reinforced when you hear him sharing confidential details about his current investigation with just about anyone he runs into at a bar. But you'd be wrong, of course.

Virgil has a degree in environmental science from the University of Minnesota and writes articles from time to time for the likes of the New York Times Magazine. And he's far and away the most successful agent in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, for which he covers the state's southernmost counties. But Virgil is now, what, about forty years old? And can it be true that he's . . . settling down? Yes, I do believe it's true. John Sandford tells me so in the latest Virgil Flowers page-turner, the twelfth novel in the series, Bloody Genius.

Yes, settling down. Virgil now lives with his long-time girlfriend Frankie on her farm, and he rushes home every weekend almost regardless of how his case is progressing. Frankie is very visibly pregnant with their twins, who will soon join her several other children. And he's secretly working on a novel. These are not the signs of the old shit-kicking Virgil we knew and loved.

In the latest Virgil Flowers page-turner, Virgil takes on the murder of a rich and famous professor

Now, suddenly, a major new high-profile case enters this idyllic scene. With a call from the governor, Virgil is yanked off a minor investigation in southern Minnesota and forced to rush to the Twin Cities. It seems that a wealthy and famous professor at the University has been murdered, and the Minneapolis Police don't have a clue what happened. So, Virgil's first assignment is to persuade Margaret Trane, the lead investigator, that he'll work with her and let her take all the credit. And once those ground rules are established, the two set out to reexamine the facts of the case.

Naturally, Virgil turns up a clue or two in short order. But so does Maggie. And soon the pair is swimming in suspects—enough to populate an Agatha Christie whodunnit. Which makes them, and everyone else involved, even more confused. Soon, the situation grows even more fraught because . . . well, because so many of those people at the University are so frigging smart. They've all got alibis, of course, and the murderer's motive could involve anything from the need to silence a witness in a lawsuit to taking out an academic rival. It's one bloody mess.

Now, of course, Virgil and Maggie will solve the case. This is fiction, after all. But you'll have a lot of fun following them along the way. And you'll find that Sandford does an absolutely brilliant job with dialogue. The only other writer I've found to be consistently his equal is Elmore Leonard. ...more

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Nov 28, 2019 Debbi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is the 12th novel in the Virgil Flowers series It was another great read. John Sandford does a great job of weaving a story with great plot twists. Being familiar with the Midwest, I really enjoy this series. I’m also looking forward to Virgil’s life changing and what he might decide to do in the future. Keep up the good work. Well done!

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About John Sandford

John Sandford

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See also John Camp

John Sandford was born John Roswell Camp on February 23, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended the public schools in Cedar Rapids, graduating from Washington High School in 1962. He then spent four years at the University of Iowa, graduating with a bachelor's degree in American Studies in 1966. In 1966, he married Susan Lee Jones of Cedar Rapids, a fellow student at the ...more