A doctor at the U of MN is murdered in the library. And this game of clue was a little more difficult to figure out. The doctor was a bit of an ass, but he was also very good at his job. He had many people he might have upset enough to do him in. To top things off, Virgil is sent to help solve the murder, even though the police officer in charge hasn't asked for help yet. This is a good way to not get a warm reception. ( )

3.5 solid and enjoyable. ( )

This murder mystery was all over the map, but most of Virgil Flower's cases are. Virgil starts out investigating a murder, then gets sidetracked and sidetracked again. At least it wasn't all wasted time since several other murders and crimes get solved along the way. Mr. Sandford's usual humor is, as always, timely and welcome. Hurry up, Frankie! I can't wait to meet the twins! ( )

Unlike some of my friends here on Goodreads, I was not at all disappointed with this book. I really like Virgil Flowers and I'm sorry to hear he's being retired by the author. I may have to go back and read them all again one day to get my fix.

I thought the story was interesting - a murder with no clues, red herrings, the usual fun banter with Virgil's sometimes corny humor. Perhaps not quite as much of his "wise-guy" humor, but still there.

Some people miss the sexual tension from when he was more single and flirted more, but people grow up, and he shows himself to be a likeable, decent human who seems to care about people without being too soft. I'll miss him. ( )

Typical Sandford. Which is to say: pretty great. Not a lot of tension or a real sense of danger in this one, but the story rolls right along, with bits of humor to spice up the proceedings. ( )

Love John Sandford and Flowers but I found this one long and drwan out to the extent I was getting bored reading it. ( )

While I liked the story I still don't understand why the expensive computer and why the carrel at the library. I felt we were kinda of left hanging and the story was a little disjointed and all over the place. ( )

Just LOVE reading these books. Things happen if but the law guys stay on the side of the law. Read them all and read them in order ( )

Not the best Sandford, and it took a while for me to start to like this one. Seemed like the story started slow, and maybe Virgil (and Sandford) were getting a bit stale. The endless pissing matches between law enforcement agencies, and cops coming off being smarter than humanly possible (yeah, I know, it's fiction) were wearing me down. Still, it's a good story. At some point, well, frequently throughout the novel, Sandford is throwing out gems like:

Virgil shrugged and stood up. "I'm not warning you off. You want to look some more, fine with me, call if you get anything. But don't blame me if somebody beats you to death. If somebody does, try to scratch him before you die so we can get the DNA from your fingernails.

Lines like that seriously appeal to my sense of humor.

As long as Sandford is still writing, I will be reading his books. Maybe Virgil is getting up there in years. Might be time for Flowers to find a protege so he can settle into being a family man and writer, move onto other things and be more of a side player instead of main actor. ( )

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 very small trust stipend, a feud with another academic department at the university, disgruntled patients or fellow doctors, colleagues and employees at his university lab, who are not treated nicely, and a possible drug or prostitution angle, there are almost too many suspects. This made the book slow for me. And, enough with Frankie's pregnancy. Should not last so long. ( )

Last Testament: in His own Words Pope Benedict XVI with Peter Seewald. 2016. Seewald questions His Holiness on a variety of topics: the resignation, his childhood and family, his academic and clerical career, the papacy and the future of the Church. And Pope Benedict answers with his usual thoughtfulness and intelligence. What shines through as always in Pope Benedict’s love of God and the Church. Pearls of wisdom and kindness in every answer. I love this man ( )

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

Love that 'Effin Flowers!!!! ( )

Love that 'Effin Flowers!!!! ( )

Virgil is tasked to investigate the murder of surgeon/researcher/medical academic. Cast of various mostly bad relatives, acquaintances, and criminals. Plot is more convoluted than most cases in the series. Fair amount of Visgil's "family" life with very pregnant (with twins) Frankie. See Kevin Tipple review below for more detailed overview. ( )

While I am a big fan of John Sandford works and enjoy his Virgil Flowers work found this one exceptional. One of the things I like about John Sandford is the investigation process is always very evident in his writing and stories. In this particular book the investigation and procedural aspects were absolutely critical to the story and, candidly, kept the readers attention riveted on the journey through the twists and turns, trails and dead ends of the investigation. Who said what, who did what, why investigations within the primary investigation produced results and surprised but not answers.

One of the things that struck me about this story is that while Virgil Flowers was the principle character of the story his presence complemented the story where, in the past, sometimes his character overwhelmed the underlying story. As much as I enjoy Virgil Flowers I appreciated having his presence not so totally in the forefront as a couple of time, at least for me, found that it detracted from the story in some instances.

Something I found particularly interesting was how the story presented and handled the academic conflicts that seemed to be the most likely underlying reason for the death that was being investigated. As would be assumed when descending into the academic arena the turf wars and intellectual conflicts presented unique challenges and lead to some unexpected places especially considering nothing that seemed obvious had any credibility when researched. Yes the story is full of some strange and interesting dead ends.

Anyone who is a fan of John Sandford has to read this one, to me, the best of the Virgil Flowers series. ( )

Vigil is his usual enjoyable character helping a Minneapolis detective solve a murder. Lots of leads and twists most not going anywhere and an interesting ending. ( )

Bloody Genius is a book that takes place in present day time. It is a bit suspenseful. The story is annoying because of the crass and filthy language as well as lewd unnecessary bodily descriptions. The way that the murders were finally solved was interesting. Because of the unnecessary lewd vocabulary and length being much too long, this book receives a good solid three stars. ( )

Synopsis: '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 of sound mind and good intentions can reasonably disagree, right? Then someone winds up dead, and Virgil Flowers is brought in to investigate... and he soon comes to realize he's dealing with people who, on this one particular issue, are functionally crazy. Among this group of wildly impassioned, diametrically opposed zealots lurks a killer, and it will be up to Virgil to sort the murderer from the mere maniacs.'
Review: It's Virgil...how could it be anything but entertaining, interesting, and entirely engaging. Frankie still hasn't had those babies! ( )

A satisfactory thriller which reads quickly. Professor Quill is killed by his laptop in his library study carrel. He is a rich arrogant doctor with 3 ex wives and a mixed up daughter. Not a straight path to the killer but Virgil Flowers and friends figure it out. Chase sequence is best as all the pieces of Clue are laid out. ( )

Dr. Barthelemy Quill is bludgeoned to death in the Wilson library at the University of Minnesota at midnight on a Friday night. The Minneapolis police investigate the crime, but after two weeks they are having little luck finding the killer. Finally, the doctor’s sister, a wealthy political supporter, takes matters into her own hands and phones the Governor. He sets in motion a series of calls that results in the assignment of Virgil “that fuckin” Flowers to the case.

Like Robert Crais, John Sandford is a master at catching the reader’s interest from the first paragraph and holding it through to the end. “Bloody Genius” is a good example. The plot is intricate, strewn with numerous dead ends and red herrings, but it moves along at a snappy pace.

Another feature I always enjoy in Sandford’s Flowers and Davenport novels is the irreverent dialog. I often find myself chuckling out loud or singling out a passage to read to my wife.

Sandford introduces a number of interesting supporting characters. Some are central to the plot while others are included as distractions, but he does so in a manner that enriches the story without slowing the forward movement of the plot. The sole exception is the scenes when Virgil returns home to the farm to spend time with Frankie.

The penultimate confrontation with the killer in the park is disappointing. The temporary escape of the murderer is not believable as it seems intended primarily to prolong the story another ten pages. However, the payoff is the rather unique depiction of the high-speed chase that follows. I can’t recall a similar one in anything I have read previously.

The only genuine negative is that I’ll probably have to wait a year before the next Virgil Flowers novel. ( )

Always clever and interesting. ( )

It's like the Virgil Flowers of old. Really enjoyed this one, even the convoluted, intertwined plots and suspects kept my interest and I both couldn't wait to get to the end, but also didn't want it to come to an end. Who knows when the next Flowers will blossom? ( )

Bloody Genius
It took a few days for the body of Dr. Quill to be found behind the locked door of a personal study carrel at the University Library. A subsequent two week investigation by the local police went nowhere. It was clear that he was murdered and that had been accomplished by two massive blows to his head with a heavy object of some sort. Who did it and why, the location of the murder weapon which might have been his very expensive computer, and a host of other questions have yet to be answered. Dr. Bathelemy Quill came from serious money and had connections despite his arrogance and other issues. His surviving sister has serious money and powerful connections so it is no problem at all for her to call the Minnesota Governor and express her dissatisfaction. Before long the request rolls downhill to land squarely on one BCA agent named Virgil Flowers.

Virgil Flowers is less than thrilled to be sent to the University of Minnesota to investigate the murder, but Minneapolis Homicide is not getting anywhere. As it is Thursday the Governor would like the whole deal wrapped up by the end of the weekend and has made that thought clear all down the chain of command. The Governor may be a weasel or worse as Flowers sees him, but he can’t be ignored either. The only good thing is he won’t have to go out of state or to the far corners of Minnesota as he has in the past. This time Flowers will be relatively close in case the very pregnant Frankie needs him or an issue happens out at their farm. He is going to have to go home, explain all and pack and get some sleep, and then go see Sergeant Margaret Trane of Minneapolis Homicide.

By noon the next day, he is Minneapolis City Hall meeting with Sergeant Trane and reviewing the case. Trane is justifiably enraged by the media coverage that has become increasingly negative towards her and the Department as well as being second guessed by the family and Governor to the point that Flowers is present to work the case. She is also more than a little frustrated and annoyed with herself and her own failure to solve the case.

It becomes clear to Flowers that the fact the case isn’t solved is not because of a lack of effort by Trane. The issue is a lack of clues and leads. The few leads they do have do not seem to have any merit at all and are next to worthless. The evidence found to this point is very limited and seems to have no merit. Despite all the hard work by Trane and support stuff, there does not seem to be anything to really go on, let alone a pattern or order to things, or a connection to the murder. The only idea Flowers has initially is to go to talk to everyone Trane has interviewed so that he can get a feel for them. He also needs to go walk the crime scene in the library.

Before long Flowers is doing his thing of talking to people and, metaphorically speaking, kicking over rocks. His doing so starts sending things into motion. Eever so gradually, sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly, progress begins to be made on this case and several other situations that may or may not be connected.

Regardless of which series it is, author John Sandford can always be counted on for complex reads with many moving pieces. Sometimes readers know from the get go who the bad guy or guys are. Other times, as in this case, readers don’t. One also knows that in his books, there will be plenty of adult language and fast moving actions, references to at least one latest book by a major author, and plenty of the everyday minutiae in the main series character’s life. All these elements and more make Bloody Genius: A Vergil Flowers Novel well worth reading. While it could be read by readers new to the series, there are several references to books in earlier in the series that could impact readers well as multiple references to running jokes that have been in place since the start.

For another take on the book, please read this September 2019 review by Lesa Holstine.

Bloody Genius: A Virgil Flowers Novel
John Sandford
http://www.johnsandford.org/author.html
Random House Large Print
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/large-print-format-books/
October 2019
ISBN# 978-1-9848-8285-1
Large Print Paperback (also available in audio, digital, and hardback formats)
480 Pages

My reading copy came from the Bachman Lake Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2019 ( )

Infighting between two departments on a college campus confuse the issue as Virgil Flowers is called in to investigate the murder of a Barthelemy Quill, well-known researcher and scholar. He quickly decides people on both sides are nuts as they each present themselves and the other side. So much for rational meeting of the minds and open discussion. To get to the truth, he will have to “separate the murderer from the mere maniacs.”

There are major changes in his life, but they are not reflected in the story. His girlfriend is pregnant with twins yet he doesn’t check in with her every day.

I’ve read and enjoyed all of John Sandford’s books, particularly those featuring Virgil Flowers, especially because of his control of the language and his sneaky wit. This one is good, but not his best.

One example: “You have a dirty mind, Trane. I’m as faithful as the day is long.”
“Winter of summer?”

One criticism: He repeats the fact that Frogtown is an area of St. Paul.

One fact question: The mother of one of the characters is dying of pancreatic cancer. “It’s been four years, and she is no more than a few days left, if that.” Unfortunately, while there are exceptions, the average time a person lives after being diagnosed with this terrible disease is usually between 3-6 months. Only 20% live for a year. ( )