The very first Virgil Flowers novel by internationally bestselling author John Sandford! In the small town of Bluestem, Minnesota, where everybody knows everybody, a house way up on a ridge explodes into flames. Its owner, a man named Judd, is trapped inside and dies. But Judd's death wasn't a tragic accident... someone set his house on fire. Lots of people hated Judd, Flowers discovers. In fact, you'd probably have to look hard to find a person who had actually liked the man. But the thing is, Judd's death isn't the first in this small town in recent weeks. Three weeks earlier there'd been another murder — two, in fact — a doctor and his wife. The doctor was found propped up in his backyard, both eyes shot out. Before this, there hadn't been a murder in Bluestem in years — and now, suddenly, three? Flowers knows two things: this wasn't a coincidence, and this 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. * * * Praise for John Sandford and the Virgil Flowers novels * * * ‘Along the way to the satisfying ending, Virgil displays the rough humor and rough justice that make him such an appealing character’ Publishers Weekly on Deep Freeze ‘A knowing portrait of small-town life layered into a very well plotted mystery. Virgil understands that, in small towns, no one ever outgrows high school... One of the very best novels in a superior series’Booklist (starred review) on Deep Freeze ‘Add a gripping storyline, a generous helping of exquisitely conceived characters and laugh-out-loud humor that produce explosive guffaws, not muted chuckles, and you’re in for the usual late-night, don’t-even-think-of-stopping treat when Flowers hits town’ Richmond Times-Dispatch on Deep Freeze ‘An outstanding novel’ Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Escape Clause ‘Perfect entertainment’ Kirkus Reviews on Escape Clause