Rating: 
Summary: First time reader of Nevada Barr's books.
Review: Nevada Barr's descriptions of the people in Mississippi, at least those chirpy citizens "caught in that "teased-hair, fried-food time warp" was vivid indeed. Anna the main character is discovering she is seeing all and sundry through her own '60's warp. Mainly through old black and white photos engrained in her memory of the civil right abuses, we all cringe at when shown on television or in a history book. Besides solving a murder, can Anna "dewarp" enough to solve what looks like a KKK murder?
Rating:
Summary: An Ascent after "Liberty Falling"
Review: Nevada Barr's previous work, "Liberty Falling", was not my favorite in the Anna Pigeon series. In my review of that book, I wondered if Barr was going to prove unable to meet the high standard of her previous excellent work.In "Deep South", Nevada Barr returns to the tip-top of my list of mystery writers with whose works I want to spend time! The story is well plotted, with many lines of suspense--all of which come together in a surprising and completely whole conclusion. Add to the structural elegance of the novel the wonderful snapshots of the deep south: the good old boys, race and sexism, and the cloying sense of gentility masking a deep-seated moral decay. Then, wrap plot and social comments together with a woman as central character--who is real and human and smart and strong. And finally, add some beautiful descriptive prose. There you have it! five stars for Nevada. And by the way, that prose style deserves some of the reader's attention: as in her other novels, Barr has scenes that live on in our imaginations. Surviving a wild fire, crawling through a damp cave--these are images that stay with us after the book is finished. In "Deep South", the memorable scene for me is Anna's walk through the dank, dark Southern woods without a flashlight or the moon to guide her. Sitting by a February fire in Northern Michigan, I could feel the moss and warm, damp ferns--and I was afraid.
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Summary: Deep South is Anna Pigeon at her most dangerous!
Review: Park Ranger Anna Pigeon in her new assignment in Mississippi stumbles upon a gruesome murder along the Natchez Trace Parkway. The handwritten sign on a tree demands she REPENT & amid alligators, Civil War reenactors & the Ole Boy Club she gets her first taste of Southern hospitality. In Deep South we find our intrepid Park Ranger far from her beloved Mesa Verde desert lands, surrounded by lush & humid forests, history & relics from the Civil War & a reluctant & patronizing park staff. I am always thrilled when another Anna Pigeon adventure comes out of Nevada Barr's mysterious & deeply researched pen & in Deep South, Anna Pigeon begins to come out of mourning for her long-lost husband, & gets her appetite back for life which is the only thing between her & certain death. A richly textured, thoughtful & provocative mystery set in an enchanting part of our world! Do check out my site for my full review.
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Summary: Excellent description of Mississippi
Review: The setting is the strong suit of this book. It was my
first by this author and the reason I read it was because I
live in Mississippi. She does some excellent descriptions
of the Trace and surrounding countryside. Some of the characters were a little unbelievable, though. My big
complaint is the pacing. This book really drags sometimes.
Very slow beginning, nothing really happened in the first 60 pages, except the heroine moving and getting settled in Mississippi. It's not a page turner and
very easily put down. Overall, it isn't a gripping plot and a little far-fetched in the end.
Rating:
Summary: A must for any mystery fan and/or seeker of "The Real South"
Review: This book enthralled me and kept me coming back for more. Maybe it was the fact that it is set in the most "southern" part of the south. Being from the south myself I am both fascinated and angered by the attitudes and ideas that are still fostered in this part of the nation to this day. Seeing it all through the eyes of a newcomer provided desires ranging from the need to pitch the book across the room to a near sadness that there are people that still think and feel in such a bigoted and hateful way. The mystery is excellent! Twisting and turning so that, just when you think you have the murder pegged, a wrench is thrown in the works and you have to start figuring it out again. I would highly recommend this book. It is in a wonderful series. (It was the first Nevada Barr book I had read and prompted me to start the series.) It can be read in or out of sequence with the rest of the series, as it does not rely on foundations of past books. A must read for any mystery fan and/or seeker of "The Real South"
Rating:
Summary: Hits the sweet spot.
Review: This is my first Anna Pigeon novel and am not surprised to read from her fans here that it is considered one of the best. Barr does a good job of combining the mystery genre elements with realistic characters and well-crafted writing. She delivers a book with rare entertainment value. I had trouble putting Deep South down to go to sleep.
One of the best things about Deep South is the way in which it delivers the comfort points of a cozy while still bringing home the realities of the death and pain involved. Too much of the time the victims in a mystery novel are nothing more than excuses to explore the world of the detective. Barr makes us feel the death of Danni Posey, and gives us the feeling that the (emotional and physical) stakes are truly high for Anna. I also like that Barr does not shrink from tackling some of the tough non-murder related elements of Anna and her new life in Mississippi.
Recommended for all mystery fans. I will be reading further in this series.
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Summary: Back to Nature
Review: This is one of Barr's best (but then they're all good). I'm delighted to see Anna back in the wilderness parks which are her specialty. New characters, a very complicated mystery, and a lot of background: if you're already a fan of Anna Pigeon, you'll love this, and if you haven't met her before, this is a good place to start. Barr captures the ambience of Mississippi perfectly, and I hope Anna stays at the Trace for a few more books. I, for one, look forward to seeing more of Rangers Stillwell, Dinkins and Thigpen, Sheriff Davidson, and of course Taco and Piedmont.
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Summary: Rich atmospheric mystery - well worth your time
Review: This is the first book I have read by Nevada Barr and I enjoyed it very much. She does a wonderful job of describing southern Mississippi and the Natchez Trace. You can almost feel the heat and the humidity! Her characters are also well developed, and as you will see from the hypocritical religious characters, true to life in this part of the country. Anna Pigeon is a very interesting character and I look forward to reading more of Barr's books.
Rating:
Summary: Vivid visuals, good mystery
Review: This is the first novel that I have read by Nevada Barr, but I plan to "go back" and read the rest in this series because I really enjoyed the Anna Pigeon character. Also, the book had vivid descriptions of the area and persons surrounding the Natchez Trace which added much to the tale. Anna has just assumed a management forest service job on the Natchez Trace. She is the first woman in such a position in this area of the "Deep South," and is subject to significant animosity on several fronts, especially from her two long-timer subordinates. Unfortunately, within days a local girl is found murdered in her jurisdiction, under peculiar circumstances. Along with her charming counterpart in the Sherrif's office, Anna dives into the investigation, although she has little understanding of the relationships and dynamics among the locals. This is not the most suspenseful page-turner that I have read, although the mystery remains well-concealed until the end. It is, however, a very pleasant read. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Deep South
Review: This summer I discovered Anna Pigeon. In my opinion - and I only have one book of the series to read, this was the best. There was a pinch of a more human Anna - still staunchly independant - still the same antisocial, swearing, tough lady, but giving in to the fact that she needed help and let people care. A great one - and so much action!
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