Rating: 
Summary: Great story of a real "underworld"
Review: I really liked this book. The caving scenes are superb, Barr's not afraid to introduce plot developments that most writers would never consider, and she's willing to let suspicion fall on sympathetic characters that the reader (and park ranger Anna Pigeon) would rather classify as above doubt. Then, just when you begin to wonder if Barr can pull off an entire novel in the claustrophobic confines of a cave-even if it's one of the biggest caves in the world-she moves back above ground for a stint in Anna's beloved desert. Don't expect to be able to sit down 90 percent of the way through the book and deduce who's the villain, however. Some of the Anna Pigeon books present puzzles that can be solved in that manner, but this one is more of a police procedural, masquerading as a locked room (well, OK, locked cave) mystery. There's the classic, limited pool of suspects, lots of information about each one, an assortment of people who are clearly hiding things-and not enough information to unmask the villain until Anna herself is able to do so directly. You may be able to guess who did it, but you won't be sure until Anna is. Lots of fun, particularly for those who love caves.
Rating: 
Summary: A Subterranean Murder Mystery
Review: In "Blind Descent", Ranger Anna Pigeon is called away from her post at Mesa Verde National Park to assist in an emergency rescue attempt at Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico. Anna's friend Freida has been injured while on an exploration trip inside of Lechguilla, and Freida has requested Anna to be with her during the rescue.I enjoyed this Anna Pigeon mystery a lot. The descriptions of the cave were marvelous. Barr does a great job of evoking the fear that Anna Pigeon feels, being in the cave while fighting back her own extreme sense of claustrophobia. It's true that there is a lot of technical details on the equipment used in caving, but I felt that this description served to add to the tension and sense of urgency that the rescuers were feeling. The suspense in this story was well developed. For a majority of the book, Anna is one of the few people who suspects foul play in her friend's injury. The characters in the caving crew were interesting and well-developed. All in all, this is a fun read.
Rating:
Summary: The best yet from one of my favorite authors
Review: This is Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon at her best -- a mystery reader's dream. This book offers not only a first-rate mystery, but a fascinating look at caving and a startling effective portrayal of Anna's thoughts and feelings. The book starts out with a wonderous description of a very large cave and the practices of cavers as Anna reluctantly enters the cave to assist in the rescue of one of her good friends, a mision expected to take several extremely strenuous days. The description of the cave almost makes me want to become a caver. Several "accidents" that may be crimes occur along the way. Despite very trying circumstances and a few bouts of claustrophobia, Anna tracks down the truth. The character development, particularly of Anna, is remarkable.
Rating:
Summary: Deep, Dark, Dangerous
Review: Anna Pigeon, Park Ranger, has been called to New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns. She is not a spelunker, but her injured friend requested that she be on the team to bring them out of the caverns. The rescuers will descend over 800 feet in a short time. This story is rich in details that take Anna across underground cliff faces like Razor Blade Run, through rivers and into the depths of airless passages, where all she wants to see is the sky. The descent must be done in such a way to protect the natural wonders of non-public caverns. On arrival Anna's friend tells her, "It was not an accident." One of the strong, highly trained companions had murder in the heart. Anna must discover who and why before the killer can strike and succeed. Motives abound among well defined suspects. Nevada Barr convincingly shows why rangers are called to locations other than their assigned park. Her descriptions are so rich that she must have been in the caves. She is a park ranger herself, and her view of the political structure is as eye-opening as the mystery itself. Ms. Barr is a great storyteller. This is one of her very best novels. She has included enough clues to help the "who done its?" solve the mystery with Anna.
Rating:
Summary: Chilling
Review: This is one of my favorites by Nevada Barr. The descriptions of the caves were chilling...made me feel claustrophobic. Ms. Barr writes in a way that makes you feel you are there. I enjoy reading about the parks and locations she describes so well. Inevitably, after (or during) each book I end up doing research into the parks in which she's working so I get the visuals to go along with it...just makes it so much fun! I highly recommend this one to all mystery buffs!
Rating:
Summary: Nevada Barr's best yet!
Review: Park ranger Anna Pigeon is called in to assist in the rescue of one of her best friends, who is injured while on a group expedition deep in Lechugilla, the underground caves 800 feet deep in New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns. Fighting claustrophobia through pitch-dark tunnels and treacherous passages and skirting bottomless pits, she finally reaches her friend, only to be told that it was no accident and she can trust no one. And they still have to bring her out. Barr's descriptions of the beautiful caverns, delicate crystal formations, and pristine underground rivers weave an atmosphere of wonder and awe. She takes you to the edge of Anna's hysteria, keeps you taut with her brittle hold on her self-control and dazzles your senses with the glorious beauty that the earth's crust hides from us. And the twist at the end is a climax that does not disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I just finished this book & it was great. So realistic. Anne had to go into a cave, a deep dark cave, and it is written so real that if you are claustrophobic this book is going to scare you. It is a scary time for Anne. And then she goes back in the cave again & is stalked by a killer who is going to kill her if he can. You feel like you are crawling in this tiny, dark space. You can feel Anne's pain when she get hurt, which of course she does more that once. Do read this great book. It is really hard to put down when you start to get close to the ending.
Rating: 
Summary: ambivalent
Review: I wanted to like this book, but I just can't pull it off. The literary allusions don't suit Anna's character, and it annoyed me that she'd make flawless references to the 7th OZ book but then mangle every Bible quotation. How did Anna get through Catholic school thinking "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" is the FIRST line of the 23rd psalm? The ending fell apart as well - after all the talk about how dark cave darkness is, how you can't see anything you don't have a light trained on, Anna is suddenly able to . . . well, no spoilers, but somehow in the last three chapters there's apparently an ambient light source. Between the tedious descriptions of caving gear, rock formations and climbing techniques, the literary allusions and political references, Barr seems a little too, "I'm so smart and politically correct, look at me" for my tastes.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as some of her others.
Review: I found Blind Descent to be a bit tiresome at times. If I had been a caver or perhaps had a better knowledge of cave terminology, I think I would have enjoyed it more. I found myself struggling to see the caverns in my mind and I could not create a picture. In addition to this, the ending left me feeling kind of flat. I found myself wanting some follow-up, which was not there. The story was good for the most part and I enjoyed most of it. I would recommend it, but I don't think it is one of her best works.
Rating:
Summary: Murder in the Dark
Review: Anna Pigeon and I have been caving, and after our adventure in a partially explored annex to Carlsbad Caverns, I don't want to go again any time soon! As always, Nevada Barr has the ability to take the reader right along on Anna's adventures. An indoor person myself, I was perfectly comfortable with the descriptions of the various and sundry caving gear, body positions necessary to squeeze through outrageously small openings formed of solid rock, and horrendously dangerous slithering over bottomless caverns. Never boring, these descriptions of caving are fascinating, as is the explanation of the otherworldly cave, Lechuguilla Cavern, only discovered in the mid-1980s, and estimated to extend for more than 300 miles. Anna is a card-carrying claustrophobe, and has absolutely no intention of entering Lechuguilla or any other underground area, even the touristy parts of Carlsbad Caverns. But a caving accident leaves her dear friend Frieda severely injured, perhaps mortally, and Frieda has been calling for Anna. As the rescue team assembles and the painstaking plans are made to plumb the unspeakably dangerous depths of the cave, Anna is asked to join the team in order to calm and care for Frieda during the treacherous rescue operation. Quelling her fears, Anna agrees, and so the adventure begins. As if the cave were not frightening enough, it soon becomes apparent to Anna, if not to anyone else, that a murderer is among them. If the team and their injured mate does not perish of natural causes in the dangerous cave, will they be murdered instead? The plot as it unravels is absolutely riveting, and the sense of being beneath the surface of the earth for days at a time is palpable. Barr has done it again; she is a truly fine writer.
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