Rating: 
Summary: THE DESERT IS THE STAR
Review: "Ill Wind" exemplifies what Nevada Barr does so well. She gives us a sense of place making us part of the southwest she loves so much. The descriptive scenes are breathtaking.I am very fond of Anna Pigeon, her vulnerabilities balance her awesome virtues. Her very physical confrontations with evil make we wince; Anna gives new meaning to the word "resilliance." Her alcoholism is a very real factor in her makeup; the author is deft in her understanding and descriptions. The plot is somewhat loose and scattered. There are enough characters to be confusing, though Ms. Barr is careful not to make them interchangeable. Because the physical landscape is loose and sprawling, the reader is more forgiving of a plot with the same features. Ill Wind has some wonderful humorous dialogue, very clever, wry and funny. Frederick Spalding is a delightful personality, about as far from your average FBI agent as you can get. This is a feel-good, satisfying read.
Rating:
Summary: THE DESERT IS THE STAR
Review: "Ill Wind" exemplifies what Nevada Barr does so well. She gives us a sense of place making us part of the southwest she loves so much. The descriptive scenes are breathtaking. I am very fond of Anna Pigeon, her vulnerabilities balance her awesome virtues. Her very physical confrontations with evil make we wince; Anna gives new meaning to the word "resilliance." Her alcoholism is a very real factor in her makeup; the author is deft in her understanding and descriptions. The plot is somewhat loose and scattered. There are enough characters to be confusing, though Ms. Barr is careful not to make them interchangeable. Because the physical landscape is loose and sprawling, the reader is more forgiving of a plot with the same features. Ill Wind has some wonderful humorous dialogue, very clever, wry and funny. Frederick Spalding is a delightful personality, about as far from your average FBI agent as you can get. This is a feel-good, satisfying read.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good Mystery
Review: A little slow in a few places but the ending was definitely worth it. I liked her book Firestorm much better
Rating: 
Summary: Let's hear it for Anna Pigeon!
Review: After reading Liberty Falling, I became Nevada Barr's Fan #1. I definitely wanted more Anna Pigeon. The reviews suggested that Ill Wind was not only a good suspense mystery, but also a good character novel. Thus I read my second Anna book. I was not disappointed. The characterization of Anna is superb. With her soul-searching and sometimes late-night-drinking as well as her love of the natural world and a somewhat love of a temporary ranger, she makes for a very well-rounded heroine. Only problem is I just finished the book this morning, and I already miss her and her adventures. The other characters in Ill Wind were excellent too -- the young ranger from Tennessee, who was a little "too sweet" but had a hidden bravery -- the lovable dwarf child Bella, who was a poignant mixture of vulnerability and toughness -- and even an FBI agent with a heart -- all seemed entiredly believable. The story didn't disappoint either. I had my guesses early on as to what was causing the calamities, but it was a great ride following Anna and her fellow rangers as they solved the mystery. Hmmm. Better start reading the reviews to see which book I'll get next!
Rating:
Summary: Let's hear it for Anna Pigeon!
Review: After reading Liberty Falling, I became Nevada Barr's Fan #1. I definitely wanted more Anna Pigeon. The reviews suggested that Ill Wind was not only a good suspense mystery, but also a good character novel. Thus I read my second Anna book. I was not disappointed. The characterization of Anna is superb. With her soul-searching and sometimes late-night-drinking as well as her love of the natural world and a somewhat love of a temporary ranger, she makes for a very well-rounded heroine. Only problem is I just finished the book this morning, and I already miss her and her adventures. The other characters in Ill Wind were excellent too -- the young ranger from Tennessee, who was a little "too sweet" but had a hidden bravery -- the lovable dwarf child Bella, who was a poignant mixture of vulnerability and toughness -- and even an FBI agent with a heart -- all seemed entiredly believable. The story didn't disappoint either. I had my guesses early on as to what was causing the calamities, but it was a great ride following Anna and her fellow rangers as they solved the mystery. Hmmm. Better start reading the reviews to see which book I'll get next!
Rating:
Summary: An armchair vacation
Review: Again, Nevada Barr weaves in a virtual vacation in a national park with a murder mystery. Her detective, park ranger Anna Pigeon, intricately blends the park, the crime and her own emotional history into a story which satisfies on many levels. The only regret at the end is that the vacation is over.
Rating:
Summary: Beware a breath of fresh air...
Review: Anna Pigeon, is now at home in Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park, but murder also invades the Anasazi ruins. Why do some of the tourists die while viewing the caves? This becomes a significant question when a child dies; the previous deaths were attributed to natural circumstance. The value of medical training for a park ranger is detailed in giving aid to these unfortunate visitors. Death continues to visit this land where the question of "what happened to the Anasazi" is as ingrained to archaeologists in the real world as it is in the world of Anna Pigeon. It is clear that Nevada Barr has studied the ancient Native American history and searched for answers to this question. Is not a journey into history, but an adventure into murder and money. Nevada Barr excels in creating believable characters, situations and solutions.
Rating:
Summary: Been to Mesa Verde for real and now again with Anna!!!
Review: Another entertaining read from Nevada Barr. I miss Anna when I'm not in the middle of one of her books. The descriptions of our natural beauties are outstanding and the workings of Anna's always surprising brain continues to keep me hooked. The characters are interesting and believable and you feel you know them at book's end. An Anna is now an old friend I like alot. On to the next adventure. Great!!!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Another knockout from Nevada Barr! Wonderfully descriptive mystery that hold your interest until the end.
Rating:
Summary: Strong protagonist, slow in spots
Review: Decided while visiting National Parks was a good time to check out Park Ranger Anna Pigeon. Took me a little while to "put faces" with all the characters...maybe too many characters. Book moved fast in parts and plodded in others. Anna Pigeon is a good lead and I enjoyed the writing style. Will certainly try another in the series.
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