Deep South (Anna Pigeon Mysteries Book 8)

NO SPOILER HERE! I will not give you a “Reader’s Digest” condensed version of this book.Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon series is an exceptional creation. It is unique in that each one of the books is set in a different National Park, though there are some doubles. Ms. Barr’s descriptions of the park, the inner workings of the National Park System, history, environment, flora, fauna and applicable issues make reading these mysteries a fulfilling adventure. Like many such series, it will serve the reader well to read them in order. This isn’t necessary as each mystery will stand alone quite well. But Anna’s personal story is the thread that makes the series complete. Anna herself is a masterful creation. Human, flawed, introspective, complex, she is the window through which the reader sees much of the beauty our National Park System has to offer. From Mesa Verde, the Florida Keys, Lake Superior to environments that are dry, wet, cold, and hot, the drastically changing settings and Anna’s evolving personal life keep this series fresh and engaging. It will be no surprise to the reader that Ms. Barr is a former Park Ranger. I’ll admit I haven’t read the last three books in the series – with good reason. They are my emergency kit. When I have waded through a piece of substandard literary junk and need a dose of quality writing, an Anna Pigeon mystery is a perfect fix. You may even find yourself sweating as you read this one.

Anna Pigeon goes for a promotion and gets it – only to realize she's an experiment. The Park Service wants to see if the good old boys in Mississippi will accept a female district ranger. It doesn't look promising. Her subordinates are two fat, lazy rangers who inform Anna they make their own rules.While Anna struggles with her defiant tem, she also finds herself saddled with a murder case. The victim is a teenaged would-be beauty queen, and Anna has to work her way through the lies of the uncooperative high school kids who were close to the victim to figure out what happened on prom night.Nevada Barr's first permanent job as a park ranger was on the Natchez Trace Parkway, and she brings alive the lush beauty of the landscape – and its historic resonance. Her ability to portray the many faces of nature and culture in our national parks is impressive.Anna Pigeon at forty-five may be ready to give up the rigors of fieldwork. But the reader will be happy to know that her life in management is no less strenuous that her life in previous books. She has to fight to stay alive in Deep South – and even wrestles with an alligator at one point.To sweeten the plot, there's a promise of romance for Anna – and lots of affectionate displays between Anna, her cat and her dog.I love this series, and I found Deep South a completely satisfying adventure.

I had not previously read this book, although it is one of the older ones in the series. It is set on the Natchez Trace, just down the road a bit from where I live, and the scenic route down to Natchez. With the recent great flood of 2011, Highway 61 was cut for some period of time, and this was an alternate route from Vicksburg to Natchez, taking Highway 27 from Vicksburg to the intersection with the Trace.Anna Pigeon has started a new job as District Ranger on the south end of the Natchez Trace, from Interstate 20 down to Natchez. On her first official day on the job, she discovers the body of a murder victim. It had been prom night at Clinton High School, and one girl never made it back home. The main part of the novel investigates possible suspects and motives. At the same time Anna is dealing with internal personel problems in the ranger district. You can guess at some of the motives, and there are some clues along the way. It is a surprise at the end, with a couple twists, but maybe not a complete surprise.About that alligator - I know some young men who have done things with gators. One friend lost her pet dog to a misplaced gator. Some of the characters are true to life.

All of Nevada Barr's books are extremely atmospheric (I still feel claustrophobic when I think about the Lechugilla Cave in "Blind Descent") and "Deep South" is no exception. Barr's descriptions of April in the southern end of the Natchez Trace are alternately lovely as she describes the spring beauty of the landscape, and cloying as she writes about the pervasive, encompassing growth. This is a terrific mystery story, expertly told with clues and red herrings woven skillfully throughout the text.I feel compelled to respond to the previous reviewer who wrote of "slogging" through yet another Anna Pigeon mystery. Life is too short to slog through books written about characters or by writers you already know you don't like. Anna does have numerous friends, male and female, but even if she didn't, why does it matter that she has a close friendship with her older sister? I only wish I was as close with my sister. And so what if she likes to drink? There are far worse personal habits then a glass or two of wine in the evening. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Nevada Barr books, Anna is an intelligent, tough and compassionate character. I personally would have picked fellow district ranger Steve Stilwell over Sheriff Paul Davidson, but hey, no one's perfect. I also liked the peace/piece joke on page 276 as well as the bit where Taco is described as a "tourist."

I’ve liked all of the books in this series thus far. However this one might be my favorite. Really good story and really clever plot twists.I just really enjoyed it more than the others I think!

This book is a murder mystery with several sub plots that tie together nicely. I never read this author before, so don't know if her books are 'formula written' or not. This one has great suspense and build-up. I enjoyed that the reader got to understand some of the background of the supporting characters.

Anna Pigeon' s exploits in Mississippi ran very true from a Southern girls recollections. Very well written, even with memory magic of kudzu vines smell of grape. I love Nevada BARR!

My favorite aspect of Nevada Barr's books is the way she transports you to the scene (a different national park) in each book. Set on the Natchez Trace, this book is Barr at her best. You can almost feel and hear the menacing kudzu growing outside. Since I read this during a cold, snowy week in Iowa, that gives you an idea of Barr's skill. The story is tight and the characters well-drawn. It would be easy to present stereotypes in this setting, but Barr doesn't fall for that.