Customer Reviews: Read 28 more reviews...
 A Bit Disappointed July 16, 2008
I will bypass a synopsis since everyone else has described the plot. I sense a lot of anger in this book. I'm not sure why Ms. Barr chose to thank Mr. Paxton for saving her life, but there must be some serious issues that need to be addressed. The main character really doesn't care for men, except her "Paul." Not sure why good old Paul would put up with her away for months at a time.
The villan was really tough to grasp. He did such despicable things to women, I can't imagine a woman could walk for a week after a session with him. Much less functionin a working capacity.
It was mentioned that the descriptions of Isle Royal were often inaccurate. I have never been there and was really confused. Why wasn't there a map in this book? Also, her passages of time were rather mixed. The time taken to cover miles or yards in one direction, seemed totally different going the reversal of that direction.
I have always enjoyed her books, but this one I could throw away. Still not a bad record for an author.
The show-down was way too long ... July 7, 2008
Can't say that I'm a big Nevada Barr fan. I've read a couple of her books, (High Country and Ill Wind) but just didn't find anything that tripped my triggers.
I tried the new book because it sounded interesting. Scientists studying wolves, isolated on an island in the middle of Lake Superior, discover DNA evidence of what might be a hybrid wolf/dog. It's the middle of winter and cold permeates everything and everyone. When one of the team is brutally killed, all evidence points to the wild hybrid.
The story is number 14 in a series about Anna Pigeon, a tougher-than-nails park ranger who regularly finds herself in the middle of a crisis - think Jessica Fletcher of "Murder, She Wrote" set outdoors.
The story bogs down with too many red herrings and ancillary sub-plots. I guessed the villain early on, not because I'm clever, but because the author eliminates everyone else from the suspect list.
When the story lines converge and Anna finally faces the bad guy, the author spends 49 pages drawing out the action. Frankly, it was about 39 pages too long. I knew Anna would win because she's the good guy, but I didn't really care how it played out. I just wanted it to be over.
 A Little Reality Please July 5, 2008
I have been a dedicated fan of Nevada Barr's books in part because I like the story and in part because I like her descriptions of the National Parks and nature in general. I liked the story told here and I enjoyed her descriptions of the wolf study. As always I enjoyed Anna's wry comments. But common on, you have to have a somewhat realistic ending. A woman can only be knocked down so may times, especially in minus 17 degree weather and still get up.
 Great Book! June 28, 2008
I have read every book Nevada Barr has written. I feel this is one of her best, if not the best book she has written. Reading this,you feel you are right in the frozen countryside with Anna Pigeon. It is interesting, gruesome, and very entertaining. More please.
Disappointing June 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've read all of Barr's fiction, but this one left me cold. I had a hard time maintaining interest in it and ultimately quit after a handful of chapters. That's unheard of for me... a voracious reader. Maybe I'll try it again someday, but for now, it sits on the shelf.
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