Customer Reviews

Blind Descent (Anna Pigeon Mysteries)

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in the Anna Pigeon series but "Blind Descent" is the best of the bunch so far. Barr's books are always interesting and well-written but the previous ones sometimes didn't have quite enough clues with the result that the endings came as a bit of a surprise. "Blind Descent" not only has the requisite number of hints, but they are so skillfully interwoven into the story that you will find yourself thinking, "oh of course" at the end. This is a terrific book, the descriptions of the cave are harrowing, the other characters are well-drawn and intriguing and the pace of the book is fast.

"Blind Descent" is an excellent read, the best by far by Nevada Barr. Anna Pigeon's character is an extremely interesting person who has human frailties like everyone else yet has the skills and finds the inner strength to persevere and meet the challenges and succeed. Barr's writing skills and style are superb in this book, especially in describing Anna Pigeon's thoughts as she is dealing with her reactions to being in the cave. Also, some of her insights into human relations hit the mark and her sense of humor is well intact. Enjoyed this book from beginning to end and cannot wait for more in the series. Nevada Barr deserves to be congratulated for her writing skills and creating such an enjoyable read and such an interesting main character. The readers cannot wait to see what happens to Anna Pigeon next.

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.

Though I have read and enjoyed every Anna Pigeon mystery that preceded this book, this was by far my favorite. This is because Barr's skills grow with each novel and with each new mystery, her gifts as a writer begin to flower more and more.

One of the great rewards of serial fiction is watching a character grow and develop over the course of several novels. This leads to a depth that's not possible with stand-alone novels. It also presents a greater challenge to an author, a test that Barr is passing with flying colors. I've always found Anna to be a likable character but the more I get to know her, the more I like her. I have a vested interest in her and when she does something stupid, when she's in danger, I truly care what happens to her.

An enormous part of the appeal of this novel has to do with its setting. Anyone who has ever visited a cave and been treated to even a minute stretch of time in its absolute darkness will feel the same willies I felt while reading the cave passages. Even those who have never visited will be able to feel it and will relate to Anna's claustrophobia. The cold, calculating villain of the novel has nothing on the setting, on the cave that seems equal parts source of wonder and nightmare.

My only gripe with this novel was its end and that is what kept me from rating this one five stars. The ending was too abrupt for me and left me feeling like perhaps some of my pages were missing. Still, this is a pretty minor fault in a novel that is well worth reading, especially for those who enjoy a taut, well-written mystery with a cast of interesting, well-drawn characters.

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.

National Park Service law-enforcement ranger Anna Pigeon goes to Carlsbad Caverns as part of a rescue team to bring an injured friend and fellow ranger out of the depths of an enormous labyrinthine cave. The author, whose descriptive powers are as good as ever, evokes both the oppressive stygian darkness and the wondrous beauty found therein. Whether you're claustrophobic like Anna or not, you'll probably be almost as relieved as she is when the action emerges into the blessed world of daylight. "Blind Descent" is both a suspenseful thriller and a cleverly plotted whodunit, with suspects aplenty and, of course, a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. If you like Nevada Barr's outdoor adventures, you might also enjoy mysteries by B.J. Oliphant, Virginia Lanier and Abigail Padgett.

In reading one of Barr's more current mysteries, I discovered I had somehow bypassed this particular one. I thoroughly enjoy Barr's books, not only for the good mystery readers can expect, but because of the environs that she places the mysteries in. Barr uses the great National Parks for her scenarios, and inevitably she ends up teaching readers about areas in the United States we are not familiar with. This time the story revolved around the Carlsbad Cavern area. I have never read anything on cave climbing or spelunking, though since my husband is a scoutmaster I am familiar with the boys doing this type of stuff. I was fascinated by the descriptions of the caves, as well as the absolute darkness and disorientation that people undergo when in this type of situation.

I can guarantee, that as well written as Barr's work in this novel are, you will not catch me putting myself into this situation. It all sounds too claustrophobic and confining for me, besides the fact that deaf people often have balance problems and this would not make for good climbers. Yikes!

I gave this book a five because it was so well-written and I enjoyed it so much. However, it may be too technical in its jargon for some fans of lighter mystery reading. I am also impressed with the need to practice good environmental protection of these precious resources, and the storyline was very plausible about some people putting corporate greed above the need to protect these places. It's been done before, it is happening now, and will happen in the future. Barr does a good job painting pictures of these caves and resources and explaining why they need protection.
Karen Sadler,
University of Pittsburgh

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.

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.