The Virgin of Small Plains: A Novel of Suspense (Hardcover)

by Nancy Pickard (Author)
Key Phrases: storm cellar, The Virgin of Small Plains, Nancy Pickard, Mitch Newquist (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Pickard (Storm Warnings) probes the truth behind miracles and the tragedies behind lies in this mesmerizing suspense novel set in Kansas. While rounding up newborn calves during a 1987 blizzard, Nathan Shellenberger, sheriff of Small Plains, and his teenage sons, Rex and Patrick, discover the naked frozen body of a beautiful teenage girl. Later, Nathan and Dr. Quentin "Doc" Reynolds bash the girl's face to an unrecognizable pulp, since they know who she is and fear that either Patrick or Rex's best friend, 17-year-old Mitch Newquist, is her killer. Witnessing this terrible scene is Mitch, hidden in Doc's home office supply closet where he's gone for a condom to use with Abby, Doc's 16-year-old daughter. Mitch's father, a judge, forces Mitch to leave town after the boy admits what he saw. In 2004, Abby and Rex—now the sheriff—find another blizzard victim, Mitch's mother, dead near the marker commemorating the still-unidentified "virgin." Readers may wish the author supplied more detail about the dead girl's background, but some cleverly planted surprises and the convincing portrait of smalltown life make this a memorable read. (May)
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Review
Advance praise for The Virgin of Small Plains

“The Virgin of Small Plains will keep you up all night. Nancy Pickard’s intelligent, suspenseful storytelling never disappoints.”
–Julie Garwood

“Like the heart-stopping skid that sets it in motion, this book hurtles inexorably toward a startling conclusion. Along the way Nancy Pickard wrests magic from the everyday and redemption from broken dreams. The Virgin Of Small Plains is a beautiful and resonant book.”
–Carol Goodman, author of The Ghost Orchid

“An unforgettable tale of love, lust, faith, betrayal, and redemption. A powerful, mesmerizing suspense novel–a tour de force!”
–Judith Kelman, author of The Session

“A hold-your-breath suspense story–sexy, warm, and poignant, with aching loss and a human desire for miracles. Pickard’s best book yet.”
–Margaret Maron, author of Rituals of the Season




From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (April 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345470990
• ISBN-13: 978-0345470997
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #650,406 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, June 4, 2006

By	L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This was so well done. I started it in the evening and it was very late when I finished as I wasn't going to bed until it was done. It's a bit of a romance, a bit of a gothic, but mainly a mystery of family secrets. The story is meticulously plotted with all of my "but what about" questions answers and threads tied. Pickard makes the reader feel as though they are a resident of this small Midwestern town and her use of the weather to create atmosphere and suspense is very well done. The story stayed with me long after finishing the book and that, to me, is one sign of an excellent book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended!!!, October 11, 2006

By	Erin Brooks "Erin Brooks" (London) - See all my reviews

This is a great and suspenseful story based around the murder of a young woman in 1987. The discovery of the body by a local ranching family has had devastating effects on all those involved in one way or another. The town turned this victim into some sort of a saint, while the life of those who knew something about her death has turned into a nightmare. I read this book in two days and stayed up late to finish it. It has good twists, a great mix of endearing characters and small town gossip/family secrets, and the whole atmosphere of the small midwestern town made it even better. Very enjoyable read and highly recommended.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely kept me reading, but, January 1, 2007

By	Danton McDiffett (Kansas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really enjoyed this book! I grew up in the Flint Hills, went to high school in Council Grove, and felt that the storms that overwhelm that part of my beautiful state are vividly recreated here. The characters are interesting and Pickard kept me fully involved in their stories.
So why not five stars? Just because I figured out the mystery of the frozen girl far too early, well before halfway through the book. I'm not a regular mystery reader, but I think anyway who reads carefully will solve the mystery behind Sarah's death quite quickly. That doesn't mean they'll want to quit reading, because the story is well-told enough that I sure didn't mind finishing it to see how everything would wrap up!