Burn: An Anna Pigeon Mystery, Book 16

By: Nevada Barr

Narrated by: Joyce Bean

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Anna Pigeon, a Ranger with the National Park Service, is newly married but on administrative leave from her job as she recovers from the traumas of the past couple of months. While the physical wounds have healed, the emotional ones are still healing. With her new husband back at work, Anna decides to go and stay with an old friend from the Park Service, Geneva, who works as a singer at the New Orleans Jazz NHP. She isn't in town long before she crosses paths with a tenant of Geneva's, a creepy guy named Jordan. She discovers what seems to be an attempt to place a curse on her - a gruesomely killed pigeon marked with runic symbols; and begins to slowly find traces of very dark doings in the heart of post-Katrina New Orleans. Tied up in all of this is Jordan, who is not at all what he appears to be; a fugitive mother accused of killing her husband and daughters in a fire; and faint whispers of unpleasant goings-on in the heart of the slowly recovering city.

Now it will take all of Anna's skills learned in the untamed outdoors to navigate the urban jungle in which she finds herself, to uncover the threads that connect these seemingly disparate people, and to rescue the most vulnerable of creatures from the most savage of animals.

Investigate more mysterious doings with Anna Pigeon.

©2010 Nevada Barr (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Disturbing Content

I have read all of Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon novels, and am a big fan. However, I do think that Burn, like several of the other more recent Anna Pigeon novels, takes a very dark and disturbing turn away from the traditional national park scene that I have loved to read about in the past. The details of the child sex trade portrayed in Burn, while most likely accurate, were very difficult to listen to. This novel may be too disturbing for some. I honestly regret hearing parts of the novel, and would probably have thought twice about downloading the book if I knew in advance what was in store. I do like the narrator of this book, and have enjoyed her voice in other Anna Pigeon novels as well.

Anna is back!

After a bit of a flop in "Borderline", Barr and Pigeon are back on their game! Anna isn't really the central character here, leaving that role to a slightly (or perhaps more) crazy mother / actress desperately trying to locate her children, kidnapped during the murder of her husband. Murder for which she is the prime suspect, of course!
Barr's skill is in making a completely ridiculous plot animated by an equally absurd principal character... completely credible!
And of course... Anna gets shot again. But only a flesh-wound, this time.
Recommended!

way too much information

Nevada Barr is a brilliant writer and the narrator excellent. But, I had to really push myself through the end. I became a bit much with many loose ends to tie.

different writing, anna p., narrator, & story

not sure which made the difference, but this is the first nevada barr i have truly struggled through getting to the end.

only long term fans could possibly enjoy this book. i otherwise would say avoid avoid avoid.
if you have never read nevada barr, you are in for a treat by reading/listening to her previous anna pigeon novels, she is fabulous, creating the grandeur of the US national parks as a character in her novels and creating a feisty but grand character with a strong moral compass, anna pigeon.

definitely start with any of the earlier volumes. not necessary to read in order
there are 15 other novels to get better acquainted this forest ranger's law enforcement mysteries.

Barr's work improves as it gets darker and darker

This is not your Anna Pigeon of old. Burn is not a lightweight mystery nor is it an easy listen. I was surprised by the graphic and horrifying content but riveted by a mature writing style and brilliant storytelling. I am a fan of Barr's writing and I love that she has allowed her heroine to evolve and develop as real humans do. Be prepared to be drawn into something dark but ultimately lovely for all it's darkness.

Still Hooked on Anna Pigeon

What made the experience of listening to Burn the most enjoyable?

Story is compelling. Never tire of this series. Just wish Barbara Rosenblat were reading it.

My Favorite of the Series!

I've read and listened to many of the Anna Pigeon books and this is by far my favorite. I know other listeners did not enjoy this particular story line but I had a whole different reaction to it. For one, I thought it a timely story since the trafficking of women and children is a very current issue. I particularly liked the narration by Joyce Bean who gave Anna a voice that seemed just right to me.

Burn is another excellent Anna Pidgeon book

Love Nevada Barr's books. Location is New Orleans and where ever the park ranger is there's bound to be trouble, another mystery to be solved, and other people to be helped and saved. Go Anna Pidgeon!

Missing: Barbara Rosenblat

Barbara Rosenblat IS the voice of Anna Pigeon to me. Anyone else just isn't the same. The recording sounds flat & is littered with mispronunciations. Joyce Bean does pronounce all the French Quarter street names correctly, which is no small feat. The plot is slow to start, especially in monotone, but once it gets going one is willing overlook things.

Definitely one of my favorites!

Joyce Bean is a pleasure to listen to. She definitely had a challenge with this book! It definitely tested her range admirably.

It is extremely interesting to see how Nevada Barr expands the character of Claire and places Anna Pigeon out of her comfort zone and outside of her formal duties in New Orleans. A well woven story. My only disappointment is wanting a bit more to wrap up the end of the story, walking us through some of the process with Claire extricating herself with the law. I don't want to make this a spoiler alert so will stop here. You'll be rooting for both Claire and Anna throughout!