Flashback

By: Nevada Barr

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 15 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

When Sheriff Paul Davidson proposes marriage to Anna Pigeon, he doesn't get the reaction a man might hope for. Intrepid park ranger Anna runs all the way to the furthest scrape of American ground not found in Alaska or Hawaii. How's that for a no?

Anna takes a new post as temporary supervisory ranger in Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles off Key West. Dry Tortugas is the site of the former prison for Lincoln conspirators during and after the Civil War. One of the seven islands in the chain is completely encircled by the massive stone walls of Fort Jefferson, a crumbling reminder of the site's gritty past. Now, the park looks like an island paradise. But as Anna quickly discovers, even the most picturesque and seemingly peaceful places have more than their share of shady goings-on.

An exploding boat, the discovery of unidentifiable body parts, and the emergence of secrets both past and present put Anna's life in danger. Cut off from the modern world by poor communications and miles of water, she's developing a nasty case of cabin fever, one that just might pry her fingers from their tenuous grip on sanity. Full of stunning scenery and packed with breathtaking suspense, Flashback is everything a mystery fan could ask for and more.

©2003 Navada Barr (P)2003 Recorded Books,LLC

Great writing but TOO LONG

Nevada Barr has a wonderful way with words and is such a great storyteller. This book should have ended about 1/2 way through.

Dry mouth sounds are better on this one

I was so tempted to try the other narrator. But I ended up buying this one. I am not sure why there was so much complaining in the comments about the flashback sequences. The story is set on a tiny island 70 miles from anywhere. Without the added bonus of history, the book would have been quick and not nearly as interesting. Besides, some huge percentage of National Parks are exactly like Dry Tortugas. Very small and steeped in history. I you can't handle the history sections of this story, do you even like National Parks?

Such great stories!

I never tire of these stories. Nevada Barr helped crafted my love of the national parks when I read these book the first time, years ago. And she is renewing my love of the parks and desire to be a park ranger even now. :)

Not a good departure from the usual Anna Pigeon story.

Anna’s part was great as usual. The historical back tracking was awful! It was distracting and it made no sense.

Flashback

Barbara Rosenblat-the absolute worse reader ever. The book is hardly recognizable beyond the wrong timing, wrong emphasis, oposite of smooth type of speech.

Back story annoying and intrusive

I listen to Nevada Barr books mostly because I enjoy Anna Pidgeon. This book is actually two novels in one, and I did not care for the story which was interwoven with the mystery which Anna was unraveling. Actually, I fast forwarded through the second story, and it was annoying to have to find my place again every half hour or so, as the two stories alternated.

Don't bother -

So slow I simply couldn't get past an hour - terrible -

Couldn't get thru the gasping and smacking

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Readers voice ok but I quit at chapter 4 because the readers deep breaths after each sentance and her smacking swallowing drove me nuts.

Would you ever listen to anything by Nevada Barr again?

Maybe would depend on reader.

How could the performance have been better?

Take out the readers gasps and smacking swallowing. I don't know why other readers don't mention it maybe it doesn't bother them but it annoyed me I couldn't concentrate on the story.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Annoyed ... the readers gasps breaths and smacking ruined it for me. The story moved slowly and the reader just annoyed me so much I finally quit after chapter 4.

Any additional comments?

Does audible listen to their books? The readers gasps breaths and smacking annoyed me I even turned down volume hoping the gasps didn't sound but they still did. I just couldn't get into the book it just moved too slow and the readers noises ruined it for me

Yawn...

This is one of those books you EXPECT to like. A "name" author...a pleasing lead character...but it never gets off the ground. The story destroys its own focus with endless...well...flashbacks...that just get sillier and sillier.

Barr is to be commended for trying something different...even if it's not a very successful experiment.

Melodrama - forced narrative line

I had downloaded this book sometime ago. I have a feeling it must have been a special sale. I did listen to the whole thing but didn't like it at all. The story goes back and forth between a present and a past. The lead character, Anna Pigeon (who is in many of Barr's books - a NPS ranger) is related to the characters in the past. The past takes place at the time of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in an outpost prison where some conspirators or sympathizers are kept. The present is in a NPS garrison park. Flashing back and forth between the past and this present with evil afoot, "someone" drugging NPS rangers with LSD in the water so they think they are going mad, the same someone involved in human smuggling operations - well, it's melodramatic and not very well written.