Hard Truth

By: Nevada Barr

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Nevada Barr continues her award-winning Anna Pigeon series with this riveting mystery that features the puzzling plot twists, deft characterizations, and sparkling dialogue that have become Barr's trademarks, and which her ever-growing fan base can't get enough of.

Anna and Sheriff Paul Davidson are married only three days before Anna moves from Mississippi to Colorado. Her mettle is immediately tested as the new district ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park. Three young girls have gone missing, and when only two return a month later, wearing filthy undergarments and bearing deep psychological scars, the signs point to a mysterious religious organization that guards its secrets closely. As a palpable sense of evil casts its shadow over the park, Anna puts her life on the line to discover the truth behind the disappearances.

©2005 Nevada Barr (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Noted for her precise plotting and atmospheric descriptions of nature, Barr again proves her skill in putting believable characters in peril against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery." (Publishers Weekly)

Highly Recommend

This is the first Nevada Barr book I have Read. I chose it because of the customer reviews. I could not put my IPOd down. It drew you into the story at the very first and when you thought the mystery was solved ther was another twist. It kept me guessing until the end.

A little scary!

I love the Anna Pigeon books, but after this one, gonna take a break! Anna, go home to Paul and take a sebatical! Spend a month with Molly, get some help! They seem to be getting worse. Not just a cool murder mystery with a stunning backdrop, this one had torture, serial killer, child abuse......it just went too far for me, don't think I will ever go to RMP again, and I'm from Colorado!

save the wolf

enjoyed this one. Sadly the sick world scarred the park. fanatics get away with abuse and insane nuts are everywhere

Masterful

Barr again delivers us beautiful vistas, heart-stopping moments, a tender touch and a chilling plot twist that will keep you listening to the very end.

disappointing

I forwarded through so much of this story. I don't remember Anna being so inept before.

The most startling, nail bitter yet!

This book shown great artistry in it's plot, in it's delivery, and in the narrator. I am still trying to catch my breath, highly recommended!

Angst Redux

Please understand -- I love Nevada Barr's books: I am mesmerized by the descriptions of the National Parks to which she is sent; I am fascinated by the characters she creates -- usually very timely and timeless; I identify with the difficulties her (and my) aging costs.
For a first time reader I think her books would be fascinating, illuminating, exciting and a multitude of other "ing"s. But I've read them all. At this point I'm almost ready for a description of Anna's and Paul's honeymoon someplace very unexciting. After all Anna Pigeon's near-death experiences I wonder what part of her body remains scarless; how she retains the energy to go to yet another National Park to await further indigities to her body and soul; when does she get the time to speak to her sister to have her explain the latest weirdness of the moment.
Applause for the insight into the "handicapped"ed psyche's, the publicity for the "handicamp", of which many might not have been aware, the emphasis on the importance of helper dogs such as "Wylie", and the damange that can be done by well-meaning god-fearing souls.
I couldn't stop listening, but I'm a fan and not that discerning a listener.

Not easy to listen to

I have been enjoying the Anna Pigeon series but they can be formulaic. Anna always seems to find herself in mortal danger with one nasty or crazy villain after the other. But this one was much more disturbing than any of the others. It was very difficult to listen to the abuse and the gore seemed over the top. There was no personal side to this story to counterbalance the terror, as her sister and her husband weren't in it at all. I don't know if I will be listening to the rest of the series.

Reader too Audible

I loved the story but not the reader. I really don't want to hear the reader breath, swallow, or making any other sounds with her mouth. If nothing else is possible, one can move back from the microphone when s/he finds it necessary to swallow etc. my audio books run into the hundreds. This is the first time I have complained. Aside from the audible oral noises the reader is accomplished.

Too Much. Over the top.

No more Nevada Barr for me. Not that I’m a fan of “cozies” but this is too violent and disturbing for me. Back to the British detective mysteries!