High Country

By: Nevada Barr

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

With each breathtaking, New York Times best-selling entry in her acclaimed Anna Pigeon mystery series, author Nevada Barr earns more and more fans. Loaded with intrigue and adventure, High Country showcases Barr at the top of her game. Anna is lodged in Yosemite National Park's historic Ahwahnee Hotel when four employees disappear. Sensing evil, Anna hikes a snowy trail to the high country, only to discover a disturbing reality that may end her adventures once and for all.

Listen to more Anna Pigeon mysteries.

©2004 Nevada Barr (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"This is one of the best entries in a long-running series that seems to increase its audience with every outing." (Booklist)
"Read it, and your nails will be in serious trouble." (New York Daily News)
"Barr has a true gift for outdoor writing." (Publishers Weekly)

Great!

This was my first book by Nevada Barr. I really enjoyed her colorful writing, and suspense. I also really appreciated the strong heroine. The reader was also excellent. I would definitely listen to more by Ms. Barr.

fun!

Thank you for the entertaining book. I think it was an awesome story and read very well..

A Stunning Chase Through the High Sierras

If you could sum up High Country in three words, what would they be?

This is a mystery/thriller written by Nevada Barr; a very accomplished author with a large portfolio of mysteries set in National Parks with Anna Pigeon, a park ranger as the protagonist. Although the series is well established, this book is fresh, clear and stands on itself without the traditional clutter that series often load up in later editions. It is set in the Yosemite National Park and concerns missing persons. Anna Pigeon goes undercover and the story unfolds. Nevada Barr is wonderful guide to Yosemite and the life of the support staff that work in the various jobs supporting tourism. On that note alone, you get a glimpse into a unique subculture.

The story is a journey toward knowledge and justice with good humor, interesting characters and high adventure. I must say that Nevada placed one of the most stunning chase tales in this book I have every experienced.

And, this book is tidy. All of the characters and their roles eventually come to light. There is a gradual process of revelation so that when the villains become known, it is logical and you as a reader/listener can see the links and feel it is all believable.

I highly recommend this novel for lovers of thrilling mysteries.

Finally the narration was excellent, unique voices for each of the characters. Barbara Rosenblat did a very good job on the male voices...a tricky thing when there are a large number of male characters.

I hated for this book to end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of High Country?

The chase in the Sierras.

Which scene was your favorite?

The opening scene in the dining room. It just set the novel in motion with the perils and foibles of being a waitress when fine dining and tourist's desire for fast food can clash. In just a few pages, we are introduced to a large number of the key players in a very subtle scene.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud several times. Nevada Barr puts some funny asides and irony in the self-reflective Anna Pigeon's reverie. This is no big ego with Anna. She is human, with emotions, sentiments, and even a dark side.

Any additional comments?

This is the first book I have listened to by Nevada Barr. Her stories are rich in detail, character development and plot.

Got me hooked.

If you could sum up High Country in three words, what would they be?

Cold, long chase

What was one of the most memorable moments of High Country?

Scrambling up a hillside, in a bright pink top, being shot at.

What about Barbara Rosenblat’s performance did you like?

The way she uses her voice to bring the listener into the emotion of the moment

Any additional comments?

This was the first Anna Pigeon book that I listened to. It got me hooked to want to go to the beginning of the series and listen to them all. But this is one that, though a good book, is not on my favorites list because I think the ones are better where Anna does not get so badly injured as to make it unrealistic.

interesting

well I sometimes want to smack her for going out on her own. taking stupid chances. being barely lucky to get out of these circumstances alive

First time Navada Barr fan

This is my first Navada Barr read. I'm hooked on this National Park Ranger part time super sleuth, or is it the other way around.... Wonderful Sierra Nevada scenery fills the mind with a backdrop of comfortable and relaxing ease, but what a crime story! Anna blends into her character as a lodge waitress, and from that position, things begin to unravel around her. This is a must read.

First listen for this author

Being of similar age to the protagonist, I bought the book because of that and my love of mystery thrillers. Setting descriptions had me there, in Yosemite. Loved that. Story was so-so, and the ending was rather "meh", also.
Off-putting and so unreal/unbelievable was the degree, and frequency of near death events causing such painful injuries that Anna seemed to move on from in a few hours, or even minutes, to once again take on the bad guys. Reminded me of old tv western where guys ended long fist fights without a scratch.

Always Close to Perfect

I have to reiterate my love for Nevada Barr's work. She's not flawless - who is? But she never, ever fails to entertain and delight me.

My favorite thing about her main character, Anna Pigeon, is that Anna - a canny, wise, and self-sufficient National Park Ranger - has a deep love for the natural world and its non-human species. There's a scene in this book with a deer that brought tears to my eyes. Anna's perspective is one we all should share. The world would be a far better place for all of us if we could learn that kind of empathy.

Great book! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it!

If you could sum up High Country in three words, what would they be?

Suspenseful. Intriguing. Exciting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of High Country?

One of the most memorable moments was when she found the secret place.

Which character – as performed by Barbara Rosenblat – was your favorite?

Anna Pigeon was my favorite character.

As always, a wonderful read

Nevada Barr and Barbara Rosenblatt and their creation and portrayal of Anna Pigeon never fail to entertain me and keep me engrossed in the story. If you are an outdoor lover who enjoys strong female characters, I couldn't recommend a better series.