Winter Study

An Anna Pigeon Mystery

By: Nevada Barr

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

It is January, and Park Ranger Anna Pigeon is sent to Isle Royale in Lake Superior to learn about managing and understanding wolves, as her home base of Rocky Mountain National Park might soon have its own pack of the magnificent, much-maligned animals. She's lodging in the island's bunkhouse with the famed wolf study team, along with two scientists from Homeland Security, who are assessing the study with an eye to opening the park in the winters - an act that would effectively bring an end to the 50-year project - so that the area can be manned to secure the scrap of border with Canada.

Soon after Anna's arrival, the wolf packs under observation begin to behave in peculiar ways. Giant wolf prints are found, and Anna spies the form of a great wolf from a surveillance plane. The discovery of wolf scat containing alien DNA leads the group to believe that perhaps a wolf/dog hybrid has been introduced to the island.

When a female member of the team is savaged, Anna is convinced she is being stalked, and what was once a beautiful, idyllic refuge becomes a place of unnatural occurrences and danger beyond the ordinary. Alone on an island without electricity or running water, with temperatures hovering around zero both day and night, Anna fights not only for the wolves but for her own survival as well.

Listen to more Anna Pigeon mysteries.

©2008 Nevada Barr (P)2008 Recorded Books

WOW!

Keep 'em coming Nevada Barr. This book was off the scale for suspense! Made me cold and on the edge of my seat the entire time I was listening. WOW!! Excellent!

Perhaps better than reading it

With mysteries, and mysteries in a series with such tried and true (still enjoyable but nevertheless) formulas, I often find myself skimming. This is the first Nevada Barr book I've downloaded on Audible, and I'm tempted to go back to the beginning and work my way through again, this time in audio form.

The narrator does a great job pacing and creating the moods that I often rushed through --without even realising or meaning to. When I think back on all the Pigeon mysteries, I can't really remember whodunit, but I remember the scenery and feeling of the parks. With this book and narrator, I feel everything is painted more fully in my mind and the feeling of actions is more enduring, and I was swallowed up by the story and imagery not just the compelling descriptions and love of the scenery, which previously were sufficient reason enough to grab each new book of the series.

The narrator's voice is pretty much exactly how I hear Anna's voice and speech patterns in my head, so that's always nice. ;)

Burrrr....

Loved the story. She does talk a lot of science but that's why I loved it. It was a good mix between my two great loves, nature and mystery!

I give it a C-

Any additional comments?

Can't recommend this book. There ARE really good parts and there are really badly written parts. All in all I give it a C-. Not nearly as good as her earliest books. And I cannot believe a woman of Anna's age could be nearly killed, nearly drowned, nearly frozen to death, have her collarbone broken and her shoulder disconnected and on and on and on and still she's a happy little camper and killer. She saves one man's life, leading to the death of the man who was trying to kill him and then she kills the first man herself. Oh and then there's the animal death scenes...wolves killing wolves, wolves killing moose, wolves killing people. Maybe I should lower her grade to D+.

National Parks

I enjoy listening to the various National Parks that Anna Pigeon works in. I find it very informative and descriptive of the parks. It also helps me add to my bucket list of parks that I'd like to visit.

Best of Pidgeon

What did you love best about Winter Study?

Atmospheric, creepy, decent mystery, lots of interesting information about the place (Isle Royale) and the science behind the Wolf/Moose Study

Who was your favorite character and why?

Always Anna. I love how she has aged. But one of my favorite things about Nevada Barr is how she develops her 'fringe characters' and supporting cast. Bob being compared to John Goodman is brilliant.

Have you listened to any of Barbara Rosenblat’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Lots of them. This is a good one. Some of the Barr books have sounds of narrator swallowing and breathing not edited out, which can be distracting. But B.R. is excellent here. I really enjoy her range of voices and her ability to do men.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. This was one of my first audible experiences and it left a lasting impression. There were times, listening alone in the dark basement as I did laundry or whatever, that I had the creepy-factor making me jumpy. In a good way. I have listened to it since then at least twice more when 'in between' other books.

Any additional comments?

If you like Barbara Rosenblat, listen to the Amelia Peabody Series about Egypt. Can't think of author.

Rivited to the story

If you could sum up Winter Study in three words, what would they be?

Riviting story

What other book might you compare Winter Study to and why?

Since I have been Isle Royale, I found the story interestion.

Which scene was your favorite?

The whole book descibes Isle Royale. One of my favorite places to visit.

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

None

Any additional comments?

During the hotest July on record, the story kept me a little bit cooler.

outstanding!

keeps your heart pounding at every turn!
I loved it! Barr has done it again!

Way too violent.. Bye-bye Anna.

We used to really like the series, but it seems like ever since book 8 (deep south) the male characters are on an increasing ramp to over-the-top violent, nasty and not worthy of being alive or called human.

WINTER STUDY just ended it for us. We removed all "Anna Pigeon" entries in the wish list and returned those unread (already purchased) that were allowed.

No more Anna in this household.

It is really sad because we love the writing and have always enjoyed Barbara Rosenblatt's highly talented narration. But we just can't stand any more male characters like BOB.

Terrifying Tale

Ranger Anna Pigeon joins the Isle Royale National Park in the middle of Lake Superior to help with the famed wolf study. There she finds evil and dangerous passions among the scientists and staff. A thriller.