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Murder on the border

June 4th, 2009 Mary K. - Central

Fortunately for fans of Nevada Barr’s long running mystery series, featuring Ranger Anna Pigeon, there are many national parks all over the country for Anna to visit or work in.  In her latest, Borderline, Anna is on a needed leave of absence following the stressful events of the past year.  She is suffering from post traumatic stress and so far has not been helped by psychiatric treatment.  Anna and her new husband Paul are in Big Bend National Park on the border of Texas and Mexico and have signed up for a rafting trip, accompanied by a guide and four young students.

Their leisurely rafting trip quickly turns tragic as the raft is destroyed after the crew hits some rocks.  Then one of the young people finds a pregnant and dying woman in the water.  Anna is able to successfully deliver the baby with a c-section, and as the group is trying for rescue, a sniper begins shooting at them.  Anna and Paul work together to save the baby, and get the remaining rafters to safety.  All of these events take place in the action packed first half of the story.

The second part of the book takes place on land in and around the park.  Anna must care for the newborn baby and try to find out who her mother was and why someone was trying to kill them on the river.  She and Paul are staying with the park ranger and his wife, and Anna is not sure what the ranger’s involvement has been in either the shooting or the death of the woman.

It doesn’t really matter that the resolution of the murder is predictable, and obvious about 2/3rd of the way into the book.  Barr is an always readable and enjoyable mystery author.  The real draw of the series are the national park settings and Anna Pigeon, the strong, durable, and personable heroine.

Entry Filed under: Mystery