Ill Wind (Hardcover)

A rash of medical emergencies at Cliff Palace gives rise to adolescent talk about spirit activity among the mysteriously vanished cliff dwellers, the Anasazi. Until a fellow ranger dies in Cliff Palace in strange circumstances and Anna begins looking for a human hand in the proceedings.

Barr steeps the story in western mountain smells and sights, and the lingering mystery of a vanished people; an atmosphere in sharp contrast with the daily rush of visitors to one of the country's most popular parks. The story is evenly paced, with a bang-up conclusion, and Barr excells at action scenes - like heart-pounding rescue efforts over the cliffs and harsh terrain. Another winner for the likable ranger.

The characterization of Anna is superb. With her soul-searching and sometimes late-night-drinking as well as her love of the natural world and a somewhat love of a temporary ranger, she makes for a very well-rounded heroine. Only problem is I just finished the book this morning, and I already miss her and her adventures.

The other characters in Ill Wind were excellent too -- the young ranger from Tennessee, who was a little "too sweet" but had a hidden bravery -- the lovable dwarf child Bella, who was a poignant mixture of vulnerability and toughness -- and even an FBI agent with a heart -- all seemed entiredly believable.

The story didn't disappoint either. I had my guesses early on as to what was causing the calamities, but it was a great ride following Anna and her fellow rangers as they solved the mystery.

Hmmm. Better start reading the reviews to see which book I'll get next!

In this tale, park ranger Anna is stationed at Colorado's Mesa Verde park, where the famous cliff dwellings draw tourists from all over the world. As in her other two books, Barr makes the reader experience the site. It is her great gift--reading about the kivas and mesas and the haunting spirits of the primitive Anasazi, who originally constructed the mesas, I felt I was there. I could feel the heat of the air, smell the surrounding vegetation, feel the sandstone. And, along with Anna, who is becoming more likeable with every book, I worried about seemingly nefarious activites in the park--of of which ends in the death of a fellow ranger. Anna knows the death is not accidental, but try as she might, she cannot put together the increasingly strange and seemingly unrelated clues.

Along comes "Fred the Fed," whom we met the last book. He and Anna team up to solve the mystery, and the interplay between them is a true delight.

I find this series a true delight as well; the concept of a park ranger as law-enforcement detective is so different, and so perfect, as are the descriptions of the incredible national parks. I am getting a real education, here! This is the perfect book to take to the beachl or the pool or the park--easy, fun, gently suspenseful, and perfect.