Endangered Species

by Nevada Barr

Book Overview

Cumberland Island, off the coast of Georgia, is a breathtaking setting for tedious fire presuppression duty. But Anna's boring routine is shattered when two men die in a plane crash, victims of sabotage. This classic mystery is now repackaged.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380725835
• ISBN13: 9780380725830
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A mysterious gender change!

As always, Nevada Barr, a former park ranger, delivers wonderfully vivid descriptions of the great outdoors; an abundance of colorful, well-drawn characters; a thoughtful and courageous female sleuth; an inside look at the National Park Service; and an intricate and suspenseful mystery. However, the most mysterious thing about "Endangered Species," set on an island off the coast of Georgia and involving the investigation of a plane crash caused by sabotage, is that the paperback has been extensively revised from the hardcover. Namely, a major character, an exceedingly unpleasant, repulsive person, has undergone a sex change! In the hardcover, Marty is a woman in her 50s; in the paperback, Marty is a man in his 30s. It's not just a matter of changing pronouns; dialogue and descriptions are altered too. For example, in the original version, Marty's long hair is "worn in pigtails like an aging Pippi Longstocking's"; in the revision, it's "worn in pigtails like Willie Nelson in his heyday." There must have been a compelling reason for such changes, since ordinarily paperback publishers don't even bother to fix obvious errors, such as referring to someone by the wrong name. I think the character works somewhat better as a woman, but whichever version you read, you'll likely find it a good, absorbing, entertaining whodunit.

Doesn't Disappoint

Nevada Barr is one of the most consistently good mystery writers I have ever come across. The heroine, Anna Pigeon, remains fresh and intriguing in this the fifth book of the series. The story moves along at a brisk pace, the characters are colorful, and the dialog is well balanced. Ms. Barr has included a little more humor in this one and it works so well I am hoping she will continue with it in future books. I don't hesitate buying each Nevada Barr book as it becomes available because I know I won't be disappointed.

A Natural Classic!

'Endangered Species' was the first of Barr's books I'd ever read. The book was great! I loved how she worked in the turtles, so it didn't just evolve around the airplane crash. I also like how Barr semi-explained Anna's history, so I wouldn't be lost.

Great addition to her series of adventures for Anna Pidgeon

Well - Nevada Barr has done it again. Written a smashing good book that makes you want to stay up bleary-eyed to the final page. I have not been disappointed yet in her books. She can spin a yarn in the most interesting and enchanting places. Her summers with the rangers have served her and consequently, us very well. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel that keeps you in suspense up to the final line on the final page

An accidental plane crash or murder-Anna Pigeon investigates

National Park Service Ranger Anna Pigeon has been temporarily detailed to help with fire control on the drought-ridden Cumberland Island National Seashore. A plane crash changes Anna and her peers from patrol to action as they quickly work to put out the ensuing flames before a disaster strikes. The dead pilot patrolled drug trafficking form the air while his passenger was the island's only law enforcement official... Preliminary analysis by investigators into the plane crash seem to lead them to think sabotage occurred, but who was the target? Was it the pilot or his passenger? Or was it someone else who the passenger replaced at the last moment? Anna decides to do a bit of sleuthing on her own to learn who was the intended victim and who did it. However, Anna does not yet realize that by conducting her own personal inquiry, she has placed herself in danger because no one will interfere with the culprit's plans for the island's treasures.... Anna Pigeon is one of the top female sleuths today because she is not superwoman breaking down doors or smashing heads with single bound. Instead, Anna is a thinker, who works her way methodically through her cases. ENDANGERED SPECIES is a fabulous read because of Anna, an interesting who-done-it, and the beautiful scenery off the Georgia coast. Fans of female sleuths should read Nevada Barr's latest tale (and her previous works) because it is that good. This author, unlike some big name writers, never disappoints her fans and deserves a spot on the best seller lists. ...Harriet Klausner