A gushy review of a good book

I just finished reading Borderline by Nevada Barr. I am astonished how much this already great writer has improved. Borderline is a real page turner from the puzzling "Confession" to the last page.

Let me quote part of "Confession"
"For purposes of mine own I have done many terrible things. I have moved thousands of tons of rocks from . . . "

I read this short paragraph three times before I realized it was like an Acknowledgments page. Nevada is telling us that for the purpose of her story she has changed the scenery around a bit. I loved her amusing way of telling us so. Most acknowledgments are pretty dry.

Nevada Barr is known for her books that feature park ranger Anna Pigeon. They take place in the various National Parks. Borderline, the book, takes place in Big Bends National Park. Big Bend is on the border of Texas and Mexico and much of the story takes place IN the Rio Grand. Or should I say the best parts do.

Anna Pigeon has had a traumatic experience (told in the previous book) and has come to Big Bend with her husband Paul suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. She's in bad shape. She and Paul plan a rafting trip through the park and down the Rio Grand. Everything goes wrong, of course, and Anna finds herself not only caring for a newborn baby, but carrying it around during some of the most treacherous parts of the book.

I can't tell you more without giving things away. This is such a good book and I hope you'll read it some day soon and find that you agree with me.

Marilynne