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Summer and Smoke and Murder
In the short story, Summer and Smoke and Murder, New York Times bestselling author Nevada Barr takes the reader on a wild ride through her hometown of New Orleans when a woman sees a serial killer and, deciding the corrupt and incompetent police force will be of no help, decides to use the high crime of the city as a resource rather than a curse to bring the perpetrator to justice. At six cents a page, Summer and Smoke and Murder is a steal.
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First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Nevada Barr
71 books2,425 followersNevada Barr is a mystery fiction author, known for her "Anna Pigeon" series of mysteries, set in National Parks in the United States. Barr has won an Agatha Award for best first novel for Track of the Cat.
Barr was named after the state of her birth. She grew up in Johnstonville, California. She finished college at the University of California, Irvine. Originally, Barr started to pursue a career in theatre, but decided to be a park ranger. In 1984 she published her first novel, Bittersweet, a bleak lesbian historical novel set in the days of the Western frontier.
While working in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Barr created the Anna Pigeon series. Pigeon is a law enforcement officer with the United States National Park Service. Each book in the series takes place in a different National Park, where Pigeon solves a murder mystery, often related to natural resource issues. She is a satirical, witty woman whose icy exterior is broken down in each book by a hunky male to whom she is attracted (such as Rogelio).
Currently, Ms. Barr lives in New Orleans, LA.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/nevada...
Barr was named after the state of her birth. She grew up in Johnstonville, California. She finished college at the University of California, Irvine. Originally, Barr started to pursue a career in theatre, but decided to be a park ranger. In 1984 she published her first novel, Bittersweet, a bleak lesbian historical novel set in the days of the Western frontier.
While working in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Barr created the Anna Pigeon series. Pigeon is a law enforcement officer with the United States National Park Service. Each book in the series takes place in a different National Park, where Pigeon solves a murder mystery, often related to natural resource issues. She is a satirical, witty woman whose icy exterior is broken down in each book by a hunky male to whom she is attracted (such as Rogelio).
Currently, Ms. Barr lives in New Orleans, LA.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/nevada...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 9, 2014
A simple tale of caution - do not mess around with middle-aged women and their cats.
June 14, 2015
The crazy cat lady in me was dying to read Smoke and Murders (aka Summer and Smoke and Murder), a short story by Nevada Barr. After all, what middle-aged woman with five cats of her own can resist the story of a like-minded dame who seeks justice for feline victims vehicular violence. I couldn’t, especially since I have probably read and loved every Anna Pigeon mystery novel that Ms. Barr has written.
Smoke is a whole ‘nother ball of wax. Our narrator is so infuriated by the lack of police action toward bringing a serial killer to justice that she takes matters into her own hands. It is a cozy mystery with plenty of dark humor, and frankly, it did not suit my taste. I did not care for the narrator, and while I found parts of it to be mildly amusing, I was mostly disappointed in this short story.
2-1/2 stars
Smoke is a whole ‘nother ball of wax. Our narrator is so infuriated by the lack of police action toward bringing a serial killer to justice that she takes matters into her own hands. It is a cozy mystery with plenty of dark humor, and frankly, it did not suit my taste. I did not care for the narrator, and while I found parts of it to be mildly amusing, I was mostly disappointed in this short story.
2-1/2 stars
July 29, 2014
To catch a murderer
She saw her best friend murdered and is determined to make the villain pay. The authorities can't be bothered, so it's up to her. But how can a middle-aged lady accomplish that?
This short story will have you marveling at her ingenuity and laughing out loud at her results.
Nevada Barr never disappoints.
She saw her best friend murdered and is determined to make the villain pay. The authorities can't be bothered, so it's up to her. But how can a middle-aged lady accomplish that?
This short story will have you marveling at her ingenuity and laughing out loud at her results.
Nevada Barr never disappoints.
January 10, 2018
This short story takes you on an outrageous ride alongside a crazy cat lady.
August 22, 2026
Smoke & Mirrors
Nevada Barr
Cover: Fading Black to white background with letters also in black or white and a graffiti image in red of the word murder.
Set in New Orleans (Barr’s hometown), Smoke and Mirrors involves a planned revenge.
The protagonist (an unnamed, middle aged woman) decides to exact justice on a serial murder whom she believes is responsible for her best friend's murder. She feels that the city is not doing its job in stopping the killer and that she will be able to hide behind the city’s high crime rate using it as the perfect cover. As she plans her revenge, the story becomes both darker and more humorous.
Crazy cat ladies unite! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At just 15 pages, this is a fun, quick read. Although written and published by Nevada Barr in 2011. It is not a part of her Anna Pigeon series, rather it is a standalone novella.
#EmptyNestReader #SmokeandMirrors #NevadaBarr #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle
#Novella #MysterThriller #AugustReads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #ebooks #Kindlebooks
Nevada Barr
Cover: Fading Black to white background with letters also in black or white and a graffiti image in red of the word murder.
Set in New Orleans (Barr’s hometown), Smoke and Mirrors involves a planned revenge.
The protagonist (an unnamed, middle aged woman) decides to exact justice on a serial murder whom she believes is responsible for her best friend's murder. She feels that the city is not doing its job in stopping the killer and that she will be able to hide behind the city’s high crime rate using it as the perfect cover. As she plans her revenge, the story becomes both darker and more humorous.
Crazy cat ladies unite! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At just 15 pages, this is a fun, quick read. Although written and published by Nevada Barr in 2011. It is not a part of her Anna Pigeon series, rather it is a standalone novella.
#EmptyNestReader #SmokeandMirrors #NevadaBarr #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle
#Novella #MysterThriller #AugustReads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #ebooks #Kindlebooks
May 14, 2021
Interesting
Interesting story, but too many typos, and poor formatting. Interesting story, but too many typos, and poor formatting. Interesting story, but too many typos, and poor formatting.
Interesting story, but too many typos, and poor formatting. Interesting story, but too many typos, and poor formatting. Interesting story, but too many typos, and poor formatting.
December 16, 2017
Good read
I believe I have read all her books and found them very interesting.n would recommend anyone t read them who enjoys a good mystery.
I believe I have read all her books and found them very interesting.n would recommend anyone t read them who enjoys a good mystery.
August 6, 2019
Barr
Good book enjoyed it as I do all of her books. I have been to every national park in the US, so I really liked the books that take place in the parks
Good book enjoyed it as I do all of her books. I have been to every national park in the US, so I really liked the books that take place in the parks
August 22, 2021
Not what I expected. Love it!
January 25, 2026
A burst of Barry’s snarky writing is fun, but in such short form seemed kind of pointless.
June 24, 2022
Laughing
Clever, funny story that relates to what (many) of us would Love to do to people who deliberately harm animals.!
Clever, funny story that relates to what (many) of us would Love to do to people who deliberately harm animals.!
February 15, 2012
Hugh Jacobs is a killer who should be executed. Maybe. The victim and murder weapon are unique. I can't give much detail because it would give away the entire story. It took me about 15 minutes to read. The female protagonist is determined and very clever in her need for justice. The story has a humorous edge. I suppose it could be labeled dark humor. I would describe it as a drama treated with humor that could be offensive. The possible offensive stuff includes cultural differences, social injustice, Humvees, and the ethical treatment of animals -all in 15 minutes. So if you don't have a strong sense of humor you may want to skip it. There is no gore or bad language. The ending was abrupt and a bit of a disappointment. It wasn't the ending I hoped for. (This is not an Anna Pigeon story) Kindle e-book
February 18, 2013
This is a very clever short story about a middle-aged woman in New Orleans who takes revenge on her yuppie neighbor who purposely runs over her cat with his Hummer. Her plan of attack is as well-thought out and executed (well there are few glitches) as the Navy SEAL raid on Bin Laden's compound and involves sophisticated surveillance, car theft, and gang warfare.
Reading this story should take about a half hour. It will make you laugh and is worth your time.
Reading this story should take about a half hour. It will make you laugh and is worth your time.
July 9, 2016
Don't mess with Cat People
Kind of a chick flick short story so guys may have to warm up to it but if you are a cat person you'll appreciate the main character's quest and guys hang in there. You may learn a thing or two about just how much trouble a woman can cause. Side note -- Nevada has a twisted mind for revenge. Never get on her bad side.
Kind of a chick flick short story so guys may have to warm up to it but if you are a cat person you'll appreciate the main character's quest and guys hang in there. You may learn a thing or two about just how much trouble a woman can cause. Side note -- Nevada has a twisted mind for revenge. Never get on her bad side.
September 18, 2016
Nevada Barr writes about places all over the country, but I think she may like New Orleans the best.
This short story oozes with the rich and dark loam of Nawlins, and centers on one lady who needs to set things right. Both simple and clever, the story gives us a good look at how a "crazy cat lady" might actually feel about those around her. Oh, and don't mess with her.
This short story oozes with the rich and dark loam of Nawlins, and centers on one lady who needs to set things right. Both simple and clever, the story gives us a good look at how a "crazy cat lady" might actually feel about those around her. Oh, and don't mess with her.
October 25, 2011
I'm usually not much for short stories but I loved this! I've been impatiently awaiting the next Anna Pigeon book and this gave me my fix. Although the character is not Anna she could be her civilian equivalent!
August 6, 2012
This is a must for cat lovers everywhere, not to mention those timid ladies of a certain age who'll never act out their fantasies. I loved this and am looking forward to reading lots more from this author.
October 28, 2011
I love Nevada Barr now more than ever. In this short story, a woman plots to murder the asshole who deliberately ran over and killed her cat.
May 1, 2013
Cat lovers will love it :). Reminded me a bit of Dexter.
May 20, 2013
I loved this short story. Yeah Nevada Barr for this hilarious story about a lady taking revenge. I laughed out laugh.
July 14, 2013
A very fun short story.
June 3, 2014
Boring. Not up to par with Barr's usual writing.
September 18, 2014
I knew it was totally normal for a middle aged cat lover to have a little thug in her!
Read
February 8, 2015poor kitty..
read 6/28/2014
re-read 4/10/2015
read 6/28/2014
re-read 4/10/2015
July 11, 2015
Short story - creative.
January 5, 2016
A CAT lovers dream
A quick reading and enjoyable experience. A good read for a rainy day or a break in the work day.
A quick reading and enjoyable experience. A good read for a rainy day or a break in the work day.
March 7, 2016
Good
Nice short story. Liked it. Entertaining. Nevada Barr is always good. A recommended read for someone on the go. Bravo
Nice short story. Liked it. Entertaining. Nevada Barr is always good. A recommended read for someone on the go. Bravo
April 9, 2012
Super short story.
April 6, 2013
Awesome! Nevada Barr at her best.
April 6, 2017
Pet revenge
A quick whimsical read what people won't do for their pets !!! She does what some people only dream of and then moves on )
A quick whimsical read what people won't do for their pets !!! She does what some people only dream of and then moves on )
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews