Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Books

Track of the Cat (An Anna Pigeon Mystery) Nevada Barr From the Publisher: A stunning mystery set against the high-country trails of the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas, where the age-old battle of man against nature is fought with a frightening twist. Anna Pigeon has fled New York and her memories to find work as a ranger in the country’s national parks. In the remote backcountry of West Texas, however, she discovers murder and violence. Fellow park ranger Sheila Drury is mysteriously killed, presumably by a mountain lion. But the deep claw marks Anna finds across Drury’s throat and the paw prints surrounding the body are too perfect to be real. Suspicious from the start and eager to prevent the needless slaughter of her beloved cougars, Anna can’t let the matter rest. The disappearance of another ranger and the frightening reality of a hiking "accident" of her own convince Anna that something is very wrong. Following a trail with few leads, Anna must confront the dark side of the desert. As she comes closer to the truth, she realizes that whatever is stalking the land she loves is now stalking her as well. Atmospheric, evocative, and rich in the mysterious secrets of the Southwestern wilderness, Track of the Cat marks the mystery debut of a superior writer. From The Critics: Tony HillermanA real find...Kept me reading far into the night. Publishers WeeklyThe texture, scents and sounds of the West Texas wilderness permeate this forceful debut, in which the murder of a National Park Service ranger illuminates the conflicts between those who want to place our country’s open spaces and wildlife under government protection and those who want to profit from them. Anna Pigeon has fled New York City after the accidental death of her husband, and she now works as a law enforcement ranger at Guadaloupe Mountains National Park. There she finds the remains of fellow ranger Sheila Drury, who apparently was clawed to death by a mountain lion. Although an autopsy confirms this judgment, Anna becomes convinced that the claw marks have been faked. Her superiors discourage her from probing further, but another supposedly accidental death goads her into investigating Sheila’s activities before her death--her campaign to open up the park to the public and her relationships with a young divorcee and with a powerful rancher opposed to Park Service policies. Anna is sure that clues reside in the thousands of snapshots the dead woman took--photos that show signs of having been rifled through. A park ranger herself, Barr develops a complex, credible and capable heroine who believes in truth and justice while remaining conscious of the ambiguities of human existence. (Mar.) Library JournalThe title of Barr’s mystery debut refers to a cat of a different color. As a park ranger in western Texas, Anna Pigeon stumbles upon the body of another female ranger in an isolated canyon. Suspicious of ``official’’ evidence pointing to a cougar as killer, Anna looks instead for a human murderer. Amid the conflicts among seasonal and permanent park employees, ranchers and rangers, cat hunters and conservationists, she finds a motive and imminent danger. Spectacular descriptions, psychological insight, and a refreshingly independent heroine. School Library JournalYA-On a biannual trek, park rangers check for signs of mountain lions. While climbing along her assigned route, Anna sees a dozen vultures circle above a canyon. Checking on their carrion, she discovers the body of fellow ranger Sheila Drury, apparently killed by a mountain lion. Believing the animal tracks and scratches are a set-up, the young woman conducts her own investigation, putting her life in peril as she encounters ardent hunters. Anna Pigeon is a great new addition to the cadre of female detectives, especially since her job as park ranger involves hiking through the spectacular scenery of the Guadalupe Mountains of west Texas. Several dollops of ecology and conservation of resources mingle with the murder clues, making this an exciting, almost ``good for you,’’ book.-Pam Spencer, Thomas Jefferson Sci-Tech, Fairfax County, VA WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYINGPowerful writing and deft characterization...a winning novel. — Faye KellermanA real find...kept me reading far into the night. — Tony Hillerman Our Price: $6.99

Hiking Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks Bill Schneider From the Publisher: Surface and cave routes in Carlsbad Caverns and twenty-one trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Our Price: $12.95

Mammals of Trans-Pecos Texas: Including Big Ben National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park Chester O. Martin (Illustrator) From the Publisher: Ninety-six species of mammals are native to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas--that portion of the state which lies west of the Pecos River and contains the main representation of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States in addition to Texas’ only true mountains. The greatly varied terrain, climate, and vegetation of the Trans-Pecos make its mammal life exceptionally varied as well. In the region may be found mammals ranging from tiny shrews to great elks, from bats to aquatic beavers and muskrats, from desert-dwelling kangaroo rats to forest-loving chipmunks, and from timid mice and rats to predatory cougars and coyotes. The Mammals of Trans-Pecos Texas is intended to provide a guide to the identification of these animals and to summarize important facts about their lives. Nearly every species is illustrated with accurate, detailed pen-and-ink drawings by artist Chester O. Martin. The account of each species in the text is arranged to contain (1) a brief description of the mammal, with emphasis on its distinguishing features and size; (2) the geographic distribution of the species, with reference to an accompanying distribution map; and (3) a discussion of some of the basic life history of the mammal, including habitat preferences, reproduction, and food habits. In order to benefit the layman as well as the professional biologist, easy-to-follow mammalian orders, families, and species are provided Our Price: $22.95