Summer and Smoke and Murder

by Nevada Barr

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.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

Nook

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Nevada 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...

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple tale of caution - do not mess around with middle-aged women and their cats.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Star ☔️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story takes you on an outrageous ride alongside a crazy cat lady.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[carole ann griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[adele robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Preston Pendergraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I expected. Love it!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A burst of Barry’s snarky writing is fun, but in such short form seemed kind of pointless.

[janet c seaberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughing

Clever, funny story that relates to what (many) of us would Love to do to people who deliberately harm animals.!

[Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Steven Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Gwen K. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Kay Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[International Cat Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat lovers will love it :). Reminded me a bit of Dexter.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story. Yeah Nevada Barr for this hilarious story about a lady taking revenge. I laughed out laugh.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun short story.

[Teresa Hurst · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Not up to par with Barr's usual writing.

[Rayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew it was totally normal for a middle aged cat lover to have a little thug in her!

[Susan]

poor kitty..
read 6/28/2014
re-read 4/10/2015

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story - creative.

[Mary Alice Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A CAT lovers dream

A quick reading and enjoyable experience. A good read for a rainy day or a break in the work day.

[suzanne durrant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

Nice short story. Liked it. Entertaining. Nevada Barr is always good. A recommended read for someone on the go. Bravo

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super short story.

[Pat Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Nevada Barr at her best.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 )