North of Montana

Ana Grey #1

by April Smith

FBI Special Agent Ana Grey debuts in this electrifying thriller marked by psychological acuity and unfaltering suspense. After Ana Grey pulls off “the most amazing arrest of the year,” the squad supervisor—who doesn't like irreverent, tough-minded young women—gives her a reprimand instead of the promotion she deserves. As a test, she is assigned a high-profile case involving a beloved Hollywood movie star and an illegal supply of prescription drugs. It doesn't take Ana and her partner, Mike Donnato, long to realize "this is not a case” but “a political situation waiting to explode”—and they're holding the bomb. As the boundary between her private and professional lives begins to blur, Ana's own world collides with her investigation, and she is forced to confront the searing truth about the nature of power and identity, and the mystery of her past.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Detective, Suspense

293 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Here's the down and dirty: grew up in the Bronx, went to college in Boston, graduate school in California, back to Cambridge to write a first failed novel and learn how the world works by writing ad copy,west to Los Angeles in 1976 for a career writing and producing TV, until the writer's strike of 1988 when I wrote my first novel on spec, North of Montana. Two wonderful grown children and the best husband in the world, now of 34 years. Stable enough on the outside but take away swimming, writing, hiking, yakking with girlfriends, pet pooches, chocolate chip cookies (the gooey kind), British TV series and grapefruit Martinis -- well, don't.

Reviews

[Staci Woodburn-Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read outside my normal genre for the Ana Grey books on the recommendation of a friend, also the author's son. This is the note I sent him while on the second book:

I was reading while waiting for the bus this morning. When it pulled up, I got on without looking up. Still on the bus 45 minutes later, it's pouring rain and hail and no one can figure out how to close the roof hatch that I'm sitting under. Which is of course when I finally stopped reading and noticed that not only am I getting pelted, but I'm on the wrong bus, in the wrong part of town, and I'm late for work. But I'm laughing victoriously because it means that I get to read more while I dry off and wait for another bus to take me back. -- That, my friend, is the definition of a good read.

[Terry Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the second book of this series back in February, which I thought was entertaining. That book makes some references to occurrences in this book, so I thought it might bring some clarification to the second book. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Each book could be a stand alone, the only continuity is the Ana Grey character, her family and FBI background. For the most part I like her character, but then she has tendencies to make bad reactive decisions. This book, like the other has a bleak ending--perhaps too realistic. I do like the Southern California setting. Also interesting about the politics involved in the main FBI investigation. Written and published way before today's questioning about political influence in our government agencies. I'll take a little break, but at some point I'll read the third book in the series 'Judas Horse'.

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. The story felt all over the place and I didn't care for Ana at all. Definitely have no interest in continuing the series.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it wrong to complain that a book is just too derivative when it's genre fiction like a mystery? I mean, there are only so many plots, so many psychological drivers for the hero(ine), and so many red herrings and double switchbacks that the plot can follow. The answer is, yes, it's fine to complain, because the pleasure in a genre novel is the quality of the journey along those well-worn paths. In police procedurals that really work, character, setting, plot and neurosis converge time and time again as the hero (and the reader) puts the puzzle pieces in place. There are no cheap deus ex machinae, either in the crime-solving or in the hero's self-discovery. Or if there is, it has to be so powerfully rendered that I've suspended disbelief. That quality happend occasionally in this first novel about a female FBI agent on the case of a drug-addicted superstar, but not for long before one creaky contrivance after another rear their ugly heads and bring me down. Not recommended, even though I bought it at the recommendation of Robert Crais, apparently the author's mentor.

[Chris W Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've lived in Los Angeles a long time and this, my friends, is it. North of Montana has the most beautiful, ugly, and honest view of this city that I've ever seen. It gets beneath the knotted freeways and make-up that we've seen again and again.

Ana Grey, I just want to give her a hug and tell her it will be all right. Like the view of the city, Ana Grey is an honest look at character. In a single scene, she is tough, vulnerable, disappointed, compassionate, and angry at the world. Such a mix of emotions that we all experience every day, but cannot always communicate.

Don't go into this expecting a nail-biting whodunnit or the latest escapade from Jack Reacher or Robert Langdon; but be prepared to come out thinking that yeah, somebody gets it.

[Cass · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of an woman FBI agent in So. California who arrests a bank robber as he is robbing the bank and then he confesses he has robbed six other banks. And this means she will get a promotion. While she is waiting for that to happen she is assigned to a possible drug case that involves a famous movie star, a doctor, drugs, shootings, etc. all the bad stuff. The book is filled with horrible language, ronchy sex situations, gruesome deaths. All in all the only reason I finished this book is that it filled a category in the library reading challenge of a book with North, South, East, or West in the title. I do not recommend it to any one.

[Left Coast Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often read mysteries, because most of them are so by-the-numbers and dull -- you can hear the cash registers ringing in the author's head as they are writing. But this book, which I grabbed because -- foolish man! -- I thought it was set in Canada, held me riveted to the end. There is a story driving the plot, but far more important, there's an all-too-human half Latina protagonist, racism, a tolerable level of violence, baseball and sweat. By the time the book finally gets around to sex, it really feels earned and erotic.

Can't ask for much more than that.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1st of the Ana Grey series...I’ve read 2-4 and enjoyed them...pedestrian crime novels, but I like the character development of Ana...North of Montana references neighborhoods that are less than the upper crust LA hoods...in this one she's sucked into a high "Juju" case involving an aging A-list entertainer's accusations ruining a doctor as well as the murder of a young woman who may be distant relation...Like the series!

[Teri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this would have worked better for me if I had been able to stand Ana. As a story, I think it was fine, maybe not the most suspenseful mystery ever, but it would have been something I liked, but dear God, Ana was just awful. Not very bright, rather arrogant considering her stupidity and I just can't get down with a character that knowingly fucks a married man. She was pretty weak. The whole thing with Poppy just made me want to scream. I don't know. Will not continue the series.

[Kinza · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a drag. I'm going south of Montana.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1995. A stunningly assured debut, Smith has produced a crime thriller distinguished by it's unflagging pace. I came back for more.

[Ann D · Rating 4 out of 5]

An above average thriller about young FBI Agent Ana Grey. Ana is investigating a charge that a popular Santa Monica doctor has hooked a popular actress on drugs. At the same time, she is having flashbacks about her own traumatic past. This is well paced and plotted. I enjoyed it.

[Jennifer Hogue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the descriptions and random details were so out of left field that I was constantly wondering why they were even in the book. Scenes were added that didn’t fit with tons of details while other scenes that somewhat fit the plot were so weirdly written that I wondered about the authors state of mind. This was a book club book or I wouldn’t have finished it and put it directly on my “nope” shelf.

[David Freas · Rating 2 out of 5]

April Smith is another author I’ve never read before and, as always, I am a little leery of reading new authors because I never know what I’m going to get. Will it be a winner or a loser?

North Of Montana had a long build-up to the main plot line – investigating a movie star’s claim that a doctor hooked her on prescription drugs. While this often slows the pace of the story down, it seems to be more and more common these days. Several sub-plots that only tangentially touched on the main one slowed the story even more.

As in many books, the protagonist, Ana Grey, has a troubled past that affects her current actions. Perhaps I’ve read too many books with characters like this, but the more I encounter them, the more tedious I find them. Doesn’t anyone have a normal childhood anymore?

Some of the descriptive prose in this book was very confusing. I was never quite sure if we were reading Ana’s thoughts. Or was she describing something she was seeing? It almost read like an attempt by the author to be ‘literary’ but fell flat in my opinion, and just sounded pretentious.

I didn’t find Ana to be an engaging character or even a likeable one. I just didn’t care if she succeeded or failed. That is not the way to make me want to read another book by this author.

There was the obilgatory sex scene but it seemed to come 'out of the blue' with no foundation under it. Yes, Ana and her partner had been flirting off and on, but there seemed to be no reason for them to get it on when they did. That she did it with a married man turned me off to Ana. I'm not picking on women here. I would find a man doing it with a married woman equally offensive.

Still, to be fair, this is the first book in the series and they sometimes can be a bit rough. Often the author planes down those rough spots in later books. So, if I encounter the second book in this series, I will read it. But I won’t actively hunt for it.

April Smith isn’t that good.

[Josh Ades · Rating 4 out of 5]

April Smith barely squeezed out a 4-star rating on her first novel. The main plot itself was formulaic and fine, but nothing more than a nod to the great noir culture of Los Angeles. What kept the A plot from being compelling is that the protagonist never really faltered from her course. There wasn't much conflict. She hit a couple dead ends, had a semblance of a relationship with a movie star consider getting in the way, and was mildly distracted by the B plot, but none of these elements really created tension in the main, crime solving aspect of the novel.

However, the B plot in this novel is both compelling and quite well crafted. Smith creates a character that struggles with her identity, memories of her youth, and questions about her true feelings toward her grandfather. We learn alongside the protagonist what has really happened in her past and are left to consider how that effects her present character. The issues of memory, dreams, and identity are beautifully handled, redeeming this book from a quick, throw away read.

Kudos for an honest depiction of newer L.A. neighborhoods and the flaws beneath their surface.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

When FBI agent Ana Grey is assigned to the case of a murdered young woman, she already knows information her peers don't know: this may be one of Ana's distant relatives. The crime procedural genre is tricky to write well; it is all too easy to use clichés based on audience expectations. But this author can write well enough to break that cage.  This was a fun read.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read and ultimately entertaining. All it was missing was a beach.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Protagonist FBI agent Ana Grey in author April Smith's, "North of Montana", resides in a meandering and somewhat dark thriller facing many demons. With her mother long dead and raised by a grandfather she's also never met her own father. This is why Ana is very suspicious of all men. Interacting in professional or personal parts of her life Ana likes to keep all men at a distance. Ana works on the FBI's super tough bank robbery squad wishing she could move up into more higher profile departments. By accident one morning Ana walks into stopping and arresting a bank robber in the act single handed. Expecting props from her boss she gets a reprimand in her file. With a request for transfer on the line this will not bode well for Ana's career. Out of the blue the head of the L.A.'s FBI field office taps Ana for a sticky and sensitive case. Famous movie star Jayne Mason is accusing high profile and very successful Dr. Randall Eberhardt of getting her hooked on illegal drugs that come from Mexico. Mason plays the very predictable role of an out of control aged star looking for more more of that taste of Hollywood glory to the max. Totally uncooperative with Ana for several weeks makes progress very minimal. Ana must track back to Dr. Eberhardt's Boston roots for a deep background check. It seems at every turn Ana has nothing but bad luck. Under pressure from the boss for results Ana stars taking shortcuts. In a plodding plot that gets sidetracked far too many times this was a very slow read for me. The book itself was written in the early 1990's and unfortunately many times shows signs of being very dated. Author April Smith leaves the impression that pre 9/11, the FBi was Keystone Kops era. I'd have to say I didn't find any characters from this book likeable nor someone to root for. Ana's sketchy past was far too vague to establish a connection with her in this yarn. Coming in at just over 290 pages this one read like it was 590 pages. Throughout reading, "North Of Montana", I kept think am I getting anywhere soon ? The plot needed more of a obvious connection to make title of book to make more sense. Also Ana's has one 'connection' with her partner on the bank robbery squad that really turned me off to this book. I almost sent it to the never finished pile at that point. Only two stars out of a possible five stars for author April Smith's, "North Of Montana". I should have left it in the bookstore.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an interview with famed Los Angeles-based crime writer Michael Connelly where he was asked to give two recommendations for under-appreciated LA novels.

North of Montana is one he mentioned and I was intrigued by it. I had no familiarity with the work of April Smith and the premise sounded interesting enough, especially how Connelly pitched it: a procedural novel with a female detective who has to deal with her male colleagues bullcrap. So I picked it up.

I see what Connelly likes about it. Sometimes, a reader’s view syncs with a writer’s style in such a way as to help you forgive their flaws. That was the case here with me. April Smith takes a generic paperback mystery and makes it feel fresh, not because of the plot, but because of Ana Grey, the lead character. She’s tough but also allowed to be vulnerable. She gives it back to the guys but also realizes she has to play the game. She’s screwed over because of her gender but doesn’t let that deter her from her goals. She felt well-rounded and thus I was invested in her story.

And that’s good because the story itself is just okay. There are really two threads here: the A plot involving a Hollywood star and her drug intake and a B plot involving Grey’s Latinx family whom she doesn’t know (and with a heritage that seems to bring out some internalized racism). The A plot is interesting, if predictable. The B plot is hit-or-miss, mostly miss. Still, despite her flaws, I liked Ana’s character and how she navigated both. I’ll have to check out more of this series. Good recommendation, Mr. Connelly.

[Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Movie star Jane Mason is addicted to prescription drugs, and she insists her doctor is at fault. Someone connected to that doctor apparently murdered a young Salvadoran mom who cleaned the doctor’s house. FBI Agent Ana Grey may be related to the dead woman, but she can’t worry about her genealogy. She’s too busy successfully busting bank robbers.

Despite her success in that arena, her supervisor denies her request to transfer to a higher division within the FBI. Her spunk and independence annoys her supervisor. When she threatens an EEOC intervention, she gets her transfer, but the poor judgment of which her supervisor accused her stays on her record until she can solve the high-profile drug addiction case.

There’s a wide-open door adultery scene near the end of this book, so if that’s a negative for you, you’re going to either get really good with your advance button or just leave it unread. The high-profile drug addiction case ties back into Ana Grey’s family, and if you read this, you’ll understand how that works.

This book isn’t the kind of book that long stays with you. It has a sequel, and I’ll probably read it because of the title if for no other reason, but not for several months. I’m in no hurry.

[dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a forgettable read. Bland characters, to include the main character, Ana Grey. Plot threads that seem derived and riddles with holes that scream. There is a lot ‘trying’ to happen in this book but April Smith never seems to be able keep the narrative tight or cohesive. It feels, lazy.

I doubt I will read any other books featuring Ana Grey.
With a large number of authors focused on character-based series, the first outing for launching a compelling character needs to be strong and in North of Montana, April Smith gives me little reason to go any further on any journey with Ana.

By the time I am halfway through my next book, I will have forgotten...forgotten...

Damn, sooner than I thought.

[Virginia Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I enjoyed April Smith's writing so much in A Star for Mrs. Blake, I wanted to read her series featuring a female FBI agent. I enjoy this type of fiction - and, I did expect a bit more action. I was only mildly disappointed as there were parts that seemed to drag becoming slightly tedious. I like the character of Ana Grey and the way she was depicted as a person with pride, compassion and flaws. Ms. Smith is a master at prose but some of the shared thoughts and ruminations were a little too lengthy. Still, it was a good read, and I will pursue more in the series.

[Terry Steinborn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing in several respects. First, I looked at the title of this book and expected it be set in western Canada or Montana, but in fact it was set in a very dreary Los Angeles. Second, it was very annoying to read, as it developed extremely slowly. Third, I didn't find any of the characters very interesting or appealing, to the point that I really didn't care 'who-dunnit' or if the protagonist ever solved the case. Needless to say I won't be reading any more of the author's books any time soon.

[Sharyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been on my shelf for years, and I decided to finally read it for a themed book club. It is first in a series and I am not sure I will read another. It was also a poorly timed read, as it takes place in LA and I kept thinking of the fires. The title refers to a street in Santa Monica. Ana is an FBI agent and the office us in Westwood, near where I lived in LA.
Ana is a very traumatized women, who keeps flashing back to her past. I don't know how she passed the FBI psychological exam.
The Plot of the book is very convuluted and does not show the FBI in a very good light.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

It just did not click with me. Ana is an FBI agent, in LA, has an overbearing Poppy, an understanding partner, and a lot of issues. She seems very lost personally as an agent, and right away I felt "bells ringing" as she interacts with poppy. Glad the mystery is solved, but in a very sad way, for the case and in her personal life too.

[Chris R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book certainly drew me in.
Ana Grey is a police officer grappling with her own issues, not least who her father was and what happened to him.
She's also tasked with investigating a crime alleged by a fading Hollywood star.
The ending was a bit jumbled for my tastes, but otherwise this was a great read.

[Libbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adequate murder mystery with some interesting vignettes on rediscovering the heroine’s El Salvadorian past. The romance seemed a little forced and the secondary characters were a bit cardboard-like and stereotypical, but I will read the next book

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but it just wasn't a compelling story. Disappointed in the hookup especially since it doesn't seem to go anywhere. Depressing story. I will not continue with the series.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked a lot of the book, but was disappointed with the leads in different stories and plots that just did not get any follow through. So many small details left unfinished. And maybe I need to read the rest of the books? But it was not set up as a multi book story line.