Rating: 
Summary: I was disappointed by too much scenery & not enough mystery.
Review: I am a great Barr fan. She's one of the few mystery writers I buy in hardcover, but this one was a disapointment. While her discriptions of Ellis Island were interesting, I wanted more mystery and less island. Barr's still a good read, but I hope future books will reflect her earlier works.
Rating: 
Summary: Another disappointed fan
Review: I am an Anna Pigeon fan and a very disappointed one. Nevada Barr's last two books have become overly descriptive and tedious. Liberty Falling is the worst to date. I read for entertainment, not to diagram sentences. Like a previous reviewer, I have wondered what happened to the characters Christina Walters and her daughter, Alison. I'd like to think that these reader reviews have an impact. I'm still interested in reading books like her earlier works but if Nevada Barr is tired of Anna Pigeon, then put her to rest.
Rating: 
Summary: Liberty Falling
Review: I can't help but get caught up in a Nevada Barr novel: I enjoy the settings, I am intrigued by Anna Pigeon, and I am caught up in the plot. "Liberty Falling" has all the Nevada Barr attributes of the earlier novels, and I was doubly curious about the Ellis Island National Monument as a backdrop and a lifestyle. But what was it this time that was boring? I think it was the endless ferry rides...and the bifurcation of the plot between the hospital room dramas (and melodramas) of Anna's personal life and the crumbling ruins of the old hospital on Island II. It was, perhaps, the overly dramatic symbolism of the island vs. the teeming city, the worship of Lady Liberty contrasted with the skinheads and the partyboats who populate the novel, etc., etc. I even began to see symbolism in the bird droppings and Anna's last name, there was so much literary contrivance. And finally, there is the overly inflated and puffed writing style which Barr uses heavily--long sentences loaded with descriptors drag across the pages with increasing frequency. Mind you, I still enjoy a Nevada Barr novel and I look forward to the next one. But I think in "Liberty Falling" Nevada Barr has not maintained her earlier promise as a good all-around writer and teller of great stories.
Rating: 
Summary: NEGITIVE TEN
Review: I don't know how such a dull, boring book could get published. Don't waste your money or time. This was my first N.Barr and it will be my last. If you want good murder mysterys read any of James Lee Burke!
Rating:
Summary: great mystery!
Review: I have liked and admired Anna Pigeon since I read Nevada Barr's first book in this series but this is the first time that I really -liked- Anna as a person. Maybe it's because she's not officially on duty or maybe it's because she's in New York, but the Anna in "Liberty Falling" is much more approachable and human than she has been in the previous books. The story itself is first-rate with expert plotting and character development. One of the best things about the last two Anna Pigeon mysteries is that you really have to pay attention to what's going on -- Barr interweaves very subtle clues throughout the story. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the endless descriptions of the rides back and forth between the city and the monument but that's a small thing. This book is most definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Here is an objective voice
Review: I have never read any of the author's books prior to this and hence from my objective view point I don't see why this book is being so trashed by fans of the prior books in this series. While I can't say the writer's style is something I am overly fond of, her book is well put together and the plot filled with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. I thought her view of Liberty islands 2 and 3 were great, an almost perfect setting for criminal actions and spooky, almost other worldly events. So what that this book lacks the material on nature that the prior books did? This is NY City. That the writer was able to alter style in line with the setting is a tribute to her ability. Readers should not be lazzy wanting simple repeats of prior material slightly altered like so many cheap romance novels. I enjoyed the character's problem of coping with the city of New York. It is a feeling I get everytime I have to go there. In short the book while not on my list of all time greats was a good solid read and better than most of what passes for quality fiction these days It rates four stars maybe more. Enjoy it for what if offers rather than what you hope might have been. Part of the problem of continued characters from book to book is that they don't always live up to our fantasies about what they are going to do next. That is not the author's fault just proof that we are different and like real people, fictional characters do not always do just what we wish.
Rating:
Summary: Does Liberty Fall?
Review: I haven't read a mystery for many decades and this was a good read as I finished the book (which is a good sign), however, felt the evil one(s) were not much of the story. There are about 4 characters that are well developed and the rest are in and out. There is a part in the book where a Doctor takes Anna Pigeon on a date and shows interest in her. Then Anna discovers he is into pornographic pictures and drops him like a hot potato. I did not discover where this added to the story and felt it was left in limbo. I would not rate this over 3 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Does Liberty Fall?
Review: I haven't read a mystery for many decades and this was a good read as I finished the book (which is a good sign), however, felt the evil one(s) were not much of the story. There are about 4 characters that are well developed and the rest are in and out. There is a part in the book where a Doctor takes Anna Pigeon on a date and shows interest in her. Then Anna discovers he is into pornographic pictures and drops him like a hot potato. I did not discover where this added to the story and felt it was left in limbo. I would not rate this over 3 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: An intelligent, fast-paced mystery.
Review: I love Nevada Barr's books and this one doesn't disappoint even though it's setting is New York and not Mesa Verde. We get to know Anna Pigeon a little more in each book and she's more sympathetic than usual in this one. There are multiple plots going on that all weave together in the end and I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Don't read this one first!
Review: I mistakenly read Falling Liberty before any of the other Ana Pigeon series. This one is poor example of Barr's skill and story telling finesse. She tosses out several over-ripe cliches that made me cringe in agony. Luckily, my wife persisted I read Track of the Cat and now I'm almost through the series.
This one is regrettable.
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