TRACK of the CAT by Nevada Barr

Nevada Barr’s Track of the Cat, the first novel in the Anna Pigeon series, introduces readers to a National Park Service law-enforcement ranger working in the remote backcountry of Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas. 

The story centers on Anna Pigeon, a woman who has left city life behind for the isolation and demands of the wilderness, only to find that the natural world she seeks is not free of human complication and danger. Barr, drawing on her own experience as a park ranger, grounds the mystery in the harsh beauty and physical realities of the desert landscape.

When I first read this book around the time of its original publication, I genuinely enjoyed it. The strong sense of place, the grounded portrayal of park work, and the introduction of Anna as a capable yet solitary protagonist made a lasting impression. I liked it enough to continue immediately with the next three books in the series.

Revisiting it years later via the audiobook proved less satisfying. What had been a solid 4-star experience in print settled at about 3.5 stars in audio form. The atmospheric writing and internal perspective that worked so well on the page felt slightly diminished when filtered through narration. For readers drawn to the series by its wilderness settings and character-driven storytelling, the print version remains the clearer and more rewarding choice.

Track of the Cat still holds up as an effective series starter for those who prefer reading over listening. If you want to enter Anna Pigeon’s world, stick with the book and leave the audiobook on the shelf.  Rating: 3.75/5 stars