->  JW> forest fire. The author's name is NEVADA BARR, and the books include
->  JW> FIRESTORM and TRACK OF THE CAT.
-> Aren't those books great? "Firestorm" is my favorite, with "Superior
-> Death" running close behind (my son camped there this summer). I have
-> read every one of her books including her newest, "Endangered Species'.
-> I think it is fascinating that she actually IS a ranger.
  Yes, that gives this author the perfect background for her books, and
it is a refreshing change from the well-worn police precinct.  I also
like that she does not have her female characters being prissy Miss
Manners caricitures who would *never* hiccup in public, never mind tell
someone to ..... :-))  That female cariciture is a bit well worn, and
even Scarlet O'Hara in 'Gone With The Wind' wasn't *that* much of a
Goody Two Shoes!  When a gal is tired, cold,hungry, responsible for the
safety of a burned fire fighter while waiting for rescue in the
aftermath of a forrest fire, and confronted by a murder, she is
realistically likely to be dirty and cranky.
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