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The Virgin of Small Plains Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,215 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
On the night of the decade's worst blizzard, a local farm boy discovers the naked body of a beautiful young woman in the snow. Seventeen years later, the Virgin of Small Plains has become a local myth. Strange miracles have visited those who faithfully tend to her grave and Small Plains becomes a haven for those hoping the Virgin will cure them. But soon strange and sinister events unfold. What really happened seventeen years ago? And why are some of the town's leading citizens so determined that the truth remain buried?
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"This story grabbed me right from the beginning and kept me going right to the very end!! There were many plot twists along the way, kept me guessing and turning the pages. It was a story of how one event in a small town can forever change them all in so many different ways. I believe Nancy Pickard is one of the great storytellers of our time, I love her writing style and her stories are really good!! Highly recommended!!!!"
— Tracy (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The Virgin of Small Plains will keep you up all night. Nancy Pickard’s intelligent, suspenseful storytelling never disappoints.”
— Julie Garwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Ideal Man -
“A hold-your-breath suspense story—sexy, warm, and poignant, with aching loss and a human desire for miracles. Pickard’s best book yet.”
— Margaret Maron, New York Times bestselling author of Death’s Half Acre -
“Pickard draws out the truth with tantalizing suspense, while using the mystery to illuminate the ways a community would rather live in guilt and believe in miracles than give up its dark secrets.”
— New York Times -
“Just like real life, this novel is full of joy, desire, heartbreak, tragedy—and, above all else, hope.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“Cleverly planted surprises and the convincing portrait of small-town life make this a memorable read.”
— Publishers Weekly
Awards
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Winner of the 2006 Agatha Award for Best Novel
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A 2007 Anthony Award Finalist for Best Novel
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Winner of the 2007 Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel
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A 2007 Dilys Award Finalist
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A 2007 Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee for Best Novel
The Virgin of Small Plains Listener Reviews
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" wow, what a story! "
— Patty, 2/18/2014 -
" Loved this one! Not too many books hook me right at the beginning but this one did. "
— Cheryl, 2/13/2014 -
" Really enjoyed this book. Good characters and lots of suspense/mystery. I will read more of her! "
— Tory, 2/3/2014 -
" This is a mystery story, but the most interesting part is the exploration of the way a violent crime, and the cover-up, affected the lives of the characters. It was really good right up to the end, which felt a little rushed. The ending also ties every loose end of the whole mystery together with a pretty ribbon, which is satisfying, but unrealistic. "
— Kara, 1/6/2014 -
" I really liked this book. Loved the Kansas references! "
— Jamie, 1/1/2014 -
" I like the mystery of this book, not too complicated, with interesting character friendships/relationships. I enjoy trying to figure out the answer before I get to the end and it is not so full of detail that I get lost in it, but gave me just enough information to feel that I helped solve the mystery. "
— Amanda, 12/28/2013 -
" I am really liking this author - I completely enjoyed this book and also her other one I read "the scent of rain and lightning". I highly recommend them to everyone!! "
— Amy, 12/28/2013 -
" Small town murder mystery, quick, satisfying read. "
— Melinda, 12/24/2013 -
" SOOO GOOD!! "
— ♥Fantasia♥, 12/22/2013 -
" Truly disappointing. The entire thing--ugh! Predictable (who dunnit), unreasitic (looking up inside a tornado??), cliche small town/Kansas. I wonder what her other books are like, but don't care enough to read one. "
— Katy, 12/6/2013 -
" I really liked this book. I think I might look into other books by this author. "
— Kim, 12/2/2013 -
" I really liked this book. It was a fast read that held me right through the end. I enjoy the authors stlye of flashing back. Would read anything else she wrote. "
— Beth, 11/30/2013 -
" I liked the ending, seemed kind of fitting. I would recommend it to others that like a good mystery. "
— Kathy, 11/7/2013 -
" This was one of those rare books I would have read all in one night if I didn't have kids who wake up at 6 a.m.. "
— Kelly, 11/5/2013 -
" This book was ok. The author was reaching a bit on this one. "
— Angela, 10/22/2013 -
" Kept me guessing until the end!! "
— Kristi,, 9/27/2013 -
" I loved her Jenny Cain mysteries and hadn't read anything in a while. This was hard to put down. I did figure out part of it but not all...a good suspense book. Quick read and good. "
— Joanne, 9/19/2013 -
" Good suspense and interesting tale "
— Andrea, 9/11/2013 -
" This book drew me right in and held me until the end. The reader is given snippets of flashbacks to the 17 year old crime that seem bizarre but, of course, all come together in the end. An excellent read! "
— Suzanne, 6/27/2013 -
" Solid mystery about the murder of a girl in small-town Kansas. Kept me guessing and reading. Also chilled me with its vivid, recognizable descriptions of midwestern weather, from blizzards to tornadoes to heat. "
— melody, 5/17/2013 -
" I stayed up way too late to finish this book last night. The story just sucked me in. It's a story of love, family, friendship, and murder. The plot was so intriguing it kept me guessing until the very end. This was a fun, quick read. "
— Amber, 4/30/2013 -
" I hated to see it end... loved all the references to life in the MidWest as I live in it as well. I'd like to look for more by Pickard. "
— Meredith, 4/8/2013 -
" Great Mystery.... didn't figure it out totally...some clues but not totally!! The book flows well and moves between scenes well. Loved the storms and how they played into the story line.... "
— Marti, 3/15/2013 -
" Great book! Murder mystery/love story set in the heart of Kansas. "
— Jennifer, 12/22/2012 -
" This book waas about mysteries and secrets. Very good read. It was sad in many ways, but well written. "
— Patsy, 10/10/2012 -
" Categorized as a mystery, this is a cut above most books in the genre. The sense of place is vivid. The characters are well done, and the plot is very well thought out. I thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Blaire, 10/6/2012 -
" page-turning murder mystery - fun "
— Eileen, 2/6/2012 -
" Very good mystery by a local author. "
— Dawn, 11/29/2011 -
" I picked this up because of an intriguing cover ... then discovered it was set in Kansas so decided to give it a try. The mystery drew me in. First the question was "who is she?" as you explore several main characters and their relationships. Many other questions follow as the story is woven. "
— Doris, 11/1/2011 -
" A beautifully written mystery that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. I grew up in the midwest and could relate to what life is like in a small town. Pickard is gifted with her figurative language and uses a clear voice throughout the novel. "
— Sandyortiz, 10/27/2011 -
" This was a real WOW book--couldn't put it down. "
— Hawley, 5/7/2011 -
" Good book but I had it figured out pretty fast. "
— Shawn, 4/28/2011 -
" I don't normally read murder mysteries, but this one was great. Very well written and kept you guessing. "
— Tina, 4/20/2011 -
" I can see this book being made into a movie! I really like it although I had figured it out about half way through the book. I didn't know EVERYTHING but I knew the secret and loved watching it all come together! "
— Amber, 4/19/2011 -
" I am so happy to discover this new author, whom I have never read. And she is, oh, joy, prolific! Whooppee! It's like Christmas. I cannot put this book down. Really has an interesting, complex, absorbing plot. Yum!Finished it April 14th. I'd give it a definite thumbs up. "
— Linda, 4/12/2011 -
" a Kansas setting was nice - I could have read about these characters for books and books more. "
— Emily, 4/11/2011 -
" A wonderful story, captivating and engaging, occasionally predictable but many many interesting twists. Really well constructed and flowed well, always exciting. "
— Stephanie, 4/6/2011 -
" this was my second Nancy Pickard book and I'm liking her.... can't wait to read the next one "
— Suebee, 3/28/2011 -
" I actually guessed the outcome! I really enjoy her books and the Kansas setting. "
— Lois, 3/28/2011 -
" i liked - wanted to keep reading to find out whodunnit... "
— Kerry, 3/27/2011 -
" Nancy Pickard did it yet again. Grabbed me at the beginning and held me until the "end with a twist". She is the best at this and I am already moving on to another of hers! "
— Lyn, 3/14/2011 -
" Never would have guessed the ending...I Really enjoyed this book. Nancy Pickard has made a fan out of me. "
— Shannon, 3/5/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book. It was a good read. "
— Theresa, 3/2/2011 -
" fast read to make a short brain escape "
— Marsha, 3/1/2011
About Nancy Pickard
Nancy Pickard is a four-time Edgar Award nominee, most recently for The Virgin of Small Plains. Hailed by mainstream critics, the novel was also honored by the State Library of Kansas to be the “Kansas Reads” book for 2009. She is the winner of the Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Agatha Award, Barry Award, and Shamus Award. She has been a national board member of the Mystery Writers of America and president of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Merriam, Kansas.
About Kymberly Dakin
Kymberly Dakin is a professional actress with over twenty years’ experience and has been a featured performer both on Broadway and in national tours. Kym has also played roles on The Guiding Light, One Life to Live, and All My Children, and has appeared on PAX-TV’s It’s a Miracle and on PBS’ Math Monsters.