As a novice who has been taught somewhat by my brother who has collected mysteries all his life, I will tell you my opinion now and ask him about it.
First go to Abe and check the book out.
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sea...+Seaman&y=10&tn=The+Pine+Barrens+Mystery&x=82
It appears that the book on Ebay is in fairly good condition and the price is the going rate or slightly low. The dust jacket looks better than the one on Ebay for over $300 but that one is reported to be signed by the Author. And the one on Abe for about the same price does not even have a jacket. So if you were actually going to buy it, it “appears” to be a good price.
But, if you read the description of the book, it is a mystery on the “edge” of the barrens, which makes me think it has nothing to do with the barrens at all. Maybe a collector of mysteries might want it, but it you are looking for a book set in the pine barrens, you just might find it a disappointment.
Here is the description.
“Why the diary ended so abruptly, what tragic happening had caused the abandonment of the mansion on the edge of the Barrens, what happened to the lovely writer of the diary - these were the questions the three set out to solve."
Guy