Sense of place in LKH's work

[terrie01.livejournal.com]

I was recently discussing Susan Conant's books with someone and we were talking about the real "Sense of Place" you get from them. The books are set in the Boston area, and even if you've never been there, you're left with the sense of it when you read her books.

Now, I've never been to St. Louis, but I'm not remembering anything in the AB books that gives that same feeling. For those from STL, am I wrong? Is there something I'm forgetting that gives a great sense of the city, or am I right in thinking she's set it in Genericville, USA and just called it St. Louis?