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The eighth novel in the V.I. Warhawski crime series, set in Chicago, from prize-winning author Sara Paretsky. The discovery of a destitute family in her office basement leads V.I. Warshawski to homeless charity Home Free. But the organisation’s frosty reception gives V.I. cause for concern, especially when one of its board members is then found murdered, sprawled across her desk . . . Taking on the case, V.I. uncovers a framework of domestic abuse and fraud which spreads across the whole of Chicago, as well as into the abandoned tunnels beneath the city streets – where more dark secrets have been buried . . .
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Reviews
As prickly and principled as ever, Chicago's preeminent female PI, V I Warshawski, forcefully unravels several knotted mysteries in Paretsky's latest complex, satisfying novel . . . Paretsky's V I is a rare literary entity, a woman quick to anger and action, yet sympathetic and credible.
With the creation of V.I. Warshawski, Sara Paretsky did more than anyone to change the face of contemporary women's fiction.
It's hard not to get caught up in her passion . . . Snappy dialogue, tight plotting and realistic situations make Paretsky's unapologetically politicised thrillers a pleasure to read, whatever your viewpoint.
The thing about Sara Paretsky is, she's tough . . . she doesn't flinch from examining old social injustices others might find too shameful (and too painful) to dig up
Some crime series grow stale over time, but there's no sign of fatigue here. This is partly because the recurring characters continue to develop and engage the reader, and partly because of the moral intelligence that informs the writing.
Paretsky has been putting her private investigator through her paces since 1982, changing perceptions of women in crime fiction through the creation of a fiercely independent female detective. She keeps her brand of politicised noir fresh by responding to issues - social, cultural and political as well as gender - in contemporary life . . . Paretsky is firing on all cylinders