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reikista's review against another edition
3.0
V.I. reluctantly finds herself immersed in investigating the death of Lotty's partner's death, and the death of her friend Consuelo, who delivered at a suburban hospital. As is often the case in V.I.'s books, apparently unrelated cases converge and, in this one, we learn about the unethical practices of the medical facility and the strange partnership of anti-abortion activists and high level lawyers as she struggles to make sense of things, take care of her neighbor who has gotten hurt on her account, recover from her own encounters with a defendant of her past, and a new relationship with a suburban doctor. Ms. Paretsky never fails to deliver an exciting story, uncovering Chicagoland for us as she does.
cwebb's review against another edition
3.0
It's getting very repetitive, as V.I. always faces two cases, at least one of them strictly personal, which miraculously combine into one big case and thus almost solve themselves.
liberrydude's review against another edition
3.0
Body count of six in this one. Vic does a favor for her doctor friend, Lotty, by driving a pregnant 16 yo and her deadbeat boyfriend to a job interview for the deadbeat out in the burbs. The girl goes into labor two months early. She’s got risk factors. It’s one tragedy after another and Vic is even played by one of the perps. Aptly titled and Vic is both receiving and administering the bitter medicine.
lazwright's review
4.0
Bearing in mind this was set and written in the mid 1980s, it's a great noir novel despite some of the things that (now) feel dated.
readingoverbreathing's review against another edition
4.0
"I hardly like to deny an allegation of prettiness. On the other hand, when you are fantastically beautiful, you have to be careful not to use it to dazzle people into overlooking the law."
Last week for my crime fiction module we read [b:Cop Hater|425164|Cop Hater (87th Precinct, #1)|Ed McBain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1237947350l/425164._SY75_.jpg|935077], which I decried for its packaging, that mass-market paperback with the author's name dwarfing the novel's actual title. While it wasn't terrible, I still wasn't the biggest fan of it. So when we turned here to Bitter Medicine, I honestly expected, even knowing we were doing feminist interpretations of the genre, much of the same.
But boy, was I wrong. Bitter Medicine really did surprise me. Its legacy in crime fiction is easily traceable, but even at over three decades old, it reads so freshly and so modernly. Its female characters are the real stars here; they all feel so real, and are so automatical from their male counterparts in a way that hasn't been seen yet on this module. Even V.I., tough detective she was, stayed far away from any sort of stereotype. She's a strong, independent woman, yes, but in a way that feels natural and real, rather than as some empowered-seeking construction on the part of the author.
I was also impressed by how much representation was present here, and, again, in a way that felt natural, rather than forced for the sake of saying so. This book was unafraid to tackle instances of racism, classism, and everyday misogyny, not in any kind of vigilance, but because these are issues which do permeate the everyday lives of so many.
I really did have a lot of fun with this one. It was gripping, fast-paced, and just so smart and real. I already know we're going to be having a great class discussion on this later in the week.
henrismum's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
#4 in series (I started reading this series in Sept 2022 and I have been committed to this series since April 2023.)
Comparison to others in series:Not as good About the same Better I liked this better than the last one. V.I. is a little tiring with her stupid antics, but the story was still enjoyable. Well, maybe you could cut 1.5 hours out and still have a good book.
The narrator was Susan Ericksen. She was fine.
Source: Audible (own)
#4 in series (I started reading this series in Sept 2022 and I have been committed to this series since April 2023.)
Comparison to others in series:
The narrator was Susan Ericksen. She was fine.
Source: Audible (own)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcohol, and Blood
1980's anti-abortion movement.wetdryvac's review against another edition
5.0
I normally go in for supernatural and SF insanity, but this series is some seriously nifty writing.
reddybeast's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dancingkouign's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
noonjinx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
An easy read with great characters and an exciting story, riffing off various cliches that I love; written in the first person by a cynical private investigator digging into a seemingly straightforward death and uncovering corporate corruption and conspiracy.
The twist here is that the PI is a woman and she's definitely a great and refreshing character. A tough, gun toting, progressive, left winger who can hold her own in fist fights with gangsters and who's not embarrassed to describe her messy apartment and sweaty armpits.
I've read conservative reviews complaining about the politics and even though I agree with Paretsky's views i did find her a bit preachy. Also, the end was a bit drawn out, plot based and too neat.
These are minor quibbles and i would read more though.
The twist here is that the PI is a woman and she's definitely a great and refreshing character. A tough, gun toting, progressive, left winger who can hold her own in fist fights with gangsters and who's not embarrassed to describe her messy apartment and sweaty armpits.
I've read conservative reviews complaining about the politics and even though I agree with Paretsky's views i did find her a bit preachy. Also, the end was a bit drawn out, plot based and too neat.
These are minor quibbles and i would read more though.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Abortion