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shannonw19's review against another edition
5.0
I have been reading Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski novels since I was in high school. I have always loved the books. V.I. is a detective. She's also an attorney. She's smart and tough and in may ways, I wished I was her. In her latest novel, Brush Back, she goes back to her childhood roots in South Chicago.
Part of my draw to Warshawski is her family roots. Her mother was an Italian immigrant and her dad's family was from Poland. I was drawn to her because my grandfather grew up in Chicago, the son of German immigrants. In fact, my great-grandmother did not speak English when she arrived in Chicago. My grandfather was a life-long die hard Cubs fan (like V.I.) and played for his hometown Bears.
I have never been to Chicago, but I feel through Paretsky's descriptions of the city and it's assorted neighborhoods, that I can see it all clearly. Her descriptions of the City remind me of my Grandfather. But that is not the only reason I love Paretsky's books. They are good mysteries. In her latest, events of the present mingle with the long-lost past.
Stella Guzzo is paroled after serving many years in prison for killing her daughter, Annie. Guzzo's son, Frank, (an ex high school boyfriend of Warshawski's) comes to her asking her to help exonerate his mother. Warshawski is torn. She wants to help Frank because she has fond feelings for him. She doesn't want to help Frank because Stella hated V.I.'s mother and said vile things about her family. Reluctantly, V.I. agrees to look into it.
When her cousin Boom-Boom's reputation is posthumously slandered by Stella and she takes a restraining order out on V.I., things get complicated. They are complicated further by Bernie, V.I.'s goddaughter and is staying with her. Bernie eventually is kidnapped and V.I. tries to get her back.
The plot twists and turns and involves local politicians, mobsters and the Cubs. The book was riveting and I did not want to put it down. I highly recommend it. It's Sara Paretsky at her very best. I look forward to V.I.'s next adventure.
I won an advanced reader's copy of this book from Goodreads. I received no other compensation for this review and the opinions contained herein are mine alone.
Part of my draw to Warshawski is her family roots. Her mother was an Italian immigrant and her dad's family was from Poland. I was drawn to her because my grandfather grew up in Chicago, the son of German immigrants. In fact, my great-grandmother did not speak English when she arrived in Chicago. My grandfather was a life-long die hard Cubs fan (like V.I.) and played for his hometown Bears.
I have never been to Chicago, but I feel through Paretsky's descriptions of the city and it's assorted neighborhoods, that I can see it all clearly. Her descriptions of the City remind me of my Grandfather. But that is not the only reason I love Paretsky's books. They are good mysteries. In her latest, events of the present mingle with the long-lost past.
Stella Guzzo is paroled after serving many years in prison for killing her daughter, Annie. Guzzo's son, Frank, (an ex high school boyfriend of Warshawski's) comes to her asking her to help exonerate his mother. Warshawski is torn. She wants to help Frank because she has fond feelings for him. She doesn't want to help Frank because Stella hated V.I.'s mother and said vile things about her family. Reluctantly, V.I. agrees to look into it.
When her cousin Boom-Boom's reputation is posthumously slandered by Stella and she takes a restraining order out on V.I., things get complicated. They are complicated further by Bernie, V.I.'s goddaughter and is staying with her. Bernie eventually is kidnapped and V.I. tries to get her back.
The plot twists and turns and involves local politicians, mobsters and the Cubs. The book was riveting and I did not want to put it down. I highly recommend it. It's Sara Paretsky at her very best. I look forward to V.I.'s next adventure.
I won an advanced reader's copy of this book from Goodreads. I received no other compensation for this review and the opinions contained herein are mine alone.
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
3.0
This is really a 3.5 star rating for me. While I haven't read many in this series yet, I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the ones I've read so far. In the latest, the story centers around V.I.'s cousin Boom-Boom, a former Blackhawks player who died several years ago. Boom-Boom is framed for an old murder with ties to V.I.'s high school sweetheart's family. V.I. knows in her heart that her cousin is innocent, but the task of clearing his name proves to be complicated. Especially after mob ties are uncovered. The story is action-packed and kept me turning the pages. Fans of the series will undoubtedly find this a satisfying read and get the chance to learn a little more about Boom-Boom, a character who possibly died too soon.
katemoxie's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating how two seemingly unrelated issues/groups of people come together. Just love VI!
lazwright's review against another edition
4.0
VI is always a tough nut and a thrilling read. Paretsky does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of Chicago and the flavor of each neighborhood.
lisanussd's review against another edition
4.0
I have read almost all of Paretsky's mysteries. This one seemed to hearken back to some of her books in the beginning of the series. I like how Paretsky has written a more mature and slightly mellower Warshawski. Good read.
farfbaz's review
4.0
Finally a new VI! Loved the twists and turns of the story. Great addition to the series. Wasn't a fan of the narrator on the audiobook version. A different narrator was used than previous books and it changed the perception of the character. This new narrator sounded too...unhardened I guess is the word I'm looking for... to be Vic. Please return to using Susan Ericksen! Susan gives voice to Vic's grit!
wendoxford's review against another edition
4.0
I always leap on the next VI Warshawski story...I love the layers of complexity, cast of characters and bringing the memories of the past investigations, city officials into play. I always get confused by the financial subterfuge but am used to going back over it until I have the Eureka moment. I do wonder if the 90+ year old neighbour, Mr Contreras, is too old to be a PIs sidekick. However, I am happy to suspend reality and go with the flow...
sus7's review against another edition
4.0
What I like about V. I. Warshawski:
She admits she's aging, but she's up to date with technology and contemporary.
We know she has a sex life but we don't have to know the details. She's not mooning over a superior officer.
What I like about this book:
It's told in one voice, front to back. No differing viewpoints from different eras.
What I like about Sara Paretsky:
She is a great writer, giving her characters and stories a lot of depth and action.
I couldn't help but compare Paretsky's Warshawski over Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone who is stuck in an outdated timeline. I think Paretsky's done a good job of advancing V.I.'s age and experiences.
I've also read several cop stories with strong female characters who turn into unprofessional simpletons because they can't help themselves from falling from male co-workers, usually their supervisor.
This is the kind of book I like to read!
She admits she's aging, but she's up to date with technology and contemporary.
We know she has a sex life but we don't have to know the details. She's not mooning over a superior officer.
What I like about this book:
It's told in one voice, front to back. No differing viewpoints from different eras.
What I like about Sara Paretsky:
She is a great writer, giving her characters and stories a lot of depth and action.
I couldn't help but compare Paretsky's Warshawski over Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone who is stuck in an outdated timeline. I think Paretsky's done a good job of advancing V.I.'s age and experiences.
I've also read several cop stories with strong female characters who turn into unprofessional simpletons because they can't help themselves from falling from male co-workers, usually their supervisor.
This is the kind of book I like to read!