Barbara S. (barbsis) - , reviewed on 5/2/2011 + 1076 more book reviews

I've read a few of Sara Paretsky's books in the past and greatly enjoyed them. However, V.I. Warshawski really went over the line (police and moral) in this one. I like my private eye books to at least follow the line of the law, not to the letter but at least in that direction. You know, to at least appear realistic and legal. There is no way in hell, a real police situation would have been handled like this. The cops would have been all over her for her interference; here they basically ignored her and her tactics. Even her cop boyfriend, only said something about her being arrested if it wasn't for him.

I really didn't like Vic's methods in this one: interfering with a police investigation, impersonating a cop (more than once) and her verbal abuse of suspects. However, Vic was very good at handling 14-year-old Emily Messenger. Emily was a victim of parental abuse and sexual assault. I'd like to think that this was the deciding factor in Vic's behavior but unfortunately, her tactics started way before these events.

This is definitely not my favorite Paretsky title.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details