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Love & Other Crimes
From New York Times bestselling author Sara Paretsky, a collection of thrilling crime and detective short stories, many featuring legendary detective V.I. Warshawski—including a brand-new V.I. story.
New York Times bestselling author Sara Paretsky is the master of twisting suspense and propulsive plot. She has been hailed by the crime community as "a legend" (Harlan Coben) and "one of the all-time greats" (Karin Slaughter). Her acclaimed novels featuring detective V.I. Warshawski rank among the most celebrated crime series in modern fiction. Now in this spellbinding collection, Paretsky showcases her extraordinary talents with fourteen short stories, eight of which feature the indomitable detective—and a new V.I. story.
For longtime fans of V.I. Warshawski, new readers discovering her for the first time, or any lover of crime and bone-chilling suspense, Love and Other Crimes is a celebration of Paretsky’s exceptional storytelling skill and a searing exploration of the dark conspiracies and desperate human acts hiding in plain sight.
New York Times bestselling author Sara Paretsky is the master of twisting suspense and propulsive plot. She has been hailed by the crime community as "a legend" (Harlan Coben) and "one of the all-time greats" (Karin Slaughter). Her acclaimed novels featuring detective V.I. Warshawski rank among the most celebrated crime series in modern fiction. Now in this spellbinding collection, Paretsky showcases her extraordinary talents with fourteen short stories, eight of which feature the indomitable detective—and a new V.I. story.
For longtime fans of V.I. Warshawski, new readers discovering her for the first time, or any lover of crime and bone-chilling suspense, Love and Other Crimes is a celebration of Paretsky’s exceptional storytelling skill and a searing exploration of the dark conspiracies and desperate human acts hiding in plain sight.
567 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2020
389 people are currently reading
3268 people want to read
About the author
Sara Paretsky
271 books2,371 followersSara Paretsky is a modern American author of detective fiction. Paretsky was raised in Kansas, and graduated from the state university with a degree in political science. She did community service work on the south side of Chicago in 1966 and returned in 1968 to work there. She ultimately completed a Ph.D. in history at the University of Chicago, entitled The Breakdown of Moral Philosophy in New England Before the Civil War, and finally earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Married to a professor of physics at the University of Chicago, she has lived in Chicago since 1968.
The protagonist of all but two of Paretsky's novels is V.I. Warshawski, a female private investigator. Warshawski's eclectic personality defies easy categorization. She drinks Johnnie Walker Black Label, breaks into houses looking for clues, and can hold her own in a street fight, but also she pays attention to her clothes, sings opera along with the radio, and enjoys her sex life.
Paretsky is credited with transforming the role and image of women in the crime novel. The Winter 2007 issue of Clues: A Journal of Detection is devoted to her work.
Her two books that are non-Warshawski novels are : Ghost Country (1998) and Bleeding Kansas (2008).
The protagonist of all but two of Paretsky's novels is V.I. Warshawski, a female private investigator. Warshawski's eclectic personality defies easy categorization. She drinks Johnnie Walker Black Label, breaks into houses looking for clues, and can hold her own in a street fight, but also she pays attention to her clothes, sings opera along with the radio, and enjoys her sex life.
Paretsky is credited with transforming the role and image of women in the crime novel. The Winter 2007 issue of Clues: A Journal of Detection is devoted to her work.
Her two books that are non-Warshawski novels are : Ghost Country (1998) and Bleeding Kansas (2008).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
October 3, 2021
Sara Paretsky gives us an excellent collection of short stories, 8 of which feature her iconic Chicago PI, VI Warshawski, almost all the stories have been published previously, some are reworked here, and Paretsky helpfully provides the background and motivation at the end of each story. There are 14 stories in total, I enjoyed all of them, and there is only one that I have read previously, Publicity Stunts:
Love and Other Crimes
Miss Bianca
Is It Justice
Flashpoint
Acid Test
Safety First
Trial by Fire
Murder at the Century of Progress
The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer
Wildcat
Death on the Edge
Photo Finish
Publicity Stunts
Heartbreak House
Some of the stories use the supporting cast from the VI Warshawski series, such as the dystopian tale of the arrest and trial of Dr Lottie Herschel that echoes the many troubling contemporary realites of women and refugees, and Freeman Carter, VI's go to lawyer, represents Karin, when she is arrested for an explosion that kills 2 people, including her neighbour Clarence Epstein. It is Karin's daughter, Temple who works for Cheviot Engineering, the source for forensic advice for Vic, who employs Carter for her mother, unaware the two of them already know each other. Paretsky addresses the injustice in her novel, Critical Mass, with a shooting outside the courthouse and recounts the terrors of the fight for Civil Rights in 1960s Chicago. VI gets to the bottom of a body found in a warehouse, buried beneath $25 million worth of broken wine bottles, and is the prime suspect in the murder of Lisa Macauley, a writer with a big right wing following.
Paretsky pays homage to other well known fictional PIs, Race Williams, and to Amelia Butterworth in a Sherlock Holmes story, and to Miss Marple in the creation of her character, Charlotte Palmer, determined to find the real killer of her nephew, Eric. We are taken to the beginning of the 20th century in rural Kansas, the inability of women to implement their wishes when it comes to inheritance and the horrors of the widespread racism against Native Americans. The delightful 10 year old Abigail acquires Miss Bianca, a mouse from a research lab, going on to uncover a Cold War conspiracy. If you are a crime and mystery fan and have never read Sarah Paretsky, this is a wonderful selection of stories with which to acquaint yourself with her brilliant storytelling and her unforgettable PI heroine, VI Warshawski. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Love and Other Crimes
Miss Bianca
Is It Justice
Flashpoint
Acid Test
Safety First
Trial by Fire
Murder at the Century of Progress
The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer
Wildcat
Death on the Edge
Photo Finish
Publicity Stunts
Heartbreak House
Some of the stories use the supporting cast from the VI Warshawski series, such as the dystopian tale of the arrest and trial of Dr Lottie Herschel that echoes the many troubling contemporary realites of women and refugees, and Freeman Carter, VI's go to lawyer, represents Karin, when she is arrested for an explosion that kills 2 people, including her neighbour Clarence Epstein. It is Karin's daughter, Temple who works for Cheviot Engineering, the source for forensic advice for Vic, who employs Carter for her mother, unaware the two of them already know each other. Paretsky addresses the injustice in her novel, Critical Mass, with a shooting outside the courthouse and recounts the terrors of the fight for Civil Rights in 1960s Chicago. VI gets to the bottom of a body found in a warehouse, buried beneath $25 million worth of broken wine bottles, and is the prime suspect in the murder of Lisa Macauley, a writer with a big right wing following.
Paretsky pays homage to other well known fictional PIs, Race Williams, and to Amelia Butterworth in a Sherlock Holmes story, and to Miss Marple in the creation of her character, Charlotte Palmer, determined to find the real killer of her nephew, Eric. We are taken to the beginning of the 20th century in rural Kansas, the inability of women to implement their wishes when it comes to inheritance and the horrors of the widespread racism against Native Americans. The delightful 10 year old Abigail acquires Miss Bianca, a mouse from a research lab, going on to uncover a Cold War conspiracy. If you are a crime and mystery fan and have never read Sarah Paretsky, this is a wonderful selection of stories with which to acquaint yourself with her brilliant storytelling and her unforgettable PI heroine, VI Warshawski. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
June 24, 2024
Oh what fun this short story collection was for me.
Normally I will use a short story collection as an in-between book (you know the one where you read a short story here and there, in-between the current novel you are reading?).
Anyway, I loved her short stories so much, I just kept on going with it.
If you are a fan of the author's detective, V.I. Warshawski, you will get glimpses of her, as well.
But, there will be more opportunities to experience other mystery moments, as well.
There is a collection of fourteen short stories, eight of which feature Warshawski.
Written over a period of about twenty years, the common thread is love.
If you aren’t familiar with Warshawski, this short story collection is a good introduction to her character.
As I shared, this was an absolute pleasure read.
Normally I will use a short story collection as an in-between book (you know the one where you read a short story here and there, in-between the current novel you are reading?).
Anyway, I loved her short stories so much, I just kept on going with it.
If you are a fan of the author's detective, V.I. Warshawski, you will get glimpses of her, as well.
But, there will be more opportunities to experience other mystery moments, as well.
There is a collection of fourteen short stories, eight of which feature Warshawski.
Written over a period of about twenty years, the common thread is love.
If you aren’t familiar with Warshawski, this short story collection is a good introduction to her character.
As I shared, this was an absolute pleasure read.
May 8, 2022
I am enamored and captivated by these varied short stories; united by motive, each crime is committed for love.
Brava & gratitude to Paretsky for giving us so much heartfelt passion!
Half of this collection draws you into a moment in the life of heroine V. I. Warshawski and the others explore heroes & heroines from classic literature and real life.
Brava & gratitude to Paretsky for giving us so much heartfelt passion!
Half of this collection draws you into a moment in the life of heroine V. I. Warshawski and the others explore heroes & heroines from classic literature and real life.
July 6, 2020
Paretsky is credited with transforming the role and image of women in the crime novel with her female private investigator, V.I. Warshawski. I ‘discovered’ the series in the early nineties and instantly became a fan. The first book, Indemnity Only, was published in 1982, the latest instalment, titled Dead Land (book #20) was released earlier this year.
Love & Other Crimes is a collection of fourteen short stories, eight of which feature Warshawski, including one original story. Written over a period of about twenty years, the common thread is love.
“....we kill out of love—love of money, but also love of family, a desire to protect those for whom we feel responsible.”
If you aren’t familiar with Warshawski, this short story collection is a good introduction to her character. Vic was raised, lives and works in Chicago. Specialising in investigating white-collar crimes, she is often drawn into cases involving her friends, family or vulnerable persons who are victimised by corrupt politicians or greedy businessmen. She is smart, capable and dogged with a strong belief in justice and all these traits are on display in the stories in this collection.
Most of the other six short stories have appeared elsewhere, often in themed anthology’s or magazines, though I was familiar with none. Two of the stories pay homage to Paretsky’s own literary hero’s - Race Williams, who was the first of the hardboiled detectives, created by Carroll John Daly in 1923, Amelia Butterworth, an amateur detective created by American crime novelist Anna Katharine Green. I like that Paretsky includes a note for each story in the collection that reveals the purpose of, or motivation, for the title, it’s a welcome glimpse into her authorial process.
Somewhat surprisingly I enjoyed every story in this collection, though I remain partial to those which involved V.I. Warshawski, reminded of what a great series it is, and to move Dead Land up my TBR list.
Love & Other Crimes is a collection of fourteen short stories, eight of which feature Warshawski, including one original story. Written over a period of about twenty years, the common thread is love.
“....we kill out of love—love of money, but also love of family, a desire to protect those for whom we feel responsible.”
If you aren’t familiar with Warshawski, this short story collection is a good introduction to her character. Vic was raised, lives and works in Chicago. Specialising in investigating white-collar crimes, she is often drawn into cases involving her friends, family or vulnerable persons who are victimised by corrupt politicians or greedy businessmen. She is smart, capable and dogged with a strong belief in justice and all these traits are on display in the stories in this collection.
Most of the other six short stories have appeared elsewhere, often in themed anthology’s or magazines, though I was familiar with none. Two of the stories pay homage to Paretsky’s own literary hero’s - Race Williams, who was the first of the hardboiled detectives, created by Carroll John Daly in 1923, Amelia Butterworth, an amateur detective created by American crime novelist Anna Katharine Green. I like that Paretsky includes a note for each story in the collection that reveals the purpose of, or motivation, for the title, it’s a welcome glimpse into her authorial process.
Somewhat surprisingly I enjoyed every story in this collection, though I remain partial to those which involved V.I. Warshawski, reminded of what a great series it is, and to move Dead Land up my TBR list.
December 19, 2020
Sara Paretsky is a venerable author, one who—along with the late, great Sue Grafton—reframed the role of women in detective fiction nearly forty years ago. When I saw this collection available for review, I jumped on it. My thanks go to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for the review copy. It’s for sale now, and you should get it and read it—although there’s a caveat coming up that should be considered first.
Sometimes when a favorite writer releases a book of short stories, I find that I’ve already read a lot of them in one form or another. This time, nearly every story is new to me. One forms the basis of a full length book that I read a long time ago and have forgotten much of. Another is a reworked version of the short story “Wildcat,” which I purchased a short time ago. These are the only duplicate stories I can detect, and I am a voracious reader where this author is concerned. Some of her work was included in Sisters in Crime anthologies, but I haven’t seen them. Not all of them feature the iconic V.I. Warshawski. The signature elements that include social justice issues such as women’s rights, immigration, racism, and the homeless are here in abundance, as one might hope.
My favorite selection is the second, “Miss Bianca,” a mystery in which a little girl saves a research rat and ultimately uncovers a dangerous conspiracy. Paretsky gets the tone of the child’s voice just right, making her bright within the bounds of what a child that age is capable of, and registering the thought processes and perceptions of her protagonist flawlessly.
There’s an historical mystery that involves a Sherlock Holmes retelling, and like all of that ilk, it bored the snot out of me, a first where this writer is concerned. I abandoned it halfway through.
The five star rating is unchanged, because the reader can skip this story and still get her money’s worth and then some; also, I am aware that not everyone is as averse to this type of writing as I am.
Another story is set during the late 1960s, and the Civil Rights Movement is center stage. In order to convey the horror of the backlash by some Caucasian Chicagoans during this tumultuous period, the *N* word is included several times. I used the audio version of this book for some of the stories, including this one, and I feel as if it should have a warning sticker of some sort because hearing that word shouted angrily sent a cold finger right up my spine, and I don’t like to think of other readers, especially Black readers, listening to it within the hearing of their children. I don’t deduct anything from my rating, because the author includes a note about its use and her reasons for it at the end of the story; in fact, there is an author’s note at the end of many of these that makes the story more satisfying. But you should know that this word is there, so be ready for it.
When all is said and done, there are few authors that can deliver the way Paretsky can. With the considerations above included, I highly recommend this collection to you.
Sometimes when a favorite writer releases a book of short stories, I find that I’ve already read a lot of them in one form or another. This time, nearly every story is new to me. One forms the basis of a full length book that I read a long time ago and have forgotten much of. Another is a reworked version of the short story “Wildcat,” which I purchased a short time ago. These are the only duplicate stories I can detect, and I am a voracious reader where this author is concerned. Some of her work was included in Sisters in Crime anthologies, but I haven’t seen them. Not all of them feature the iconic V.I. Warshawski. The signature elements that include social justice issues such as women’s rights, immigration, racism, and the homeless are here in abundance, as one might hope.
My favorite selection is the second, “Miss Bianca,” a mystery in which a little girl saves a research rat and ultimately uncovers a dangerous conspiracy. Paretsky gets the tone of the child’s voice just right, making her bright within the bounds of what a child that age is capable of, and registering the thought processes and perceptions of her protagonist flawlessly.
There’s an historical mystery that involves a Sherlock Holmes retelling, and like all of that ilk, it bored the snot out of me, a first where this writer is concerned. I abandoned it halfway through.
The five star rating is unchanged, because the reader can skip this story and still get her money’s worth and then some; also, I am aware that not everyone is as averse to this type of writing as I am.
Another story is set during the late 1960s, and the Civil Rights Movement is center stage. In order to convey the horror of the backlash by some Caucasian Chicagoans during this tumultuous period, the *N* word is included several times. I used the audio version of this book for some of the stories, including this one, and I feel as if it should have a warning sticker of some sort because hearing that word shouted angrily sent a cold finger right up my spine, and I don’t like to think of other readers, especially Black readers, listening to it within the hearing of their children. I don’t deduct anything from my rating, because the author includes a note about its use and her reasons for it at the end of the story; in fact, there is an author’s note at the end of many of these that makes the story more satisfying. But you should know that this word is there, so be ready for it.
When all is said and done, there are few authors that can deliver the way Paretsky can. With the considerations above included, I highly recommend this collection to you.
March 1, 2020
Sarah Paretsky's collection of short stories is like visiting an old friend and hearing reminisences of her past. Multiple tales feature V.I. Warshawski, the main detective Paretsky has written about for many years. A few stories do not include Warshowski, but are also entertaining. A delightful collection!
July 15, 2020
This is a really great collection of short stories.
Library Loan
Library Loan
September 28, 2020
I have to say that this collection of short stories by Paretsky was very good. Some of them did not feature VI, but I still found them enjoyable.
"Love & Other Crimes" (5 stars)-A family from the neighborhood that VI grew up come to her for help when one of their own is accused of murder. It's a long winding road to understand who did what to who, but it was an interesting look at VI and her mother's dynamic when they were younger.
"Miss Bianca" (4.5 stars)-This one does not star VI, but instead we follow a young girl named Abigail and her mother. Bianca's mother is the personal secretary of a doctor who is working in a lab. You quickly find out that they are doing something secret there. When a woman that starts working there as a cleaner shows she knows more than she should, Abigail starts to wonder if the woman is there as a spy or to steal one of the doctor's away from his wife. This one reads as a bit too much to be believed, but Paretsky based it off of the very real case of what her own father did.
"Is it Justice" (5 stars)-VI is on hand when a man she had a part in seeing indicted is murdered outside the courthouse. VI's ex-husband is his usual insufferable self, but many people want to know who killed the man and why. When the victim's daughter comes to VI, she starts to investigate. This one was really interesting and I liked the twists it took and the resolution.
"Flash Point" (4.5 stars)-VI ends up getting involved with a family after she has a run-in with a teen boy at a talk she gives. VI feels bad for hurting the kid's feelings, and when he runs off everyone starts to blame her. When the boy's father comes to VI to help find him she starts to wonder if something happened to the boy. I don't know how believable this one really would be, but I thought it was an interesting read.
"Acid Test" (3.5 stars)-This one does not star VI, but it does star a woman that works at one of the labs that VI sometimes uses. An older woman (Karin) who is running a commune in Chicago gets charged when one of her neighbor's home's blows up. The woman's daughter, named Temple, is an engineer so some wonder if she helped her with it. The man in question seemed to always be complaining and Karin just seemed to ignore everything. I have to say that this one was a bit unbelievable at times and the resolution made me go ehhh. That said, I would love to read more stories featuring Temple.
"Safety First (5 stars)-a dystopian view of a future Chicago where abortions would be outlawed and anyone doing something considered un-American would be charged under something called "Keep America Safe Act." Paretsky still has this story featuring VI and Lottie, but in very different circumstances. We follow Lottie in jail and then her subsequent trial under the new law. The whole story gave me the shivers badly.
"Trial by Fire" (5 stars)-a historical fiction story taking place in Kansas in the 1900s. An older woman named Sophia has her relative's teen with her for the summer. The older teen is called Georgie and the family wanted her away from bad influences. You would think a farm would be a safe place for her. Georgie though starts to see the world in a different way and the whole story is just a slow unraveling of a lot of things the two characters kept hidden from themselves.
"Murder at the Century of Progress (5 stars)-I liked this one. This is Paretsky's little homage to Miss Marple.
"The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer (5 stars)-This one stars Sherlock Holmes and we get to see him meet up with the fictional Amelia Butterworth.
"Wildcat (4 stars)-This one shows VI and Boom Boom as pre-teens and the ugliness of Chicago during the Civil Rights Movement. I have to say though that the historical period doesn't work very well with the murder that occurs at the same time. It just read as force-fit to me.
"Death on the Edge (5 stars)-I read this one before in a standalone short.
"Photo Finish (4.5 stars)-I liked this one, but think that VI would have caught on a lot sooner to what was going on. Also the reasoning behind the whole crime in this one felt like a stretch.
"Publicity Stunts (4.5 stars)-A woman with a far right following (Lisa Macauley) asks VI for protection. VI refuses and then the woman goes around trashing her and her "feminism". VI finds herself a subject of an ugly media campaign because of it. When Lisa is found murdered, the police think she may have done it. VI starts looking and finds some clues to who could have possibly wanted Lisa dead (besides VI).
"Heartbreak House (3 stars)-How far would a publisher go to make sure their bestselling author kept churning out hits? This was the last book in the anthology and felt that it was a bit of a letdown based on what came before it. I think it would have been better to end this one with another short story starring VI.
"Love & Other Crimes" (5 stars)-A family from the neighborhood that VI grew up come to her for help when one of their own is accused of murder. It's a long winding road to understand who did what to who, but it was an interesting look at VI and her mother's dynamic when they were younger.
"Miss Bianca" (4.5 stars)-This one does not star VI, but instead we follow a young girl named Abigail and her mother. Bianca's mother is the personal secretary of a doctor who is working in a lab. You quickly find out that they are doing something secret there. When a woman that starts working there as a cleaner shows she knows more than she should, Abigail starts to wonder if the woman is there as a spy or to steal one of the doctor's away from his wife. This one reads as a bit too much to be believed, but Paretsky based it off of the very real case of what her own father did.
"Is it Justice" (5 stars)-VI is on hand when a man she had a part in seeing indicted is murdered outside the courthouse. VI's ex-husband is his usual insufferable self, but many people want to know who killed the man and why. When the victim's daughter comes to VI, she starts to investigate. This one was really interesting and I liked the twists it took and the resolution.
"Flash Point" (4.5 stars)-VI ends up getting involved with a family after she has a run-in with a teen boy at a talk she gives. VI feels bad for hurting the kid's feelings, and when he runs off everyone starts to blame her. When the boy's father comes to VI to help find him she starts to wonder if something happened to the boy. I don't know how believable this one really would be, but I thought it was an interesting read.
"Acid Test" (3.5 stars)-This one does not star VI, but it does star a woman that works at one of the labs that VI sometimes uses. An older woman (Karin) who is running a commune in Chicago gets charged when one of her neighbor's home's blows up. The woman's daughter, named Temple, is an engineer so some wonder if she helped her with it. The man in question seemed to always be complaining and Karin just seemed to ignore everything. I have to say that this one was a bit unbelievable at times and the resolution made me go ehhh. That said, I would love to read more stories featuring Temple.
"Safety First (5 stars)-a dystopian view of a future Chicago where abortions would be outlawed and anyone doing something considered un-American would be charged under something called "Keep America Safe Act." Paretsky still has this story featuring VI and Lottie, but in very different circumstances. We follow Lottie in jail and then her subsequent trial under the new law. The whole story gave me the shivers badly.
"Trial by Fire" (5 stars)-a historical fiction story taking place in Kansas in the 1900s. An older woman named Sophia has her relative's teen with her for the summer. The older teen is called Georgie and the family wanted her away from bad influences. You would think a farm would be a safe place for her. Georgie though starts to see the world in a different way and the whole story is just a slow unraveling of a lot of things the two characters kept hidden from themselves.
"Murder at the Century of Progress (5 stars)-I liked this one. This is Paretsky's little homage to Miss Marple.
"The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer (5 stars)-This one stars Sherlock Holmes and we get to see him meet up with the fictional Amelia Butterworth.
"Wildcat (4 stars)-This one shows VI and Boom Boom as pre-teens and the ugliness of Chicago during the Civil Rights Movement. I have to say though that the historical period doesn't work very well with the murder that occurs at the same time. It just read as force-fit to me.
"Death on the Edge (5 stars)-I read this one before in a standalone short.
"Photo Finish (4.5 stars)-I liked this one, but think that VI would have caught on a lot sooner to what was going on. Also the reasoning behind the whole crime in this one felt like a stretch.
"Publicity Stunts (4.5 stars)-A woman with a far right following (Lisa Macauley) asks VI for protection. VI refuses and then the woman goes around trashing her and her "feminism". VI finds herself a subject of an ugly media campaign because of it. When Lisa is found murdered, the police think she may have done it. VI starts looking and finds some clues to who could have possibly wanted Lisa dead (besides VI).
"Heartbreak House (3 stars)-How far would a publisher go to make sure their bestselling author kept churning out hits? This was the last book in the anthology and felt that it was a bit of a letdown based on what came before it. I think it would have been better to end this one with another short story starring VI.
June 23, 2022
Review to come ~
July 1, 2020
Love & Other Crimes: Stories by Sara Paretsky is a highly recommended collection of fourteen short stories written from 1996 to 2018.
Paretsky, a master of crime novels featuring compelling plots and nail-biting suspense, showcases her talent for short stories in this collection. One story is a new V.I. story while the rest have been previously published other places. About half are V.I. Warshawski stories. All of the stories feature people who kill for love, many of them for family.
The collection includes: Love & Other Crimes; Miss Bianca; Is It Justice?; Flash Point; Acid Test; Safety First; Trial by Fire; Murder at the Century of Progress; The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer; Wildcat; Death on the Edge; Photo Finish; Publicity Stunts; and Heartbreak House. Of all the stories, Miss Bianca, featuring a ten-year-old girl who loves a laboratory mouse, was my favorite. Two stories reflect the crime fiction of the late-Victorian and early-twentieth-century eras: "Murder at the Century of Progress" and "The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer."
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/0...
Paretsky, a master of crime novels featuring compelling plots and nail-biting suspense, showcases her talent for short stories in this collection. One story is a new V.I. story while the rest have been previously published other places. About half are V.I. Warshawski stories. All of the stories feature people who kill for love, many of them for family.
The collection includes: Love & Other Crimes; Miss Bianca; Is It Justice?; Flash Point; Acid Test; Safety First; Trial by Fire; Murder at the Century of Progress; The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer; Wildcat; Death on the Edge; Photo Finish; Publicity Stunts; and Heartbreak House. Of all the stories, Miss Bianca, featuring a ten-year-old girl who loves a laboratory mouse, was my favorite. Two stories reflect the crime fiction of the late-Victorian and early-twentieth-century eras: "Murder at the Century of Progress" and "The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer."
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/0...
February 23, 2020
I love Sara Paretsky’s series and I enjoyed reading all the short stories. I even downloaded Anna Katherine Green’s Amelia Butterworth series. That being said, short stories always leave me wanting more than a short story allows.
September 15, 2022
Really enjoyed reading this collection of V. I. Warshawsky shorts. Especially liked the author notes at the end of each story as to why Ms. Paretsky got an idea for a short in the first place; sometimes based on what was happening in the world at the time.
Great read! (Yes, I spread them out and read the stories slowly.)
Great read! (Yes, I spread them out and read the stories slowly.)
September 14, 2020
A collection short stories by Sara Paretsky . She has commented every story and also edited or rewritten the stories for this collection. A bit different styles of stories here : I liked the V.I.Warshawski stories best. The comments are also very enlightening .
November 22, 2021
I didn't know that Sara Paretsky had written short stories featuring V.I and other characters from her books. This collection is a very welcome delight, like meeting old friends who you haven't seen for a while, and the author's notes about how each one came to be written are a bonus.
August 16, 2020
For the most part, the stories are good. I liked the ones with detective V. I. Warshawski the best. But 14 very short stories in a single book is not my cup of tea. I felt like I was always opening in the middle of a story and had no real background or context to the characters. Each story ended abruptly, many times identifying a suspect out of left field.
August 13, 2020
A few of the stories lefte wanting for more, but overall I enjoyed it.
October 7, 2021
A really good collection of 14 short stories from Sara Paretsky, best known for the VI Warshawski series of Chicago based detective novels.
Some of the stories here are based in the VI universe, with many of the recurring characters we know so well making appearances. These are the strongest in the compilation, particularly those that fill in elements of VI’s back story. The notes Paretsky provides after each story give great context, helping to place the stories in the bigger picture.
A particular favourite is Safety First, a near-future dystopian fantasy that takes Trump era laws to their ultimate 1984 conclusion. The story is disturbing and thought provoking, as well as offering a horrifying view of what a second Trump term may have led to. Of the other stories, The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer featuring none other than Sherlock Homes is very good.
Sara Paretsky writes excellent full length novels with wonderfully vivid characters. This collection shows that she can create believable and rounded characters that readers can connect with in this shorter format too.
Some of the stories here are based in the VI universe, with many of the recurring characters we know so well making appearances. These are the strongest in the compilation, particularly those that fill in elements of VI’s back story. The notes Paretsky provides after each story give great context, helping to place the stories in the bigger picture.
A particular favourite is Safety First, a near-future dystopian fantasy that takes Trump era laws to their ultimate 1984 conclusion. The story is disturbing and thought provoking, as well as offering a horrifying view of what a second Trump term may have led to. Of the other stories, The Curious Affair of the Italian Art Dealer featuring none other than Sherlock Homes is very good.
Sara Paretsky writes excellent full length novels with wonderfully vivid characters. This collection shows that she can create believable and rounded characters that readers can connect with in this shorter format too.
December 1, 2020
I was looking forward to this collection by Sara Paretsky who I can always rely on for a serious romp with her smart detective, V.I. Warshawski. Well, I'm going to have to read the book because I really had a hard time listening to the reader, Susan Ericksen. Ericksen had many challenges to define the many different characters in the 14 stories she had to read but she seemed to give all the characters a loud, brash Bronx accent seeming to be on the verge of threat or disgust...despite the fact that V.I. lives and works in Chicago. I listened to all the stories but really remember very little. I know Paretsky has compelling plots and engaging characters which is why these short stories were published by various periodicals and collected for this book. I will have to read them to savor V.I.'s detecting skills and capers.
July 4, 2020
Short story lovers, maybe lovers in general, are in for a treat with LOVE & OTHER CRIMES, a medley of short fiction by Sara Paretsky. You may know her work already, as she enjoys a fine reputation for her detective fiction featuring heroine V.I. Warshawski. Over the course of her 23 novels, Paretsky has developed Warshawski into a solid, formidable defender of women, minorities, the innocent and the yet-to-be-proven innocent. Part of the treat in picking up this collection of 14 stories is that there will be some tidbits of information about Warshawski that should entice you to visit (or revisit) her earlier works.
Eight of the stories here feature or mention Warshawski; the other six are set outside of her stomping grounds of Chicago and introduce a variety of lead characters and contemporary themes. At the end of each story, Paretsky steps in and speaks to readers in her 2019 voice, pointing out how or why it was conceived and where it has been previously published. She acknowledged her indebtedness to Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935), whose brilliance she believed outshone a relative contemporary, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Green was called “the mother of detective fiction” for excellent plotting and accuracy. Paretsky explains the times when she wrote specific anthologies and particular themes. I grew to like her rationale and style, and enjoyed these explanatory notes immensely.
“Murder at the Century of Progress,” first published in 1999, is an epistolary story, with a dithery, elderly Charlotte Palmer traveling to Chicago in 1933 with her grandnephew. This lad fell in with a bad sort a few months back, and had gambled away his family fortune. He needed to find the swindler, who he knows will be at the opening of the World’s Fair. Miss Palmer’s style of wrapping lovely, gauzy scarves about her shoulders and head (to protect her from the fierce Illinois sun) comes into play, and her delicate appearance and seeming clumsiness belie her clever assessment of the situation.
The title story, “Love & Other Crimes,” is a revenge fantasy from the guilt that Paretsky feels because she did not do enough for a close friend who had been wrongfully fired. Warshawski appears, and she is true to form: sassy, independent, fearless. Old elementary school acquaintances (she could not use the term "friends") need her help clearing the youngest brother of murder charges. The murder, however, seems to be just a by-product of the destruction of $25 million of wine and booze in a local warehouse. She also needs to figure out the background of the brother’s recent dismissal from that firm. She does. Short stories have only a few pages to sort out a mystery, and Paretsky’s rapid pace lends itself well to this complicated crime.
The multiple characters and the myriad of family and friend connections make following some of the storylines a challenge (or perhaps my attention span has shortened considerably during these last few months --- that is quite likely). However, Paretsky gives each relationship the merit of some honest scrutiny. It is important to keep track of who married whom when, where families begin and how those members treat one another. One family, she points out in a note, “turns dysfunction into an art form.” It is best to keep an eye on a character’s beginnings to determine where he or she will emerge; perhaps that is good advice outside of fiction, too.
Paretsky has a sharp eye for finding the inequity and unfairness in the world. She addresses human issues of reproduction, childcare and stability in the home --- all often left on women’s plates. She points out injustices to the poor and voiceless, and cruelty for money or power. Through her stories and strong champions, she rights the wrongs as best she can with smart questions, courageous action and humor. LOVE & OTHER CRIMES is a good book; you will encounter mayhem and murder, while learning about human nature.
Reviewed by Jane Krebs
Eight of the stories here feature or mention Warshawski; the other six are set outside of her stomping grounds of Chicago and introduce a variety of lead characters and contemporary themes. At the end of each story, Paretsky steps in and speaks to readers in her 2019 voice, pointing out how or why it was conceived and where it has been previously published. She acknowledged her indebtedness to Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935), whose brilliance she believed outshone a relative contemporary, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Green was called “the mother of detective fiction” for excellent plotting and accuracy. Paretsky explains the times when she wrote specific anthologies and particular themes. I grew to like her rationale and style, and enjoyed these explanatory notes immensely.
“Murder at the Century of Progress,” first published in 1999, is an epistolary story, with a dithery, elderly Charlotte Palmer traveling to Chicago in 1933 with her grandnephew. This lad fell in with a bad sort a few months back, and had gambled away his family fortune. He needed to find the swindler, who he knows will be at the opening of the World’s Fair. Miss Palmer’s style of wrapping lovely, gauzy scarves about her shoulders and head (to protect her from the fierce Illinois sun) comes into play, and her delicate appearance and seeming clumsiness belie her clever assessment of the situation.
The title story, “Love & Other Crimes,” is a revenge fantasy from the guilt that Paretsky feels because she did not do enough for a close friend who had been wrongfully fired. Warshawski appears, and she is true to form: sassy, independent, fearless. Old elementary school acquaintances (she could not use the term "friends") need her help clearing the youngest brother of murder charges. The murder, however, seems to be just a by-product of the destruction of $25 million of wine and booze in a local warehouse. She also needs to figure out the background of the brother’s recent dismissal from that firm. She does. Short stories have only a few pages to sort out a mystery, and Paretsky’s rapid pace lends itself well to this complicated crime.
The multiple characters and the myriad of family and friend connections make following some of the storylines a challenge (or perhaps my attention span has shortened considerably during these last few months --- that is quite likely). However, Paretsky gives each relationship the merit of some honest scrutiny. It is important to keep track of who married whom when, where families begin and how those members treat one another. One family, she points out in a note, “turns dysfunction into an art form.” It is best to keep an eye on a character’s beginnings to determine where he or she will emerge; perhaps that is good advice outside of fiction, too.
Paretsky has a sharp eye for finding the inequity and unfairness in the world. She addresses human issues of reproduction, childcare and stability in the home --- all often left on women’s plates. She points out injustices to the poor and voiceless, and cruelty for money or power. Through her stories and strong champions, she rights the wrongs as best she can with smart questions, courageous action and humor. LOVE & OTHER CRIMES is a good book; you will encounter mayhem and murder, while learning about human nature.
Reviewed by Jane Krebs
July 6, 2021
Once upon a time, a long time ago, I read Indemnity Only. It would have been around the time the Warshawski movie came out. I remember enjoying it. This book of short stories was a distinct miss, for me, and an annoying one to boot. First off, I use audio support while reading as I don't always have the ability and the "eye capability" to follow stories for as long as I'd like. As others have commented, the woman who reads this book does an incredibly bad job. Everyone sounds either genteel and British, when there are British characters, or shrill and angry New York/Chicago hybrid. Some parts, the Chicago is pretty good; others, it's pretty awful. For characters who are from Chicago and in Chicago, that's a pretty major flaw.
The other problem is that most of these stories have an axe to grind; a political or social point-of-view to push. They range from feminism (is yours the right kind?) to racism (bad) to social and educational inequalities (bad). And then there's the problem of not giving enough respect to early detective authors that Paretsky respects. That crime was apparently committed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so there's a story here written just to have an opportunity to make Holmes and Watson look stupid. It's fairly awful.
Worst of all, for me, though, is that the stories, other than a couple of the Warshawski entries, are just very bad stories. The worst of the bunch is the last story in the book. For some reason, she's written a story about a female book editor being asked to edit the overly florid, purple prose of a best selling romance novelist who can only write with passion when her personal life is a complete mess. Even the parts that are from the supposedly "good" novels are god-awful to have to deal with. The behavior of the characters EXCEPT for the editor, who seems truly to be an OK person, is inexplicable. For some reason, she ties in a completely pointless and absolutely obvious murder that apparently doesn't matter to anyone except the hysterical author. It's badly written. It's an insipid idea. It's an awful story.
This whole collection is a disappointment and I do NOT recommend it to anyone.
The other problem is that most of these stories have an axe to grind; a political or social point-of-view to push. They range from feminism (is yours the right kind?) to racism (bad) to social and educational inequalities (bad). And then there's the problem of not giving enough respect to early detective authors that Paretsky respects. That crime was apparently committed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so there's a story here written just to have an opportunity to make Holmes and Watson look stupid. It's fairly awful.
Worst of all, for me, though, is that the stories, other than a couple of the Warshawski entries, are just very bad stories. The worst of the bunch is the last story in the book. For some reason, she's written a story about a female book editor being asked to edit the overly florid, purple prose of a best selling romance novelist who can only write with passion when her personal life is a complete mess. Even the parts that are from the supposedly "good" novels are god-awful to have to deal with. The behavior of the characters EXCEPT for the editor, who seems truly to be an OK person, is inexplicable. For some reason, she ties in a completely pointless and absolutely obvious murder that apparently doesn't matter to anyone except the hysterical author. It's badly written. It's an insipid idea. It's an awful story.
This whole collection is a disappointment and I do NOT recommend it to anyone.
June 30, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I have read and loved the V.I. Warshawski series for a looooong time, since it started in 1982! Each book is another case, so you could read them out of order but I wouldn't. I enjoy the progression of the characters and they are all great to read.
Love & Other Crimes is different, an anthology of short stories. Many have been published in magazines previously but I am happy to have them all collected here. Some of the stories are NOT V.I. Warshawski stories. At the beginning, there is a detailed author's note talking about the stories which I loved. There are also brief additional insights at the end of some of the stories.
My favorites were definitely the Warshawski stories, which is nearly all of them. I think it might be hard to connect with them without the context of having read some of the series. Similarly, I had more trouble with the stories not in this world. For example, the Sherlock Holmes story surprisingly did not capture me, as it was told more from another point of view, Amelia, who was not familiar to me. I love Sherlock Holmes but I found it hard to focus from this perspective. But I would like to read the series about Amelia. But the story loosely related to her father's work in Kansas was wonderful, and not in the Warshawski world.
Overall, I was delighted with this collection since it is unlikely I would have gotten the magazines. I really appreciated having all the author's thoughts and perceptions.
Narration:
Susan Ericksen is an excellent narrator and the voice of the V.I. Warshawski for me. Many of Vic's cases are a lot of her thoughts in a stream of consciousness. The dialogue is handled well for both male and female voices. It was charming to get a British accent on the story with Sherlock Holmes. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:https://soundcloud.com/harperaudio_us...
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I have read and loved the V.I. Warshawski series for a looooong time, since it started in 1982! Each book is another case, so you could read them out of order but I wouldn't. I enjoy the progression of the characters and they are all great to read.
Love & Other Crimes is different, an anthology of short stories. Many have been published in magazines previously but I am happy to have them all collected here. Some of the stories are NOT V.I. Warshawski stories. At the beginning, there is a detailed author's note talking about the stories which I loved. There are also brief additional insights at the end of some of the stories.
My favorites were definitely the Warshawski stories, which is nearly all of them. I think it might be hard to connect with them without the context of having read some of the series. Similarly, I had more trouble with the stories not in this world. For example, the Sherlock Holmes story surprisingly did not capture me, as it was told more from another point of view, Amelia, who was not familiar to me. I love Sherlock Holmes but I found it hard to focus from this perspective. But I would like to read the series about Amelia. But the story loosely related to her father's work in Kansas was wonderful, and not in the Warshawski world.
Overall, I was delighted with this collection since it is unlikely I would have gotten the magazines. I really appreciated having all the author's thoughts and perceptions.
Narration:
Susan Ericksen is an excellent narrator and the voice of the V.I. Warshawski for me. Many of Vic's cases are a lot of her thoughts in a stream of consciousness. The dialogue is handled well for both male and female voices. It was charming to get a British accent on the story with Sherlock Holmes. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:https://soundcloud.com/harperaudio_us...
May 5, 2023
Love and Other Crimes: Short stories from the bestselling crime writer is a collection of 14 short stories by Sara Paretsky, author of the famed V.I,. Warshawski series. Eight of the stories feature Warshawski. Warshawski (only her closest friends call her Vic) is a law school graduate, now self-employed private eye. She is one of the first female private detectives in Chicago (and in the world of crime fiction). She is smart, tough and (mostly) fearless.
Although short stories are not my favorite, I'd read anything written by Sara Paretsky. I've read every V.I. Warshawski novel that she has written and given each a 4 or 5 star rating. They're fast, fun and exciting with a bit of flirtation fun added to the mix. They are well-researched mysteries and Paretsky's ability to weave current events as well as political and social issues into her stories is one of the best things about the series. This book could be a stand alone read.
Paretsky is a “New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two novels. She is one of only four living writers to have received both the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association Great Britain."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#emptynestreader #instagram #LoveandOtherCrimes #SaraParetsky #CrimeFiction #StrongFemaleProtagonist #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #MayReads #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #librarybooks
Although short stories are not my favorite, I'd read anything written by Sara Paretsky. I've read every V.I. Warshawski novel that she has written and given each a 4 or 5 star rating. They're fast, fun and exciting with a bit of flirtation fun added to the mix. They are well-researched mysteries and Paretsky's ability to weave current events as well as political and social issues into her stories is one of the best things about the series. This book could be a stand alone read.
Paretsky is a “New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two novels. She is one of only four living writers to have received both the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association Great Britain."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#emptynestreader #instagram #LoveandOtherCrimes #SaraParetsky #CrimeFiction #StrongFemaleProtagonist #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #MayReads #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #librarybooks
June 23, 2020
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a Goodreads giveaway. My review is strictly voluntary**
Since I've long loved Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski books, I already knew I was going to love this book of stories going in. But what I didn't expect was to renew my deep appreciation for the author's style and writing craft. It's been a while since I've read one of her books, and I guess that was long enough for me to forget how much I enjoy her turn of phrase and how she spins a tale. The bulk of the book centers on stories featuring V.I., or people in V.I.'s past, but there are a few individual tales that showcase how talented this author is and, no matter who or what she's writing about, how compelling and thought-provoking her stories can be.
I'm also a huge fan of the short story and novella and I think it takes a special kind of skill and talent to produce, in short-form, a story that packs a punch and resonates with you long after you've read it. Each of these stories evokes some sort of emotion from you, and I think it says a lot that even years after I've read about these characters, they come readily to mind and I feel like I just slipped right back into their world. After the long and illustrious career Sara Paretsky has had to date, she really needs no further recommendation, as her work speaks for itself. But nevertheless, I'll say this anyway, this is one author you need to read, if you haven't already. And a wonderful introduction would be this outstanding group of short stories.
Since I've long loved Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski books, I already knew I was going to love this book of stories going in. But what I didn't expect was to renew my deep appreciation for the author's style and writing craft. It's been a while since I've read one of her books, and I guess that was long enough for me to forget how much I enjoy her turn of phrase and how she spins a tale. The bulk of the book centers on stories featuring V.I., or people in V.I.'s past, but there are a few individual tales that showcase how talented this author is and, no matter who or what she's writing about, how compelling and thought-provoking her stories can be.
I'm also a huge fan of the short story and novella and I think it takes a special kind of skill and talent to produce, in short-form, a story that packs a punch and resonates with you long after you've read it. Each of these stories evokes some sort of emotion from you, and I think it says a lot that even years after I've read about these characters, they come readily to mind and I feel like I just slipped right back into their world. After the long and illustrious career Sara Paretsky has had to date, she really needs no further recommendation, as her work speaks for itself. But nevertheless, I'll say this anyway, this is one author you need to read, if you haven't already. And a wonderful introduction would be this outstanding group of short stories.
May 5, 2023
Love and Other Crimes: Short stories from the bestselling crime writer is a collection of 14 short stories by Sara Paretsky, author of the famed V.I. Warshawski series. Eight of the stories feature Warshawski. Warshawski (only her closest friends call her Vic) is a law school graduate, now self-employed private eye. She is one of the first female private detectives in Chicago (and in the world of crime fiction). She is smart, tough and (mostly) fearless.
Although short stories are not my favorite, I'd read anything written by Sara Paretsky. I've read every V.I. Warshawski novel that she has written and given each a 4 or 5 star rating. They're fast, fun and exciting with a bit of flirtation fun added to the mix. They are well-researched mysteries and Paretsky's ability to weave current events as well as political and social issues into her stories is one of the best things about the series. This book could be a stand alone read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paretsky is a “New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two novels. She is one of only four living writers to have received both the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association Great Britain."
#emptynestreader #instagram #LoveandOtherCrimes #SaraParetsky #CrimeFiction #StrongFemaleProtagonist #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #MayReads #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #librarybooks
Although short stories are not my favorite, I'd read anything written by Sara Paretsky. I've read every V.I. Warshawski novel that she has written and given each a 4 or 5 star rating. They're fast, fun and exciting with a bit of flirtation fun added to the mix. They are well-researched mysteries and Paretsky's ability to weave current events as well as political and social issues into her stories is one of the best things about the series. This book could be a stand alone read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paretsky is a “New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two novels. She is one of only four living writers to have received both the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association Great Britain."
#emptynestreader #instagram #LoveandOtherCrimes #SaraParetsky #CrimeFiction #StrongFemaleProtagonist #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #MayReads #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #librarybooks
January 10, 2025
Sarah Paretsky is such a delight. Don't let her status as an icon of Second Wave feminism mislead you into thinking she's out of touch. Her 21st-century writing is just as sharp and pertinent. It's scary, actually, how little things have changed. I can only imagine how disheartening it is for her to have lived through, for example, the anti-Civil Rights violence in Chicago in the 1960s (the setting for one of the stories in this collection) and now to see things much the same after sixty years and so much work. Her dystopian story in this collection is another nightmare that seems all too possible.
I'm making this seem like a downer, though, and it isn't. Paretsky still has a biting wit and a great ability to create plots that suck you in. While I certainly have favorites amongst these stories, that is merely a matter of personal resonance as they are consistently well crafted. Many do have a strong current of social commentary, but not all. The final story, a send-up of publishing culture, is delightfully wicked.
I'm making this seem like a downer, though, and it isn't. Paretsky still has a biting wit and a great ability to create plots that suck you in. While I certainly have favorites amongst these stories, that is merely a matter of personal resonance as they are consistently well crafted. Many do have a strong current of social commentary, but not all. The final story, a send-up of publishing culture, is delightfully wicked.
August 21, 2020
A friend said she’s having a hard time reading fiction in these trouble times. I recommended Sara Paretsky’s LOVE & OTHER CRIMES. Short works are easier to focus on when stressed, but even more, the stories touch on real issues, real problems, and give good advice. In “Wildcat” Gabriella’s survival advice, “Stay Calm. Think. Be lucky,” helps V.I. — may it do the same for us. “Safety First” demonstrates the courage needed to stand up for rights, as “Miss Bianca” points to unusual allies. “Trial By Fire” was incredibly sad, but full of truth. May good prevail . . .
I had read some of these stories in other places, you may have also, but they have been added to, updated, given new dimensions. I love seeing them in a new light.
Reading is my Safe At Home vicarious adventure, and this one points in worthy directions, not just escape. I also enjoy allusions inserted seamlessly, like “It’s my briar patch, too” . . . little gems to enjoy.
Reading is my Safe At Home vicarious adventure, and this one points in worthy directions, not just escape. I also enjoy allusions inserted seamlessly, like “It’s my briar patch, too” . . . little gems to enjoy.
November 3, 2020
I don't typically read short story collections; they are not as satisfying to me as novels. However, I loved reading this collection. I'm a big fan of Paretsky; I think I've read all of her books. I also used to own a feminist bookstore and she was a big seller for us. Thank you, Sara. In this collection we see the depth and breath of her writing, everything from tributes to Sherlock Holmes and Amelia Butterworth (an amateur detective created by Anna Katharine Green [1846-1935]-a precursor to Holmes, to historical stories about racism and violence, to a story about V.I. in her childhood. Many of the stories included V.I. who is one of the best private investigators in modern fiction. In addition to her storytelling abilities, I appreciate her feminist and anti-racism perspectives. If you don't have time to read an entire novel, pick up this book. You can delightfully dole out your enjoyment in small parcels.
June 23, 2020
It was the summer of 1991 when I first heard of V.I. And Sara Paretsky. I was in Arizona having recently moved from Chicago when I noticed a display in a bookstore promoting the upcoming movie. I bought the first book in the series and in short order purchased the other books available at that time. The fact that Vic lived across from Wrigley and had a cousin who played for the Blackhawks were attractive. I have been eagerly awaiting V.I.'s new adventures ever since.
This book has fourteen short stories, eight with Vic. I had not read most of these before. It is a nice collection and gives good samples of Sara's writing. If you are looking for an intro to Sara's writing or a long time reader just looking for some new stories I recommend this collection. Thanks to Harper Collins for the book giveaway.
This book has fourteen short stories, eight with Vic. I had not read most of these before. It is a nice collection and gives good samples of Sara's writing. If you are looking for an intro to Sara's writing or a long time reader just looking for some new stories I recommend this collection. Thanks to Harper Collins for the book giveaway.
August 7, 2020
These stories were all originally published elsewhere, though a few have been updated. Most of them feature V.I. Warshawski, but there are a few with other detectives in other times. All of them are excellent. A few are outstanding. I'm not always a fan of short stories, but I enjoyed this volume very much. There is an author's note at the end of each story, for those of you interested in history and process.
Safety First, a chilling near future story, and Trial by Fire, one of two stories that are not mysteries, took my breath away. Not as intense, but still political, is Publicity Stunts, and the final story, Heartbreak House is a great romp through the world of publishing.
Recommended both for series fans and for those who need an introduction to Ms. Paretsky's work, or just a good collection of short stories.
Safety First, a chilling near future story, and Trial by Fire, one of two stories that are not mysteries, took my breath away. Not as intense, but still political, is Publicity Stunts, and the final story, Heartbreak House is a great romp through the world of publishing.
Recommended both for series fans and for those who need an introduction to Ms. Paretsky's work, or just a good collection of short stories.
August 30, 2021
Paretsky is an excellent crime novelist. Her short stories are good too, but this book is not as good as her novels. The book tries to do too much. More than half the stories feature V.I. Warshawski, the PI she writes about in her novels. But, unlike the current trend of assembling stories about the same main character and calling the book a novel, this is just a assemblage of stories. Still, the stories are good individual reads. The Warshawski stories are like condensed versions of her novels. Chicago settings with a liberal political slant and an ethical aspect, as well as a criminal one, are common elements. Missing are the level of detail and enough warm-up time for her typical pacing to make novel-level impact. If you find yourself spending time waiting for appointments, this is a great book to have handy. It got me through months of waiting for dentists, doctors, and plumbers.
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