I have read (almost) all of Sara Paretsky’s VI Warshawski novels and fell in love with them from the first one I read. There are so many facets to Vic and she is always getting herself embroiled in complicated issues which can typically address anything political, sexist, racist and corrupt in society. This story is no different and I felt it was one of the best novels by this author with VI taking on a whole series of dangerous challenges, almost getting herself killed on more than one occasion. The story is tense and looks back at South America and Chile’s history of terror under Pinochet, where numerous people disappeared, noting that the regime was supported by the USA. Many thanks to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Sara Paretsky for my ARC in return for my honest review. Another excellent read from this author. Highly recommended.

I have followed this series for years and the books keep on giving - insights into local politics , corruption , homelessness , mental health and VI attempts to navigate it all to right the wrongs in front of her . This is a very complicated almost convoluted story with VI addressing her middle years and what she might have missed along the way - whilst showing her loyalty to all her friends and trying to stay alive long enough to solve the conundrum in front of her . Her depths of strength and tenacity , her sense of integrity , wear her down to such an extent that she appears almost depressed - but as always she fights through to the truth , but at what cost ? I think overall that this is the best book in a long line of excellent stories in this series - but it took a lot out of me , I so longed for VI to abandon the case at times , she almost dies several times , but just when I think she can take no more she finds another gear and manages to drag herself back from the brink . VI could not manage to do this without her circle of friends and even at some stages her enemies - she is still under threat of eviction if her lawyer neighbour gets her way .! This book is outstanding and if this is your genre it should not be missed and I await the next in the series I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review.

A recent addition to the popular V.I. Warshawski series and set in Chicago. Vic is hired when two members of a voluntary action group are found dead. They’d been organising a battle against developers seeking to build on unspoilt shoreline and the case gets personal for Vic when, later, her own goddaughter is attacked. One reviewer has described this as “a political-rot thriller that’s the definition of perfection in the genre” and I absolutely agree. It's also an involved and thoughtful story that was eminently satisfying to read. Review by Oxo.