shammons's review
3.0
I picked this book up at a library sale. I had wanted to check out Sara Paretsky and didn't spend enough time to read the cover and realize it was a collection of short stories. That's generally not my favorite genre. However, having said that, I did enjoy them and should plan to read another Paretsky book in the future.
claudiafp's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
snowdrowsey's review against another edition
1.0
I got this book at a library book sale because it's a collection of short stories by Paretsky. I started reading it and had a sense of déjà vu as I was reading and couldn't figure out why. I have a book of her short stories titled, Windy City Blues, but thought that the stories in this book couldn't possibly be from the Windy City Blues book. However, by the time I reached the last story, Grace Notes, the story seemed just too-o-o familiar and I decided to look at my copy of Windy City Blues. I found all of the stories in the V.I. for Short book listed there but in a different order. David looked at both books and told me that the V.I. short story book was printed and distributed in Britain or Australia and is likely a British edition of the Windy City Blues book.
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
4.0
A pleasant enough read, some cute little mysteries, rather more murders than I wanted to read -- I kind of feel that there should be some stories that aren't gruesome, that don't end with the protagonist bruised/at gun point/shot at/beaten up. And a bit too much of the trope that the police arrest the first likely suspect, and then stop looking. It feels more like sloppy plotting the more I read it.
This book was acquired from a friend rehoming several Paretsky books. I didn't enjoy it enough to keep it, and would not expect to want to read it again. Rating only as high as it is because Paretsky did a very good job of writing in the short story format without leaving too much of the story out.
This book was acquired from a friend rehoming several Paretsky books. I didn't enjoy it enough to keep it, and would not expect to want to read it again. Rating only as high as it is because Paretsky did a very good job of writing in the short story format without leaving too much of the story out.
bdplume's review
5.0
Possibly my favorite of Paretsky's so far. She seems to be at her best with the short story.
ruth_in_calif's review
4.0
I didn’t think I would enjoy a book of short stories about V.I., but they were very good and it was nice not to get confused about complicated financial machinations. A refreshing change and still a wonderful author.
northstar's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this collection of Sara Paretsky short mysteries from the first 12 years of her detective's career. If you've never read any V.I. Warshawski books, this is a good introduction to the tough private eye from the South Side of Chicago. I still enjoy Paretsky's books but some of her more recent novels are so political that it detracts from the story. In the earlier days, V.I. was smart and never pulled a punch, and these stories made me want to reread some of the earlier novels. Recommended for fans of detective fiction. I have a copy if anyone wants it--first come, first served.
kellyhager's review
4.0
Generally not a huge fan of short stories, but VI Warshawski stories? Yes please.
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