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henrismum's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Take away: Lots of short stories.
Narration: Susan Ericksen - good as usual
Normal Speed- Accelerated Speed
New - Second - Third - Committed
Series- Non Series - Non-Fiction - Author
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
Narration: Susan Ericksen - good as usual
Normal Speed
New - Second - Third -
Series
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
mg_in_md_'s review
3.0
to be reviewed
This set of short stories focuses on private investigator V.I. Warshawski's friends and family. While I'm just starting this series, I felt like this was a great introduction to the recurring characters who definitely seem like they'll be fun to get to know as I read more. Several of the stories in this collection blended the past and present into the cases that V.I. was working on, and also had an art angle, which I enjoyed. If I had to pick my favorites, I'd go with "The Maltese Cat," "Skin Deep," and "Three-Dot Po." Looking forward to reading more of this series soon!
This set of short stories focuses on private investigator V.I. Warshawski's friends and family. While I'm just starting this series, I felt like this was a great introduction to the recurring characters who definitely seem like they'll be fun to get to know as I read more. Several of the stories in this collection blended the past and present into the cases that V.I. was working on, and also had an art angle, which I enjoyed. If I had to pick my favorites, I'd go with "The Maltese Cat," "Skin Deep," and "Three-Dot Po." Looking forward to reading more of this series soon!
cwebb's review
3.0
Bunch of short stories, which were my start into the V.I. Warshawski series.
I like the Chicago backdrop, I like the quick and easy short stories. It's just that the early ones from the end of the 70ies are brutal - living was rough back then. "ho remembers phonebooks fondly? No one. I don't either.
I like the Chicago backdrop, I like the quick and easy short stories. It's just that the early ones from the end of the 70ies are brutal - living was rough back then. "ho remembers phonebooks fondly? No one. I don't either.
lazwright's review
4.0
I love a spunky little short story. Interesting topics tackled and some good Chicago-style realism going on.
wintermdavis's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I adore Sara Paretsky and VI Warshawski, but these stories were so jumpy and abandoning. At one point, I found myself flipping pages back because new characters kept appearing without introduction. DO read Paretsky, but maybe skip this particular grouping.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
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.