Meeting an anonymous client late on a sizzling summer night is asking for trouble. But trouble is Chicago private eye V.I. Wa...
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Dec 28, 2008
Kathleen
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This is the first of “three complete novel” in one volume that Rupert lent to me some several months ago. I wanted a bit of light reading so I took it off the wait-shelf. V.I. Warshawski (Victoria Iphigenia, which is why she avoids telling anybody her middle name! – and she always introduces herself as V.I. because otherwise the men take the liberty of calling her by her first name and talking down to her) is a private detective in Chicago in the 1980s. She’s got a real smart mouth, which makes
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Nov 21, 2011
Stephanie
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At a recent book signing hosted by the delightful mystery book store Murder by the Book, I mentioned to the clerk that I thought Sue Grafton’s twice-divorced, no make-up-wearing, junk food-loving sleuth Kinsey Millhone had influenced my becoming a feminist. In response, he recommended that I read Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshawski novels, saying that if Grafton was “there” on the spectrum of feminist writers then Paretsky was way over “here.”
I’m not sure by what scale he was measuring bec More...
I’m not sure by what scale he was measuring bec More...
Nov 13, 2010
Shari
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I really enjoyed this book, though I felt the plot had a couple of holes and confusing elements (perhaps that is what Paretsky meant when she said she herself would change a few things, though not many). I do want to read more of the V.I. Warshawski novels at some point. I read one years and years ago and remember liking it, but this first does a great job of characterizing her and getting you into her corner. The pseudonym 'Anita Hill' obviously would have been changed had the book been written
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Oct 30, 2011
Connie
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INDEMNITY ONLY by Sara Paretsky is 244 pages in paperback form. This is #1 in V I Warshawski Mystery Series.
Brief Description:
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MURDER
Start with a missing co-ed sought by a mysterious client who won't reveal his true identity. Mix in a dead boyfriend whose body you're unlucky enough to find. Then for good measure throw in the local cops who simply want you out of the way.
Combine the explosively revealing records of a major insurance company More...
Brief Description:
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MURDER
Start with a missing co-ed sought by a mysterious client who won't reveal his true identity. Mix in a dead boyfriend whose body you're unlucky enough to find. Then for good measure throw in the local cops who simply want you out of the way.
Combine the explosively revealing records of a major insurance company More...
Nov 09, 2010
Hobart
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Even tho' this was my first (and long overdue) exposure to V.I. and Paretsky, it felt very familiar. And I think that's a good thing. It had the same feel as early Parker, and even some of Gregory MacDonald's Flynn. As a quick aside, speaking of Parker, I think Sunny Randall owes a more than a debt of gratitude to V.I.
A good deal of the "you're just a woman, you should leave this stuff to men" got old quick. But I get it--esp. as both the author and character were blazing More...
A good deal of the "you're just a woman, you should leave this stuff to men" got old quick. But I get it--esp. as both the author and character were blazing More...
Nov 13, 2011
Ann
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The first of the V.I. Warshawski private investigator series - published in ~1980. I enjoyed reading about an investigation that involved no technology of any kind. When V.I. needed a photo of the labor union boss, she called her reporter contact to see if he had anything on file. She also had the phone number to call the cops (no 911 yet?) and utilized an answering service. Novel indeed.
I am making a mental note to pick up other "older" books - for whatever reason it s More...
I am making a mental note to pick up other "older" books - for whatever reason it s More...
Dec 28, 2010
Simeonberesford
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I find Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski Series very readable. The first Indemnity Only makes it clear that this is an homage to Film Noir and hardboiled detectives with V.I. Warshawski meeting her client in a darkened office (the fuses have blown)Lite only by the neon of a nearby bar.[return][return]In her subesquent adventures V I is beaten up. shoot at and refuses to given in with a tenacity Marlow would admire. I like the slow march of technology through the series in the first book she has a
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Mar 03, 2010
StrudelNZ
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The ending felt a little rushed, almost like the author didn't know what to do once the climax had been reached. Vic felt a bit emotionally distant towards the end - even considering how her character had been portrayed up til then. Though the book did conclude in a good place I found myself looking for another chapter and split-second wondering if a page had been pulled out. The climax was well set up and didn't get muddled like some authors have a tendency towards, and yet managed to keep up
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Feb 09, 2011
This is the one that led me to read all of Ms. Paretsky's other books. I was introduced to the lead character, VI Warshawski while living in Florida. VI (Victoria) was born and raised in South Chicago. She was the daughter of a Polish cop and an Italian musician housewife. She was a fighter that ran the streets of Chicago and grew up to be an Attorney and eventual private investigator. Her adventures have kept me rooting for her for more than twenty years. I can't wait to read her latest ti
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Sep 11, 2010
Marti
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This was a reprint of the first novel in the V.I. Warshawski series, and I was struck by the fact that Sara Paretsky could so easily get into the feel of the characters which continue on through other books. Vic is tough, and extremely well organized. Her friend, the doctor, Lotty Herschel, helps put her back together again. Bobbie, her father;s policeman friend, and Sal, the bartender and owner of her favorite bar, all add to the story. This time she finds the dead body, and pursues corrupt
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May 13, 2011
Harmonybites
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This introduces the series with V.I. Warshawski, a female PI. Paretsky does at least give us sketch in more of a background then I've read in a host of private detective fiction. Vic's Italian/Jewish mother and Polish cop father certainly left their mark on her, and she's actually shown to have a friend. The plot, full of shady businessmen, even shadier labor leaders, mobsters and corrupt cops in Chicago is fairly intricate yet hangs together nicely. I think the "rich people" are rathe
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Nov 19, 2011
KarenF
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Somehow I missed this series back in the 80s when I was reading a ton of mysteries. Very good mystery but I thought that V.I. came off as too antagonistic at times. That's saying something for me because I don't mind antagonistic characters at all. But nearly 30 years ago it was even harder than it is today for a woman to be taken seriously in a traditional "man's" role so I let some of it roll but it honestly did take away some of my enjoyment. I also listed on audio so I'm intere
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Mar 03, 2011
Gary
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Female detective: nothing wrong with that. Tough, okay. Set in Chicago, which is
kind of intriguing since our son had lived there for a few years. It is kind of fun to visualize parts of the city as described in the book. Of course the story has Chicago mobsters and union thugs (sometimes one and the same). Pretty good pacing of the plot, and enough hints to be able to make a few guesses whodunit. May read at least one more in the series.
kind of intriguing since our son had lived there for a few years. It is kind of fun to visualize parts of the city as described in the book. Of course the story has Chicago mobsters and union thugs (sometimes one and the same). Pretty good pacing of the plot, and enough hints to be able to make a few guesses whodunit. May read at least one more in the series.
Aug 02, 2011
Nova
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V.I. Warshawski is still one of the best female detectives out there. I read these books for the first time when I was a teenager and I was really surprised after re-reading it that the book was fresh and funny, just like it was 15 years ago. I found myself laughing out loud at the main character Vic's snarkiness and spunk. Such a strong character! The mystery was well thought out and suspenseful. Definitely worth a read (or a second read!)
Mar 29, 2010
Lisa
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I figured since I was born and raised in Chicago AND love mysteries, I should read some of the VI Warshawski hard-boiled female private eye books. This V.I. is one stubborn witch, spelled with a B. The crime and corruption in Chicago politics and industry is scary. I like V.I.'s Viennese doctor friend and her downstairs neighbor Mr. Contreras who calls her "Cookie" and shares two dogs with her.
Mar 21, 2011
Sarah
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I read this book in a little over a day, which is unusual for me. I wasn't expecting to like it at all and was reading it for a book club meeting, but I found myself sucked in. Parts of the plot are pretty unrealistic, but it was a fun read and moved fast. I also liked that it takes place in Chicago and there are lots of recognizable places to relate to. Lots of fun. I'll read another by Paretsky.
Jan 25, 2012
Sara
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The first V.I. novel. I actually don't think I've ever read it before--some funny/odd things crop up because it is set in 1979 (published in 1982): first task for V.I.? Find a woman named Anita . . . Hill. Always looking for a phone, and wonderful places in Chicago that have vastly changed in the interim.
Very enjoyable.
Very enjoyable.
Jan 08, 2011
Marianna
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Eerily similar to Grafton's "A" is for Alibi, which I read right before this book. Again TMI on the eating and exercising bits. Do not care. I found the story a little boring, and the climax...meh. I did enjoy the heroine and her sense of humor (or sense of antagonism). I'll probably check out more of the series.
Jan 25, 2010
Donna
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In the introduction to this later edition, the author admits that she made mistakes in this first book. I did find the dialogue stilted at times and I noticed a few cliches. I'm not put off from continuing in the series not only to see how the author thinks she corrects what she felt was wrong but because I like the characters.
Nov 15, 2009
Peg
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This is the first of Paretsky's VI Warshawski private eye stories. Crooked Chicago cops, union bosses and their hit men, wealthy corporate executives, and fraud all get untangled as VI solves a pair of murders involving the bad guys' children. I'll read another of hers to see how her writing matures.
Jun 28, 2010
Paul
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Reading this book again over twenty years later has been a revelation. At the time of the first reading it was a contemporary crime novel (published in the UK in 1982) unusual mostly for the fact that the detective was a woman. Reading it now the protagonist's gender seems unremarkable but the striking thing is that it feels much closer to Chandler in literary style than anything written in the last ten years, and VI, the hero, is closest as a character to Marlowe, linked not least by the wisecr
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May 19, 2011
Melissa
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This is the first installment in Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski series. It had been a really long time since I read this series, so I decided back at the beginning. It's very similar to other female detective novels of the time (1980). Vic is probably a little too wise-cracking for my taste, but maybe that's the Chicago way? Also, the theme of chauvinism is not something that I get really worked up over. Those things aside, it's a well-written book. There is a lot of action (although I did have susp
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Sep 15, 2010
Kristina
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Not bad. Good action. So-so writing. It was very dated though with all those references to the police as "pigs" and the bad guys calling women "broads." Title is awful and the plot is not all that interesting (insurance fraud? Really?) but it was not bad. I will read more in the series, but I don't think I will buy them.
Apr 06, 2010
Petula
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A good first book - I definitely plan to go on and read more in the series.
I do wonder why they chose Agatha Raisin (Donada Peters) to read the audiobook. She's a great narrator with the right book, but her British accent on the Chicago characters didn't really work.
I do wonder why they chose Agatha Raisin (Donada Peters) to read the audiobook. She's a great narrator with the right book, but her British accent on the Chicago characters didn't really work.
Jan 29, 2010
Scott
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This was really good for a first novel...would have been even better had I read it in 1982 when first published (not that I was in to reading then)...just more timely issues. Indemnity Only was full of Chicago cops, mobsters, unions, and drops of feminist ideology.
Oct 27, 2009
I'm starting this book because my daughter says that when I read books in a series I should start from the beginning. Probably later books are better than earlier books tho, since I assume you learn how to write, but I'm reading this anyway.
Oct 29, 2011
Susan
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Been a long time since I've read Paretsky and thought it would be good to go back and start over before resuming the series.
V.I. is a good character. This is definitely a first book, but the story is compelling.
V.I. is a good character. This is definitely a first book, but the story is compelling.
Sep 14, 2010
Dalene
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I decided to read Sara Paretsky because Stieg Larson who wrote The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo listed her as one of his favorite authors. Not a bad P.I. Detective Mystery book. Will see how a few others check out.
Feb 07, 2009
Cheryl
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Every now and then I want a good, fast-moving detective story. This one fit the bill and I liked the lead, a brazen and bold, slightly classy woman! Some of the dialogue was witty and sharp. I liked that the restaurants and her clothing choices were described; also, the weather played a role. I read it in a day--couldn't put it down. Good for a lazy afternoon; it will take you mind off everything else.
What I learned? That it's perfectly ok to delegate tasks and then stop worrying if More...
What I learned? That it's perfectly ok to delegate tasks and then stop worrying if More...
