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Body Work (V.I. Warshawski #14)

by Sara Paretsky (Goodreads Author)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 2,425 ratings · 263 reviews

The audacious new V. I. Warshawski novel from the New York Times-bestselling author

"Doctors take days off--why not PIs?" V.I. Warshawski demands. But when America's hardest-working private eye goes clubbing, a stranger is shot and dies in her arms.

V.I. has been visiting Club Gouge, Chicago's edgiest nightspot, where a woman known as the Body Artist turns her naked body int...more

Hardcover, 443 pages

Published August 31st 2010 by G.P. Putnam 's Sons (first published August 28th 2010)

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May 06, 2013 Lukasz Pruski rated it 2 of 5 stars

It is not a good sign if you are reading a mystery novel and when the plot approaches its conclusion, you get bored and put the book away to do the dishes, scrub the floors, and dust the house. Unfortunately, this is what happened to me when reading Sara Paretsky's "Body Work".

I have read 8 mysteries by Ms. Paretsky that feature the famous V.I. Warshawsky and most of them would earn at least three stars from me, which is a pretty high rating. I do not think "Body Work" is on the same level. Yes...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Selaine Henriksen rated it 1 of 5 stars

Saturday, 14 July 2012 12:13
July 14, 2012

I'm struggling to get through this book. I used to really enjoy the V.I. Warshawski series, even though I found the character unlikeable. I haven't read one for a long time and looked forward to this one. But, still, V.I. is as unlikable as ever, really hasn't grown at all. She picks a fight, initiates conflict with, every one she meets within a few sentences and feels justified for doing so but as a reader I don't see or feel the justification so she com...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sara Paretsky and VI Warshawski are back again. Reading a VI Warshawski novel is comforting to me; it's nostalgic in a way as I've been reading this series since the '80s, and reading them brings back memories of meeting Paretsky at Denver's Tattered Cover book store and the late lamented Rue Morgue in Boulder years ago. But even then, in Boulder, Paretsky discussed the dilemma of continuing such a series with the same character over the years. What does she do with the character as the years pa...more

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Mar 22, 2011 Barbara Mitchell rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love Sara Paretsky's V. I. Warshawski series so a warning is in order that you won't read anything bad in this review. I've read every book in the series, and it just gets better and better. They're set in Chicago, a city I love, and I only wish there was a little more Chicago in the novels.

For one thing, V.I. is maturing, begrudgingly and full of complaints, but maturing anyway. She's around 50 now, but that isn't stopping her from trying to do everything she did 20 years ago. V.I. is tough...more I love Sara Paretsky's V. I. Warshawski series so a warning is in order that you won't read anything bad in this review. I've read every book in the series, and it just gets better and better. They're set in Chicago, a city I love, and I only wish there was a little more Chicago in the novels.

For one thing, V.I. is maturing, begrudgingly and full of complaints, but maturing anyway. She's around 50 now, but that isn't stopping her from trying to do everything she did 20 years ago. V.I. is tough as nails, but she is loyal to her friends and family and determined to keep them safe. Her downstairs neighbor, Mr. Contreras, and her doctor and friend, Lotty, do their best to keep V.I. safe but it's an impossible mission. I must say V.I. is a little less reckless than she used to be, but she still barges in where anyone else would think "wait a minute, I shouldn't do this."

All of the books have their funny moments, partly because V.I. can see the humor in situations, but this one is totally wild in many places. For instance, after V.I. is injured by the bad guys, she wants to retrieve an item from a man who is sort of an unknown quantity. Her protectors won't let her do it alone, so she shows up with Mr. Contreras, her cousin Petra, the dogs (Mitch and Peppy), the sister of a murder victim, and a couple Marines. It's like a three-ring circus. The neighbors also get involved and they're a bunch of characters. By the end of the scene I was in stitches.

The story centers on a body artist - a woman who appears on stage nude but covered with paint and wearing a very skimpy thong. (Actually I supposed there isn't any other kind.) She allows people in the audience to paint whatever they want on her body. The show is a huge hit but the woman is a mystery right up until the end of the story. Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan and several other types of people are also involved. Sounds confusing but this is a story that is not only mysterious, it also brings up important issues about our veterans.

One change in V.I.'s life is that she has a boyfriend that seems to be a keeper. He is a musician who lives in her building and so far he seems perfect for her, except that he can't stand the sight of blood.

I highly recommend Body Work as well as the rest of this series. (less)

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Feb 05, 2011 MaryBookSwarm rated it 4 of 5 stars

V.I. certainly does know how to find trouble (or does trouble just find her?) and this time is no exception. An evening at a club leads Vic into a murky and dangerous case involving an angry Iraqi veteran turned scapegoat for a back-alley murder. Chad, the accused vet, is in a coma and his father hires V.I. to prove his son's innocence.

What makes this series so enjoyable is not just the twisting mystery (which I can never seem to figure out). The characters are fantastic--diving into a V.I. War...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Samantha rated it 5 of 5 stars

I started out vaguely irritated with this book, as Vic was being obnoxiously pushy, but by the end I was totally engrossed, and I do feel this is one of the best books in the V.I. Warshawski series.

'Body Work' begins in violence, then delves into an increasingly puzzling tale of conspiracy, threats and matters of the heart. Two families, lives shattered by cruel acts, struggle to understand what's happening to them. It's up to Vic, her ditzy cousin Petra, and assorted other friends to uncover th...more

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Oct 01, 2010 Kathleen Hagen added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-audio-books, 2010-mysteries

Body Work, by Sara Paretsky, A. Narrated by Susan Ericksen, produced by Brilliance Audio, downloaded from audible.com.

Vic goes clubbing one night at a new edgy Chicago club called Club Gouge. The novelty act is a person, Karen Buckley, who sits on a stool on stage totally naked, inviting audience members to use her body as a canvas. Nadya, a trouble soul but a very good artist, paints things on her body everyday. The portrait seems to be of a strange and beautiful woman. There is also a rough-lo...more

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Jul 02, 2010 Kelly Hager rated it 5 of 5 stars

According to Amazon, the synopsis is: "The enigmatic performer known as the Body Artist takes the stage at Chicago's Club Gouge and allows her audience to use her naked body as a canvas for their impromptu illustrations. V. I. Warshawski watches as people step forward, some meek, some bold, to make their mark.

The evening takes a strange turn when one woman's sketch triggers a violent outburst from a man at a nearby table. Quickly subdued, the man-an Iraqi war vet-leaves the club. Days later, th...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, private-investigator, read-in-2011, reviewed, series, thriller

There is a body artist who works in a Chicago night club. She permits customers to paint her naked body on stage. Her image is posted on a web-cam and she later sells the images to the public.

V.I. Warshawski witnesses an ugly incident when a young painter creates intricate designs on the body artist. An intoxicated man makes accusations and is asked to leave the club. There is a second argument outside the club, also witnessed by Vic.

Later, that woman is murdered and the man, Chad Visneski, is a...more There is a body artist who works in a Chicago night club. She permits customers to paint her naked body on stage. Her image is posted on a web-cam and she later sells the images to the public.

V.I. Warshawski witnesses an ugly incident when a young painter creates intricate designs on the body artist. An intoxicated man makes accusations and is asked to leave the club. There is a second argument outside the club, also witnessed by Vic.

Later, that woman is murdered and the man, Chad Visneski, is accused and arrested for the crime.

Chad is a veteran who fought in Iraq. His father tells Vic that Chad suffers from PTSD but Chad's father doesn't believe that his son would kill an defenseless woman and hires Vic to clear his name.

Vic finds that the owner of the club was having financial difficulties and borrowed from Anton Kystarnik who used the loan to gain interest into the club.

Vic turns up a lead on the body artist, Karin Buckley. She wants to find out what Karen might know about what went on at the club.

The plot is complex and tightly connected so that the reader will be entertained.

Spoiler (Vic hires a number of vets from the Iraq war. The story takes an interesting turn as events that happened in Iraq are detailed. There is a question that U.S. contractors might have been issued faulty equipment and their employees also sold some of the equipment to the U.S. government. Then the company tried to bribe the families of fallen employees so they wouldn't discuss what went on in Iraq.)

The minor characters are also appealing such as one of the Iraq vets, staff sergeant Marty Jepson, who seems like every reader's ideal son, so that the reader is interested in his actions. Another old friend of Vic's makes an appearance as Mr. Contreras enters the story. His manner adds a realistic and personal touch to the story. Also, young Clara Gauman, is a character who develops through the telling of the story.

The novel is overly long and could stand tightening up but I enjoyed the interwoven plot and engaging characters very much.(less)

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Oct 28, 2010 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-crime

Sara Paretsky continues to compel her readers to confront uncomfortable truths about American society. In Body Work, she takes on the evils of war, corrupt corporate scheming, PTSD, and the exploitation of women. VI is hired by the father of an Iraq combat veteran, accused of murdering a young woman outside a seamy nightclub. Vic's cousin Petra has taken a job there, and Vic's familiar with the current act, in which patrons are invited to paint upon the body of a naked woman. The investigation i...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Steven Peterson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had read my last V. I. Warshawski novel about fourteen years ago before I tried "Hardball" when it came out. Although I gave it five stars, it didn't do that much for me (the 5 star rating was mainly because I rather enjoyed coming back to this series). This is a much nicer work, but it does have some flaws. The "deus ex machina" ending when V. I. becomes a body artist herself is a bit strained as a way of tying things together. Still and all, a fine work.

First, the usual cast of regulars is...more I had read my last V. I. Warshawski novel about fourteen years ago before I tried "Hardball" when it came out. Although I gave it five stars, it didn't do that much for me (the 5 star rating was mainly because I rather enjoyed coming back to this series). This is a much nicer work, but it does have some flaws. The "deus ex machina" ending when V. I. becomes a body artist herself is a bit strained as a way of tying things together. Still and all, a fine work.

First, the usual cast of regulars is here, Sal, Mr. Contreras, Lotty, Ryerson, the police whom she drives crazy (Mallory and Finchley). Each plays a credible role in the developing story. Even Mr. Contreras' dogs fit in! And the city of Chicago, as always and as proper, is also part of this work. The description of Chicago always rings pretty true to me. Here, a wicked winter provides a bleak backdrop to a tough story.

Second, the plot itself features a set of characters. Bringing the various stories together at the climax of the work is handled reasonably well, although V. I. sometimes feels like she was a bit slow on the uptake. The main plot line: a woman is killed after a showing by "The Body Artist," who does performance art at a trendy Chicago bar. A young woman, Nadia, does drawings upon the Artist's body. One night, she is killed, The primary suspect, Chad, is a traumatized Iraq War veteran who would go crazy when he saw the design that Nadia drew on the Artist at her performances. Hence, he becomes the suspect after Nadia's murder.

V. I. is hired by Chad's family, to determine his innocence. She begins her investigation. In the process, she runs into information about the death/murder of Nadia's older sister; she runs across a scandal involving a major company supplying body protection to troops in Iraq; she tangles with hardened thugs and rich corporate thieves. And Petra, her young relative, sometimes helps and sometimes hinders V. I.'s work. Other key actors? Iraq veterans who are drinking buddies with Chad and end up working as part of V. I.'s team to solve the mystery.

This, overall, works pretty well. It is also nice for a change to see V. I., in a relationship that doesn't die quickly from her own demons. We shall see if there is any future in that relationship in future volumes. And it is nice to see a character aging as Warshawski is doing. As I recall, she was in her thirties in the first book that I read; here, she has entered her fifties. On the other hand, I sometimes think that she has not developed as a person and seems doomed to perpetual crankiness and emptiness. But that itself makes her character rather interesting.

Bottom line: a nice entry in the series.
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Feb 28, 2011 Clay Nichols rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm trying to find a reason that I didn't like this book, other than the fact that the detective/protagonist is a woman, but I come away almost as disappointed in myself as I am in this piece of detective fiction. I don't think my problem is with female authors of genre fiction: I loved Kate Atkinson's "When Will There Be Good News" and read all the Ripley novels in one sustained binge.

The problem, from the very outset, was credibility. You might assume that my first credibility issue was with t...more

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Jan 23, 2011 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

I was...disappointed, which surprised me, because I normally really enjoy the V.I. novels. It failed on three points:

* The plot was simply implausible. There ended up with three distinct storylines that came together on one central character; and it was simply a stretch.

* There was way too much moaning and groaning about her aging. I appreciate it when an author acknowledges that a character is aging; it adds a nice touch of realism to a long-running series. But this was just boarding on morbid...more

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Sep 26, 2010 Laurel-Rain rated it 5 of 5 stars

In Sara Paretsky’s newest novel, she brings her private eye V. I. Warshawski back to her readers in an edgy mystery that seemingly centers around a Body Artist performing at a Chicago club called Club Goudge.

The artist is a mysterious woman whose true identity seems unknown; her body serves as a canvas on which others convey their own artistic renderings, including one that is made up of numbers only. One such artist is a young woman, Nadia, who is gunned down outside the club one night when V....more In Sara Paretsky’s newest novel, she brings her private eye V. I. Warshawski back to her readers in an edgy mystery that seemingly centers around a Body Artist performing at a Chicago club called Club Goudge.

The artist is a mysterious woman whose true identity seems unknown; her body serves as a canvas on which others convey their own artistic renderings, including one that is made up of numbers only. One such artist is a young woman, Nadia, who is gunned down outside the club one night when V. I. is there. Chad Vishneski, a young vet is later arrested for the crime, primarily because of some angry outbursts he had directed at the artist. When his parents hire V. I. to find out what really happened that night, our detective pulls out all the stops.

Her investigation leads her on many winding trails, from Chicago’s South Side to Iraq and back again. In the process, she is stalked, beaten up, and others who happen to get caught up in the fray are also targeted.

What strange messages are being conveyed via the Body Artist, and what connection do they have to the events in Iraq? What really happened to Nadia Gauman, and to her sister Alexandra, who died in Iraq under mysterious circumstances? And why do all connections seem to begin and end with the strange Body Artist, Karen Buckley, whose name is really an alias? What are her secrets, and how does her mysterious disappearance tie in to all the events that keep happening?

As usual, the characters were richly detailed and believable, with all the quirks and flaws of real people. I love the way we can visualize the lives of the characters through the detailed context built around them. I’ve always admired the character V. I., because even when she might be afraid or worried, she pushes forward and doesn’t let anything or anyone stop her. She is fiercely loyal to her family and friends. Another character I love is her downstairs neighbor, Mr. Contreras, who is like a father figure. He tries to look out for V. I., despite her attempts to manage without his assistance.

Body Work (V.I. Warshawski Novel) earned five stars from me. I can’t wait for the next mystery for V. I. Warshawski to solve!(less)

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Aug 22, 2012 Debra Daniels-zeller rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

This my first book in this popular series that features VI Warshawski, a gritty, middle-aged (?) female private investigator. The story has complex layers and involves a the body artist, an Iraq War vet with ptsd and mobsters. It was hard to get into this story because I really disliked the Vic, the main character who seemed to lack any character at all until the end. Who is this woman? I kept wondering. She never let herself be vulnerable and I was shocked when VI proclaimed, "I was as vulnerab...more

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Dec 14, 2010 Mmyoung rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller

I find myself having very mixed feelings about this book. Having not read any of Paretsky’s previous Warshawski novels I am unable to judge this book relative to others in the series. The writing itself strikes me as serviceable and the book unwinds at the pace that one expects in a thriller. I enjoyed the fact that Warshawski is depicted as a middle-aged woman whose personal life was as interesting and active as that of a man of the same age. I did, however, feel that the detective and those ar...more

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Sep 22, 2010 Shirley Schwartz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-5-star-reads

Ms. Paretsky's writing gets stronger and stronger with each book she writes. She writes books with very tight plots, great characterizations and complicated mysteries, while at the same time she uses this medium to champion some of her more cherished causes. This book delivers all of that with a bang. V I is drawn into a murder investigation when a girl dies in her arms near a nightclub. Once she starts to try to find out what caused everything Vic encounters a very scary mob guy, a very greedy...more

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Sep 18, 2010 Jerry rated it 3 of 5 stars

We've read every private eye V.I. Warshawski novel so far – and as usual, came away feeling a little ho hum. We typically enjoy this particular genre, and like many readers, wind up comparing Paretsky to Sue Grafton. It often seems like Paretsky’s publisher once said “Give us another Kinsey Millhone, but make her tougher.” And the funny thing is, that’s our problem with this series. The plots are OK, but we have a hard time warming up to the characters. V.I. herself even wonders about her style...more We've read every private eye V.I. Warshawski novel so far – and as usual, came away feeling a little ho hum. We typically enjoy this particular genre, and like many readers, wind up comparing Paretsky to Sue Grafton. It often seems like Paretsky’s publisher once said “Give us another Kinsey Millhone, but make her tougher.” And the funny thing is, that’s our problem with this series. The plots are OK, but we have a hard time warming up to the characters. V.I. herself even wonders about her style and quality of life in “Body Work”; her neighborly “helper” Mr. Contreras is a pain in the butt (unlike Kinsey’s landlord); her cousin Petra a first-rate brat (who V.I. barely tolerates herself) – which leaves just who to care about?

The premise of this one is fine – an unusual and titillating artist appears nude at a nightclub, then allows patrons to paint on her body, often adding to some elaborate pre-existing artwork (all temporary, not tattoos). When an audience member gets shot in an alley and dies in V.I.’s arms (she just happens to be nearby), she gets involved (as is her wont) and eventually gets a minor paying job to clear the veteran of the Iraq “war” the police arrested. But then things deteriorate when the cops virtually give up on a frame so obvious it’s almost silly, but V.I. roars all around Chicago (most of it during nearly impassable snow), chasing all manner of corporate crooks and their hired thugs. A connection to the dead girl’s sister, also killed earlier in Iraq, provides counterpoint to the case at hand, and as anticipated the two situations eventually coalesce. And so forth.

So, a decent story, with a reasonably interesting plot awaits; but it’s just hard to buy into these characters. We’ve often felt that if V.I. would use her head just a little more and give up on some of the hard-to-swallow tough girl around town stuff, and maybe alter her attitude toward life a little, we might have a heroine we would really care about. As it is, if she were a man, about the most significant thing we would say is “boys will be boys!” So you decide.
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Sep 23, 2012 notgettingenough rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime-fiction

I came upon this in a church sale along with quite a few others of its type. The bookseller in me couldn't resist, hard cover, dust-jacket, 3CHF, even though the reader in me has moved on. So far out I've read four of the 'bargains' and you get what you pay for. Three duds, this being one of them....

I used to really enjoy these, this one disappoints. Way too long, too much padding. As always, however, the description of Chicago are great - saying that as somebody who has never been there, but th...more

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Oct 11, 2010 Bookmarks Magazine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: nov-dec-2010

V. I. Warshawski is "like Spider-Man with a P.I. License," claimed the Chicago Sun-Times of its home-based heroine, and critics agreed that, despite her age, Warshawski is no Miss Marple. Reviewers had little but praise for this newest entry in the popular series; of particular note is Paretsky's deep exploration of social and political issues--notably, homophobia; domestic violence; and the misdeeds spawned by the Iraq War. However, critics diverged in their opinion of these thematic strands. T...more

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Aug 11, 2010 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

This book was one of a series of books starring V.I. Warshawski, a P.I. in Chicago. I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway and while I have not read the other books in the series, this book was fine as a stand alone. I got all the information I needed about the main characters to be able to follow the storyline and understand their motivations.
In this book, V.I. is at a club watching the Body Artist, a woman who allows others to paint on her body to express themselves, when an altercation break...more

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Aug 28, 2010 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs

Final Grade: 93/A

REVIEW: V.I. certainly does know how to find trouble (or does trouble just find her?) and this time is no exception. An evening at a club leads Vic into a murky and dangerous case involving an angry Iraqi veteran turned scapegoat for a back-alley murder. Chad, the accused vet, is in a coma and his father hires V.I. to prove his son's innocence.

What makes this series so enjoyable is not just the twisting mystery (which I can never seem to figure out). The characters are fantastic...more

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Dec 17, 2010 Grey853 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: detective, mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 14, 2010 Betty410 rated it 4 of 5 stars

it was nice to get into V.I. Warshawski's life again and does she ever get into trouble!. The Body Artist allows her audience to use her naked body as a canvas for their impromptu illustrations. One woman's sketch causes a violent outburst from a man at a nearby table--an Iraqi war vet. Days later a woman is shot outside the club and dies in Vic's arms. The vet is arrested but his family hires Vic to clear his name. Her investigation leads to involvement having to do with money laundering and th...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Brad Hodges rated it 2 of 5 stars

In my review of Sara Paretsky's novel from last year, Hardball, I mentioned some of the drawbacks of reading a novel in a detective series. Mostly I harped on the character of V.I. Warshawski, but in this book, I found myself annoyed by supporting characters.

The mystery itself is complex and fascinating. It all starts with a performance artist who calls herself the Body Artist--a woman who goes on stage naked and allows people in the audience to paint on her. Another woman, who paints an image...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Lynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller

V.I. Warshawski has always been one of my favourite detectives. She pulls no punches when dealing with clients (she might throw a few). Vic is hard as nails, but devoted to her circle of her friends who have become her surrogate family.

This book weaves a complicated story that involves casualties of the war in Iraq, a crime lord, the mysterious Body Artist, and a new romance for Vic. One thing I love about this series is that Sara Paretsky has let her Victoria age as she has continued the series...more

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May 15, 2012 Josh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

VI Warshawski ages like a fine whiskey: very well indeed. This series could have long gone stale, but Paretsky has done a nice job of subtly aging her detective while yanking her forward into the modern world.

The mystery itself is a pretty good one: you identify the players quickly, and you know something's wrong with all of them, but you're not entirely sure what or why and it takes a lot of digging to get it to all make sense. the climax at the very end is a little over the top (I'm not sure I...more

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Jul 09, 2011 Siggy rated it 3 of 5 stars

It's very enjoyable to be back in V.I. Warshawski-land. I didn't realise Sara Paretsky was still writing the series and then recently I've stumbled on the last two. Lucky me...

What I love most about Warshawski-land is the moral headspace - unabashedly feminist, exposing the corporate crooks, loyal to her family (this time represented by a rather irritating cousin) and defender of the ordinary folk. It's interesting that Vic has lost none of her scrappiness but some of her enthusiasm for describi...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Allison rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook, mystery

This was my first audiobook experience in a long time and I must say it got me quite hooked. It was also my first Sara Paretsky novel, and it far surpassed my expectations!

I love the character of V. I. Warshawski. She is so tough and intelligent and so real too. I thought the plot was really fascinating, and there were so many twists and turns and sub plots, but I was able to follow along and I think Paretsky did a wonderful job making sure it all tied together. I loved the strong woman/feminis...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Enjoy the V.I. Warshawski books - even more as I read more of Sara Paretsky's essays and articles on current events and life. Haven't read one for a while, so was glad to reconnect. V.I. is getting older, and thinks a bit about her ability to keep on being the "super female pi", but has to get involved when she feels a need. Story involves a woman called "The Body Artist", who allows strangers, and others, to paint on her naked body - the ultimate in performance art; an Iraq vet with PTSD - who...more

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About Sara Paretsky

Sara 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 E...more

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