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V.I. Warshawski #18.5
Death on the Edge
In this short story from New York Times bestselling author Sara Paretsky, acclaimed detective V.I. Warshawski must confront gun violence in her own Chicago hometown
Legendary sleuth V.I. Warshawski is no stranger to the sound of bullets. Growing up in the Windy City, it was a way of loved ones taken too early, gangs patrolling the streets by night, police too quick to touch a trigger. Now, in the wake of a string of high school shootings across the United States, V.I.’s hometown has become impassioned by the growing movement to tackle gun violence. News reaches her old high school on Chicago’s South Side that an essay competition spearheaded by renowned newspaper The Edge is calling for high school students to write about how gun violence has affected their young lives. Overseeing the contest is Marcena Love, a British journalist V.I. has tangled with in the past. But when disputes arise over the poignant and divisive winning essay, violence strikes Mirabel High. To protect the students and teachers, and reveal a killer in their midst, V.I. must employ all her skills as a detective, as well as delve into the darkest moments of her childhood, to solve this deeply personal case.
Hailed by P.D. James as “the most remarkable” of modern crime writers, Sara Paretsky is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-one novels, including the renowned V.I. Warshawski series. She is one of only three living writers—alongside John Le Carré and Lawrence Block—to have received both the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of Great Britain. She lives in Chicago with her husband.
Legendary sleuth V.I. Warshawski is no stranger to the sound of bullets. Growing up in the Windy City, it was a way of loved ones taken too early, gangs patrolling the streets by night, police too quick to touch a trigger. Now, in the wake of a string of high school shootings across the United States, V.I.’s hometown has become impassioned by the growing movement to tackle gun violence. News reaches her old high school on Chicago’s South Side that an essay competition spearheaded by renowned newspaper The Edge is calling for high school students to write about how gun violence has affected their young lives. Overseeing the contest is Marcena Love, a British journalist V.I. has tangled with in the past. But when disputes arise over the poignant and divisive winning essay, violence strikes Mirabel High. To protect the students and teachers, and reveal a killer in their midst, V.I. must employ all her skills as a detective, as well as delve into the darkest moments of her childhood, to solve this deeply personal case.
Hailed by P.D. James as “the most remarkable” of modern crime writers, Sara Paretsky is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-one novels, including the renowned V.I. Warshawski series. She is one of only three living writers—alongside John Le Carré and Lawrence Block—to have received both the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of Great Britain. She lives in Chicago with her husband.
Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2018
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450 people want to read
About the author
Sara Paretsky
271 books2,361 followersSara 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 England Before the Civil War, and finally earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Married to a professor of physics at the University of Chicago, she has lived in Chicago since 1968.
The protagonist of all but two of Paretsky's novels is V.I. Warshawski, a female private investigator. Warshawski's eclectic personality defies easy categorization. She drinks Johnnie Walker Black Label, breaks into houses looking for clues, and can hold her own in a street fight, but also she pays attention to her clothes, sings opera along with the radio, and enjoys her sex life.
Paretsky is credited with transforming the role and image of women in the crime novel. The Winter 2007 issue of Clues: A Journal of Detection is devoted to her work.
Her two books that are non-Warshawski novels are : Ghost Country (1998) and Bleeding Kansas (2008).
The protagonist of all but two of Paretsky's novels is V.I. Warshawski, a female private investigator. Warshawski's eclectic personality defies easy categorization. She drinks Johnnie Walker Black Label, breaks into houses looking for clues, and can hold her own in a street fight, but also she pays attention to her clothes, sings opera along with the radio, and enjoys her sex life.
Paretsky is credited with transforming the role and image of women in the crime novel. The Winter 2007 issue of Clues: A Journal of Detection is devoted to her work.
Her two books that are non-Warshawski novels are : Ghost Country (1998) and Bleeding Kansas (2008).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 22, 2020
Death on the Edge is a short story written by Sara Paretsky in 2018, in between the normal novels of the VI Warshawski thriller/suspense/mystery series. In this story, a character from an early book makes an appearance to ask for VI's help in dealing with a potential issue. A 16-year-old girl has written an essay about her feelings witnessing her uncle being shot in gang violence in a seedy Chicago neighborhood from ten years ago. When VI agrees, and meets with a few people at the school, she doesn't learn what the issue is because the teacher who she was supposed to meet is found shot to death too.
Was it her department chairmen who wanted a ticket out of the school? The nice principal who might have claws? The reporter trying to cover something up? The 16-year-old student? Her family? Competition? We trace the details of the essay to two young cousins... uncertain which girl really wrote the content. The mother and grandmother appear to try to settle the issue, as well as our favorite policeman, Conrad Rawlins. VI's got her work cut out for her, but she finds a way to get to the bottom of both who wrote the essay and who killed the teacher.
At under 50 pages, it's an easy read. I like seeing these pop up every few years because we get a light look at VI's regular cases where things aren't so convoluted and complex. This one had plenty of drama, and it had a few angles to consider, but ultimately, it had wonderful balance. It was a little too short but intrigued me. Had I not already read ~20 books in the series, I would've picked up more as a new fan.
Was it her department chairmen who wanted a ticket out of the school? The nice principal who might have claws? The reporter trying to cover something up? The 16-year-old student? Her family? Competition? We trace the details of the essay to two young cousins... uncertain which girl really wrote the content. The mother and grandmother appear to try to settle the issue, as well as our favorite policeman, Conrad Rawlins. VI's got her work cut out for her, but she finds a way to get to the bottom of both who wrote the essay and who killed the teacher.
At under 50 pages, it's an easy read. I like seeing these pop up every few years because we get a light look at VI's regular cases where things aren't so convoluted and complex. This one had plenty of drama, and it had a few angles to consider, but ultimately, it had wonderful balance. It was a little too short but intrigued me. Had I not already read ~20 books in the series, I would've picked up more as a new fan.
April 29, 2019
I have to say this was fantastic! The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is that I guessed what happened with the mystery about who wrote the essay. I loved the callback to a past case of VI's and her annoying nemesis from that one popping up in this one (Marcena Love).
In "Death on the Edge" VI gets involved in introducing Marcena to her old school in order to talk to a teacher who is concerned about an essay that was submitted describing the death of the essay writer's uncle. When VI pops up though she finds the teacher dead and a whole lot of confusion about what is going on. VI being her, she quickly figures out what happened.
Marcena may have learned a bit after the events from Fire Sale, but she still sucks though.
The writing was tight in this one. I love short stories done well and Paretsky kicks butt in this one. I could have read even more and wish that Paretsky would think about putting together another collection of short stories starring VI and the people who move around in her world. I also loved the writing focusing on murders occurring in Chicago and how it was impacting her old school which is now full of a lot of minorities not getting the help that they need.
The flow was perfect throughout too.
The end came too quick, but it was very well done.
In "Death on the Edge" VI gets involved in introducing Marcena to her old school in order to talk to a teacher who is concerned about an essay that was submitted describing the death of the essay writer's uncle. When VI pops up though she finds the teacher dead and a whole lot of confusion about what is going on. VI being her, she quickly figures out what happened.
Marcena may have learned a bit after the events from Fire Sale, but she still sucks though.
The writing was tight in this one. I love short stories done well and Paretsky kicks butt in this one. I could have read even more and wish that Paretsky would think about putting together another collection of short stories starring VI and the people who move around in her world. I also loved the writing focusing on murders occurring in Chicago and how it was impacting her old school which is now full of a lot of minorities not getting the help that they need.
The flow was perfect throughout too.
The end came too quick, but it was very well done.
August 21, 2020
Great little short story
An enjoyable little short story by one of my new favorite authors. I enjoyed the twists and character development. Recommended.
An enjoyable little short story by one of my new favorite authors. I enjoyed the twists and character development. Recommended.
June 3, 2019
I am a big fan of Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski series and have all the books in the series. This is not a book but a short story only found in e-book form. I noticed it available for kindle when I was checking to see if I had one or two of the books in the series as yet unread (I like to have one unread at all times in case I need to read a book I know I will enjoy).
In this short story, Vic finds herself entangled with resolving the murder of a former high school classmate who was an English teacher at their high school. In the course of doing that, she helps resolve which of two cousins actually wrote an essay about gun violence that was a finalist in a magazine contest, the winner of which would get a college scholarship.
Paretsky thrillers always include important social issues at their core and this story was no exception.
In this short story, Vic finds herself entangled with resolving the murder of a former high school classmate who was an English teacher at their high school. In the course of doing that, she helps resolve which of two cousins actually wrote an essay about gun violence that was a finalist in a magazine contest, the winner of which would get a college scholarship.
Paretsky thrillers always include important social issues at their core and this story was no exception.
September 15, 2018
Another short story by Paretsky, one of my favorite authors. I did not find this story as satisfying as most of Paretsky's work. I thought it ended too quickly and could have been expanded. I no more got into the story and it was over. A very quick read.
September 26, 2018
This is indeed a short story that adds to the knowledge about V.I. Warshawski. What seems a simple task turns into a murder and a mystery. Who really wrote the article about guns and who killed the teacher who had questions about the author. All comes together in a interesting and quick to read story featuring one character from a previous book and of course Warshawski.
I received a free copy of the story in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the story in return for an honest review.
July 28, 2018
Good, straightforward mystery set in Chicago featuring one of my favorite private eyes, "Vic" Warshawski. One problem was that Paretsky brought back a character who created some sort of havoc in a previous mystery, Fire Sale, and now I need to go back and read it again as I can't recall what happened!
Thanks to the publisher for the early digital reading copy.
Thanks to the publisher for the early digital reading copy.
September 17, 2018
The only bad thing I can say about this that it is only a short story and leaves you wanting for more.
This can easily be read in one hour and makes a nice diversion in the day.
I'm a big V.I. Warshawski Fan and have ready every book published in the series. Can't wait for the next full novel to be coming out soon.
This can easily be read in one hour and makes a nice diversion in the day.
I'm a big V.I. Warshawski Fan and have ready every book published in the series. Can't wait for the next full novel to be coming out soon.
August 2, 2018
I received this digital review copy from the publisher through Edelweiss.
It's always good to have a V.I. Warshawski short story to serve as a snack until the next book is published. Love V.I., love Sara Paretsky.
It's always good to have a V.I. Warshawski short story to serve as a snack until the next book is published. Love V.I., love Sara Paretsky.
October 23, 2018
I'm not always a fan of short(er) stories, but when it comes to Sara Paretsky, I have to make an exception. These stories still contain the same wit and heart as her longer novels, and they still offer anything you'd want to read in a story. My only complaint is that they aren't longer...
May 21, 2019
Too confusing
Who did what to whom and why is too confused. Sara can and should do much better for a short story for the price paid.
Who did what to whom and why is too confused. Sara can and should do much better for a short story for the price paid.
April 5, 2022
When V.I. is contacted by Marcena Love, a British journalist, she isn't very happy. Their previous encounters have not been pleasant for V.I. but this time Marcena is in V.I.'s old home turf. She is judging a writing contest that has to do with how gun violence has impacted your life.
There is some concern that the photogenic winner of the contest did not actually write the winning essay. V.I. has to visit her past to solve this crime which reveals family jealousies. It also reveals how far a person will go to reach the goals they feel they deserve, even if murder is part of that package.
There is some concern that the photogenic winner of the contest did not actually write the winning essay. V.I. has to visit her past to solve this crime which reveals family jealousies. It also reveals how far a person will go to reach the goals they feel they deserve, even if murder is part of that package.
October 8, 2022
Note to self: never read a short story about V.I. Warshawski, ever again. I love the complexity of the complete novels by Paretsky, where there is enough time to span the mystery out, and which also contains the necessary logic that's unfortunately nowhere to be found in the short stories. So. Never again. Don't be tempted because you miss Vic (yes, still note to self).
February 21, 2023
This short story is similar to the books in the V.I. Warshawski series in that a family member or friend of a friend asks V.I. for help, and it takes place in South Chicago, a crime infested area of guns and gangs. As usual, V.I. solves this who-done-it in a somewhat surprising and satisfying manner. It is a very minor addition to the series and does not move it along.
September 25, 2018
A good read but should have been great but was not. Bringing back a previous character for the hook just didn’t work. It introduced too many characters and issues for the briefness of the tale.
October 5, 2018
Too short!
November 2, 2018
Not sure this short-ish length is great for Warshawski stories. In this case, the characters are well drawn, but the actual murder mystery is implausible and not that interesting to me.
December 29, 2019
A short novel, but I liked it. About gun violence. About kids plagiarizing. About adults' amibitions.
November 29, 2021
This was a short read that could have been longer. However Sara Paretsky never disappoints, even when she develops a story with about a dozen characters, and does it in so few words and pages.
February 19, 2022
This was actually an e-book, but there is no proper category for this and the system won't let me make one for some strange reason.
Good short story though.
Good short story though.
April 6, 2025
good story...
May 4, 2023
Death on the Edge is a short story and book #18.5 (following Fallout) in the V.I. Warshawski series. Warshawski (only her closest friends call her Vic) is a law school graduate, now self-employed private eye. She is one of the first female private detectives in Chicago (and in the world of crime fiction). She is smart, tough and (mostly) fearless.
Warshawski is contacted by reporter Marcena Love to assist her in vetting the author of the possible winning entry of an essay contest on gun violence, hosted by Love’s employer. Hana Milcek is one of the contest's judges. She is also a high school English teacher and former classmate of Warshawski at the school that they both attended. Before the meeting can be held Milcek’s body is discovered in the school, she had been shot at close range, twice. Before she can assist with vetting the author, Warshawski must determine what concerns regarding the essay Milcek’s had wanted to share and, of course, who didn’t want her to share them. “None of us is innocent, darling. We all carry a shadow of guilt for something. I just let the world see mine.”
First published in 1982, this series now has 22 books. I have read books 1-19 and rated each 4 or 5 stars. They are well-researched mysteries and Paretsky's ability to weave current events as well as political and social issues into her stories is one of the best things about the series. This book could be a stand alone read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (because I find short stories frustrating, I always want more… ) NOTE: I found this #kindle edition on #Amazon for $1.99
#EmptyNestReader #instagram #DeathontheEdge #VIWarshawski #SaraParetsky #mysteryfiction #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #MarchReads #bookrecommendations #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks
Warshawski is contacted by reporter Marcena Love to assist her in vetting the author of the possible winning entry of an essay contest on gun violence, hosted by Love’s employer. Hana Milcek is one of the contest's judges. She is also a high school English teacher and former classmate of Warshawski at the school that they both attended. Before the meeting can be held Milcek’s body is discovered in the school, she had been shot at close range, twice. Before she can assist with vetting the author, Warshawski must determine what concerns regarding the essay Milcek’s had wanted to share and, of course, who didn’t want her to share them. “None of us is innocent, darling. We all carry a shadow of guilt for something. I just let the world see mine.”
First published in 1982, this series now has 22 books. I have read books 1-19 and rated each 4 or 5 stars. They are well-researched mysteries and Paretsky's ability to weave current events as well as political and social issues into her stories is one of the best things about the series. This book could be a stand alone read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (because I find short stories frustrating, I always want more… ) NOTE: I found this #kindle edition on #Amazon for $1.99
#EmptyNestReader #instagram #DeathontheEdge #VIWarshawski #SaraParetsky #mysteryfiction #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #MarchReads #bookrecommendations #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks
October 21, 2023
This short story wasn't as good as I thought it would be. The plot is too poor.
SYNOPSIS: "In this short story from New York Times bestselling author Sara Paretsky, acclaimed detective V.I. Warshawski must confront gun violence in her own Chicago hometown
Legendary sleuth V.I. Warshawski is no stranger to the sound of bullets. Growing up in the Windy City, it was a way of life: loved ones taken too early, gangs patrolling the streets by night, police too quick to touch a trigger.
Now, in the wake of a string of high school shootings across the United States, V.I.’s hometown has become impassioned by the growing movement to tackle gun violence. News reaches her old high school on Chicago’s South Side that an essay competition spearheaded by renowned newspaper The Edge is calling for high school students to write about how gun violence has affected their young lives. Overseeing the contest is Marcena Love, a British journalist V.I. has tangled with in the past.
But when disputes arise over the poignant and divisive winning essay, violence strikes Mirabel High. To protect the students and teachers, and reveal a killer in their midst, V.I. must employ all her skills as a detective."
SYNOPSIS: "In this short story from New York Times bestselling author Sara Paretsky, acclaimed detective V.I. Warshawski must confront gun violence in her own Chicago hometown
Legendary sleuth V.I. Warshawski is no stranger to the sound of bullets. Growing up in the Windy City, it was a way of life: loved ones taken too early, gangs patrolling the streets by night, police too quick to touch a trigger.
Now, in the wake of a string of high school shootings across the United States, V.I.’s hometown has become impassioned by the growing movement to tackle gun violence. News reaches her old high school on Chicago’s South Side that an essay competition spearheaded by renowned newspaper The Edge is calling for high school students to write about how gun violence has affected their young lives. Overseeing the contest is Marcena Love, a British journalist V.I. has tangled with in the past.
But when disputes arise over the poignant and divisive winning essay, violence strikes Mirabel High. To protect the students and teachers, and reveal a killer in their midst, V.I. must employ all her skills as a detective."
March 31, 2023
Her short story was as good as her novels!
I had only read a few of Sara Paretsky’s novels and loved them. Her V.I Warshawski character is so well written, that you think you actually know her.
When I saw that the author had written a short story, I worried that it couldn’t be as good as her longer, more developed works. But I was very wrong! This story made me want to read more. I loved it!
And if you ever lived in Chicago, you’ll know just where the action takes place.
I had only read a few of Sara Paretsky’s novels and loved them. Her V.I Warshawski character is so well written, that you think you actually know her.
When I saw that the author had written a short story, I worried that it couldn’t be as good as her longer, more developed works. But I was very wrong! This story made me want to read more. I loved it!
And if you ever lived in Chicago, you’ll know just where the action takes place.
September 18, 2018
Another excellent story
Just one more wonderful piece from one of my favorite authors! As a mystery writer,, she is the most riveting . . .
Just one more wonderful piece from one of my favorite authors! As a mystery writer,, she is the most riveting . . .
October 29, 2018
Loved it, disappointed when it ended
February 20, 2019
Just s short trifle while I am waiting for another novel from Pareysky
September 24, 2022
Vi watches this story ?
Perhaps read the v.i. story Fire Sale first. This short story sort of happens to V.I. Warshawski. It's not like most v.i. stories where she stirs the pot.
Perhaps read the v.i. story Fire Sale first. This short story sort of happens to V.I. Warshawski. It's not like most v.i. stories where she stirs the pot.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews