SHELL GAME

By Sara Paretsky

You always know upon seeing the name: Detective V.I. Warshawski that the book is going to be oh-so-good.

In this newest offering from the fabulous Paretsky, the highly admired V.I. has not one but two confusing cases that she must tackle and solve at the same time. Worse yet, both of these puzzles involve people who are extremely close to her, which makes them beyond personal and causes V.I. to face some of the most pressing problems she’s ever encountered.

Lotty Herschel is one of the people involved. A close friend and mentor to V.I., it is Lotty’s nephew who has been placed in the eye of the police, becoming the prime suspect in a murder. But the evidence is not exactly overwhelming. You see, Felix Herschel wasn’t exactly found holding a smoking gun; it was simply that his name and phone number were found on the victim’s remains. This complete stranger of a victim turns out to be one obsessed with Middle Eastern archaeology, which leads to a stolen artifact and a network of criminals spread all over the world.

But that’s not the only maze V.I. will have to traverse. In addition, her own niece (Reno) has disappeared. Not only did Reno have a hard past, but she’s extremely beautiful and is holding on to a secret that may be the catalyst as to why she’s missing.

This is the perfect title for this plot. From dealing with the Russian mob to ICE agents gone rogue to powerful people, stolen artifacts and so much more, V.I. must work double-time in order to win the shell game and bring justice to the people who deserve it.

Once again, Paretsky has done a brilliant job with plot and character. It is no surprise that V.I. is one who has lasted this long!