Private eye V.I. Warshawski finds herself up against rampant corruption in Chicago’s hospitals in the fourth novel in Sara Paretsky’s New York Times bestselling series.Young, diabetic, and pregnant, Consuelo Alvarado is lucky to have a mentor in V.I. Warshawski. But not even V.I. can help when Consuelo goes into premature labor in a remote suburb; mother and baby both die in the nearby hospital. … baby both die in the nearby hospital. When a young resident starts raising questions about Consuelo’s treatment, what seemed like a tragic accident turns into something far more disturbing. What connection could the hospital have with Chicago’s street gangs? What heavy secret is the hospital’s neonatologist carrying? The questions the detective asks cut to the heart of everything that is troubling about the practice of medicine in America. Can V.I. sort out the answers before she herself ends up in the hospital morgue?
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This was an excellent medical mystery, once I realized it was written in the mid 1980s. Prior to that I was very distracted by questions like “where is her cell phone”, and “why doesn’t she call 911”? Once I realized it was written at a time these things didn’t exist, it was easy to get into the story.
VI Warshshawski is asked to look into the …
4 of 5 stars to Bitter Medicine, the 4th book in the VI Warshawski mystery thriller series by Sara Paretsky. I really enjoyed this book, more than many of the others. In this installment, VI is trying to help out a friend, but things don’t go well and both the young girl and her newly born baby die. VI’s convinced a malpractice suit against the …
I always enjoy Paretski’s books. She exposes the mixed emotions and problematic actions that have made it hard to fit the people on the edges of society in. I am a Midwest girl and enjoy stories that take place here.
This author is just too preachy on the social issues for my taste.
I love this author’s writing. This is a series you’ll love every volume.
Classic VI Warshawski
good
Another great V. I. Warskovski mystery!
Awful. Author is a liberal jerk and feels necessary to interject her bitter views.
Love Sara Paretsky’s writing
Held my interest cover to cover.
I think Vic is a great character, and I love her relationship with Lottie. Too bad that whenever she gets involved with a guy, he’s either doomed or a truly bad guy (sometimes both), but I guess she isn’t made for happily ever after.
Haven’t read her books for a long time. A bit too graphic for me now.
The book follows the same premise as Paretsky’s other books. Familiar characters make it a quick read, like spending the afternoon with a friend, comfortable and enjoyable.
As a V.I. Warshawski fan, it was great to find a story that included current issues impacting her friends and extended ‘family’. This is a more personal view of V.I., additional backstory of those she loves and who love her.
At the same time, her framework of healthcare, for-profit hospitals, medical malpractice and underserved populations …
Good plot. I don’t care for the smart-aleck style of writing.
Compelling well written . Characters well drawn.
I love V.I. Warshawski. I only wish there were more books in the series. The tensions builds logicially and inexorably – and it’s great to read V.I. balance the scales of justice one more time.