Winner of the Sue Grafton Memorial Award!A Boston Globe Best Book of 2018!Acclaimed detective V. I. Warshawski tackles a pair of perplexing cases involving those closest to her in this compelling and timely adventure that centers on some of the most divisive and pressing issues of our timeWhen V. I Warshawski gets word that her closest friend and mentor Lotty Herschel’s nephew has become a … mentor Lotty Herschel’s nephew has become a suspect in a murder, the legendary detective will do everything she can to save him. The cops found Felix Herschel’s name and phone number on the unknown victim’s remains, but Felix insists he doesn’t know why.
As Vic digs deeper, she discovers that the dead man was obsessed with Middle Eastern archaeology—the first clue in a bewildering case that leads to a stolen artifact and a shadowy network of international criminals. But the trouble multiplies when Vic’s long-lost niece, Reno, goes missing. A beautiful young woman with a heartbreaking past and a promising future, Reno is harboring a secret that may cost her her life. V.I. can hear the clock ticking on her niece’s safety and is frantic in her efforts to find her.
Vic won’t leave any stone unturned until these very personal cases are cleared—a complex investigation that will entangle the Russian mob, ISIS backers, rogue ICE agents, a nefarious corporation preying on the poor, and a shady network of stock scams and stolen antiquities stretching from Chicago to the East Indies and the Middle East.
In Shell Game, no one can be trusted and nothing is what it seems, except for the indomitable detective and her thirst for justice.
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Simply superb! As a fan of V.I. Warshawski from the very beginning, I can say without a doubt that… both author and protagonist are at the top of their games.
Warshawski’s latest adventure, Shell Game, is a multi-layered mystery with lots of moving parts that all come together in a triumphant moment of truth and justice which satisfies the soul and the intellect.
V. I. Warshawski is back for her 19th adventure. A Private Investigator with a license to practice law, she’s been asked by her best friend and mentor to help keep her nephew out of jail. A man found murdered had the nephew’s name and address on his person. But Felix swears he has never seen the man, and the police don’ quite believe his story.
While trying to help Felix, and knowing that he’s keeping something secret, V.I. also gets involved in a missing person case .. a young woman who just happens to be her ex-husband’s niece.
As V. I. gets entangled in these cases, she has to deal with possible terrorist groups, the Russian mob, stock scams and stolen works of art.
It seems like everyone is keeping secrets .. some of which could be the end of V.I..
This is easily read as a stand alone. There’s lots of suspense, plenty of suspects to keep the reader engaged, and a volatile ending.
Many thanks to the author / HarperCollins – William Morrow / Edelweiss for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Shell Game by Sara Paretsky is the 19th book in the VI Warshawski series about a Chicago private eye who solves crimes. I read 2/3 of the series several years ago, then got sidetracked for the last five. I decided to catch up on them this summer, in preparation for the 20th book’s launch in early 2020. While the books are good, this one wasn’t as strong as the others. I ended up with a 3.5 stars but I’ll wind down even though I think the author is superb. I’m glad I have at least 6 months before the next one will be ready, as maybe with a fresh mind, I’ll love it even more.
In Shell Game, Lotty’s nephew has been arrested by ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement). He’s Canadian but has darker skin, and in all probability, he was included solely based on his association with Middle Eastern students who were the prime target. Weeks later, a dead body surfaces, and he begs VI to go with him to view the victim; apparently, the police think he’s guilty, yet he doesn’t even know the man. At the same time, VI’s ex-husband’s nieces show up. One is missing, the other is a bit of a troublemaker. The stories begin to interweave, and this is where I had some concerns about the plot.
Part of me felt this was the kind of tale where someone said “Choose ICE, Syria, politics, missing statues, and the Russian mob, then create a book.” I didn’t feel connected to the characters, nor did I think it was a very original story. I didn’t like that VI’s ex-husband was central to the plot, especially because he did something wrong. We never quite get the whole story, nor do we see enough of an apology at the end between him and VI. That said, putting those items aside, the book had merit. I enjoyed the chase scenes. VI was hurt a lot, which always feels wrong but serves a good purpose. She met a new guy. She used her brain to solve the crime. And there were a bunch of interesting turns I hadn’t expected.
The other thing that bites a little is the timeline. I know the author is trying to keep as true as possible to current events and VI’s real age, but… random Trump references felt out of place. Though published in 2018, the actual time probably should’ve been ~2010. I can suspend my disbelief, but at the same time, name-dropping to hit home the point is a little below Paretsky. Her work shines even without the little digs (even if I agree with them!). If this were my first in the series, I wouldn’t rush back to it. Knowing the author is a genius at weaving multiple threads, I’ll always come back to her books. Hopefully the next one shines even more.
Read my review on the New York Journal of Books: https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/shell-game
A sleuth to rival the greats, from Sam Spade and Nero Wolfe to Harry Bosch and Stephanie Plum… Shell Game is the most soulful novel of Paretsky’s extraordinary career — the most urgent, the most haunting, the most satisfying. Please read Shell Game.
Couldn’t put it down!
Paretsky is always good
Great story, highly detailed, great characters.
It’s been a while since I’ve read one of Paretsky’s books, and she does not disappoint. It starts out simply enough, with Warshawski trying to help a friend’s nephew avoid a murder charge and at the same time trying to hunt down her missing niece, but quickly devolves in a complex case involving scam loans, artifact thefts, crooked billionaires, and undocumented refugees. Lots of details about Chicago, lots of action and suspense. Paretsky is still at the top of her game.
Fun like all of the V.I. books. Beats the politics drum a little too much for my tastes, though.
Great! Strong Female detective with a soft side in Chicago!
Meh, probably will not read more in this series. Plot ok but her attitude is tiresome.
I was disappointed. Long ago Paretsky was one of my favorites, but a lot of the plot’s twists and turns seem gratuitous, and the suspense just doesn’t build anymore.
I like all of Sara Paretsky’s books.
Always enjoy books by this author. Warshawki stays the same. Sharp and fun reads!
All of her books are very well written and engaging.
V.I. never disappoints
Excellent book, quality read.
All of Ms P,s books are delightful