A nagging conscience makes V. I. Warshawski agree to fill in as coach for the girls' basketball team at her South Side alma mater -- which in turn leads her to the headquarters of By-Smart, the global retail empire where V. I. hopes to get some desperately needed funds for the struggling squad. But conscience seems to be in short supply at By-Smart... with the exception of Billy Bysen. He's the earnest teenage grandson of the chain's gruff, tight-fisted founder. And when Billy disappears -- along with a mysterious document much desired by By-Smart's management team -- V. I. is hurled onto a twisted, body-strewn path that runs through Chicago's dirtiest places, and reveals some of its dirtiest secrets.
Shelly O. (sjoelkton) from ELKTON, VA wrote on 1/28/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is the 1st V.I. Warshawski novel I've read and even before I finished it, I ordered more. Great read!
Dana W. from TACOMA, WA wrote on 10/13/2006...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a great book. Easy to read and is the same quality that you expect from Paretsky. The wise and forever funny Warshawski comes thru in this book as a real person who always has her feet in trouble. Hard to put this book down as I was wanting to read what the final outcome was.
Theresa V. (Trese) from REEDSBURG, WI wrote on 10/5/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The underlining humor is what makes this book a pleasure to read.
Sharon V. from SWANNANOA, NC wrote on 11/5/2006...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Anyone who loves VI Warshawski will agree that this is another great read by Sara Paretsky.
Rate These Member Reviews
Nell E. (neverett) from SPRING BRANCH, TX wrote on 6/4/2008...
My first introduction to V.I. Warshawski novels and I found this one to be extremely engaging and well written. I will definitely read more of Sara Paretsky's novels.
Liz U. from HOUSTON, TX wrote on 11/6/2007...
This was my first time reading a V.I. Warshawski novel and I believe it will be my last. Did not like it at all
Joyce M. from SAINT CLAIR, PA wrote on 4/24/2007...
This book was a page turner it kept me up until 2AM.
JoAnn G. (bookwoman28) from PHOENIX, AZ wrote on 4/6/2007...
In this 13th book of the popular series, Chicago P I, V.I. Warshawski, returns to her old South Side neighborhood, now in a sad state of decline, to help her former basketball coach with a girls' team at the local high school. But her efforts to interest local businessmen in supporting the team lead her into an increasingly complex tangle of exploited low-wage workers, a storefront preacher who may or may not be one of the good guys, and the life-or-death conflicts at the center of a large fabulously wealthy family who live in tony Barrington Hills, but run cut throat businesses in places like the South Side.
Pam S. (pamlovestoread) from FLORISSANT, MO wrote on 2/4/2007...
A great V.I. Warshawski novel. Fast-paced and easy to read. Very enjoyable.
Joyce K. (joylynn) from JOICE, IA wrote on 2/1/2007...
A conscience can weigh a PI down more than the heaviest firearm - and get her into more trouble. It's that nagging conscience that makes V.I. Warshawshi agree to fill in as coach for the girls' basketball team at her South Cicago alma mater - which in turn leads her to the headquarters of By-smart, the global retail empire where V.I. hopes to get some desperately needed funds for the struglling squad. But conscience seems to be in short supply at By-Smart...with the exception of Billy Bysen, the earnest teenage grandson of the chain's gruff, tightfisted founder. And when Billy disappears - along with a mysterious document much desired by By-Smart's management team - V.I. is hurled onto a twisted, body-strewn path that runs through Chicago's dirtiest places and reveals some of its dirtiest secrets.
Kathy B. (MsLuLu) from ATLANTA, GA wrote on 12/29/2006...
"A moving and multilayered novel" The Cleveland Plain Dealer
ANDRE' E. J. (Expeditious) from TAYLOR, MI wrote on 11/28/2006...
VI does it again! Wonderful. Very good reading.
Allison W. (sealady) from HAYWARD, CA wrote on 11/20/2006...