From Publishers Weekly
Since her debut in Paretsky's Indemnity Only, Chicago private eye V. (Victoria) I. Warshawski has been attracting both enthusiastic readers and critical acclaim. This fourth story narrated by the spiky detective is the series' most suspenseful so far. V. I. brings a teenager about to give premature birth to a private hospital where the mother and her baby die. Since the poor girl's own obstetrician is unavailable, Warshawski's friend, Dr. Tregiere, arrives from his inner-city hospital to check procedures; he's found murdered later. So is the supposedly bereaved husband, member of a street gang that atacks Warshawski during her tenacious investigation of the related cases. There are other appalling deaths as tough V. I. gets to the facts behind a tawdry coverup. The cast of the earlier mysteries again adds flavor here, and the big city's ethnic mix, as enlived by Paretsky, does too. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"No one, male or female, writes better P.I. books than Paretsky."
--The Denver Post
"Paretsky's books are beautifully paced and plotted, and the dialogue is fresh and smart.... V.I. Warshawski is the most engaging woman in detective fiction."
--Newsweek
"The plot [is] fast moving, the dialogue snappy, the premise for murder persuasive. This novel hasn't a single snag in its springs."
--Chicago Sun-Times
"Paretsky is still the best...she doesn't pull punches."
--The Washington Post Book World
Book Description
Chicago private eye V. I. Warshawski knows from the start that Consuelo Alvarado's baby is trouble. Consuelo is sixteen. Diabetic. And the daughter of a friend. When she goes into labor too early, even V. I.'s wild drive to get her to the hospital can't save either Consuelo or her child.
Soon V. I. is investigating possible malpractice at the emergency room - and falling for a doctor who works there. Mixing business and love is always bad medicine, but V. I. finds herself listening to her heart, not her head. And when a brutal murder and the violent destruction of a woman's clinic put her at the center of a very dirty conspiracy, justice may be the only remedy for a hurt that cuts deep . . .and chills right to the bone . . .
"The plot [is] fast moving, the dialogue snappy, the premise for murder persuasive. This novel hasn't a single snag in its springs." - Chicago Sun-Times
"Paretsky is still the best . . .She doesn't pull punches." -- The Washington Post Book World
Bitter Medicine FROM THE PUBLISHER
Chicago private eye V.I. Warshawski knows from the start that Consuelo Alvarado's baby is trouble. Consuelo is sixteen. Diabetic. And the daughter of a friend. When she goes into labor too early, even V.I.'s wild drive to get her to the hospital can't save either Consuelo or her child. Soon V.I. is investigating possible malpractice at the emergency room—and falling for a doctor who works there. Mixing business and love is always bad medicine, but V.I. finds herself listening to her heart, not her head. And when a brutal murder and the violent destruction of a women's clinic put her at the center of a very dirty conspiracy, justice may be the only remedy for a hurt that cuts deep...and chills right to the bone....
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Since her debut in Paretsky's Indemnity Only, Chicago private eye V. (Victoria) I. Warshawski has been attracting both enthusiastic readers and critical acclaim. This fourth story narrated by the spiky detective is the series' most suspenseful so far. V. I. brings a teenager about to give premature birth to a private hospital where the mother and her baby die. Since the poor girl's own obstetrician is unavailable, Warshawski's friend, Dr. Tregiere, arrives from his inner-city hospital to check procedures; he's found murdered later. So is the supposedly bereaved husband, member of a street gang that atacks Warshawski during her tenacious investigation of the related cases. There are other appalling deaths as tough V. I. gets to the facts behind a tawdry coverup. The cast of the earlier mysteries again adds flavor here, and the big city's ethnic mix, as enlived by Paretsky, does too. (May 15)
Kay Black - The Mystery Reader Online
V. I. Warshawski is a female version of the hard-boiled private eye. Victoria doesnﾽt show emotion or fear — at least on the outside. This new case has struck a little too close to home for her tastes....The characters are engrossing; the plot is convoluted but convincing; and the ending is justified. It is all a matter of whether the reader can become a follower of V. I. Warshawski.
Art & Photography
Book Info
