Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Porvoo : Helsinki : Juva : WSOY, 1990.
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:The 30th anniversary edition of the first V. I. Warshawski novel, Indemnity Only, featuring a new afterword from Sara Paretsky Meeting an anonymous client late on a sizzling summer night is asking for trouble. But trouble is Chicago private eye V. I. Warshawski�s specialty. Her client says he�s the prominent banker John Thayer. Turns out he�s not. He says his son�s girlfriend, Anita Hill, is missing. Turns out that�s not her real name. V. I.�s search turns up someone soon enough�the real John Thayer�s son, and he�s dead. Who�s V. I.�s client? Why has she been set up and sent out on a wild-goose chase? By the time she�s got it figured, things are hotter�and deadlier�than Chicago in July. V. I.�s in a desperate race against time. At stake: a young woman�s life.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member SimonW11
I find Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski Series very readable. The first Indemnity Only makes it clear that this is an homage to Film Noir and hardboiled detectives with V.I. Warshawski meeting her client in a darkened office (the fuses have blown)Lite only by the neon of a nearby bar.
In her
Throughout she grows even more cynical as she battles against a sea of corruption, causing it seems only minor ripples .
In her
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subesquent adventures V I is beaten up. shoot at and refuses to given in with a tenacity Marlow would admire. I like the slow march of technology through the series in the first book she has a manual typewriter. by the last she conducts internet searchs and has a mobile phone.Throughout she grows even more cynical as she battles against a sea of corruption, causing it seems only minor ripples .
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LibraryThing member LiteraryFeline
This is the first mystery in the V.I. Warshawski series. Vic is a female detective in a man’s world. She is hired by a man pretending to be someone else and is asked to find a young woman. The investigation takes many twists and turns, placing Vic and her friends in danger. Vic is a strong and
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resourceful woman. I enjoyed this book—it was fairly fast paced. Written in the first person narrative, this book takes the reader into the thoughts and musings of the main character. As the mystery was unwoven, I was able to see the thought processes of Vic. The final stand off where Vic revealed the crime seemed anticlimactic, however, because the character had been over it so many times—spelling out the crime at least twice before facing off with the bad guys. I will definitely give this series a try though as it appears to hold promise. Show Less
LibraryThing member Darrol
I like being in the world of the private detective, and V. I. is fun to read about. A little bit of narrative roughness and uncertainty. I liked the ending.
LibraryThing member madamejeanie
Meeting an anonymous client late on a sizzling summer night is asking for trouble. But trouble is Chicago private eye V.I. Warshawski's specialty. Her client says he's the prominent banker, John Thayer. Turns out he's not. He says his son's girlfriend, Anita Hill, is missing. Turns out that's not
I'm very, very late coming to this series. I've heard about it off and on for years, and I recall seeing a movie that starred Kathleen Turner as V.I. Warshawski way back in the 90s. This book was written in the late 1970s and it is very dated, but the action was hard core and fast paced. It tries to be as gritty as the "film noir" detective stories from the 1950s, and doesn't quite make it. The plot was extremely shallow and easy to see through. There were no surprises at all in this book. I'll probably not try to track down any more in this series. Like Hollywood obviously thought, once is quite enough of V.I. Warshawski.
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her real name. V.I.'s search turns up someone soon enough -- the real John Thayer's son, and he's very, very dead. So, just who is this client, anyway? Why is he setting her up and sending her on a wild goose chase? By the time V.I. begins to figure it out, things are getting hotter that Chicago in July. It's a race against time, and there are not one but two young girls' lives at stake.I'm very, very late coming to this series. I've heard about it off and on for years, and I recall seeing a movie that starred Kathleen Turner as V.I. Warshawski way back in the 90s. This book was written in the late 1970s and it is very dated, but the action was hard core and fast paced. It tries to be as gritty as the "film noir" detective stories from the 1950s, and doesn't quite make it. The plot was extremely shallow and easy to see through. There were no surprises at all in this book. I'll probably not try to track down any more in this series. Like Hollywood obviously thought, once is quite enough of V.I. Warshawski.
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LibraryThing member PollyMoore3
I love Sara Paretsky and her feisty, grumpy, vulnerable heroine Vic Warshawski. I love Mr Contreras too.
LibraryThing member gaskella
Meet V.I. Warshawski – friends get to call her Vic, never Vicky. Indemnity only is the first in a series of 13 novels featuring the sassy Chicagoan PI.
One evening she meets a new client, a banker, who wants her to find his son’s missing girlfriend. Vic goes to the boy’s pad to find him dead
I liked Vic immensely – she’s strong, feisty and very independent; she’s feminine too. She had a Polish father and Italian mother, both now passed away. Her father was a good policeman and Vic takes after him having a very strong sense of social justice – it seems almost natural that she should have become a detective. Meanwhile her mother has left her with a love of opera and fashion – what other PI could get beaten up in a navy silk suit (chargeable!).
Some years ago, I read one of the mid-series titles which I enjoyed, and I always planned to read more. Earlier this year, I went to an event with Sara Paretsky which I reported on on my blog and now I’ve finally got round to starting back at the beginning (with my signed copy!). The book is set during the late ’70s going into the ’80s having been published in 1982. Back then Warshawski was one of a kind and she’s become a popular crime heroine. Sure, the dialogue is a little clunky at times, but Chicago comes alive. Plot-wise, it’s quite complicated being set in the world of finance, but the action makes up for that keeping it fast moving and easy to read.
Now we’ve met Vic, I’m looking forward to reading more as there’s a lot of corruption still out there for her to tackle. (7/10) I bought this book.
One evening she meets a new client, a banker, who wants her to find his son’s missing girlfriend. Vic goes to the boy’s pad to find him dead
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at the kitchen table with an expertly placed bullet through his head. No sign of the girlfriend. However it appears that she was set up to find the body, the banker turns out to be a union boss and the girlfriend is his daughter, and its obvious that the gangs are involved too. From there Vic goes on to eventually uncover massive insurance frauds, but not before getting badly beaten up, having a bit of romance too - and there’s still the missing girl to find.I liked Vic immensely – she’s strong, feisty and very independent; she’s feminine too. She had a Polish father and Italian mother, both now passed away. Her father was a good policeman and Vic takes after him having a very strong sense of social justice – it seems almost natural that she should have become a detective. Meanwhile her mother has left her with a love of opera and fashion – what other PI could get beaten up in a navy silk suit (chargeable!).
Some years ago, I read one of the mid-series titles which I enjoyed, and I always planned to read more. Earlier this year, I went to an event with Sara Paretsky which I reported on on my blog and now I’ve finally got round to starting back at the beginning (with my signed copy!). The book is set during the late ’70s going into the ’80s having been published in 1982. Back then Warshawski was one of a kind and she’s become a popular crime heroine. Sure, the dialogue is a little clunky at times, but Chicago comes alive. Plot-wise, it’s quite complicated being set in the world of finance, but the action makes up for that keeping it fast moving and easy to read.
Now we’ve met Vic, I’m looking forward to reading more as there’s a lot of corruption still out there for her to tackle. (7/10) I bought this book.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This introduces the series with V.I. Warshawski, a female PI. Paretsky does at least give us sketch in more of a background then I've read in a host of private detective fiction. Vic's Italian/Jewish mother and Polish cop father certainly left their mark on her, and she's actually shown to have a
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friend. The plot, fully of shady businessmen, even shadier labor leaders, mobsters and corrupt cops in Chicago is fairly intricate yet hangs together nicely. I think the "rich people" are rather stereotypical, but several characters do come across as distinct individuals and I did grow to like Vic. She's a bit of a smart ass, but cool, competent and keeps in shape so I can suspend my disbelief and enjoy when she kicks some ass a la Buffy (and because she's not Buffy, she sometimes gets her ass kicked.) I was a bit irked by all the this is no job for a woman stuff, but then this was written in 1979 when Paretsky was as much a pioneer in writing a female PI as any real life counterpart would have been. Show Less
LibraryThing member bfister
First in the V.I. Warshawski series. Though it was an eye-opening reinvention of the classic hardboiled detective, it seems a bit meandering and slow today. V.I. is her original abrasive self.
LibraryThing member TheBentley
Vic is the original Kinsey Milhone. Like the "Alphabet" mysteries, this one won't change your life, but it's fun, the plot is tight, and it's never boring. Good, basic, hard-boiled detective work with a female detective--the first of her kind. Good summer reading.
LibraryThing member bolgai
2012 marks the 30 year anniversary of the first publication of Sara Paretsky's debut novel and after listening to the BBC World Book Club program where she was the guest I decided to pick it up.
You can definitely see that Indemnity Only is a debut novel. There is the minute detail often present in
So what was it that tipped the scales? For me it was the characters, the setting and that none of it got lost in those details. V.I., Vic to friends, is a badass with a soft underbelly. She knows martial arts, runs a 7.5 minute mile and isn't afraid to use her fists when the circumstances call for it, she'll help those in need with a complete disregard for her own safety or bottom line. She bristles when anyone questions her choice of profession or competence because she is a woman, but is realistic about her chances against a strong male opponent in single combat. In short V.I. Warshawski is a believable and relatable female character who is just as relevant today as she was 30 years ago, even if her environment is definitely outdated. She actually reminds me of Maria Bello's character in last year's Prime Suspect, I think Vic and Jane would get along.
Secondary characters easily hold their own, even though they don't have quite as much time on the page and more often than not we don't know what they're wearing. I can't decide if my favorite is Lotty of McGraw, a spitfire doctor unfazed by any surprise or a conflicted man comparing himself to King Midas. Or maybe it's Bobby Mallory, who keeps trying to protect his friend's daughter and nearly blows a gasket every time she won't let him.
Another thing to Paretsky's advantage is her ability to establish a sense of the world in which V.I. operates. The book is filled with social issues of the day - women's movement, tensions between the radically-inclined and the police, the divide between classes and the lack of acceptance of those who aren't of the same ancestry across all levels of society. With Vic being firmly working class and not particularly fond of the rich it would have been easy to make her just one of the not-too-priviledged and be done with it, but Paretsky makes her straddle the line in a way. Vic judges people by their actions, not their wealth or position, regardless of where they stand on social issues or how unpopular her opinion. It's clear of course that she is rooting for the little guy, just as Paretsky is, and it's no surprise that it's the working class characters who are the more sympathetic ones, but Warshawski isn't blindly prejudiced and justice and truth are her goals every step of the way. All this makes the story resonate more, makes it more personal, makes one think about how much the world has changed in the last 30 years and how much it hasn't.
I read some V.I. Warshawski novels when I was in high school and remember enjoying them enough to blow through a half-dozen paperbacks in a couple of weeks, but I don't remember particularly noticing the elements that impressed me most this time around. Maybe I should revisit Warshawski before too much time passes, watch her catch some bad guys and learn something about the past while I'm at it.
You can definitely see that Indemnity Only is a debut novel. There is the minute detail often present in
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authors' first works, from what exactly their characters wore to what they ate. There are inconsistencies in quantities of family heirlooms and thorough accounts of habits and routines. Things like this could do a book in if there is enough of them and not enough of what keeps the reader turning the pages and rooting for the protagonist. In Paretsky's case the balance was in her favor and she went on to write 14 more V.I. Warshawski novels. So what was it that tipped the scales? For me it was the characters, the setting and that none of it got lost in those details. V.I., Vic to friends, is a badass with a soft underbelly. She knows martial arts, runs a 7.5 minute mile and isn't afraid to use her fists when the circumstances call for it, she'll help those in need with a complete disregard for her own safety or bottom line. She bristles when anyone questions her choice of profession or competence because she is a woman, but is realistic about her chances against a strong male opponent in single combat. In short V.I. Warshawski is a believable and relatable female character who is just as relevant today as she was 30 years ago, even if her environment is definitely outdated. She actually reminds me of Maria Bello's character in last year's Prime Suspect, I think Vic and Jane would get along.
Secondary characters easily hold their own, even though they don't have quite as much time on the page and more often than not we don't know what they're wearing. I can't decide if my favorite is Lotty of McGraw, a spitfire doctor unfazed by any surprise or a conflicted man comparing himself to King Midas. Or maybe it's Bobby Mallory, who keeps trying to protect his friend's daughter and nearly blows a gasket every time she won't let him.
Another thing to Paretsky's advantage is her ability to establish a sense of the world in which V.I. operates. The book is filled with social issues of the day - women's movement, tensions between the radically-inclined and the police, the divide between classes and the lack of acceptance of those who aren't of the same ancestry across all levels of society. With Vic being firmly working class and not particularly fond of the rich it would have been easy to make her just one of the not-too-priviledged and be done with it, but Paretsky makes her straddle the line in a way. Vic judges people by their actions, not their wealth or position, regardless of where they stand on social issues or how unpopular her opinion. It's clear of course that she is rooting for the little guy, just as Paretsky is, and it's no surprise that it's the working class characters who are the more sympathetic ones, but Warshawski isn't blindly prejudiced and justice and truth are her goals every step of the way. All this makes the story resonate more, makes it more personal, makes one think about how much the world has changed in the last 30 years and how much it hasn't.
I read some V.I. Warshawski novels when I was in high school and remember enjoying them enough to blow through a half-dozen paperbacks in a couple of weeks, but I don't remember particularly noticing the elements that impressed me most this time around. Maybe I should revisit Warshawski before too much time passes, watch her catch some bad guys and learn something about the past while I'm at it.
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LibraryThing member delphimo
I go in spells with the writing of Sara Paretsky. I have followed the V I Warshawski series, a little, by reading the novels in no determinate order. What do I find impossible? Vic has no concept of money, she spends freely and I wonder where her source of money appears. She eats smoked salmon and
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eats fancy named desserts. Vic is not the average private detective living from case to case. I guess I am used to Janet Evanovich or Laura Lippman's type of female detective. I do appreciate Paretsky's description of Chicago, and the love of the city for the Cubs. But Paretsky misses in the creation of the labor boss and the police department. Still the story is interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I can see potential in this story, V I Warshawski's first, and a bit of feminist commentary along the way, lurking almost as an undertone. V I uses her initials because it gets her more respect.
The vice-president of Chicago's biggest bank hires V I Warshawski to find his son's girlfriend and that
It's an interesting read, I can see potential for a lot more in the story.
The vice-president of Chicago's biggest bank hires V I Warshawski to find his son's girlfriend and that
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gets VI involved in a murder, fraud and several shady characters, as well as a romance and some fun entertainment, as well as a lot of alcohol.It's an interesting read, I can see potential for a lot more in the story.
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LibraryThing member AntT
Real, true grit female P.I.
LibraryThing member AntT
Real, true grit female P.I.
LibraryThing member les121
I was looking for a mystery novel with a female lead, and the V.I. Warshawski series caught my eye. It’s a decent mystery - not shocking, but intriguing enough to keep me hooked - and the main character is pretty badass. She takes a beating, but she doesn’t give up, holding her ground against
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some very intimidating characters. Her investigative strategy is essentially to piss off all parties and see what shakes loose - stupid, yet amusing. Overall, Indemnity Only is a page-turner that stands the test of time really well. (I couldn’t believe it was published in 1982!) The feminist agenda is a bit transparent, but I liked it. I would definitely be interested in reading more of V.I.’s adventures. Show Less
LibraryThing member porch_reader
Sara Paretsky is coming to the Iowa City Book Festival, so I decided to try her V. I. Warshawski series. This first book in the series not only introduces us to Private Detective V. I. Warshawski and several of her friends, but also presents an interesting murder mystery with a few twists and
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turns. This was a great vacation read, and I'm glad that I've got many more books in this series ahead of me. Show Less
LibraryThing member SheilaDeeth
I’ve never been to Chicago, but I love Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden novels, so my husband suggested I try something a little more “normal.” Sara Paretsky’s city is just as convincing and intriguing, without the myth and magic. Her first person narrator has the same toughness as Dresden,
Strong narration, a determined female protagonist, good friendships and a clever mystery make this a fun first book in the series. Fascinating details add depth and conviction, and I will certainly read more. Indemnity Only is a smooth fast read, balancing feminine interests with tough determination and risk, well-timed asides, an omnipresent fascination with the Cubs, and a clever crime to be solved.
Disclosure: My husband buys good books for me.
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the same folly in love, and the same downbeat sense of failure. But she's also strong, vibrant and determined, so I enjoyed following her. In this novel, violence causes real injury, crime bosses are a good blend of evil and humanity, and the central mystery grows through time, until good timing reveals it.Strong narration, a determined female protagonist, good friendships and a clever mystery make this a fun first book in the series. Fascinating details add depth and conviction, and I will certainly read more. Indemnity Only is a smooth fast read, balancing feminine interests with tough determination and risk, well-timed asides, an omnipresent fascination with the Cubs, and a clever crime to be solved.
Disclosure: My husband buys good books for me.
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LibraryThing member DabOfDarkness
Vick Warshawski is a Chicago cop’s daughter and an independent private detective. A man calling himself John Thayer hires her to find his son’s missing girlfriend, Anita Hill. Vick starts with the basics, such as checking the boyfriend Peter’s apartment for clues. What she finds is Peter’s
When I was a kid, the VI Warshawski movie came out and parts of that movie have stuck with me. So recently I got my hands on the first 5 Warshawski stories as audiobooks and Book 1 does not disappoint! This is way better than the movie I remember. First, I really like Vick. She’s independent and practical. She knows herself and what she’s willing to do or not do. For instance, she doesn’t hesitate to break into Peter’s apartment – and no guilty conscience there nor any second guessing herself. She also holds her own with stubborn cops and overbearing business men. The story occasionally brings up gender inequalities, but not so much so that I felt I was being asked to go to a Woman’s Pride parade.
The plot was pretty good as well. I was guessing for most of the book as to who was the culprit. While it was apparent pretty early on that there was some connection between the insurance company that John and Peter both worked for and the big union Anita’s dad worked for, I couldn’t guess the specifics until near the end.
The story is set before the time of cell phones and widespread internet. Vick actually has to track down physical information. While this dates the book a bit, I quite enjoyed it. I’m just old enough to recall the days before modern computing and the world wide web of information. So I have an appreciation for how hard it was for Vick to track down all the info that lead her to the bad guy.
There’s two side characters in this story that I really liked. There’s Vick’s best friend, the Viennese Lottie, who is a doctor. It never hurts to have a doctor as a personal friend especially when you get banged up as often as Vick. Then there’s Peter’s young sister Jill Thayer. Vick takes her under her wing a time or two in this book.
All around, this book exceeded my expectations. I half expected the story to be a cozy detective novel with a body or two. That was not the case. Vick is serious about her business and the men who want her off the case are serious too. Vick’s life is seriously in danger more than once in this book and if I didn’t know there were several more in the series, I would have been worried about her or those closest to her. As a final note, I loved that Vick took some hits and kept mouthing off. I also loved that those closest to her were concerned for her but didn’t coddle and coo over her as if she was some poor defenseless woman. Vick is awesome!
Narration: The narration is pretty good. Susan Ericksen makes a really good VI Warshawski. She also does the regional Chicago accent for most of the characters, which I also appreciated. Her male voices were believable. I also liked the light Austrian accent for Lottie. My one little criticism is that Vick and her cop connections often do a lot of yelling and so I had to sometimes turn down the volume because the narrator was yelling right along with them.
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body. The mystery deepens when she goes to Peter Thayer’s dad to ask him some questions and finds the real John Thayer. Vick is soon drawn into a case of insurance fraud, big unions, and the missing Anita Hill.When I was a kid, the VI Warshawski movie came out and parts of that movie have stuck with me. So recently I got my hands on the first 5 Warshawski stories as audiobooks and Book 1 does not disappoint! This is way better than the movie I remember. First, I really like Vick. She’s independent and practical. She knows herself and what she’s willing to do or not do. For instance, she doesn’t hesitate to break into Peter’s apartment – and no guilty conscience there nor any second guessing herself. She also holds her own with stubborn cops and overbearing business men. The story occasionally brings up gender inequalities, but not so much so that I felt I was being asked to go to a Woman’s Pride parade.
The plot was pretty good as well. I was guessing for most of the book as to who was the culprit. While it was apparent pretty early on that there was some connection between the insurance company that John and Peter both worked for and the big union Anita’s dad worked for, I couldn’t guess the specifics until near the end.
The story is set before the time of cell phones and widespread internet. Vick actually has to track down physical information. While this dates the book a bit, I quite enjoyed it. I’m just old enough to recall the days before modern computing and the world wide web of information. So I have an appreciation for how hard it was for Vick to track down all the info that lead her to the bad guy.
There’s two side characters in this story that I really liked. There’s Vick’s best friend, the Viennese Lottie, who is a doctor. It never hurts to have a doctor as a personal friend especially when you get banged up as often as Vick. Then there’s Peter’s young sister Jill Thayer. Vick takes her under her wing a time or two in this book.
All around, this book exceeded my expectations. I half expected the story to be a cozy detective novel with a body or two. That was not the case. Vick is serious about her business and the men who want her off the case are serious too. Vick’s life is seriously in danger more than once in this book and if I didn’t know there were several more in the series, I would have been worried about her or those closest to her. As a final note, I loved that Vick took some hits and kept mouthing off. I also loved that those closest to her were concerned for her but didn’t coddle and coo over her as if she was some poor defenseless woman. Vick is awesome!
Narration: The narration is pretty good. Susan Ericksen makes a really good VI Warshawski. She also does the regional Chicago accent for most of the characters, which I also appreciated. Her male voices were believable. I also liked the light Austrian accent for Lottie. My one little criticism is that Vick and her cop connections often do a lot of yelling and so I had to sometimes turn down the volume because the narrator was yelling right along with them.
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LibraryThing member PhilSyphe
Although a bit a slow in places, and despite the excess adverbs, I liked “Indemnity Only” well enough.
The plot didn’t grip me, but that’s not to say it was flawed in any way. I liked it in parts, rather than on the whole.
I like the main character a lot. She’s tough, but no less feminine
Being English born and bred, the references to The Cubs and their respective sport (I assume baseball) were lost on me. Descriptions from the games was like listening to a code that I couldn’t crack. Luckily, these were asides, with no impact on the plot.
The plot didn’t grip me, but that’s not to say it was flawed in any way. I liked it in parts, rather than on the whole.
I like the main character a lot. She’s tough, but no less feminine
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because of it. I like her humour, especially when it’s delivered at an inappropriate moment, which is often.Being English born and bred, the references to The Cubs and their respective sport (I assume baseball) were lost on me. Descriptions from the games was like listening to a code that I couldn’t crack. Luckily, these were asides, with no impact on the plot.
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LibraryThing member JenniferRobb
I listened to this as an audiobook in my car. I'm glad I read others in the series before this one as in this one V.I. came off as a bit too much of a smart-mouth for my taste. I'm glad the author has toned that down in later books.
V.I. is hired to find a man's daughter--only he gives a fake name
I know some of the characters from other books--like Dr. Lottie Herschel. I do wonder if Jill Thayer will show up down the road so that we get to see what happens to her or if she and Paul continue to stay in touch.
I didn't like Jill's family much. (Peter might have been okay but he was the murder victim so we don't get to see much of him in the book.) The rest of her family seem to tolerate her but don't really take her seriously.
I like that V.I. is resourceful.
V.I. is hired to find a man's daughter--only he gives a fake name
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and gives a wrong last name to his daughter. Then, later, he call V.I. to tell her to stop looking for his daughter. By this point though, V.I. has caught on to the fact that something is up.I know some of the characters from other books--like Dr. Lottie Herschel. I do wonder if Jill Thayer will show up down the road so that we get to see what happens to her or if she and Paul continue to stay in touch.
I didn't like Jill's family much. (Peter might have been okay but he was the murder victim so we don't get to see much of him in the book.) The rest of her family seem to tolerate her but don't really take her seriously.
I like that V.I. is resourceful.
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LibraryThing member StuartEllis
This is a piece of history: first published in 1982, it was ground-breaking at the time for being a novel about a hard-driving Chicago private detective who was female. Today, that's not remarkable, but it's still a good book: Warshawski is a compelling character, her Chicago feels real and
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vibrant, and the plot is satisfyingly twisty. The things that place the story mostly strongly in the 1980s (nearly 40 years ago!) are elements that Paretsky deliberately focuses on, like the role of unions and the evolving viewpoints around feminism. For me, these gave the novel a feel of historical fiction, rather than making it seem dated. Show Less
LibraryThing member AliceAnna
I had never read anything by Sara Paretsky before, but was familiar with the V.I. Warshawski character. I really enjoyed the plot, the characters and the noirish feel of the book. Warshawski is a bad ass female character which really appeals to me. The only weak point of the book to me was the
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"romance." Actually, it was more of a hook up than a romance and the two characters had all the chemistry of wet noodles. Seriously, I found it a throwaway that added little or nothing to the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member NatalieRiley
I have seen a lot of readers posting their praise for author Sara Paretsky’s books and decided to give her a try. She writes a series of books based on a woman private detective, V.I. Warshawki, set in Chicago. Starting another series, especially one with 22 books published, did not bring about a
Since I’m the type of person who has to start a series at the beginning, I started my journey with the first installment, Indemnity Only. V.I. Warshawski is hired by John Thayer, a prominent banker, who says his son’s girlfriend, Anita Hill, is missing. V.I. quickly learns that isn’t the girlfriend’s real name. While searching for her, V.I. finds the son, Peter Thayer, dead in his apartment. The mystery thickens when V.I. learns she wasn’t hired by John Thayer in the first place. Before V.I. can find the girlfriend, she must uncover the identity of her client and who murdered young Peter Thayer.
Like any good mystery, this novel kept me busy following the characters and how they connected. And most importantly, why did someone want to kill Peter? The location of the girlfriend remained a constant mystery while V.I. worked diligently to put together the pieces of the puzzle.
I enjoyed Indemnity Only, but I didn’t love it as I hoped. V.I. Warshawski is a tough detective and quite sharp at her detecting skills. She reminded me a lot of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone character in her alphabet series. I have been reading my way through that series for a few years now and I’m almost finished. It’s hard to describe, but this book didn’t affect me enough to keep reading the series. I’m at a stage in my life where I want to read books that I love. Meaning, I can’t wait to resume reading and it has characters I adore getting to know. A book that gives me all the feels! Sara Paretsky is a good storyteller. Indemnity Only is a good book that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a lengthy series in the mystery genre.
I purchased the audiobook of Indemnity Only through Audible. Narrator Susan Ericksen does a great job conveying the tough character of V.I. Warshawski.
I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog
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sense of excitement. I decided I would read the first book in the series and if I loved it, I would be happy to pursue the series. Since I’m the type of person who has to start a series at the beginning, I started my journey with the first installment, Indemnity Only. V.I. Warshawski is hired by John Thayer, a prominent banker, who says his son’s girlfriend, Anita Hill, is missing. V.I. quickly learns that isn’t the girlfriend’s real name. While searching for her, V.I. finds the son, Peter Thayer, dead in his apartment. The mystery thickens when V.I. learns she wasn’t hired by John Thayer in the first place. Before V.I. can find the girlfriend, she must uncover the identity of her client and who murdered young Peter Thayer.
Like any good mystery, this novel kept me busy following the characters and how they connected. And most importantly, why did someone want to kill Peter? The location of the girlfriend remained a constant mystery while V.I. worked diligently to put together the pieces of the puzzle.
I enjoyed Indemnity Only, but I didn’t love it as I hoped. V.I. Warshawski is a tough detective and quite sharp at her detecting skills. She reminded me a lot of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone character in her alphabet series. I have been reading my way through that series for a few years now and I’m almost finished. It’s hard to describe, but this book didn’t affect me enough to keep reading the series. I’m at a stage in my life where I want to read books that I love. Meaning, I can’t wait to resume reading and it has characters I adore getting to know. A book that gives me all the feels! Sara Paretsky is a good storyteller. Indemnity Only is a good book that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a lengthy series in the mystery genre.
I purchased the audiobook of Indemnity Only through Audible. Narrator Susan Ericksen does a great job conveying the tough character of V.I. Warshawski.
I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog
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Subjects
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 1982)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1983
Physical description
302 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
9510162965 / 9789510162965