Brush Back

There are number of important community business leaders and a state politician who all make V. I enjoyed trying to figure out the game, even though it went on a bit too long. You might need a seventh-inning stretch. As a baseball fan, I got a kick out of the chapter headings and the scenes at Wrigley Field.

Contreras, the dogs, Murray, Lotty, and Max. Grab a beer and some Cracker Jacks. Warshawski in Brush Back.

View all 5 comments. If you've ever spent any time on this blog, you've probably heard me speak of my love for Sara Paretsky and VI Warshawski. If not, just trust me: It seems like a new VI Warshawski novel shows up just when I need it most, and this time was no exception. I love how these novels are political.

It's not exactly a secret that VI's family is a major sore If you've ever spent any time on this blog, you've probably heard me speak of my love for Sara Paretsky and VI Warshawski. It's not exactly a secret that VI's family is a major sore spot for her, for lack of a better term. She loved her parents and cousin fiercely and the best way to get her to do something is to attack them. So the fact that Stella Guzzo basically slanders all three is a majorly dumb move. I don't want to discuss the plot too much, but it was really nice to hear more about her hockey-playing cousin Boom Boom.

My favorite part, though, is how the most recent novels are definitely set in the present but also give us a major glimpse into VI's past or Lotte's past. I love Lotte too, and more time with her is a great thing. Maybe we can get more Mr. Contreras next time; he was largely absent in this book. That is literally my only complaint. Here's hoping the next two years fly by; I miss VI already.

Aug 06, Jerry B rated it it was ok. We continue to read every new private eye V. Warshawski novel from popular author Paretsky — but despite our penchant for leading lady crime solvers, these stories are starting to leave us dry. Her temporary housemate Bernie is as irritating as the bratty cousin Petra used to be. Even the plot leaves us caring little — a woman jailed for 20 years for murdering her own daughter is finally released from prison, and then starts claiming it was V. Plowing through some pages was really not that much fun — where was the Editor when we needed one.

Besides the clever ending which gets at the title of the book, this one was a chore to get through. At first I thought a case tying things back to VI's family, specifically her cousin Boom Boom would be great. But after a while the whole thing sounded so freaking implausible I just could not.

We also get a return of Bobby and Conrad bah to him, I am glad that VI finally told him to let sh Besides the clever ending which gets at the title of the book, this one was a chore to get through. We also get a return of Bobby and Conrad bah to him, I am glad that VI finally told him to let shit go and the whole book felt endless. I think the big problem is that there were too many moving parts that didn't make a very cohesive plot. In "Brush Back" we have VI being asked by her ex-boyfriend from high school to look into his mother's murder case.

More than decades has passed since Frank Guzzo's mother Stella went to jail for the murder of his sister Annie. Stella admits to beating Annie and going to bingo as one does but claims she was alive when she left. Things seem to be out of VI's hands after Stella refuses her help and acts like an asshole while doing so. When Stella accuses VI's dead cousin Boom Boom of murdering her daughter and her father covering it up, VI starts snooping to figure out who could have killed Annie if not Stella. VI was rightfully riled up in this one. I like to see her mad and her investigation skills have not gotten rusty.

She knows immediately her cousin could not have done this and starts pulling out threads about the Guzzo family. You also find out how hard things were for VI after her mother passed away and how some of the neighbors were jerks. I can see why she booked it out of South Chicago. We get familiar secondary characters in this one: We also get some new characters, VI's cousin's god daughter who is obviously a Petra stand-in. I didn't like her much in this book and loathed in the next book.

She ends up being a pain in the ass and costs VI in both books cause she doesn't listen and swears she knows all. I hope that Paretsky poofs her in book number 19 Shell Game. I have to say though the plot doesn't make a lot of sense.

The why behind people trying to set up Boom Boom was dumb as hell. If you met VI even once you have to know that threatening her or her family member's memories would not make her back off. VI can't just get people to always come out and rescue her and her doing this I am an independent woman who needs no one shtick.

I wish she get a partner again, but looks like we won't see that happening anytime soon. Jul 20, Susan Johnson rated it it was amazing. The latest entry in the V. Warshawski is a winner. I love that she has aged to 50 and is just as bad and thorough as she was.

She suffers some aches and pains from aging but it certainly doesn't stop her. She paddles a kayak, climbs fences and explores the underbellies of Wrigley Field, home of Chicago Cubs. In this one, V. Frank's mother is just released from prison for murdering her daught The latest entry in the V. Frank's mother is just released from prison for murdering her daughter and he wants her exonerated.

Frank's family has had an active dislike for V. There's no way V. The characters are vividly drawn. The story line is interesting but the outcome has no surprises. You knew who did almost immediately. Still the journey was a pleasure and loved spending time with her again. And Sara Paretsky is a great writer, every single time. You can buy this book July 28 if you want to. And you know you do! But she does go back, because an old flame approaches her with a serious problem.

His mother Stella is out of prison, finally. She pulled the full twenty years for murdering her daughter Annie. She has bills to pay just like he does. Things turn ugly very quickly, of course. Of course they do! Her attorney tells her to keep out of it; Lotty, who is like a second mother to Vic, tells her the same thing. Steer clear; let it go. In this installment of the Warshawski series, Paretsky has eighty-sixed young relative Petra, who visited a recent installment, and I was glad to see her go.

I found her abrasive. I have five grown children and endless others have accepted my hospitality over various summers, and so this tidbit hit home. But Bernie is a much more agreeable sidekick than Petra was, and I hope Paretsky will find cause to bring her back in some future installment. In closing, there are four things you need to remember. Third, try to stay away from the cement mafia if at all possible. Started off really, really well. I loved the insights into V. I's past and her relationships with Boom-Boom, Frank, and her parents.

She blows her top when anyone flings unfounded accusations at her beloved family which is fair enough but does the exact same thing to pretty much everyone around her. She also seems to have a genuine relationship, with Jake, who gets her and actually chills her out a little - I liked when they went out dancing all night. Good stuff, but the thing is, as much as I respect V. I, I don't think I'd like her very much if I knew her in real life. She's so dedicated to her cause that she often seems to lack human emotion and warmth, except when it comes to her family and her dogs.

She's very spiky and angry all the time. I need to find something to genuinely like in fictional characters, as this makes their mistakes and flaws easier to forgive. I sometimes wish V. Mar 06, Judy rated it really liked it Shelves: Now I have read all of Sara Paretsky's books and I am ready for her newest one, Fallout , which will be released next month, April 18, !

I first read Sara Paretsky in when one of my reading groups read and discussed Fire Sale. I felt, and still feel, that V I Warshawski was the best female private investigator of all. I went back and started reading all her books in order. An old boyfriend Now I have read all of Sara Paretsky's books and I am ready for her newest one, Fallout , which will be released next month, April 18, ! An old boyfriend appears one day asking for her help in exonerating his mother Stella, who has served a 25 year stint behind bars for manslaughter. She had been convicted of murdering her own daughter, but is still claiming innocence.

However, she is no victim but is in fact a violent, crazy woman and she hates V I with a passion. As in every Sara Paretsky mystery, what seems like a small matter explodes into a trail of corruption and injustice involving white collar crime. Also as usual, the police have little interest in getting involved, leaving it up to V I to risk her life tracking down the truth. In Brush Back a blue collar neighborhood has been gutted by the closing of the steel industry and overrun by gangs and drugs.

It is being somewhat propped up by a purported do-gooder who is as corrupt as they come. V I takes plenty of flack for having left the neighborhood and having had a degree of success with her private investigator one woman business. Rather than anyone being glad to see her coming back to help, she is vilified and obstructed at every turn, even though her deceased cousin Boom-Boom is well-loved for his success as a famous hockey player.

The book is so timely. Those down-trodden South Side residents are a part of the demographic that put our current President in office. The criminal behind all the supposed "good work" he does in the neighborhood is the one who is actually driving the area further down.

What is he hiding? In these days of calls for activism, V I Warshawski is an admirable example of the dangers involved in exposing corruption, greed, and the rotten spots in city politics. I wish I was that brave. At least I read the books. Follow the money is still an important watchword. Jul 31, Carol Jean rated it it was amazing. I so look forward to new books in this series! As always, deeply and thoroughly plotted, well written, and featuring characters that you may loath, but in whom you completely believe.

Brush Back

Excellent job yet again, Ms Paretsky! Aug 02, judy rated it it was amazing Shelves: Being completely trite which Paretsky would never be , she knocks this one out of the park. Great story, beloved characters and completely believable, corrupt Chicago. I love to go total immersion with her Chicago set books.

You can imagine Royko smiling from above. She does a flawless job of re-creating a city and culture that inhabitants and former inhabitants love in spite of itself. For non-Chicagoans, I still think this book will make the cut. Paretsky is meticulous in presenting her stori Being completely trite which Paretsky would never be , she knocks this one out of the park. Paretsky is meticulous in presenting her stories and making sure the reader has enough information to understand.

Warshawski is getting older but she's as tough as ever and has new bumps and scars to prove it. Aug 25, MASH rated it liked it. I love Paretsky and look forward to her books. I had a hard time with this one because the relationship between V.

Brush Back (V.I. Warshawski, #17) by Sara Paretsky

A normal person would be dead. I don't remember as much violence in previous books. Maybe I'm getting older. Her friendships are always solid even when they don't always agree with her. Aug 09, Cathy rated it it was amazing. The twenith book written by Ms.

Paretsky and I have read them all. I have to admit this was long and I kind of felt as if it was taking a little long to just get to the end. How many times can someone almost die in one book? But I really do enjoy her books and finish them up quickly and hunger for more. Glad she is still writing. Apr 14, Tara Russell rated it liked it. Vintage classic Warshawski, slightly too long a book. Got to love a character who stays true to herself! Aug 27, Virginia Winfield rated it it was amazing. This was my favorite book in this series in a while. It had all my favorite characters from all of this series.

I look forward to reading the next in this series. And that she stands up for others - mostly women and What a pleasure it has been to spend a few days with VI again! Aug 02, Shirley Schwartz rated it it was amazing Shelves: Sara Paretsky proves once again that she is one of the best mystery writers out there. This book is a real wild ride. I read through the book at breakneck pace.

The tension never lets up from the first page right up to the very end where Ms. Paretsky treats us to such a menacing ending. What she does best is her characterization. Her bad guys are really bad guys and VI always finds herself on the wrong side of them and she's quite often in the unenviable place of being on the outs with Chicago's Sara Paretsky proves once again that she is one of the best mystery writers out there.

Her bad guys are really bad guys and VI always finds herself on the wrong side of them and she's quite often in the unenviable place of being on the outs with Chicago's finest at the same time. In this book we get a good look at VI's young growing up years in the rough south end of Chicago. An old flame asks for her help to gather information to help get an exoneration for his mother who has just served 25 years in prison for killing her daughter who was Frank's sister.

It goes against everything VI wants to do. She does not want to dredge up all the memories of her childhood when her mother and father were both alive, but she is forced into helping when some old acquaintances start bad -mouthing her family and herself. At great risk to herself ,she sets out to clear the name of her famous cousin Boom Boom Warshawski who was a stellar hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks.

She's such a champion of the truth and will do anything to help people who come to her for help. Non-stop action, and the developing relationship between VI and her musician boyfriend Jake were what kept me flipping pages in this book. I highly recommend it. Feb 03, Paromjit rated it it was amazing Shelves: I have a great deal of affection for VI and Sara Paretsky, the author. I have read everything that Ms Paretsky has written and enjoyed all of it.

In this novel, we find Vic takes such a battering that it is a wonder that she lives to fight another day. In an intricately plotted and thrilling roller coaster of a ride, the story begins with Frank, asking Vic to look into his mother, Stella's conviction for murdering her daughter, Annie.

Stella is an obnoxious character who loathed the entire Warsh I have a great deal of affection for VI and Sara Paretsky, the author. Stella is an obnoxious character who loathed the entire Warshawski Family and in particular Vic's mother. Nevertheless, Vic investigates and finds herself in South Side and the murky, ruthless and corrupt world of Chicago politics and the mob. Vic retains her cast of friends and allies. She also has Bernie, the teenage daughter of Pierre Bouchard, staying with her. Bernie is your typical teenager in that she often acts before she thinks.

Vic finds herself having to fight for her life and endeavour to protect Bernie in a dangerous trail.

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When it looks like the guilty parties look set to get off scot free, Vic finds herself pushed into actions in an attempt to redress the balance. It is great to see Vic surviving. I am now looking forward to the next in the series! Jul 07, Deanna rated it really liked it Shelves: Warshawski, the PI with nine lives She attracts trouble like a magnet but always manages to get through it.

In Brush Back, she finds herself up against a Russian mob enforcer, but even more dangerous the Chicago Southside political machine that has extended into the Illinois state legislature. To have a perfect mascara. Run a dry tissue over the hair, and push the hair of the brush back into place. Jackie Robinson came the closest to getting a hit," said the "Barber," so-called because of his brush back pitches.

Former pitcher Sal Maglie recalls his days in the majors: I never did spot him in the thick brush back there. Brush back and forth, not side to side, to avoid damage. Better launching through PM. The work involves surveying trails for winter damage, helping to keep lake campsites clean, cutting brush back off trails and cleaning out water dips along trails. Pull some strands forward then gently brush back into ponytail using a large paddle brush so that it's not too flat to the head, but quite smooth on the top. How to look like a star. A bike trail where we would get to juice some spandex rollergoons as well as brush back testosterone-toting speed fags.