Review: BlackList

This is the latest book in the V.I. Warshawski series, and is one of the best. Darraugh Graham, one of V.I.'s regular clients, hires her to check out his mother's complaints. Geraldine Graham is 91, living in an apartment overlooking the former family mansion, now empty after the last purchaser declared bankruptcy. Geraldine has seen lights in the old place; the local police can find nothing, and Darraugh hires V.I. to try to satisfy his mother that her complaints are being taken seriously, and investigated. V.I.'s first nighttime check of the premises results in the discovery of a dead body, an encounter with a wealthy teenaged girl, and the first of several difficult meetings with the police force of the wealthy suburb where the mansion is located. Then the situation becomes complicated.

There are two parallel plots one involving the McCarthy era, and one involving the current American political situation. Old sins case long shadows; V.I. finds that the secrets of the wealthy and powerful, both liberal and conservative, of the 1940s and 50s, have resulted in death and injury today. At the same time, she has to struggle with today's fears and prejudices, as she runs afoul of the F.B.I. and the provisions of the Patriot Act. Being V.I., she twists and turns, dodges and manipulates, so as to carry out what she sees as her duty to her clients - both Geraldine, her son, the teenager, and the family of the man whose dead body she finds.

The novel also describes the intertwining of race, power and politics in the United States. Again, there are parallels - the black artists and intellectuals of the 1940s and 50s with the black businessmen and professionals of 2003, and with the Middle Eastern poor service workers of 2003.

I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable and gripping book,. Although I've enjoyed Ms. Paretsky's past novels, I think this is probably the best of them. It works as a mystery novel, as a description of life in certain circles in a very highly charged part of American history, and as political commentary.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: BlackList

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.