Thursday, April 25, 2019

SHELL GAME


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Shell Game, Sara Paretsky, HarperCollins, 2018, 398 pp
 
Sara Paretsky knocks another one out of the park in her latest novel, Shell Game. She takes on ICE, art fraud, and missing persons. At first the two people missing seem unrelated to each other. V I Warshawski has been implored by her tried and true friend Dr Lottie Hershel to find her missing nephew. The young Canadian archeologist, working at a Chicago museum, is a main suspect in a murder case. Meanwhile his girlfriend has been rounded up and put into detention by ICE for being an illegal alien.
 
Within a day V I gets a desperate call from her own young niece who has come to Chicago looking for her missing twin sister. The twins are V I's nieces by marriage, being the daughters of her ex-husband's deceased sister.

As is usual in a Sara Paretsky book, the tale is twisted, full of old axes to grind and as confusing to V I Warshawski as it is to the reader. I have read all of her books so I am used to this state of affairs and have complete faith in the author and her intrepid P I.

Eventually the twin plots become entwined. Everyone gets what they deserve but only after V I goes through her share of harrowing danger. Lee Child has a blurb on the front cover: "Sara Paretsky is a genius." She must be. How else does she remain sane while constructing such intricate plots and delving in to so much evil?

Also, in another case of reading synchronicity, Russian poets Anna Akmatova and Marina Tsvetaeva, whom I read just the other day, are mentioned by one of the characters!

12 comments:

  1. It always does amuse me when you read something which references something else you just saw for the first time moments ago - or mentions the very next book on your To Read Pile. Coincidences tickle me!

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  2. Sounds like a lot of fun. I understand that this is the 19th book in the series. That is a lot of books. Has the character or books changed much?

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    1. Somehow she keeps every book very fresh. I think that is because in each book she includes the main social conflicts of the time. Reading the series has been like reading a history of Chicago in the late 20th and early 21st centuries but also a history of America in those years. Her PI is female, very leftist and progressive and fighting for the overlooked, under represented people while exposing the crimes of the rich and powerful.

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    2. Funny, but I was going to ask what Brian asked, but in a slightly different way... How does the author keep her novels fresh? But you've answered the question nicely!

      P. S. Gotta love reading synchronicity. I'm curious to hear your thoughts about Anna Akmatova!

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    3. Good! I actually have only read Tsvetaeva so far. I am looking forward to reading some Akmatova poetry soon. Right now I am reading a Gwendolyn Brooks collection.

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  3. Going to get this one. Books You Loved May is on next Wednesday (here in NZ) so hope you'll share it then. Cheers

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  4. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this one!

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  5. I like how the Russian poets' names once again appear! Coincidence? I think not! Glad you enjoyed this one and it appears you are all caught up on each in this series!

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    1. Those Russian poets do get around! This is the only series I am caught up on though I am current on several of my favorite authors of stand alone novels.

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  6. It's always good to get reacquainted with a beloved character.

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    1. Yes it is! And to be caught up on a series.

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