Mysterious Thoughts on a Thursday

January 23, 2013

2013 has gotten off to a great start with a book everyone agreed is worthy of 5 magnifying glasses! Thursday’s Mystery Book Club discussed Hardball by Sara Paretsky. Vic Warshawski takes on a 40 year old missing person’s case. Lamont Gadsden was involved in the race riots of the sixties and disappeared soon after a young girl was killed during King’s march through the park. Little does she know how this will snowball out of control.

Lamont’s disappearance, a homeless guy’s collapse, her cousin Petra’s appearance in Chicago, a baseball found in her father’s stuff, a firebombing and nun’s death, and a high powered political campaign will all find a connection. The writing was superb. She tackled a very sensitive subject and made you feel the tension of the time. The plot fit the time and place.

The group highly recommend this one for anyone wanting a great discussion book. This book could stand alone. One doesn’t have to have read any of the previous Warshawski books for this book to make sense.

V.I. Warshawski Books:

1. Indemnity Only (1982)
2. Deadlock (1984)
3. Killing Orders (1985)
4. Bitter Medicine (1987)
5. Blood Shot (1988)
6. Burn Marks (1990)
7. Guardian Angel (1992)
8. Tunnel Vision (1994)
9. Hard Time (1999)
10. Total Recall (2001)
11. Blacklist (2003)
12. Fire Sale (2005)
13. Hardball (2009)
14. Body Work (2010)
15. Breakdown (2012)

On February 14th, we will be discussing The Chalk Girl by Carol O’Connell. Books for the current month’s selection can be picked up at the Blue Ridge Branch.

Michelle L.
Blue Ridge Branch