Rating: 
Summary: Blacklist
Review: I really enjoyed this book.V.I. must face corruption among the scions of rich families, and the ghosts of 1950's witchhunts rise up to threaten the civil liberties of the modern day. This was a stronger book, in my opinion, than the recent "recovered memory" Warshawski book, and probably better than the "women's prison" one as well, though I liked that. Paretsky has created a strong and real-seeming character who continues to appeal through multiple novels; the plot is both exciting and plausible; and, unlike in some installments, the antagonists in Blacklist are believable. I like Paretsky's politics, as expressed in her books: left-wing in the sense of humanist concern for the working class, rather than in the sense of silly New Agey political correctness. This sensible point of view is one of the books' attractions, especially compared to the radical-right-wing paranoia of some other mystery/thriller authors. Blacklist provides a good balance of action and character-centered drama, with some trenchant critique of modern politics thrown in. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Could have been--should have been--better
Review: I see from reading other reviews that I am not the only reader who feels the book is marred by its political preoccupations. It's one thing to be involved in a debate; it's another to hold forth when you're the only one who gets to talk--Paretsky usually keeps her preaching under control but here it really dominates the book. This detracts from the story; she needs to separate her novelist and her op-ed instincts. It's not as if she expresses her concerns with any subtlely, after all--those who don't hold her views are routinely denigrated as evil and greedy, not a stance that is likely to persuade anyone who doesn't cheerfully accept the same simplistic formulae she does. As one of her hated right-wingers, I can't say her caricatures are very compelling, though I do think she raises interesting questions about the Patriot Act, which I plan to look into (though it would have been nice if her lawyer character had had an answer to Warshawski's question; as long as she was preaching, why not provide some real information?). More troubling than the predictable political positions were some of those expressed by Warshawski, who seemed quite seriously to consider that murder might be acceptable as long as the victim was an evil commie-baiter (character based on Roy Cohn). This came up a couple of times, even to the point where the idealistic detective seriously considers dropping the investigation into the journalist's murder (that of the politician is apparently not worth pursuing) because she is afraid her findings will damage the reputation of a liberal icon, the hero of her youth, and become fodder for the dreaded right-wingers. It's interesting, to say the least, that we are supposed to swallow the author's line on those with views more conservative than her own--they are, to a wo/man, self-serving, ruthless, hypocritical, etc., but her own heroine can consider ignoring murder in the cause of holding up the liberal head. This goes somewhat deeper than hypocrisy and the ruining of careers, which are the sins of those she despises in this book--yet I don't imagine that we are meant to regard the heroine with the detestation those other characters apparently richly deserve. I find this quite disturbing; Sara Paretsky needs to tend to her moral compass. Finally, I find the writing to be of a lower quality than the earlier books. There are labored references to Ashcroft and other current matters that feel forced into the dialogue to make a point rather than because they flow naturally. Much of the cleverness seems weaker than usual. Most annoying of all, there are repetitions that bespeak laziness or haste--Catherine Bayard is described as "ardent" at least 15 times, and I got the point after the first appearance of the word. That said, I disagree with some reviewers about the plotting. I enjoyed the complexity of the plot and the various characters. A couple of the rich ones come throught as sympathetic, surprisingly, while mostly the rich are cardboard cutouts. But at least they're bad and not boring, which is more than can be said for most of the unfortunate black characters--the dead man and his sister and her friend aren't given much in the way of personality--is that because they're good guys?
Rating: 
Summary: I thought it was very good
Review: I thought it was very good, and I'm perplexed as to why it got so many negative reviews here. I didn't think it was of lesser quality that any of Paretsky's previous books. Vic's investigations are interesting as ever and it's nice to read a mystery that also has strong political views.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to Follow
Review: I used to enjoy the V.I. Warshawski novels, but no more. Blacklist has too many characters, none of which I really cared about. The plot was very confusing and somewhat contrived. The only reason I am finishing this book is because I paid for it and I can't afford not to read it. But no more V.I. Warshawski for me.
Rating: 
Summary: Paretsky - the LAST
Review: I've avidly read the VI novels over the years, even enjoyed the movie version -- but this will be the LAST I ever read. The 'classic VI' storyline has finally been reduced to mass-regurgitation of characters, formulaic conversations and incidents. The final straw in this book is the total submerging of any faint 'new' plot in a naieve, wandering , nonsensical political diatribe.
Save your money for a REAL author.
Rating:
Summary: enjoyable
Review: I've been a fan of V.I. for many years now. None of the books disappoint me and this one was right on the money. It moves quickly and, even though V.I. has gotten older, her wits and lines are as sharp as ever. Ms. Paretsky does an excellent job of blending the political situation and general atmosphere after 9/11 into the plot and bringing in the McCarthy era past as well. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the obvious plot devices and 'coincidences' that happen too regularly. But, if one can overlook those, it's a great read and a lot of fun.
Rating:
Summary: Total Loser
Review: If you want to read left-wing propoganda then this is the book for you. This series is in serious need of a transfusion, and this book doesn't offer it. If you haven't read this book, skip it.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!!!
Review: Kathleen Turner's V.I. was so hard to take that I swore to never pick up a Paretsky book. A couple of weeks ago, desperate for something to read, I picked up this book at a friend's house and couldn't put it down. It was great! Although some of the characters were a little hard to take (Mrs. Graham, Rene Bayards), I absolutely loved V.I. and especially how Paretsky allowed us to look into her mind and see her faults! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: time for Paretsky to fade away?
Review: Oh, what a dreary series this has become. The plots are more mechanical and more contrived, the coincidences more forced, the "free in every box" politcal polemics more windy. If you were disappointed in the last couple of books, beware: this one's slid another couple of notches downhill. Pity. Plucky Vic deserves better.
Rating:
Summary: A fine addition
Review: One of my college professors said that you evaluate the quality of a fine book by seeing how many different things the author can juggle. In this case, Paretsky does of fine job of juggling the old communist/anti-communist past, the Patriot Act present, social class, and intertwining plots. Her handling of character has enriched and improved and the quality of the writing is outstanding. OK--if you want short and quick, read Evanovich. But you'll find the time well spent with V.I.'s latest outing.
| 
