Rating: 5/5
Review:
Classic Paretsky
I thought Shell Game was very good. I enjoyed Sara Paretsky’s
early books but I haven’t read one for many years. I’m pleased
to say that she’s still as good as ever.
Here, Vic is drawn
into two apparently separate investigations involving friends and
family as a young great-nephew of a close friend is suspected of
murder while a niece (sort of – it’s complicated) comes to her
because her sister has vanished. A complex plot develops involving
stolen Middle Eastern artefacts, corporate malfeasance, Russian
mobsters, Vic getting knocked about...well, it’s classic Paretsky.
There is a monumental coincidence at its heart, but it hangs together
well and makes an exciting and involving read.
Paretsky uses her
very well-drawn characters to cast light on the present-day USA, with
a convincing picture of the increasing, mindless conflation of
“muslim” and even “immigrant” with “terroroist,” and some
sharp stabs at the current political situation in general. Some are
a little crude, but for the most part she gives an intelligent
critique and creates a very convincing atmosphere.
Shell Game shows
that Sara Paretsky deserves her place in the pantheon of great
contemporary crime writers and that she is writing as well as ever.
I enjoyed it very much and I can recommend it warmly.
(My thanks to Hodder
& Stoughton for an ARC via NetGalley.)
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