critical

Critical Mass
(2013)
Sara Paretsky

One thing I’ve found that I appreciate about reading Sara Paretsky’s work is that you don’t necessarily have to read them in order or have read the entire series to enjoy each of her V.I. Warshawski mysteries on their own. I have read a lot of mystery/thriller series in the past and continue to read them, and I find this a very difficult thing for most authors to accomplish. V.I. is an intriguing protagonist, but Paretsky has set up her personal word in such a way that it can be introduced quickly and simply, without a lot of time wasted on why certain people are around – or aren’t around as the case may be. I find this rather refreshing. Instead of being caught up in the drama of the detective, we can focus more intently on the case at hand – although V.I.’s gifts and flaws, successes and unhealed wounds still play their roles.

In Critical Mass, it is friend and Holocaust survivor Lotty who draws V.I. into her most recent mystery. This time she is looking for the missing daughter of another survivor that escaped to London with Lotty in the kinder transport. While looking for the missing woman, V.I. discovers she is not the only person missing and that missing documents as well may link her current case to one of national security.

The story is tightly written and well-paced, with plenty of twists and turns. I wouldn’t say everything about it is entirely believable, but rarely do I find a mystery that doesn’t require some suspension of disbelief somewhere along the line. The tale does move between two different timelines – current-day Chicago and Holocaust-era Vienna – but I did not have difficulty keeping track of when and where things were taking place. There is a lot going on in this book: the race for the first nuclear bomb, dirty cops, rural meth houses, homeland security, current cutting-edge computer technology, Project Paperclip, and more. It can be a lot to take in, but Paretsky has managed it all in an even-handed manner. Just be prepared that it isn’t the lightest read.

I look forward to reading more of the V.I. Warshawski books, new or already published. My experience so far has been very enjoyable.

Note: I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.