Overboard

A Novel (V.I. Warshawski Novels, Book 22)

By: Sara Paretsky

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

"Readers can find comfort in the dedication V.I. gives the cries for help she hears from friends, neighbors, and strangers... Very few series authors deliver as masterfully as Sara Paretsky.” — San Francisco Book Review

Legendary detective V.I. Warshawski uncovers a nefarious conspiracy preying on Chicago’s weak and vulnerable, in this thrilling novel from New York Times bestseller Sara Paretsky

On her way home from an all-night surveillance job, V.I. Warshawski’s dogs lead her on a mad chase that ends when they discover a badly injured teen hiding in the rocks along Lake Michigan. The girl only regains consciousness long enough to utter one enigmatic word. V.I. helps bring her to a hospital, but not long after, she vanishes before anyone can discover her identity. As V.I. attempts to find her, the detective uncovers an ugly consortium of Chicago powerbrokers and mobsters who are prepared to kill the girl. And now V.I.’s own life is in jeopardy as well.

Told against the backdrop of a city emerging from its pandemic lockdown, Overboard lays bare the dark secrets and corruption buried in Chicago’s neighborhoods in a masterly fashion.

©2022 Sara Paretsky (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Another wonderful book in this series!

Overall really loved the book the only part that I struggled with is the author bringing the Covid topic into the story. Seems like that was mentioned way to often throughout the book.

The voice of VI

I was reviewing some of the messages- for those of us that have read all the VI books by listening; Susan Erickson is as much a part of these books as Pepe and Mr. Contreras. Please keep her and keep writing VI into life.

My review for Overboard

Loved the storyline and all the twists and turns. 1 complaint....constantly mentioning Covid 19, masks, etc added absolutely nothing to the story. I kept waiting to read a paragraph that was a promo for getting the vaccine.

...and Sometime Overwrought

Been a longtime supporter of Sara Paretsky's series and a longtime Chicagoan (now claiming dual citizenship from a distance.) I enjoy V.I.'s passion and persistence in most of the cases that pull her in. As with many of the reviewers I grew weary of the abundant COVID conceits interwoven into the stacked storylines that framed this tale. Narration by Susan Ericksen earns mixed reviews. She had the daunting tasks to take on multiple linguistic/ethnic accents with both recurring characters and those new to this work. Will give Susan credit there. I will add that it seemed as if she shot up on heavy doses of testosterone in bringing several of the male baddies to the mic given the potting up of apoplectic voices and the temperaments delivered. Despite all that, I stuck with it and pretended I was on a long bus ride tour of Lincoln Park, Goose Island, Homan Square, the North Shore, etc.. Old home week. I gave four stars overall to Paretsky's for bringing this complex odyssey home to a mostly satisfactory ending.

Still brings the great multiple plots.

Been here since the beginning and what a great ride we are on. If you started
With this book, be sure to start from the beginning.

Good story, as usual. Not the best narrator

I've been reading Sara Paretsky for years and love V. I.'s character. This book has an intricate plot, and it seemed one thread was unresolved at the end. Unfortunately, the performance of the narrator made the book less enjoyable than it should have been. Where Vic would be definitive and assertive, the narrator made her assertions sound less than firm. There was an upward end to the sentences sometimes (sort of an up-talker, if you're a Seinfeld fan.) Sometimes she seemed to be confused about which character she was voicing and the wrong voice was used for a character. Mr. Contreras! Oh, poor Mr. Contreras sounded like Jimmy Durante (younger folks, look him up.) It's too bad because it's really convenient for me to listen to books, but I won't be listening to any more by this narrator. Maybe other Sara Paretsky books are read by someone else.

Peretsky is a genius. And a hero in her own right.

Ms. Peretsky is one of my political heroes. Weaving the gritty and ugly truths of our world —no matter the decade — and giving us an imperfect heroine in V.I. Peretsky’s PI isn’t delusional enough to think she can fix all the wrongs, but neither does she turn a blind eye to the wrongs she MIGHT be able to expose, correct or eliminate.
Overboard is a tricky and wild ride. V.I. In all of her audacious and crafty glory. Don’t miss it.

Excellent

Excellent story. Excellent reader. I am never disappointed by Sara Paretsky’s stories nor Susan Ericksen’s narrations.

Loved it!!!

Book 22 and Paretsky's social message/lessons, characters, story structure, details and plot are as compelling, as/ as strong as, if stronger than, ever!!!

better narration needed

The storyline was of interest. Fairly consistent with prior books and the character development. However the narration was a huge disappointment. If not for the desire to keep up with the character, I would not have finished. I absolutely could not stand the vocals assigned to Mr Contreras. At best it was bad stereotyping.