Shell Game: V.I. Warshawski Series, Book 19
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Shell Game: V.I. Warshawski Series, Book 19 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Sara Paretsky (Author), Susan Ericksen (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,062 ratings
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  1. Listening Length
    15 hours and 2 minutes
  2. Author
    Sara Paretsky
  3. Narrator
    Susan Ericksen
  4. Audible release date
    October 16, 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B07DW9XBK4
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 15 hours and 2 minutes
Author Sara Paretsky
Narrator Susan Ericksen
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date October 16, 2018
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07DW9XBK4
Best Sellers Rank #72,418 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#312 in Hard-Boiled Mysteries (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,479 in Hard-Boiled Mystery
#2,233 in Women Sleuth Mysteries

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
2,062 global ratings
The best book I've read this year
5 Stars
The best book I've read this year
Sara Paretsky's new V.I. Warshawski mystery novel SHELL GAME was published this week. From the first page, I have not wanted to put it down. I kept wishing I could take two days off from all daily tasks and read to the end. The story is riveting. REALLY RIVETING. And all the while we are trying to figure out (alongside the unstoppable V.I.) who the malevolent people are who have committed a series of crimes, we are also learning all kinds of fascinating stuff about finance, archaeology, immigration policy, engineering, poetry and justice, until... by the end, we turn the page and realize we have figured out so much more. SHELL GAMES is the best book I have read all year. I suggest you buy yourself a hardcover copy immediately. You will then have time to order copies for holiday gifts. I am buying 5 copies immediately to give to my favorite peeps.
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Top reviews from the United States

KayS
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed it very much
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
I skipped her previous book because it was not set in Chicago, but she's back in Chicago for this case and I enjoyed it very much. Having lived in the Chicago area for most of my adult life, I get a kick out of picturing the landmarks and locations. Now that I live far away, it is like a visit to my former home. The story was engaging and very much set in today's world. One reviewer considered that a negative thing, but for me it only adds to my reading pleasure.
2 people found this helpful
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Laurel-Rain Snow
4.0 out of 5 stars TWISTED & CONVOLUTED DANGERS
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
Acclaimed detective V. I. Warshawski tackles a pair of perplexing cases involving those closest to her in this compelling and timely adventure that centers on some of the most divisive and pressing issues of our time

When V. I Warshawski gets word that her closest friend and mentor Lotty Herschel’s nephew has become a suspect in a murder, the legendary detective will do everything she can to save him. The cops found Felix Herschel’s name and phone number on the unknown victim’s remains, but Felix insists he doesn’t know why.

As Vic digs deeper, she discovers that the dead man was obsessed with Middle Eastern archaeology—the first clue in a bewildering case that leads to a stolen artifact and a shadowy network of international criminals. But the trouble multiplies when Vic’s long-lost niece, Reno, goes missing. A beautiful young woman with a heartbreaking past and a promising future, Reno is harboring a secret that may cost her her life. V.I. can hear the clock ticking on her niece’s safety and is frantic in her efforts to find her.

Vic won’t leave any stone unturned until these very personal cases are cleared—a complex investigation that will entangle the Russian mob, ISIS backers, rogue ICE agents, a nefarious corporation preying on the poor, and a shady network of stock scams and stolen antiquities stretching from Chicago to the East Indies and the Middle East.

In Shell Game, no one can be trusted and nothing is what it seems, except for the indomitable detective and her thirst for justice.

My Thoughts:

When V.I. takes on a case to help her dear friend Lotty, she had no idea that her own life and the welfare of her family would be at risk in Shell Game.

Twists and turns involving mobs, ISIS followers, and the ICE take V.I. down some dangerous pathways, and kept me rapidly turning pages.

So many convoluted moments held me hostage throughout, and even when Vic had figured out much of what her enemies were about, she was almost too far into the danger to change things.

Money, antiquities, and scams kept the danger close at hand, and even with the help of a few good friends, V.I. could not see the end in sight.

I loved every moment of this tale and couldn’t wait to see how Vic would solve the cases. A 4.5 star read.

***
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J. Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelent Addition to the Series
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
I had read a couple of Sara Paretski's VI Warshawski stories many years ago. I started again a couple of months ago with a couple of free audible books that came with my subscription. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed these. Shell Game extends the series with VI being her usual irrespective self with both the police and others. One of the interesting things throughout is how she interweaves paid work with the work done for her honor. I've gone back to re-ready the first book in the series 'Indemnity Only' and I was impressed by how true Paretski has kept to VI's original character while continuing to build and increase the complexity. An excellent rean and a great series from a master of the kraft of writing.
2 people found this helpful
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Susan Kasper
5.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of V.I. Warshawski experience
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
This V.I. novel is very timely, highlighting issues surrounding Muslim immigrants as a background for the central plot. There are bad guys, stolen artifacts, a narcissistic, ruthless billionaire, and the usual array of well known people and pets in Vic's
life.
Paretsky's writing, as always, is top notch, with well drawn characters, an interesting plot and a somewhat satisfying outcome. Without spoiling it for future readers, I can say I would have preferred a more diabolical punishment for the villian.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
I couldn't put this down, and read it in two days. It amazes me that it is so well-written at a time when Ms. Paretsky was going through the stressful final times of her husband's illness. After her husband's death, I couldn't bring myself to begin reading the book. Having been a fan and having read all her novels since she started them, I mourned with her. Finally, when I read this book, I cannot express how proud and in awe I am of this woman. Brava!
2 people found this helpful
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Lorensd1
3.0 out of 5 stars Long and complicated
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
The lack of understanding of the key character, the squirrel, ruined it for me. They nest high in trees not stumps on the ground and never aggressively assault trespassers. They just run. A mouse or rat would have worked better. Long read that that left me anxious to get to a better book.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Joyce Sala
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, impossible to put down
Reviewed in Spain on October 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
Absolutely gripping and full of unexpected turns. Pure Sara Paretzky style. V.Warshawsky is my favorite detective: woman, steely at work, soft-hearted with deserving human beings.
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moniek baars
5.0 out of 5 stars Pageturner
Reviewed in the Netherlands on September 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
Als altijd: snel, zonder vrees, en met een groot rechtvaardigheidsgevoel duikt Vic op de problemen af. Ze redt mensen en waardevolle kunstwerken uit de oudheid
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Cracking story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
Brilliant writing and clever plotting make this a much better detective novel than the procedurals you get online. Breaks away from a formula and reinforces character over stereotypes.
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Laura G.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
I adore Sara Parestsky's books, have read them all more than once, this one will be no exception!
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Kazuko
4.0 out of 5 stars 少々ネタバレ
Reviewed in Japan on January 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
森の中で若い男の遺体が発見され、そのポケットの中に、ヴィクの盟友ロティの甥のフェリックスの名前と電話番号を書いた紙があったので、彼は夜中にの2時ごろ現場に呼び出され、助けを求められたヴィクも同行する。翌日、元夫の姪が、姉が行方不明なので探してほしいと尋ねてくる。ギャラの発生しないこの２つの事件のために、ヴィクはあちこち不法侵入しつつ走り回り、結末までに３度襲撃されてほとんど死にそうになる。ヴィクはそろそろ５０歳前後のはずだが、いつまでこんな目に合うのか…　ロティも、９０歳代のコントレーラス氏もすこぶる元気である。
年利率400％の消費者金融、やりたい放題の大金持ち、金融詐欺、薬物中毒の親による子供の虐待、中東の遺跡の発掘、不法滞在移民など、盛りだくさんの内容で面白いが、詳細の処理がやや雑で、最後まで読んでも説明のつかない点が多くある。
例えば、身元不明だった遺体が誰かについて、ヴィクに匿名で電話が入るが、誰が電話したか明かされないし、そうしそうな人物も存在しない。
ネタバレしすぎるのもまずいので、具体的には書かないが、姪の姉妹が襲われる原因にも無理がある感じがする。細部をきっちり詰めてほしかった。
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