From Publishers Weekly
This sixth adventure of Chicago private eye Victoria Iphenigia Warshawski begins with arson and proceeds to homicide. "While everyone else in this complicated, occasionally tedious plot urges her toward traditional female paths, V.I. resolutely forges her own trail, maintaining the spunk and humor that have earned her a large, devoted following," said PW. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Review
"Paretsky's best book to date." --  Kansas City Star

  "V.I. Warshawsi is good company and a rich discovery  awaiting those who have yet to meet her." --  Los Angeles Times

"Sara Paretsky just keeps getting better and better!"  -- The Atlanta Journal  -constitution

"Another triumph for Ms.  Paretsky, her most captivating novel yet... V.I.  herself [is] undoubtedly on of the best-written  characters in mystery fiction." -- The  Baltimore Sun


Review
"Paretsky's best book to date." --  Kansas City Star

  "V.I. Warshawsi is good company and a rich discovery  awaiting those who have yet to meet her." --  Los Angeles Times

"Sara Paretsky just keeps getting better and better!"  -- The Atlanta Journal  -constitution

"Another triumph for Ms.  Paretsky, her most captivating novel yet... V.I.  herself [is] undoubtedly on of the best-written  characters in mystery fiction." -- The  Baltimore Sun


From the Publisher
Someone knocking on the door at 3 A.M. is never good news. For V.I. Warshawski, the bad news arrives in the form of her wacky, unwelcome aunt Elena. The fire that has just burned down a sleazy SRO hotel has brought Elena to V.I.'s doorstep. Uncovering an arsonist -- and the secrets hidden behind Elena's boozy smile -- will send V.I. into the seedy world of Chicago's homeless... into the Windy City's backroom deals and bedroom politics, where new schemers and old cronies team up to get V.I. off the case -- by hook, by crook, or by homocide.

"Paretsky's best book to date." -- Kansas City Star

"V.I. Warshawsi is good company and a rich discovery awaiting those who have yet to meet her." -- Los Angeles Times

"Sara Paretsky just keeps getting better and better!" -- The Atlanta Journal -constitution

"Another triumph for Ms. Paretsky, her most captivating novel yet... V.I. herself [is] undoubtedly on of the best-written characters in mystery fiction." -- The Baltimore Sun


From the Inside Flap
Someone knocking on the door at 3 A.M. is never  good news. For V.I. Warshawski, the bad news  arrives in the form of her wacky, unwelcome aunt Elena.  The fire that has just burned down a sleazy  SRO hotel has brought Elena to  V.I.'s doorstep. Uncovering an arsonist  -- and the secrets hidden behind Elena's boozy  smile -- will send V.I. into the  seedy world of Chicago's homeless... into the Windy  City's backroom deals and bedroom politics, where  new schemers and old cronies team up to get V.I.  off the case -- by hook, by crook, or by  homocide.


From the Back Cover
"Paretsky's best book to date." -- Kansas City Star

"V.I. Warshawsi is good company and a rich discovery awaiting those who have yet to meet her." -- Los Angeles Times"Sara Paretsky just keeps getting better and better!" -- The Atlanta Journal -constitution"Another triumph for Ms. Paretsky, her most captivating novel yet... V.I. herself [is] undoubtedly on of the best-written characters in mystery fiction." -- The Baltimore Sun

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Someone knocking on the door at 3 A.M. is never good news. For V.I. Warshawski, the bad news arrives in the form of her wacky, unwelcome aunt Elena. The fire that has just burned down a sleazy SRO hotel has brought Elena to V.I.'s doorstep. Uncovering an arsonist — and the secrets hidden behind Elena's boozy smile — will send V.I. into the seedy world of Chicago's homeless... into the Windy City's backroom deals and bedroom politics, where new schemers and old cronies team up to get V.I. off the case — by hook, by crook, or by homocide.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly