Pay Dirt

Paretsky’s 22nd “V.I. Warshawski” mystery (following Overboard) finds Chicago private investigator V.I. Warshawski reeling from her tragic last case and in need of a break from investigating murders. Her friends send her to Lawrence, KS, for what is supposed to be a relaxing weekend away from detective work and a chance to see her protégée Angela’s college basketball game. However, the trip turns from relaxing to harrowing when Amanda pleads with her to stay in Kansas to find her roommate, who has disappeared. V.I.’s investigation encounters resistance from the local police, who do not want her working within their jurisdiction. Despite these obstacles, V.I. finds the missing girl in an opioid-induced stupor and later discovers the body of a much-hated activist who was poised to divulge hidden secrets of the town’s racist past. Longtime series narrator Susan Ericksen offers a pitch-perfect performance of V.I.’s determination and compassion, enhanced by a fast-paced delivery that will have listeners on the edge of their seats.