A powerful V.I. Warshawski mystery that exposes corruption, class struggle, and courage on Chicago’s gritty South Side.
 
When V.I. Warshawski agrees to coach the girls’ basketball team at her old South Chicago high school, she expects a challenge—but not murder. A local company that supports the school faces sabotage, and when a deadly explosion rocks the plant, V.I. is pulled into a case that unravels secrets of greed, exploitation, and family loyalty. What begins as volunteer work turns into a dangerous battle for justice among Chicago’s forgotten neighborhoods.
 
In Fire Sale, Sara Paretsky delivers one of her most socially charged and emotionally rich V.I. Warshawski mysteries. Returning to her roots on the South Side, V.I. confronts corporate corruption, toxic greed, and the broken promises made to working-class families.
As she balances loyalty to the kids she coaches with her need to expose the truth, V.I. uncovers layers of deception that reach from the assembly line to the boardroom. Paretsky’s vivid storytelling captures Chicago’s industrial heart and the people fighting to preserve dignity in a system stacked against them.
 
Blending suspense with moral courage, Fire Sale is a gripping mystery and a powerful reflection on class, resilience, and conscience in modern America.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A socially conscious mystery with deep emotional impact.
Features V.I. Warshawski’s fierce determination and compassion.
Explores Chicago’s working-class struggles with authenticity.
Strong mix of suspense, character, and conscience.
A must-read entry in the acclaimed Warshawski series.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Sue Grafton, Denise Mina, and Michael Connelly.
Readers who enjoy intelligent, female-led detective fiction.
Chicago mystery lovers and social-justice-oriented readers.
Book clubs exploring class, ethics, and community in fiction.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Fire Sale, you might also like:
Blacklist by Sara Paretsky — another Warshawski case tackling class and politics.
A Red Death by Walter Mosley — social justice meets noir.
Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman — suspense rooted in community and consequence.