Hard Time

A V.I. Warshawski Novel

By: Sara Paretsky

Narrated by: Jean Smart

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

What secrets hide behind the razzle-dazzle of the entertainment industry? V.I. Warshawski is about to find out. Her friend, reporter Murray Ryerson, has just landed a plum job as host of a Global Entertainment network television show. On her way home from the party celebrating the event, V.I. stops to help a woman lying in the street. Her Good Samaritan act exposes dark truths, and suddenly V.I. finds herself playing a game she can only win by staying alive. This is the ninth novel in Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski series.

©1999 by Sara Paretsky (P)1999 by NewStar Media, Inc.

Excellent book - defective audio.

I really enjoyed this book very much. Very entertaining and captivating. However, the sound quality leaves something - much - to be desired, and the defect at the beginning of chapter 14 is a big problem. The sudden volume increase is jarring and could even be damaging to the ears if you were already listening at a relatively high volume. And... even after reducing the deafening volume, the sound quality form that point on is low quality. Great book - lousy audio!

GREAT story, rushed narrator

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was the best I’ve seen from this series thus far. The narrator, however, seriously rushed the reading...especially at the beginning of the book. I still loved the book, tho.

Fast moving plot and great character

Where does Hard Time rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's pretty high up on my list of whodunits. Sara Paretsky is a wonderful writer. Her principal character, P. I. Warshawski is a lovable, maddening, intrepid investigator who risks life and limb to get the bottom of the assassination of a young Phillipino immigrant on the bad streets of Chicago after almost running her over. She goes head to head with powerful players in the media, the police, the prison system, and although she gets beat up along the way, she comes out on top.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hard Time?

When Warshawski gets unjustly accused of kidnapping a kid and thrown in jail.

Which character – as performed by Jean Smart – was your favorite?

Warshawski. None other.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's a lot of fun but there are times when you get very anxious over Warshawski's risk taking.

Any additional comments?

Extremely entertaining and full of suspense.

Valley Girl

As usual, I enjoyed the plot of the book, although 3 Paretsky novels in 2 weeks has kind of worn me out for a bit. However, the narrator was awful. She has a terrible, Valley Girl inflection that makes the main character (a 40-something, career woman) sound like an entitled brat. Her "elderly Chicago native" accent sounds like he came from the Bronx, and all the children's characters are whiny. I almost returned this book in the first chapter, but don't have time right now to actually read the book. If she's my choice as narrator in the future, I will make the time.

Couldn't finish

This narrator is so awful I didn't make it through the first chapter. Her voice is just droning.

Terrible Narration

I truly enjoy Paretsky's stories! However, the narration in this presentation nearly ruined one of Paretsky's best works.

Solid Mystery

One of fiction's best characters is back with a well crafted mystery. It's a double barrel offering with great character and fascinating puzzle. It's not going to disappoint you.

Narration is awful

Narration was terrible she would often whisper I had to keep turning the sound up and down. Story line was so-so

Awesome

I have read many of Sara Paretsky's books and have enjoyed them all, but this book, I believe is by far her best. The story is so compelling, I couldn't "put it down". And Jean Smarts narrating, or should I say performance, was fantastic. She brought life to this book like no other has done for Paretsky's books on audible. I highly recommend this book.

VI wins again

I do not understand why so many criticisms are based on the quality of the recording as it played on their systems. I had NO problems with the volume changing as I listened and so had a marvelous experience listening to a terrific tale that kept me coming back for more. VI and Sara at their best.