Sara Paretsky revolutionized the mystery world when she introduced her private detective, “V.I. Warshawski,” in her 1982 novel Indemnity Only. By creating a strong female investigator who uses her wits as well as her fists, Paretsky challenged the conventions of a genre in which women traditionally were either vamps or victims. Fourteen other “Warshawski” novels followed, all national bestsellers, including her most recent, Breakdown. The Los Angeles Times says, “Paretsky is unique among the women writing about women,” while Publishers Weekly claims, “Among today’s P.I.’s nobody comes close to Warshawski.” In addition to her “Warshawski” novels, Paretsky has written Ghost Country, which blends comedy, magic, and gritty realism in Chicago’s mean streets. She has also edited three collections of short stories and her books are published in 24 languages.  Also, while Paretsky is primarily known for her detective fiction, she is an avid commentator on politics and gender.  She helped open doors for other women by creating a world-wide organization to support women crime writers ("Sisters in Crime").   

Paretsky’s deep-rooted concern for social justice—the hallmark of her novels—has carried her voice beyond the world of crime fiction. In her powerful book Writing in an Age of Silence, she explores the traditions of political and literary dissent that have informed her life and work against the unparalleled repression of free speech and thought in the US today. As a frequent contributor to the New York Times’ op-ed page and a speaker at the Library of Congress, Oxford University, and the University of Chicago, she is an impassioned advocate for those on society’s margins.

To learn more about Dr. Sara Paretsky, please visit her website.

The LDCW Book Club will be discussing two of Paretsky's books, Hardball and Body Work in preparation for her lecture.  Meetings will take place in the Center and dates for those discussions are:

January 30, 12:00-1:00pm: Hardball

February 27, 12:00-1:00pm: Body Work 

February 27, 1:00-2:00pm: Hardball

February 28, 12:00-1:00pm: Hardball

Following Paretsky's lecture, a brief reception and book signing will be held in the lobby outside of the auditorium.  Copies of Hard Ball will be available for purchase, but you are welcome to bring your favorite Paretsky book.

The Luann Dummer Lecture Series features a distinguished woman speaker each March, Women's History Month.  Established in 1994 through a gift from the estate of Dr. Luann Dummer, the lecture series is open to the St. Thomas community and the public.