Rating: 
Summary: A waste of effort, paper, publishing time and fifty cents
Review: A comment--YUCK A question--WHY?Even though I am a V.I. fan of many years and have been waiting for another in the series, this offering would be horrible even without the prior knowledge that Ms. Paretsky is capable of involving and exciting writing. If Ms. Paretsky was tired of V.I., then either end the series or take a longer break from writing. The fifty cents that was wasted was my library reserve fee--I certainly am glad that I didn't spend more than that!!
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: after waiting so long to read another book by Ms. Paretsky (not necessarily another V.I.), i was very disappointed. i didn't care about the characters (they were all selfish, mean, etc.) and the story just seemed to ramble. the basis for the story was good but what did we learn? 'Ghost Country' reminds me of Martha Grimes' first foray without Inspector Jury/Melrose Plant ('End of the Pier') ... frightening, depressing book. but the second one in that series was great. maybe further adventures of Mara, Hector, Harriet, etc. will be more palatable.
Rating: 
Summary: This is one strange book.
Review: Although this book is sympathetic to women, poor and homeless people and critical of anti-women, patriarchal church leaders, showing what they're really all about, it's a weird book. Paretsky makes some very good points showing a lot of the contradictions in today's society, the problems of the homeless and of poor women and the lack of decent shelters, funding, decent health care and mental health care--but the points are almost lost in the strange story and weird religious allegories. The reader gets bogged down in all of this while Paretsky is making good points about society today and the need for solutions to these very real social problems.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent depiction of contemporary urban scene.
Review: GHOST STORY is a good read with a cast of memorable urban (Chicago) characters involved in the doings of two grown granddaughters of a prominent, now-elderly neurosurgeon. Along the way Ms. Paretsky adroitly skewers the new urban fundamentalism, managed-care health facilities, hotel conglomerates while showing intelligent (as in not necessarily pc) sensitivity to the urban down-and-outs and the modern (or are they much more ancient?) saints among us. Much more value per pound and crisper than Grisham's street lawyer. Ms. Paretsky, you may bring V.I.back but please keep mining this lode as well!
Rating:
Summary: A truly awful book.
Review: Have always enjoyed V.I. and so went in expecting this book to be enjoyable and moderately well-done. I've rarely read anything so contrived, so full of characters that even a mother couldn't love (no wonder all the mothers died...) and so devoid of any redeeming qualities (like plot, depth, character development, etc.) Would definitely recommend giving this one a miss. Wait for the next Warshawski.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking and riveting
Review: Having been told this book had bad reviews and is about the homeless, I was surprised at my reluctance to put it down. It raises challenging questions about the underlying truths in all of our lives. It tells a surface story about each of the characters, then an underlying narrative about their faith, value systems, morality. One story takes place at "street level", another "underground, in dreams, fantasies". It raises questions about the demons with which the author has wrestled and causes the reader to reflect on the inner challenges in his or her life. Reminds us that no one is all good or all bad, but we are all human and face life's struggles as best we can.
Rating: 
Summary: Ms. Paretsky spreads her wings and flies.
Review: I am a great fan of the Paretsky not only for what she has written in book form, but for what she has done for mystery writers in general. I was pleased to see that she has taken a break from V.I. to try her hand at a more serious novel. Her talent shines, and this book shows that she can contribute in a lasting way to American literature. Perhaps more V.I.'s and more Ghost Country's are one the way. Hope so.
Rating:
Summary: "Ghost Country" will change your perception of homelessness.
Review: I didn't expect to like this book as I have been waiting years for the next installment of V.I. Warshawski's sleuthing and this is not it. But Sara Paretsky has written an amazing book about how inhuman we humans can become and how the human spirit can survive the unspeakable. This may sound too heavy or uninteresting but, as I read, I wanted to know what would become of the main characters. I wanted the sisters to see their grandfather for the emotionally crippled, love-less creature that he was. This novel shows how different are perception and reality and that what appears to be true is often not. I highly recommend this book. I for one will look at the homeless with different eyes now.
Rating:
Summary: Nauseating
Review: I found this title extremely disappointing. My expectations were obviously too high. A really weird offering from Paretsky. I truly felt sick to my stomach after reading this book - unsure if it's a touch of flu or the content of this "offering." I'm glad I borrowed the book from my library and didn't buy it; I'd feel ripped off.
Rating:
Summary: Bad introduction to Paretsky
Review: I had heard good things about Sara Paretsky, but when i read Ghost Country i was very disappointed. It was boring and didn't keep me hanging on. Definitly not a page-turner.
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