I have only read about 1/3rd of the Paretsky V.I. series, but this, by recollection, is above average in that series.It's a fairly densely written novel for this genre, certainly more so than Grafton and less so than Elizabeth George.It kept me busy and involved and I enjoyed it. Incented me to read more of her books. I liked the depiction of V.I., her significant other, and the female who gets murdered in terms of character development.Paul