In a welcome return to the crime fiction genre, acclaimed author Sara Paretsky is set to release her latest novel, *Bad Company*, this November. The highly anticipated release promises a compelling narrative centred on an unconventional protagonist, Lily Sedako—a former CIA agent navigating the challenges of seniority while striving to uncover disturbing truths from her past.
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*Bad Company,* published by Minotaur Books, introduces readers to Lily Sedako, a woman in her seventies who leads a seemingly ordinary life in Chicago. However, her mundane existence belies a thrilling history; Lily once operated as a CIA field agent, notably in the politically tumultuous territory of Hayalistan, which was once part of the Soviet Union. Her storied past includes navigating a coup in 2002 that resulted in the removal—and presumed death—of the first democratically elected president of that region.
The plot thickens when Lily receives an unexpected package that re-ignites her old connections. Inside, she finds an article detailing the events in Hayalistan, accompanied by a photograph in which she unknowingly lurks in the background. This revelation sets off a chain of events leading Lily back into a complex web of intrigue, as she strives to identify the shadowy individual intent on exposing her past.
Paretsky, who first made her mark on the literary world in 1982 with *Indemnity Only*, which introduced the groundbreaking character V.I. Warshawski, has long been a pioneer in depicting strong, resilient women in the realm of crime fiction. Her contributions have profoundly influenced the genre, moving away from traditional portrayals of female characters as either mere victims or seductresses.
Reflecting on her journey as a storyteller, Paretsky notes that the inspiration for *Bad Company* stemmed from personal experience. “A year ago, I fell ignominiously from my bed in a Paris hotel,” she recalls. This incident forced her to ponder the realities faced by older women—individuals who may once have been celebrated for their physical capabilities but now face the limitations of ageing.
Paretsky did not wish to simply introduce V.I. Warshawski to the realities of old age, but rather sought to explore a different narrative through Lily Sedako. “My aim was to discover how an older woman could still emerge triumphant in a crisis,” she explains. As Lily’s journey unfolds, Paretsky poses a critical question: how can a woman with such a formidable past survive in a world where powerful entities, like the CIA, would resort to extreme measures—including murder—to silence her?
The novel is designed to resonate on various levels, examining themes of love, power, corruption, ageing, trust, and revenge. As Paretsky elaborates, “The pleasure and challenge of writing *Bad Company* was to weave a convincing story of survival in a risk-laden environment.”
With its rich, layered narrative, *Bad Company* aims to spotlight the agency and effectiveness of older women during a time when their contributions are often overlooked. Readers are promised a tale that not only compels but also challenges societal perceptions about ageing and female empowerment.
Scheduled for publication on 10th November 2023, *Bad Company* is currently available for pre-order across various retail platforms. Paretsky’s keen insight into the challenges and triumphs of her characters ensures that this new release will be a thought-provoking addition to her esteemed body of work.
As anticipation builds for this latest offering, it is clear that Sara Paretsky continues to lead the way in redefining narratives surrounding women in crime fiction, marking another significant chapter in her illustrious career.