Sara Paretsky is an American mystery writer best known for her series of novels featuring the female private investigator V.I. Warshawski. She has written over 20 books, including the New York Times bestseller 'Hard Time' and 'Bleeding Kansas'. Paretsky has won numerous awards for her work, including the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association.