Month: February 2020

Background

X” is the twenty-fourth novel in the “Alphabet” series of mystery novels by Sue Grafton. It features Kinsey Millhone, a private detective based in the fictional “Santa Teresa” California. The story takes place in the late 1980s and starts by Kinsey being hired for a simple job. One thing after another happen and soon she is hot on the heels of a rapidly expanding mystery.

My Thoughts

This book had a subplot going about Kinsey’s next door neighbors who weren’t so neighborly. Yet again Sue Grafton reminds us to keep our eyes out for folks who don’t have our best interests at heart.

I enjoyed the book though. It brought to mind a number of things about living out in the West. For example, it talked about water conservation which I hadn’t had to deal with for some time now that I live on the East coast. I was talking to my wife about it and it’s hard to understand if you haven’t lived it.

Recommendation

It was ok. Not thrilling but ok.

Background

Published in 2008, “V” Is for Vengeance is the 22nd novel in Sue Grafton’s “Alphabet” series of mystery novels. Private eye Millhone is out shopping and notices someone stealing. Little did she know that action would bring her into advising the local mob boss and ending his career.

My Thoughts

This book went a little bit out of the scope of the norm for Ms. Grafton. I think she did a great job.

Recommendation

I really enjoyed this one. I doubt it ranks up there in the likely catagory but I enjoyed it as a story.

Background

“U” Is for Undertow is the 21st novel in the “Alphabet” series of mystery novels by Sue Grafton. Kinsey Millhone is a female private eye who is hired by a young man who no one believes to investigate something he can only barely remember. However, it starts her down a path with some interested twists and turns.

My Thoughts

Much like the others, the reader has to suspend some disbelief to enjoy the book. The bad guys weren’t that bad. They went over the top on a few details and then missed the obvious.

Recommendation

Not a bad read but not really a good one either.

Background

Published in 2018, the Atlee Pine book of “Long Road to Mercy” spins the tale of an ex-olympic hopeful turned FBI agent in a small town in the West. She is goaded forth by the trauma of her sister “Mercy” being killed in front of her as a child. The story takes a turn when she stumbles on to something much bigger than her usual small town problems.

My Thoughts

I listened to this in audio format so the memory I have was the terrible pronunciation of the city of Tuscon. I don’t know if the reader thought it was French or what but it was pretty epic.

I really enjoy a David Baldacci novel. However, I didn’t like this one so much. The female Rambo was a little too over the top this time. (Odd as I only have a slight issue with his male characters.) It likely says more about me than anything else.

Recommendation

I would skip this one.