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.

Background

The 20th novel in the Kinsey Minhone Series, T is for Trespass was published in 2007 but is still set in the 1980s. This time Kinsey’s grouchy neighbor becomes the victim of a sociopathic nurse who isn’t use to a nosy neighbor.

My Thoughts

This was a little darker than the traditional Sue Grafton novel. She exposes just how easy it is to take advantage of trusting folks and makes the reader think a little bit about the people around them.

Recommendation

If you liked the others, you’ll like this one

Background

Published in 2005, S is for Silence is all about our now favorite female gumshoe, Kinsey Millhone. This time around the story jumps back and forth from the present to the past and works it’s way to the resolution of the mystery.

My Thoughts

I don’t know how accurate the depictions were but I found the comparisons of our people treated a “loose” woman in both the 50s and the 80s to be pretty interesting. It’s even more so to look back with the historical revisionism of today.

Recommendation

It wasn’t a bad story and kept me entertained.

Background

Published in 1998, The Simple Truth is a good ole conspiracy story of men going too far and having the ability and connections to get away with it. Almost…

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book but found it to be a little more simplistic than some of his other work. I didn’t know it was over 20 years old until after I finished it so I guess it makes sense.

Recommendation

I enjoy his writing and this was no exception.