I was raised on these books, picking them up off my father's armchair or bedside table and digesting them in a sitting, but I've only read about half of them, and I don't know which half, so I'm beginning a comprehensive rereading.
It is a testament to Sue Grafton's writing that realizing I'd already read this book - and that I remembered at least part of the ending - did not diminish its interest. There were still things I didn't remember but could guess at, and things I could neither remember nor guess.
Best of all, there was a lot of good in the book I didn't notice during my previous reading (which may have been two - or twelve - years ago). Grafton has a flair for language that is unusual in genre fiction, and the structured plotline is a lesson to any aspiring playwright. The only disappointment is Kinsey herself, who has an unusually soft side in this first book. Kinsey fans should read it to see the character's roots, and then we should thank Grafton for toughening her up.
Nikki Fife has just been released from prison after doing 8 years for the murdering her husband, Laurence. Nikki wants Kinsey to find the person who really killed Laurence. Kinsey begins to investigate and finds out about another murder committed only days after Laurence's that is extremely similar. The victim was the accountant for Laurence's law firm, Libby Glass, and she was killed using an identical method of poisoning. This trail is 8-years-old and Kinsey knows it won't be easy to find the truth.
Kinsey begins to put together a picture of the people involved and the circumstances that lead up to Laurence's murder. But somebody is not too pleased with Kinsey investigating and unveiling facts that could lead to the true murderer. Kinsey gets herself into danger, and as she struggles to put the pieces together, someone is trying to stop her.
Grafton does a great job with the suspense and "who done it " in this book. Makes you ready for more of Kinsey Millhone. The book was a fun, simple read that I managed in an evening. You don't want to miss this one and I have a feeling they will get addictive.
This is a suspenseful, intriguing murder mystery. Grafton has an eye for detail and a gift for creating characters. Kinsey is an especially memorable detective. She's tough and no-nonsense, but still has her vulnerable points. She's smart, but not a superwoman; rather, a believable, down-to-earth heroine.
The matter-of-fact narration is very effective. We get insights into Kinsey's detection technique along the way. This is a story of murder, sex, greed, and deception, well told by Grafton.