***This is a project of re-reading Grafton's series -- I started reading these back in the 1980s and would read each release as they came out over the years. To prevent spoilers, I will not attempt to summarize in detail. ***

Kinsey Millhone is a private investigator in a Southern California town (the fictional town of Santa Teresa, inspired by author Grafton's residence in Santa Barbara), but occasionally she is hired to do an investigation outside of her stomping grounds. This book takes Kinsey to the Northern California mountain town of Nota Lake in Nota County, where a detective there had suddenly dropped dead of an heart attack (this is not a spoiler). His widow hires Kinsey, because she feels that his last case needs solving, whatever it was that he was investigating.

Not surprisingly, Kinsey opens a can of worms and and gets to the point where the widow regrets bringing on the investigation.

As a Northern California native, I've passed through these small towns tucked away in the Sierras and had no trouble picturing the scenes put forth. I don't know how I missed it the first time around when reading this, but was amused (maybe I'm easily amused, I don't know) to realize that Nota County is most likely a play on " Not a county", as it doesn't actually exist. ( )

This was on track to be one of my favorite Alphabet books, until the very last chapter. First, it seemed to have many more funny lines illuminating Kinsey's attitude towards the world. On her drive through the mountains "It was the kind of scenery often described as 'breathtaking' by those who are easily winded." On an overly decorated bedroom, "The motif seemed to be roses exploding on impact." Second, the title actually fit. Nooses are an early foreshadowing element of both the murders eventually uncovered and Kinsey's situation with the small town of Nota Lake. The mystery is fine though as usual not the main point, and, with all the suspects, it's a lottery who the villain turns out to be. All in all, everything was great until the very last climactic chapter, which I won't spoil, but to me was overwrought and unsatisfying.

Still, recommended. ( )

Very good as always as Kinsey investigates a policeman's natural death caused by stresses relating to 2 murders he was investigating.

First edition signed as new

I love Kinsey Millhone. But she's not everyone's cup of tea. I started reading the Alphabet series a few years ago - I think at the time it was up to O is for Outlaw. The idea of a mystery series each title beginning with a new letter amused me. I don't know why. I don't think it's particularly original. At least - I've seen a few others since. At the time though it was new to me and it just struck me as perfect. I flew through the series. Kinsey is riveting. She's brash and harsh and charming. She's fierce and flawed. She gets scared. She holds her own. She pushes herself to run often and tackles cases without judgement and with an open mind. Rosie and Henry are brilliant and I love the little family she builds around her.

But Kinsey Millhone isn't Jack Reacher - her speed is more Tracy Crosswhite. [book:My Sister's Grave|22341263] Her cases aren't full of action and high speed chases - they're slowly nitpicking away until something clicks into place. She writes down all her thoughts and places her facts and ideas on 3x5 index cards - which she often shuffles and rearranges to help her solve her case. And I love it. Kinsey Millhone is great - but she's not for everyone.

For some reason I've seen reviewers compare this to Stephanie Plum - I don't know why - this is absolutely NOTHING like that. Stephanie Plum is a very different character and an extremely different type of book. That's more fluff. Kinsey Millhone is more procedural mysteries. And this series isn't current - it was first published in the 80's - there's not really technology. Messages were relayed by calling the landlines. Paper files were still the main form of storage. Not everyone will enjoy reading this. But if you like your mysteries to be more like procedurals with a determined and fierce character - Kinsey Millhone is for you.



I've got to say I didn't much like this book the first time I read it. Something about the whole town turning ranks creeped me out. But being older and wiser - I really enjoyed it. Still not loving the whole town thing - it still creeped me out - but the twist and the reveal about Brant (Tom's stepson) being the one who killed the two guys for raping him (which is horrific and they probably got what they deserved but then he went after Kinsey so dude sucks) was wicked. I loved that even high on drugs Kinsey is a total badass.



4 stars. ( )