C is for Corpse

I started a re-read of this series early in 2018,after Grafton's death. In this 3rd installment, Kinsey Millhone saves her landlord from being swindled and takes a young man's death (was it murder?) personally. She also handles an encounter with an ex-lover she still finds dreadfully attractive without going all stupid or doing anything embarrassing for either of them. These books are even better than I remember; I think Kinsey is who I imagined myself growing up to be when I was 13 or so. It never occurred to me then that I couldn't be lady-like, sexy, smart and kickass all at once, despite the absence of females like that in the stuff I was reading at the time. Even when I met Kinsey in my 30's, I don't think I quite realized what a show more ground-breaker she was. Thirty-five years later, she is still worth emulating, and one of the most interesting characters in genre fiction.
December 2018 show less

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 show more 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 really liked Bobby. And I laughed finding out who Blackman is. The location of the murder weapon sure was an interesting twist, but I loved how Kinsey was like yeah how hard can it be?


4.5 stars rounded up to five. show less

***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. ***

One problem with re-reading mysteries is that it doesn't take long to puzzle out the motive and/or whodunnit, even after being last read over 30 years ago. It‘s a good thing that this series has strong characters (Kinsey, of course, and I love her landlord Henry) and great banter. In this particular novel, my heart went out to Bobby and his mother Glen.

Reading these closer together makes it interesting to see how author Grafton develops her techniques, as well.

PI Kinsey Millhone is approached at the gym by Bobby Callahan, who thinks someone tried to kill him. Bobby was injured in a car accident in which he believes someone tried to run him off a cliff. Unfortunately Bobby's injuries also damaged his brain and he can't remember many details about what he was involved in. Kinsey takes the case and begins unraveling the story.
Kinsey is a spunky heroine, not without flaws, and who tends to put herself in more danger than she ought. Grafton sprinkles clues throughout the investigation, but not enough for the reader to identify the killer prior to the climactic ending.

What I appreciate most in Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series is her attention to realism. Kinsey Millhone is a professional private detective, licensed by the state, and operating in "the real world". The books stick to this idea, and present mysteries in an almost pedestrian manner; while in the middle of a case Kinsey stops by her office, sorts through her mail, drinks coffee, and goes grocery shopping. The little details of the day-to-day are all there, and while they may come off as a bit tedious at times (usually when you've read several books in a row, all with the same details), the overall effect is one of grounded reality. Kinsey is not a super hero; it is not unusual for her to encounter some extreme scenarios because it is in show more fact her job to pursue mysteries - or insurance fraud (after all, both pay the bills). 'C' is for Corpse is not an extraordinary book, but I can appreciate it for its consistency, and will continue to work my way back through the series. show less

The mystery was well thought out and suitably complicated, but I didn't feel like there was much sense of tension. Kinsey unravels the clues, but the ending seems like it is just the requisite "put the hero in a tight spot" scene. Still haven't really connected with Kinsey ...

The series is picking up! With a couple of plot lines, this novel maintains the reader's attention much better. While the ending is as outlandish as the second book, it is much more likely and clever. I enjoyed the subplot with Henry which deepens Kinsey's relationship with her neighbour, and the attachment that Kinsey develops for Bobby. The final pursuit is edgy and ends the novel with a bang. Character development, recurring characters (Jonah, Henry, Rosie) help boost the book. I had found the series fun with the first two books, but now I feel invested to reading the rest with Kinsey and her entourage becoming more solid.