W is for Wasted

Grafton is one of the few authors of series fiction whose books I still buy new in hardcover. She never does the same story twice, and I enjoy spending time in her world. In this one, she touches base with former loves, without falling into personal or literary traps; makes the acquaintance of a Japanese bobtail with excellent results; learns more than she wanted to know about relatives she didn't know she had; and takes on the issues of homelessness, addiction research and medical ethics without getting preachy about any of it. A few clunky sentences and overused verbs, but by and large this 23rd entry in the Kinsey Millhone series is blissfully free of the kind of dreck-writing that often creeps in to an established genre author's show more later works. Grafton's attention to detail and story have not lagged. If she tells you someone is left-handed, don't forget it. If she throws a seemingly game-changing fact into the mix from out of the blue, be assured it is not a deus ex machina tactic to get things wrapped up, but something she subtly laid the groundwork for several chapters back---you just missed it. By setting her action in the 1980's (1988 by now), she shares a joke or two with the reader at Kinsey's expense, and this book contains the absolute best account of a hand-to-hand "combat" situation I've read anywhere. Three more to go, Ms. Grafton. I hope we all make it.
Review written November 2013 show less

Like many others, I have read all the "Alphabet" Kinsey Millhone mysteries and enjoyed them. One of the main reasons is because Kinsey has always struck me as a smart, resourceful woman. However, with this one, Kinsey must have gotten a brain transplant. Repeatedly, throughout the entire book, the plot only progresses because Kinsey is now an incredibly naive patsy. Hostile, truly unpleasant persons can now manipulate Kinsey into the most asinine situations, and Kinsey seems to have no clue. I kept thinking a lightbulb must go on at some point, where she might suddenly become reaquainted with a her previous backbone, but noooooo. Some very brief, minor regret might struggle to the surface, but then BAM it's gone again. After she finds show more out she might be in personal danger from the "bad guy" (again, traced back to her own inability to set reasonable boundaries), she makes another incredibly stupid move leading to the final confrontation.
Who is this idiotic woman? Where did Sue Grafton go? I see alot of other reviewers complain about the amount of "filler" in this one. I saw that too, but it didn't come close to infuriating (and disappointing) me as much as this stupid Kinsey did.

UPDATE: I need to lighten up on the criticism here. I have recently heard that Sue Grafton died, which may explain why this novel seemed so artificial. It may have been ghost-written. show less

After more than 20 books, you know what you’re getting with a Kinsey novel. This one was actually one of my favorites. It starts with two dead bodies, a homeless man and a shady PI. Then it ties it all together with a devious doctor. We also learn a bit more about Kinsey’s father’s history and get some good interaction with her fantastic elderly neighbor Henry. Her old flame Deitz is back for a bit too. Lots of trademark Kinsey snark and a satisfying conclusion.

Another solid installment in the Kinsey Millhone series. I really enjoy the stories where we get to see parts of Kinsey’s past, where unknown family members come to light. What makes these stories such a treat to read (for me) is the detailed 1980’s California setting and Kinsey’s personal code of ethics, which leads Kinsey to involve herself in cases that other PI’s would probably turn a blind eye to. This story has a sadder atmosphere to it as the issues on tap in this installment are the plight of the homeless, the challenges (and perils) of navigating tricky family relationships and the ethics when running a human drug development clinical trial. Grafton continues to provide her signature escalation to a suspenseful (and for show more me, unpredictable) plot climax, while pulling two seemingly divergent storylines together into a cohesive unit. Yes, I was a little saddened that Kinsey’s love life continues to be on the skids but it was still great to see her three exes all back in this story, along with her wonderful landlord Henry Pitt and his hypochondriac brother William. show less

I’ve surprised myself by reading two Sue Grafton books this month. While I’m genuinely enjoying the Alphabet series, I’ll admit I’m looking forward to its conclusion. I’ve always preferred standalone novels, but there are so many great authors who write long-running series that I can’t seem to resist them. I try not to get locked into too many serials at once—otherwise my reading starts to feel like something I have to keep track of rather than something I enjoy.

Up next was W is for Wasted, in which Kinsey Millhone finds herself on an unplanned vacation with no new clients for her private investigation business. When a homeless man is found dead on the beach, police discover Kinsey’s business card in his possession and show more ask for her help identifying him. At the same time, the murder of a fellow private investigator pulls Kinsey into a second investigation. The complex story thoughtfully explores themes of wasted lives, missed opportunities, family estrangement, and the unexpected connections that can arise from tragedy.

This installment had an extremely slow start for me. The beginning felt weighed down by banal details that struggled to hold my attention. Some of those details later proved useful, but others felt unnecessary. Once the plot picked up momentum, though, it was like a switch flipped—the story quickly became engaging and hard to put down. I especially enjoyed the dual mysteries and appreciated how Grafton delved into Kinsey’s paternal family.

While listening to the audiobook, it struck me that when I first started the series years ago, I assumed the books would progress in real time. Instead, they all remain firmly set in the 1980s. I’m not complaining—the ’80s were a great decade to grow up in—but it still surprised me.

I picked up the audiobook of W is for Wasted through Apple Books. Judy Kaye continues to do a wonderful job as the voice of Kinsey.

Only two books left in the series!

I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog 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.



Well there you go, Kinsey has family on the dad's side. I really wish she would've gotten a chance to meet Terrence. She's right in one sense, too many of her goodbyes are final ones. Although I guess she didn't actually get a goodbye for this one. And I actually really wanted her to investigate the crime he was convicted of. I mean, I didn't mind how it turned out - I ended up not hating Pete (although mostly cause of his wife) and I loved the conclusion of the gun switch. That part was hilarious. but it wasn't what I was expecting. Still it was enjoyable. There's a tiny bit of romance in this one - Dietz is back, Cheney is back - I still hate both. I could do without the romance.

I loved William's dramatic streak - and the cat! - it had me in hysterics. Poor Henry getting saddled with the cat that tripped Nell. On the other hand - William was clearly spot on - and it was perfect for Henry to have some company.



4 stars. show less

I enjoyed this Kinsey Millhone novel the best of all so far. Perhaps it was because of the introduction of a pet cat -- Henry's, of course -- but when Henry gets any visitors, they end up part of Kinsey's life, too. We also learn Kinsey has even more vexing relatives, this time from her father's side. I enjoy her frustration with, this time, relatives who don't like her and don't want anything to do with her but cause trouble ANYway. Ah, Kinsey.

My favorite sideline parts were Ed the Cat leaving gifts for Kinsey, mice and lizards -- dead, of course. Kinsey, not being a cat aficionado, was not aware that leaving such gifts are a cat's way of proving they are good hunters and can take care of their two-legged pets. I suspect that, out of show more consideration, Grafton did not have Ed drop off a bird or two. Bird lovers are much more vocal about feline predation than are rodent and amphibian lovers. show less