N is for Noose

DISCLAIMER... Kinsey Millhone is my favorite character ever and I couldn't find fault with a Sue Grafton book even if the alternative was a root canal. Having said that, it should come as no surprise that I loved 'N'. I read 'M' in a pre-published form so it's been nearly two years since I've had a chance to visit with Kinsey - way too long. She picks up a client who's husband is quite dead by natural causes (heart attack). But, the wife wants to know what was bothering him before he died. See, what I mean? The premise is weak and there is even one huge leap of faith which I, ordinarily, would not forgive. But, I can't help it. I'll love every one of these right through 'Z'.

Kinsey, Kinsey, Kinsey. You are such a independent, stubborn woman. I love it. You leave Dietz (sob!) to go after a case that has no good ending. A cop has died, and his widow wants answers. Was it a heart attack or murder? And why was he acting so strange before he died? Kinsey, of course, can't back down. She ends up in danger (as usual). Pretty satisfying mystery overall, and I totally didn't guess the crime. Plus, we are back to the "Respectfully submitted, Kinsey Millhone" wrap up that I missed at the end of "M".

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 show more very last climactic chapter, which I won't spoil, but to me was overwrought and unsatisfying.

Still, recommended. show less

This is my first time to listen or read anything by Sue Grafton. The reader of the audio tapes was Judy Kaye, she did a wonderful job changing her voice expertly for the different ages and sexes in this story.

I enjoyed the first part of the story not so much for the mystery but for the character of Kinsey Milhoun. Twice divorced, she seemed to have a sort of burnt out feeling about life and men, and work. Her job was to find out why Sheriff Tom Newquist was acting so upset and unlike himself just before he had a heart attack in his car that killed him. The author built up the character of Tom very well and and he seems a great guy who even though he was messy at home was very organized when working his cases.

The pace of the story was show more slow at the beginning but I didn't mind it because it was spent on creating the characters who were very interesting. Later on, a piece of information to the puzzle came and Kinsey experiences a threat to her life. Then the pace broke into a rapid speed and it was difficult to stop listening.

I would enjoy reading more by this author. I like the simple and direct talk through out the story and the interesting ending. show less

Poor Sue Grafton! Such a good idea to come up with a book for each letter of the alphabet, but by the time she got to the unlucky thirteenth it was M for Motions, Going Through The. I bet she wished she could hurl Kinsey Millhone down the Reichenbach Falls.

What she does seem to have done is take a different tack. In this fourteenth in the series she takes her heroine away (mostly) from her habitat on the southern California coast and up into the forests of the Sierra Nevada. There's no more than the briefest of nods to the by-now-tedious subplots involving her landlord Henry Bunn the Baker and Rosie the eccentric restaurateur. There's no attempt at romantic interest either (it doesn't suit Kinsey). Instead Kinsey is a stranger in a show more tight-knit mountain community trying to find out what was bugging a rather tiresomely upright cop in the weeks before his untimely death. Was it a murder? Somehow one always hopes so if only to reveal a whiff of scandal that would make the late Tom Newquist at least a little bit interesting.

The too-perfect dead cop doesn't mean, however, that as a thriller this falls flat. There's plenty of menace, as much from the dank suffocating woods that close in around our heroine as from the gossip of the inward-looking, suspicious locals. It's probably not overdoing it to call it Chandleresque, and I'm quite sure that's the effect Sue Grafton was aiming at here. Though bad things happen to Kinsey the tension comes mostly from what doesn't happen, from what might just be lurking in the shadows. Kinsey isn't Marlowe of course and she can't do the wisecracks, and Grafton has a way to go to be the equal of the Master, but if this is the way the series is moving then I'm happy to press on with it. show less

Poor Sue Grafton! Such a good idea to come up with a book for each letter of the alphabet, but by the time she got to the unlucky thirteenth it was M for Motions, Going Through The. I bet she wished she could hurl Kinsey Millhone down the Reichenbach Falls.

What she does seem to have done is take a different tack. In this fourteenth in the series she takes her heroine away (mostly) from her habitat on the southern California coast and up into the forests of the Sierra Nevada. There's no more than the briefest of nods to the by-now-tedious subplots involving her landlord Henry Bunn the Baker and Rosie the eccentric restaurateur. There's no attempt at romantic interest either (it doesn't suit Kinsey). Instead Kinsey is a stranger in a show more tight-knit mountain community trying to find out what was bugging a rather tiresomely upright cop in the weeks before his untimely death. Was it a murder? Somehow one always hopes so if only to reveal a whiff of scandal that would make the late Tom Newquist at least a little bit interesting.

The too-perfect dead cop doesn't mean, however, that as a thriller this falls flat. There's plenty of menace, as much from the dank suffocating woods that close in around our heroine as from the gossip of the inward-looking, suspicious locals. It's probably not overdoing it to call it Chandleresque, and I'm quite sure that's the effect Sue Grafton was aiming at here. Though bad things happen to Kinsey the tension comes mostly from what doesn't happen, from what might just be lurking in the shadows. Kinsey isn't Marlowe of course and she can't do the wisecracks, and Grafton has a way to go to be the equal of the Master, but if this is the way the series is moving then I'm happy to press on with it. 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'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. show less