"D" is for Deadbeat: A Kinsey Millhone Mystery

In case it matters, I have become a real fan of Sue Grafton. This particular novel is the fourth story in a continuing series. They are titled in alphabetical order. The protagonist is Kinsey Millhone, a thirty something, female private detective. She resides in California and is an interesting combination of a lady like professional, "film noir type" private Investigator, and just a little bit of a smart ***.The stories are all stand alone novels, but have continuing characters and one may miss some of the nuances if some of the stories are skipped. I have been reading them in order. The writing is a modern popular style and is an easy read. I can easily follow the story on audiobook while taking a walk or doing simple chores.This particular story is a somewhat typical mystery with an unusual twist. As a former homicide investigator, I have to admit that Sue Grafton did fool me. I don't want to do anything to spoil the reading experience for anyone. I did find this story to be, at some point, the most poignant of the four novels thus far. On the other hand, there were times I found this story to be the most humorous of the stories thus far.I purchased this novel on Kindle and also audiobook. I read and listened simultaneously. The narrator was Mary Peiffer. Miss Peiffer is excellent. There are times her comedic timing and intonation is excellent and literally had me guffawing. There is no doubt that Miss Peiffer added to my enjoyment of this fine novel.In summary I am really glad I read this book. I am glad I am reading this series in order and I am really glad to have purchased the audiobook narrated by Mary Peiffer. Thank You...

The book was OK. What I like about this series is the interesting quotes and life philosophies of Millhone. And, so far, comparing life, fashion, culture and technology in the 80s to today. What I don't like is the stories themselves are undulating and not that compelling. Since the series is mostly about Kinsey, who keeps people and the reader a bit at arm's length, the other characters in each story, few of whom who repeat in each book, don't have much depth. I'll probably continue the series but sporadically.

Disclaimer: I am a mystery fanatic, and thought I had read all the good stuff. Then I discovered Sue Grafton and her unsinkable lady detective Kinsey Millhone. The books are alphabetical! I have read "A" though "D" and intend to work my way through the rest of the alphabet. Though these books seem to be aimed at a female audience, I find them quite engaging: great plots, lots of red herrings, very well written, and an amazing assortment of plausible yet sketchy characters (and I am only up to book "D"). Further, unlike many serial mysteries, each book, so far, is notably different from its predecessors and holds its own well. Hope Ms. Grafton can keep it up. Her redoubtable lady detective, Kinsey Millhone, is daring, dogged, and amazingly resilient, but a completely plausible character.

I started reading Sue Grafton's mysteries starring private investigator, Kinsey Millhone in the middle of the alphabet, went forward to 'V' and then backed up to 'A.' "'D' is for Deadbeat" is the final entry I can read until 'W' comes out, and during this process I've gotten to know Grafton's private eye as well as any friend. I fantasize that someday we'll get together under the Golden Arches for a couple of quarter-pounders with cheese and an order of fries.Warning: this series could turn you into a junk food addict.Grafton puts together a competent mystery, but her forté is character development. Kinsey's running commentary on the people in her life is rude, funny, and right-on. If you read this series long enough, you will find your own foibles described--whether you bite your nails, obsessively stroke your mustache, wear too much eye make-up, or try to comb those few remaining strands of hair over your bald spot. It might hurt, but you'll be laughing, especially since Kinsey herself generally slouches around in an old tee shirt and jeans, and cuts her own hair with a pair of nail scissors. SHE doesn't care what WE think.The author's acute eye for the telling detail is especially obvious at the funeral for the eponymous deadbeat:"From somewhere near the back, a woman hollered out "Yes, Lord!" and a second woman yelled out "Bulllshiit!" in just about the same tone. The minister, not hearing that well, apparently took both as spiritual punctuation marks, Biblical whoopees to incite him to greater eloquence..."Kinsey takes on the task of locating someone who is to be the recipient of a large cashier's check. Many books in this series deal with California's upper crust, but 'D' is about the bottom-feeders--the trailer trash of the Golden State. When her client is found floating face-down in the surf, she also takes on the job of finding his killer.This isn't the best mystery in this series--the murderer is too easy to finger--but Kinsey fans will enjoy learning the rules by which their favorite detective was raised up by her maiden aunt:"When I was in high school, she'd called Home Ec 'Home Ick' and applauded when I got a D. She thought it would make a lot more sense if the boys took Home Ec and the girls took Auto Mechanics and Wood Shop."Right on, Aunt Gin!

I'd never heard of Sue Grafton until a recent and long Times (UK) article on crime writers and writing mentioned her alongisde Micky Spillane. I decided to try Sue Grafton [whose life in writing is itself a great story]. This is how I 'met' Kinsey Millhone, clearly Sue G's alter ego. Being set in olden days, I was staggered that Kinsey could go to the public library and search cross-referenced city directories that allowed her to find addresses, find people from a phone number only, their professions and a whole lot more, even go down all the houses in a street to look for 'interesting' names. My wife, born in Detroit, knew such utilities to be normal for the day and age. I liked Sue's style but in the end found the evil-doer not really credible. But the book was well written, well researched and populated with interesting characters. Is it just women writers, but her trusty '.32' gun was not described in even the most general detail, which given its importance to the story might have been. The stories are hampered by their modest geographical range, a disguised version of a real California coastal town where the writer lived, and I'd have liked to have seen what Kinsey could do on a bigger canvas. But 4 stars and RIP a great crime writer.

I admit - I love Kinsey so it would be hard not to enjoy any of these books. This one is no exception - probably not the very best but nevertheless a good storyline and interesting read. I have read all of the books before but am now going through in order which is interesting as new facets of Kinsey's character are revealed and you can now also understand references to previous occurrences from the earlier books. I love the quirks in Kinsey's character and her little habits. Missed the interaction with Henry in this book but I know he will be back in the next one. I will keep reading the series and recommend them if you enjoy a good mystery and seeing Kinsey's life unfold.

I have read most of these books and like them because they are not complicated. They remind me a lot of the Penny Detective series by John Tallon Jones, which is a similar type of story but set in a fictional town near Liverpool in England. Sue Grafton is great at telling a story and keeping you interested, yet not on the edge of your seat. She is a classic cosy writer, and some of her books i have read more than once. this is one of her best.

The fourth in the Alphabet series featuring PI Kinsey Millhone finds our likeable protagonist with a problem in the form of a very dead client. Well plotted yarn which moves along at a good pace with credible characterisation and an enjoyable storyline. An engaging read.

As I said when reviewing B is for Burglar, it is best to read them in sequence. This is why I am buying the whole series.