Had this on the TBR for ages, waiting for one of my inevitable cravings for an old-fashion detective story. It delivered, it was ok, but not great. Everyone that enjoys crime novels and their dog knows this series, so I imagine they improve with the following books?
As it’s not unusual in the first in the series, it felt a little clunky, with little action and even less character development. It read like a report of Kinsey’s (the 30-something, no-nonsense, cop-turned-private-investigator and main character) moves: she talked to this person, then she talk to this other person, she drove to this place to talk to yet another person, she jogged 5 miles and ate a burger, she stayed at this motel and then followed this route to yet another interview, etc, etc.
So. Don’t have much more to say about it…
Have the feeling the series would improve by adding a regular side-kick to spark tension and interesting conversations – a secretary, a partner, a snitch. Does this happen, by any chance?
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Other thoughts: Stacy’s Books, Mervi’s Book Reviews, Mysteries in Paradise, My Two Blessings, The Book Frog, Follow the Thread, Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog (yours?)
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February 5, 2014 at 5:43 pm
Cathy746books
I have read one of these in this series. I can’t remember which letter and I can’t remember a thing about it. Never a good sign!
February 6, 2014 at 7:40 pm
Lexlingua
I too tried really hard to like Sue Grafton series. I started with V is for Vengeance, which is a lot better. But in the end, the books are all similar, putting in too much detail about daily life of a detective. I am guessing the goal is to show the actual (boring) process of detective work, which is very different from the glamorous high-action stuff in other mysteries? I admire the idea, but it doesn’t entertain or engross me. 😦
April 22, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Mckenzie
Hello! I entered THREE times. I am a fan on Facebook now, am folilwong you on twitter and signed up for your newsletter! I SO hope we win as it is our FIVE year anniversary next Saturday (the 19th) and this would be an AMAZING gift! Kate