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Fiction. Mystery. HTML:"THE LADY CAN WRITE . . . Any reader who needs a smart and sassy P.I. would do well to hire Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone. . . . H' is for Homicide continues to show the author in strong storytelling form. . . . [It] finds Kinsey Millhone working on a case involving the death of a claims adjuster for a California insurance company. The story takes her into the Los Angeles barrio in pursuit of a violent criminal, into jails and hospitals, and into a grungy bar named the Meat Locker. . . . Count on Millhone not only to corner the murderer but also to make a statement against the foibles of the insurance game." �??The New York Times "The eighth in Grafton's bestselling series is perhaps the wildest ride yet. . . . Grafton's skill with dialogue, her vivid characterizations and California scenery are priceless. . . . There are moments when the tension becomes so unbearable that you are tempted to skip paragraphs out of self-preservation." �??USA Today "One of the best . . . A vivid, funny portrait of life in an ethnic underworld, viewed without judgment. Suspense there is, plentifully, and a final suggestion that Kinsey will be exploring different mischiefs next time. Outstanding." �??Los Angel… (more)
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This is an
As with all of Grafton's mysteries, the strength is in the details and in Kinsey's cleverness. In H Grafton introduces us to a man with Tourette syndrome, a bi-polar pit bull and a grade school chum of Kinsey's, among others. It’s a fun addition to the series, though her situation never seemed as dire as it does in some of the other books.
I did think it was funny that Grafton used her H is Homicide letter on a novel that had very little to do with homicide. I is for Insurance Fraud maybe?
"Violence is a form of theater that only the disenfranchised can afford."
It begins with the death of a insurance adjuster that Kinsey is familiar with. Kinsey is asked by the insurance company to investigate some traffic accident claims as there seems to be a fraud ring involved. By the time it's all over, Kinsey has gotten herself thrown in jail to stick with her suspect and then, when released, smack dab in the middle of the fraud ring herself. She needs to get away from these guys and get back to her own life but it will be a dangerous situation to try to get away from.
If you've never read a Kinsey Millhone story, I wouldn't start with this one. You need to read a few others so you know who she is but if you've read some of the others, you'll enjoy this one!
Lots of action and tension as Kinsey tries to escape her predicament. It is a different case in that Kinsey is forced away from her usual sites such as her home because she is under cover.
H should be for huckster.
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PLOT OR PREMISE:
Kinsey has her hands full with a dead claims adjuster, a scam artist on the run from a dangerous ex, and an efficiency expert at the insurance company.
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WHAT I LIKED:
Kinsey goes undercover with the scam artist and her ex, with support from Dolan,
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WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The crazy ex is indeed crazy, but the ridiculous explanation for a lot of his behaviour is that he has Tourette's. Not exactly a deep plot device nor very accurate portrayal.
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DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow her on social media.
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Even though the story spans from Santa Theresa to Los Angeles, Grafton does a fantastic job of making you feel just as trapped and confined in the environment as Kinsey is with her precarious situation. I think some of the appreciation also must go to Judy Kaye and her narration. She emotes and helps the reader build the world in their head. The story moves at a very quick pace and the action scenes convey a profound sense of tension of excitement. I developed a true appreciation for some Kinsey’s abilities as clues “click” in her head and she is able to put the big picture together.
I also liked the integration of more of Lt. Dolan’s character and you can tell he may not fully like detectives but he has a great deal of respect for Kinsey.
Events at the beginning of the book aren't developed as much as the reader
If I am correct, H is for Homicide is the first one in the alphabet series where Sue Grafton was able to be a full-time writer thereafter. So, she seems to be just beginning to stretch her writing chops here, but isn't quite successful in pulling it all together here. Still a good read, nevertheless.
At great risk she agrees, spending days living as a hostage in the barrio with some violent and twisted men and women. She needs to lie on the spot, show attitude or respect when appropriate. But when she helps her suspect escape her abusive boyfriend, he grabs Milhone and takes her on a high-speed chase that ends at a hospital.
I found H is for Homicide to be mediocre. The best part was how well and how long Milhone created and maintained a fake identity and persona.