Status
Available
Series
Genres
Publication
Marian Wood Books/Putnam (2015), Edition: First Edition, 416 pages
Description
"Of #1 New York Times-bestselling author Sue Grafton, NPR's Maureen Corrigan said, "Makes me wish there were more than 26 letters." With only two letters left, Grafton's many devoted readers will share that sentiment. X: The number ten. An unknown quantity. A mistake. A cross. A kiss. X: The shortest entry in Webster's Unabridged. Derived from Greek and Latin and commonly found in science, medicine, and religion. The most graphically dramatic letter. Notoriously tricky to pronounce: think xylophone. X: The twenty-fourth letter in the English alphabet. Sue Grafton's X: Perhaps her darkest and most chilling novel, it features a remorseless serial killer who leaves no trace of his crimes. Once again breaking the rules and establishing new paths, Grafton wastes little time identifying this sociopath. The test is whether Kinsey can prove her case against him before she becomes his next victim"--… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member polywogg
BOTTOM-LINE:
A mix of three cases, none adding up to a solid plot
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PLOT OR PREMISE:
Kinsey is hired by a rich client for a simple task -- find her biological son who was recently released from prison.
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WHAT I LIKED:
There are three storylines running concurrently, and the mix of types of cases is
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WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The problems with the neighbours are so obvious, the solution is seen a mile away by everyone except Henry and Kinsey. And mostly just annoying. The interest from the missing persons case deteriorates almost into Kinsey Millhone, marriage counsellor. And the leftover case redeems Pete's character but then goes way over the top at the end.
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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.
A mix of three cases, none adding up to a solid plot
.
PLOT OR PREMISE:
Kinsey is hired by a rich client for a simple task -- find her biological son who was recently released from prison.
.
WHAT I LIKED:
There are three storylines running concurrently, and the mix of types of cases is
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interesting…a missing persons case, which gets complicated when Kinsey finds out after she finishes the job that the client was bogus and there's more going on that involves a complicated divorce; problems with neighbours; and a leftover case from Pete Wolinsky, a private-eye who was killed in a previous novel. The start of the missing persons case is intriguing and the investigation part of the old case is solid..
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The problems with the neighbours are so obvious, the solution is seen a mile away by everyone except Henry and Kinsey. And mostly just annoying. The interest from the missing persons case deteriorates almost into Kinsey Millhone, marriage counsellor. And the leftover case redeems Pete's character but then goes way over the top at the end.
.
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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LibraryThing member kremsa
I've read all the alphabet mysteries so far and I can't say that this was one of my favorites. I would actually rate this a 3.5 if half stars were available. "X" definitely follows the formula Sue Grafton uses when writing these books so the book feels familiar and comfortable. Not a lot has
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changed with Kinsey, and perhaps this is what feels a little boring and leaves me unsatisfied with her character development. The story wasn't as compelling as some of her others. Show Less
LibraryThing member Virginia51
This has been one of my favorite of Sue Grafton's books in a long time. This had a great story and all my favorite characters. There were lots of twists and turns throughout and a great ending. Hopefully she will think of some way to keep this series going once she gets to Z. I received an ebook
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copy from firsttoread for a fair and honest opinion. Show Less
LibraryThing member dketelsen
I received this book free from GoodReads.
On one level this book, X by Sue Grafton, is classic Kinsey Millhone, just like the 23 novels before it. However there's a few differences from most of the novels. For one, there's no paying client herein if we ignore a bogus $200 and several offers of
I liked this book a lot. There's something very appealing about the character of Kinsey Millhone as she doggedly goes through her paces. Lines like "I'd been a biter as a kid and I can still remember the feel of flesh between my teeth" illustrate Grafton's ability to sketch Kinsey's traits so well. But there's one scene in this book, quite chilling in fact, that might undermine Kinsey's basic self-reliance. That remains to be seen but it adds to the feeling that X is setting up the last two books in the series and I'm really looking forward to being able to read all 3 together though that's a few years away. X is a very good addition to Grafton's long running series and I am very impatient for Y and Z to appear. X goes on sale in a few days on August 25th but it's going to be years before Y & Z appea
On one level this book, X by Sue Grafton, is classic Kinsey Millhone, just like the 23 novels before it. However there's a few differences from most of the novels. For one, there's no paying client herein if we ignore a bogus $200 and several offers of
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payment from Ari Xanakis--and that's quite unusual for the usually bottom line oriented Kinsey. But looming larger is Kinsey's incomplete reexamination of her relationship and attitudes towards Pete Wolinsky, an investigator that she worked with when she was still in training. This might be followed up in the next volume since I don't think Grafton is finished with this thread, particularly since the villain that emerges from this line of inquiry isn't caught by the end of the book.I liked this book a lot. There's something very appealing about the character of Kinsey Millhone as she doggedly goes through her paces. Lines like "I'd been a biter as a kid and I can still remember the feel of flesh between my teeth" illustrate Grafton's ability to sketch Kinsey's traits so well. But there's one scene in this book, quite chilling in fact, that might undermine Kinsey's basic self-reliance. That remains to be seen but it adds to the feeling that X is setting up the last two books in the series and I'm really looking forward to being able to read all 3 together though that's a few years away. X is a very good addition to Grafton's long running series and I am very impatient for Y and Z to appear. X goes on sale in a few days on August 25th but it's going to be years before Y & Z appea
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LibraryThing member Judiex
X should easily have a five-star rating. The story and writing definitely deserve it. However, I really resent unnecessarily short chapters feeling that they insult the readers’ intelligence. Though the chapters aren’t nearly as short as they are by some other popular authors, there are enough
In X, Sue Grafton travels a slightly different path. The story is calmer. She is not looking for killers or thieves or kidnap victims. She is hired by a very wealthy woman to find the son she gave up for adoption when she was a teenager. She paid Kelsey in advance and the job didn’t take long at all. Then things start to fall apart.
Several people in this book are not who they claim to be. But Kelsey is able to locate and speak to many of the people for whom she seeks to get background information. Some of that information further complicates her mission.
The ending has an unusual, but logical, twist.
Like Grafton’s other books, she includes enough descriptions that the reader can easily visualize everything Kelsey sees, like a blind person watching a movie as someone describes the details.
One major theme of the book is drought in California and ways to deal with it. Most are very practical. One, however, using paper plates and plastic utensils, creates another problem: Unless the materials can be recycled or composted, they add extra trash and garbage that will remain in festering landfills.
A couple of negatives: She repeats the names and status of six people several times.
There is a questionable time schedule in one segment: It’s 5:00. She is supposed to meet someone away from the office between 6 and 7. She then makes arrangements to meet someone else, away from the office as well, “As soon as possible.” Before leaving her office, “I took my sweet time closing up, and made a detour to the post office....” After the first appointment, she stopped to buy some sandwiches.
Interesting observation: “Even as I was exonerating him, I continued to condemn him in equal measure, proof positive that our prejudices are nearly impossible to scotch.”
The biggest problem with a Sue Grafton/Kelsey Millhone book is that once you finish reading one, you have to wait two years for the next.
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of them here that caused me to reduce my rating to four stars.In X, Sue Grafton travels a slightly different path. The story is calmer. She is not looking for killers or thieves or kidnap victims. She is hired by a very wealthy woman to find the son she gave up for adoption when she was a teenager. She paid Kelsey in advance and the job didn’t take long at all. Then things start to fall apart.
Several people in this book are not who they claim to be. But Kelsey is able to locate and speak to many of the people for whom she seeks to get background information. Some of that information further complicates her mission.
The ending has an unusual, but logical, twist.
Like Grafton’s other books, she includes enough descriptions that the reader can easily visualize everything Kelsey sees, like a blind person watching a movie as someone describes the details.
One major theme of the book is drought in California and ways to deal with it. Most are very practical. One, however, using paper plates and plastic utensils, creates another problem: Unless the materials can be recycled or composted, they add extra trash and garbage that will remain in festering landfills.
A couple of negatives: She repeats the names and status of six people several times.
There is a questionable time schedule in one segment: It’s 5:00. She is supposed to meet someone away from the office between 6 and 7. She then makes arrangements to meet someone else, away from the office as well, “As soon as possible.” Before leaving her office, “I took my sweet time closing up, and made a detour to the post office....” After the first appointment, she stopped to buy some sandwiches.
Interesting observation: “Even as I was exonerating him, I continued to condemn him in equal measure, proof positive that our prejudices are nearly impossible to scotch.”
The biggest problem with a Sue Grafton/Kelsey Millhone book is that once you finish reading one, you have to wait two years for the next.
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LibraryThing member Auj
Typical Sue Grafton. Excellent story and writing. I liked that there were two stories going on simultaneously. I am excited for the last two, but also a bit worried. Where will I get my Sue Grafton fix? I hope she keeps on.
LibraryThing member asomers
She never disappoints!
LibraryThing member beckyhaase
X by Sue Grafton
The latest in the Kinsey Millhone series of mysteries is a winner. You will keep reading to discover HOW Kinsey keeps from being murdered herself as she investigates a serial killer. Grafton’s fans will not be disappointed – unless it is to realize this series is nearing its
4 of 5 stars
The latest in the Kinsey Millhone series of mysteries is a winner. You will keep reading to discover HOW Kinsey keeps from being murdered herself as she investigates a serial killer. Grafton’s fans will not be disappointed – unless it is to realize this series is nearing its
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end!4 of 5 stars
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LibraryThing member Romonko
I have read all 24 of the Kinsey Millhone series, and am dismayed that there are only 2 more letters in the alphabet. I hate the thought that there may be a fictional world without Kinsey. This book is little different than the others in the series. For example, there are 3 storylines and none of
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them converge in the end. First we have a bitter divorcee who will stop at nothing to get back at the husband who cheated on her. Kinsey gets drawn into this drama by an elaborate scheme the divorcee concocted. Secondly we have a very questionable elderly couple who have moved in next door to Kinsey and Henry. They are in fact despicable people who have somehow managed to enlist Henry's aid in getting them around town. Kinsey has to do some digging to come up with the dirt on them. And last, we have a cold-blooded psychopathic serial killer who has been getting away with his killings for years and the only reason that Kinsey crosses paths with him is because she's trying to clear up the outstanding cases left by a dead colleague. Whichever way she turns Kinsey is faced with startling mysteries, and any of them could turn deadly in a moment. For Sue Grafton fans, this book is a positive addition to this well-beloved series. Show Less
LibraryThing member diana.hauser
X is the 24th title in the Kinsey Millhone mystery series by Sue Grafton. I have read every title in this series and enjoyed them all. The books are very well-written and realistic, and stars one of my favorite fictional characters, Kinsey Millhone. She is full of common sense, dresses and lives
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simply, is very frugal, and pursues justice. I like her and her neighbor, Henry. I liked one of the subplots of this title which involved Henry’s new, sleazy neighbors. I also liked (continue to like) the 1980s time period of the series. There is no jumping about, trying to make Kinsey adjust to/adapt to new time periods and advances. There is no backpedaling - trying to help the reader ‘catch up’ on the life of Kinsey. The mysteries flow rather seamlessly. My only problem is that I do not want the series to end - the mysteries are comforting, interesting reading for me. Just like putting on your favorite pair of socks - you know what to expect. This does not mean boredom, it means reassurance that Kinsey will solve her case. Show Less
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
X is the 24th book in Sue Grafton’s Alphabet series featuring private investigator, Kinsey Millhone. I’ve read all but three, and now there are just two more books remaining.
X begins with Kinsey at a bit of a loose end, business is slow but she nevertheless soon finds herself caught up in three
The first involves finding the current address of a young man recently released from prison for his wealthy birth mother. The simple task complete, Kinsey doesn’t give it a second thought until a local police detective alerts her that the hundred dollar notes she was paid with were registered as part of a blackmail case. Annoyed, Kinsey investigates, unraveling her clients lies.
The second relates to a pair of elderly new neighbours that raise Kinsey’s hackles when they start to impose on Henry’s generosity.
Meanwhile, Pete Wolinsky’s widow asks Kinsey for her help in finding old financial documents requested by an IRS auditor. In amongst a box overflowing with paperwork, Kinsey discovers a padded mailer addressed to a priest and a coded list. Curious, Kinsey finds herself following up on the case, unprepared for the horrors she discovers.
W is for Wasted was a bit of a disappointment due to a rather lacklustre and longwinded plot, but X is much improved and more reminiscent of earlier books in the series. While there aren’t any great surprises, the cases are interesting, and well thought out. I found the investigation relating to Pete the most compelling, there is real danger involved for both Kinsey and others.
The pace of X is measured, as all the books tend to be in this series. Set in the 1980’s Kinsey’s investigations are all about legwork in the pre internet, pre mobile phone era. Kinsey spends a lot of time browsing library archives, making phone calls and on stakeout.
Kinsey herself is not an excitable character, but she is a thoughtful and determined investigator that focuses on detail. I’ve always liked her but I was hoping for more personal development as the series approaches the end. Essentially Kinsey is a loner, Vera makes a brief appearance which I enjoyed and former romantic interests Dietz and Chaney rate a mention. But Henry and Rosie are really the only people she interacts with.
As a longtime fan of the series I was mostly satisfied by this installment and I’m eager to see how Grafton brings it to a close.
X begins with Kinsey at a bit of a loose end, business is slow but she nevertheless soon finds herself caught up in three
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disparate mysteries.The first involves finding the current address of a young man recently released from prison for his wealthy birth mother. The simple task complete, Kinsey doesn’t give it a second thought until a local police detective alerts her that the hundred dollar notes she was paid with were registered as part of a blackmail case. Annoyed, Kinsey investigates, unraveling her clients lies.
The second relates to a pair of elderly new neighbours that raise Kinsey’s hackles when they start to impose on Henry’s generosity.
Meanwhile, Pete Wolinsky’s widow asks Kinsey for her help in finding old financial documents requested by an IRS auditor. In amongst a box overflowing with paperwork, Kinsey discovers a padded mailer addressed to a priest and a coded list. Curious, Kinsey finds herself following up on the case, unprepared for the horrors she discovers.
W is for Wasted was a bit of a disappointment due to a rather lacklustre and longwinded plot, but X is much improved and more reminiscent of earlier books in the series. While there aren’t any great surprises, the cases are interesting, and well thought out. I found the investigation relating to Pete the most compelling, there is real danger involved for both Kinsey and others.
The pace of X is measured, as all the books tend to be in this series. Set in the 1980’s Kinsey’s investigations are all about legwork in the pre internet, pre mobile phone era. Kinsey spends a lot of time browsing library archives, making phone calls and on stakeout.
Kinsey herself is not an excitable character, but she is a thoughtful and determined investigator that focuses on detail. I’ve always liked her but I was hoping for more personal development as the series approaches the end. Essentially Kinsey is a loner, Vera makes a brief appearance which I enjoyed and former romantic interests Dietz and Chaney rate a mention. But Henry and Rosie are really the only people she interacts with.
As a longtime fan of the series I was mostly satisfied by this installment and I’m eager to see how Grafton brings it to a close.
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LibraryThing member pgchuis
Various stories intertwined. Firstly Teddy Xanakis, who creates a false persona and pays Kinsey to locate a recently released bank robber for her, claiming he is the son she gave up for adoption. This storyline starts off intriguing and gets less and less interesting - what was that whole sequence
Then there is the case Kinsey inherits from the deceased Pete, about an unpleasant man named Ned Lowe and the various women linked to Ned, whose names Pete has recorded in encrypted form. For a long time it looked as if there was no real crime to be proven here and then in the end it gets a bit berserk, but outside the scope of the book. Finally there is the "great drought of 1989" story, which went on and on and on, although Edna and Joseph's comeuppance was satisfying.
Very entertaining to read as ever, even with the obsessive detailing of all Kinsey's meals and showers etc. Now that I think of it, what was the whole "Anna Dace in the pub" thing all about? It went nowhere.
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at the hotel in Beverly Hills intended to prove? Nash kept inciting Kinsey to pursue this line of enquiry, which rang a bit false - really? Also, as some one else pointed out, all Christian ended up doing for Teddy was posing as a deliveryman and carrying away a painting - at the very least I thought he would turn out to be the new guy manning the security cameras who would break into the safe. Why go to such lengths to use him?Then there is the case Kinsey inherits from the deceased Pete, about an unpleasant man named Ned Lowe and the various women linked to Ned, whose names Pete has recorded in encrypted form. For a long time it looked as if there was no real crime to be proven here and then in the end it gets a bit berserk, but outside the scope of the book. Finally there is the "great drought of 1989" story, which went on and on and on, although Edna and Joseph's comeuppance was satisfying.
Very entertaining to read as ever, even with the obsessive detailing of all Kinsey's meals and showers etc. Now that I think of it, what was the whole "Anna Dace in the pub" thing all about? It went nowhere.
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
Kinsey is involved in three different investigations. (1) a woman asks Kinsey to find a child she gave up for adoption and pays her $200 (2) a former co-worker’s wife comes to Kinsey and tells her that the IRS is wants to go over Pete’s expenses and she asks Kinsey to help because she cleaned
Really enjoyed this book; however, it took a long time for Kinsey and Pete’s widow to figure out they break-ins are connected to Pete’s cases.
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out Pete’s office (3) Kinsey and Henry have new neighbors who are taking advantage of his good nature. She sizes them up as con artists right away and begins looking into their background.Really enjoyed this book; however, it took a long time for Kinsey and Pete’s widow to figure out they break-ins are connected to Pete’s cases.
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LibraryThing member debnance
X is Sue Grafton's latest mystery. You know the drill. If you are like me, there are times when you just want the drill. A week like this one sent me happily turning pages in X. Grafton has grown as a writer since her A-E days, I think. Nice intertwining of several clever mysteries, one of which
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looks as if it will reappear and continue in Y. Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
This 24th entry in the Kinsey Millhone series was a lot of fun. I haven't kept up with this series so I was slightly surprised to find that it was still set in the late 1980s. Having lived in California during the drought well described in a nice subplot involving Kinsey's landlord Henry's attempt having the bad guy get away bothers me, although it was realistic. I just hope that he doesn't reappear in one of the remaining two books of the series!
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to conserve water, I enjoyed the nostalgic trip down memory lane. The two main investigations Kinsey is involved in during this novel were well done. The ending of the one involving Ned Lowe wasn't to my taste - Show Less
LibraryThing member ffortsa
The latest in the continuing saga of Kinsey Millhone, this time blessedly without family surprises. A friendly look through a murdered detective's effects leads to a series of red herrings before the true evil is uncovered. Grafton's take on male-female relationships is bleak in this one; for a
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side entertainment, she presents a couple of old folks with their own kind of twistedness. Grafton also has a lot of fun with X, as if marking all the people and places we might want to keep track of. A really good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
Author Sue Grafton has made a commitment to see her series featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone through to the end of the alphabet. I read the first book, A is for Alibi, back in 1982, enjoyed it, and decided I would complete the series as well.
The latest is simply called X. (Yup, only
In Kinsey's world it's only 1989. She's working cases using the 'old' gumshoe methods of surveillance, telephones (and payphones), calling in favours and contacts. It's quite fun to watch her solve cases 'the old fashioned way' without computers.
This latest entry brings back a former P.I. and case from Kinsey's early days. Pete is dead and a carton of his old files reveals a hidden list of women's names. The connection - a cold hearted man. Could he also be a cold hearted killer?
Picking up the latest Kinsey book is like settling down to catch up with an old friend. These characters are familiar, welcoming and comfortable. Kinsey herself is engaging and endearing. Not to mention dogged and determined. I'm also quite taken with the supporting cast - Kinsey's octogenarian landlord Henry and his extended family.
In addition to the main plot, there's a second one involving a bitterly divorced couple. This plot felt extraneous to me, like an add on to fill out the book. I never became truly invested in this plot line. There is a third involving Henry's new neighbours and water conservation. This one I loved!
Although the books have a crime in each and often a dead body, they're not overly graphic. I found myself a little taken aback by one element of the cold-hearted guy's MO. It seemed like a bit of a shock after the relatively sedate investigation to that point. The other thing I noticed was the level of described detail - a bit too much of the mundane.
As the series winds down, I wonder if the loose ends of Kinsey's romantic life will be tied up. I thought we might her get back together with Cheney Phillips. Wishful thinking maybe!
I've actually chosen to listen to the last few books on CD. Kudos to the publisher for using the same narrator for all of the book. Judy Kaye's voice has personified the mental image I've created for Kinsey. It's got a nice little rasp to it. Kaye also has great inflection and interpretation. This isn't my favourite of the series, but it was still an entertaining listen on the drive back and forth to work.
The latest is simply called X. (Yup, only
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two more to go)In Kinsey's world it's only 1989. She's working cases using the 'old' gumshoe methods of surveillance, telephones (and payphones), calling in favours and contacts. It's quite fun to watch her solve cases 'the old fashioned way' without computers.
This latest entry brings back a former P.I. and case from Kinsey's early days. Pete is dead and a carton of his old files reveals a hidden list of women's names. The connection - a cold hearted man. Could he also be a cold hearted killer?
Picking up the latest Kinsey book is like settling down to catch up with an old friend. These characters are familiar, welcoming and comfortable. Kinsey herself is engaging and endearing. Not to mention dogged and determined. I'm also quite taken with the supporting cast - Kinsey's octogenarian landlord Henry and his extended family.
In addition to the main plot, there's a second one involving a bitterly divorced couple. This plot felt extraneous to me, like an add on to fill out the book. I never became truly invested in this plot line. There is a third involving Henry's new neighbours and water conservation. This one I loved!
Although the books have a crime in each and often a dead body, they're not overly graphic. I found myself a little taken aback by one element of the cold-hearted guy's MO. It seemed like a bit of a shock after the relatively sedate investigation to that point. The other thing I noticed was the level of described detail - a bit too much of the mundane.
As the series winds down, I wonder if the loose ends of Kinsey's romantic life will be tied up. I thought we might her get back together with Cheney Phillips. Wishful thinking maybe!
I've actually chosen to listen to the last few books on CD. Kudos to the publisher for using the same narrator for all of the book. Judy Kaye's voice has personified the mental image I've created for Kinsey. It's got a nice little rasp to it. Kaye also has great inflection and interpretation. This isn't my favourite of the series, but it was still an entertaining listen on the drive back and forth to work.
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LibraryThing member Lisa2013
I tried, and failed, 6 times to win this book. I ended up borrowing it from the library and, as is true of previous books in their series and many other book, I had to wait quite a while after publication date for it to be ready for pick up.
I’m fervently hoping I make it and will be able to read
X was a particularly good book in the series. I enjoyed its 3 or 4 concurrent plot lines.
There was just the right amount of feeling at home with the characters and pure enjoyment in the story and suspense, though for me it wasn’t the best book to read before bed. Thought I love this alphabet series they’re not exactly cozy mysteries.
I appreciate how the book in this series can sometimes be really different from one another, but the recurring characters never deviate from how they should be, taking into account their presence in many of the books.
I continue to really enjoy Kinsey, and as usual love Henry (the only landlord I’ve ever even liked) and luckily Henry does have a large role in this book. Still, it wasn’t enough Henry for me, and I’m hoping he’ll take center stage (along with Kinsey) in the last 2 books, especially the last one.
In some ways, this book was a tad darker than some of the others in the series, but it also had plenty of humor, and plenty of everyday type events.
I do really like Ed the cat, and thoroughly enjoyed the 1980s drought described in the book given the current drought California is in.
I was basically satisfied with how all the sub-plots were resolved.
I do get tired of people acting stupid in mystery novels; here, I think it was done not so much to further the story as to create suspense. I’m happy just being in the company of the characters and place and I don’t need the extra suspense.
One minor quibble: In an earlier book I didn’t like her previous take on homelessness and the homeless that much, and here she didn’t do thorough enough research on psychology (there is no PhD in Marriage & Family therapy; MFT’s are Masters level – psychologists PhD level, and the situation in question did go with that, but even the fact that she brought it up. Then again, Kinsey doesn’t have any kind of degree in psychology, so many it was Kinsey that didn’t know her stuff, not the author.
As with most series, I highly recommend reading X after reading A through W. The characters grow and change and reading in order and not skipping books allows the reader to fully savor the arc of the entire story, A-Z. (It’s one reason I struggled reading the short stories in the short story book Kinsey and Me: The old Kinsey is in them, and I like keeping up with the present and future Kinsey & Co.)
4 ½ stars
I’m fervently hoping I make it and will be able to read
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Y and Z – not as crucial as making it and being able to read the entire Harry Potter series, but it’s still important to me. I’ve heard 6 more years until Z is expected.X was a particularly good book in the series. I enjoyed its 3 or 4 concurrent plot lines.
There was just the right amount of feeling at home with the characters and pure enjoyment in the story and suspense, though for me it wasn’t the best book to read before bed. Thought I love this alphabet series they’re not exactly cozy mysteries.
I appreciate how the book in this series can sometimes be really different from one another, but the recurring characters never deviate from how they should be, taking into account their presence in many of the books.
I continue to really enjoy Kinsey, and as usual love Henry (the only landlord I’ve ever even liked) and luckily Henry does have a large role in this book. Still, it wasn’t enough Henry for me, and I’m hoping he’ll take center stage (along with Kinsey) in the last 2 books, especially the last one.
In some ways, this book was a tad darker than some of the others in the series, but it also had plenty of humor, and plenty of everyday type events.
I do really like Ed the cat, and thoroughly enjoyed the 1980s drought described in the book given the current drought California is in.
I was basically satisfied with how all the sub-plots were resolved.
I do get tired of people acting stupid in mystery novels; here, I think it was done not so much to further the story as to create suspense. I’m happy just being in the company of the characters and place and I don’t need the extra suspense.
One minor quibble: In an earlier book I didn’t like her previous take on homelessness and the homeless that much, and here she didn’t do thorough enough research on psychology (there is no PhD in Marriage & Family therapy; MFT’s are Masters level – psychologists PhD level, and the situation in question did go with that, but even the fact that she brought it up. Then again, Kinsey doesn’t have any kind of degree in psychology, so many it was Kinsey that didn’t know her stuff, not the author.
As with most series, I highly recommend reading X after reading A through W. The characters grow and change and reading in order and not skipping books allows the reader to fully savor the arc of the entire story, A-Z. (It’s one reason I struggled reading the short stories in the short story book Kinsey and Me: The old Kinsey is in them, and I like keeping up with the present and future Kinsey & Co.)
4 ½ stars
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LibraryThing member niaomiya
I love Kinsey Millhone - love her personality, her quirks, her toughness (even if she doesn't always realize that she's tough). I have read every book in Sue Grafton's alphabet series, and every one of them has always received a 5-star rating from me. Until now.
I was quite disappointed with "X."
As is typical with the alphabet books, there are two independent mysteries going on simultaneously. However, in the case of "X," it is well past 2/3 of the book before the reader is let in on what the second mystery is. And it was such an inconsequential mystery that I felt as if Grafton just threw it in there to be able to say that she had her usual 2nd mystery included.
The main mystery about Ned Lowe is actually pretty interesting, and I was curious as to how all the involved characters would contribute to the resolution. Well, the resolution was pretty disappointing. It made me think, "Wait. So was that a mystery after all?"
Whereas I usually can't put down a Grafton book, this book was much slower, and I felt I had to push myself through it. Very unusual for Grafton. What saved this book is Grafton's writing. She is a terrific writer, and her descriptions were spot-on. I enjoyed this book more for her writing than for the story itself. I can only hope that her "Y" book will be better and return us to the glory of her other alphabet books.
I was quite disappointed with "X."
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Although Kinsey's personality was there, it seemed muted, as if Kinsey were trying to talk to the reader from inside a sound-proofed room. And Kinsey's personality is everything to the alphabet series.As is typical with the alphabet books, there are two independent mysteries going on simultaneously. However, in the case of "X," it is well past 2/3 of the book before the reader is let in on what the second mystery is. And it was such an inconsequential mystery that I felt as if Grafton just threw it in there to be able to say that she had her usual 2nd mystery included.
The main mystery about Ned Lowe is actually pretty interesting, and I was curious as to how all the involved characters would contribute to the resolution. Well, the resolution was pretty disappointing. It made me think, "Wait. So was that a mystery after all?"
Whereas I usually can't put down a Grafton book, this book was much slower, and I felt I had to push myself through it. Very unusual for Grafton. What saved this book is Grafton's writing. She is a terrific writer, and her descriptions were spot-on. I enjoyed this book more for her writing than for the story itself. I can only hope that her "Y" book will be better and return us to the glory of her other alphabet books.
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LibraryThing member kaulsu
I liked this latest alphabet mystery, though I'm not clear exactly what the title stood for...unless it was for "wrapping up loose ends." Grafton wove together four separate (or five, depending how one counts) puzzles which took some concentration. She made an allusion to Henry's crossword puzzles,
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but didn't admit that he used to devise them. Rosie's diner seemed to cook better fare...and the latest clientele allowed her to bring the reader up to date on many of her last romances. And she was able to do all this with only giving us the play-by-play on her jogging routine a couple of times, and she changed her underwear a more realistically number of times. Sadly, she switched to Diet Pepsi and did not have even one quarter pounder. Sad, but true. Sorry for the spoiler alert. Oh. Sorry. Should've said that earlier! Enjoy. Show Less
LibraryThing member Alphawoman
No where near her best.
LibraryThing member ValerieAndBooks
As always, Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone novels keep me reading until the very end. Her latest alphabet mystery is simply titled X instead of the usual A is for... etc.
Of course, I won't go into the plot too much as not to spoil anything. So here are just some thoughts.
There's three separate
There's a "Bank of X. Phillips", characters with the last name "Xanakis", a "Father Xavier", and perhaps other X references that I have forgotten or missed, but no one major reason why this book should earn the X title.
Grafton is less heavy-handed in her 1980s references here as in the recent novels, which I consider a good thing.
Characters briefly pop in and out of this novel, much like being cameo appearances. Some are new, some from the past. Some of these characters are left kind of hanging in the overall story...it's like, why is the person even here in the novel. For instance, Kinsey's relative (Anna Dace -- "My father was Anna's father's favorite uncle, making us (perhaps) second cousins. I might also be her aunt") shows up in a bar and then leaves with Kinsey's old flame. Nothing happens with that thereafter, unless I inadvertently missed reading a page. Another instance is when Kinsey finally meets her old flame's mother, but the mother's appearance is very brief.
Maybe these cameo appearances are indications that there'll be more coverage of these characters, and further loose ends tied up, in the next two novels.
I have always liked Kinsey, and am always rooting for her, so I always look forward to a new novel featuring her in spite of any minor flaws I find in each book.
Of course, I won't go into the plot too much as not to spoil anything. So here are just some thoughts.
There's three separate
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storylines here that involve Kinsey's investigations, either formally (as in being hired to do so) or informally. Interestingly, none of them end up tying into each other (as has occurred in Grafton's past novels).There's a "Bank of X. Phillips", characters with the last name "Xanakis", a "Father Xavier", and perhaps other X references that I have forgotten or missed, but no one major reason why this book should earn the X title.
Grafton is less heavy-handed in her 1980s references here as in the recent novels, which I consider a good thing.
Characters briefly pop in and out of this novel, much like being cameo appearances. Some are new, some from the past. Some of these characters are left kind of hanging in the overall story...it's like, why is the person even here in the novel. For instance, Kinsey's relative (Anna Dace -- "My father was Anna's father's favorite uncle, making us (perhaps) second cousins. I might also be her aunt") shows up in a bar and then leaves with Kinsey's old flame. Nothing happens with that thereafter, unless I inadvertently missed reading a page. Another instance is when Kinsey finally meets her old flame's mother, but the mother's appearance is very brief.
Maybe these cameo appearances are indications that there'll be more coverage of these characters, and further loose ends tied up, in the next two novels.
I have always liked Kinsey, and am always rooting for her, so I always look forward to a new novel featuring her in spite of any minor flaws I find in each book.
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LibraryThing member whoizme8
What more can be said about this wonderful series? It has been a good series of stories and one begins to think they know the chracters in real life. Elnjoyed this book just like I have enjoyed the others. Hope the alphabet does not stop at "Z".
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and
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the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church" Show Less
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Throwback novel as this much enjoyed series comes towards the end of its run through the alphabet.. It i too bad that Sue Grafton did not pick Chinese characters for her titling theme. so that we could anticipate many more of these "fun to read" mysteries.
LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
Any time we return to Kinsey Millhone is a treat and X by Sue Grafton is no exception. XIn some of this alphabet series books, the neighbors play an important role and some Millhone’s family plays a big part. In X, there’s no family (other than references to them every now and then) and some
There are three stories going on in X.
It is the 1989 drought in California and Kinsey’s neighbor and landlord, Henry Pitt is concerned about water consumption. Despite all his water conservation measures, his water bills are rising. Along with this, Henry and Kinsey appear to have needy, clingy new next door neighbors.
In early March, a woman contacts Kinsey. She’s being rather secretive and private and would prefer to meet at her home rather than in Kinsey’s office to discuss her services. However, she is also leaving the next morning on an extended trip. So in early evening, Kinsey takes the half hour drive along windy roads to meet Hallie Bettancourt in what can only be described as a mansion. Hallie wants to find the son she gave up for adoption many years earlier.
If you recall from other books, a fellow (somewhat slimy) detective, Pete Wolinsky was killed in a robbery attempt. His widow, Ruthie, is contacted by the IRS who is looking at Pete’s records as well as his former employer, Byrd-Shine Investigations, which ceased operations 15 years earlier. Ruthie has looked through whatever she has and come up empty handed and has asked Kinsey to look through the one box she has. While not finding any financial records, Kinsey did stumble across a sheet with 12 rows of numbers, each with 8 columns of 4 numbers, tucked into a folder. Additionally, underneath the bottom flap of the storage box was an envelope containing a rosary, a bible, and two greeting cards from a Lenore Redfern, who died a dozen years earlier. Apparently the envelope was meant for her daughter, who was four at the time of her death.
In X, nothing is as it appears to be, which of course, is why we like reading Sue Grafton mysteries. Other than the clothing Ms. Grafton describes, there is nothing that would set the book in 1989 vs. 2015–well maybe no cell phones and laptops. Her neighbors, Henry, William and Rosie play minor roles, as do her previous dalliances. Her new characters are interesting and the plots are new.
With only two more letters to go in the series, I’m hoping Ms. Grafton will think about doubling up on letters, AA is for Accidental Asphyxiation or start using numbers. I hate to think at she would stop writing. That would be T is for Tragic. Anyway, I’m sure there are many of you out there who have invested the time to read the 23 previous novels in the series. It would be silly to stop now. Go for it.
And don’t forget one of my favorite books by Grafton, Kinsey and Me. It is some of Grafton’s best and most interesting writing.
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neighborly stuff.There are three stories going on in X.
It is the 1989 drought in California and Kinsey’s neighbor and landlord, Henry Pitt is concerned about water consumption. Despite all his water conservation measures, his water bills are rising. Along with this, Henry and Kinsey appear to have needy, clingy new next door neighbors.
In early March, a woman contacts Kinsey. She’s being rather secretive and private and would prefer to meet at her home rather than in Kinsey’s office to discuss her services. However, she is also leaving the next morning on an extended trip. So in early evening, Kinsey takes the half hour drive along windy roads to meet Hallie Bettancourt in what can only be described as a mansion. Hallie wants to find the son she gave up for adoption many years earlier.
If you recall from other books, a fellow (somewhat slimy) detective, Pete Wolinsky was killed in a robbery attempt. His widow, Ruthie, is contacted by the IRS who is looking at Pete’s records as well as his former employer, Byrd-Shine Investigations, which ceased operations 15 years earlier. Ruthie has looked through whatever she has and come up empty handed and has asked Kinsey to look through the one box she has. While not finding any financial records, Kinsey did stumble across a sheet with 12 rows of numbers, each with 8 columns of 4 numbers, tucked into a folder. Additionally, underneath the bottom flap of the storage box was an envelope containing a rosary, a bible, and two greeting cards from a Lenore Redfern, who died a dozen years earlier. Apparently the envelope was meant for her daughter, who was four at the time of her death.
In X, nothing is as it appears to be, which of course, is why we like reading Sue Grafton mysteries. Other than the clothing Ms. Grafton describes, there is nothing that would set the book in 1989 vs. 2015–well maybe no cell phones and laptops. Her neighbors, Henry, William and Rosie play minor roles, as do her previous dalliances. Her new characters are interesting and the plots are new.
With only two more letters to go in the series, I’m hoping Ms. Grafton will think about doubling up on letters, AA is for Accidental Asphyxiation or start using numbers. I hate to think at she would stop writing. That would be T is for Tragic. Anyway, I’m sure there are many of you out there who have invested the time to read the 23 previous novels in the series. It would be silly to stop now. Go for it.
And don’t forget one of my favorite books by Grafton, Kinsey and Me. It is some of Grafton’s best and most interesting writing.
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Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015-09-02
Physical description
9.25 inches
ISBN
0399163840 / 9780399163845
Other editions
X (A Kinsey Millhone Novel) by Sue Grafton (CD audiobook)