Status
Available
Series
Genres
Publication
Bantam Books (1995), Edition: Reissue, 224 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. HTML:A wealthy woman needs to find her sister to settle a will. It looks routine... boring. Still, business is slow and even a private investigator has bills to pay, so Kinsey Millhone takes the case. But this is not routine and the deeper Kinsey digs the trickier things get. The client tries to call Kinsey off, an accusing husband surfaces and a double murder turns the case sinister. Kinsey feels adrift in a fog of distortion, where nothing - except danger - is quite what it seems.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member mmignano11
Grafton hits the target again with this quick read. The plot is rather involved and the characters are complicated and have quirks like the rest of us. Grafton always manages to make her characters realistic, in both dialogue and personality. These books are not for the "cozy" mystery enthusiast
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though, Grafton knows how to "whack" her victims and the fight at the end of this book is intense, painful and violent. I will read the next book in line, curious now to see how the author develops throughout the writing of each new book. Show Less
LibraryThing member bardin
This is still the best Kinsey Millhone story, although 'H', 'M', and 'Q' are also quite good. 'B' is for Burglar is a mystery blessed with a terrific plot and excellent major and minor characters. It has received numerous awards, and deservedly so. You don't need to read 'A' is for alibi first, but
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it helps a bit. Show Less
LibraryThing member EmScape
A very compelling tale of missing persons, burglary, murder and investigation. Grafton's heroine is genuine, flawed, courageous, and relatable. This series is a must-read!
LibraryThing member nakmeister
Kinsey Millhone returns for her second book and this time she’s been given what she thinks is a relatively simple case. Just find her clients sister so she can sign some legal documents. No problem there, she thinks, but the woman has just disappeared off the face of the earth...
I quite like
I quite like
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these books. They’re very easy to read, and while for me it isn’t quite a suspenseful page turner, I do want to know what happens, who committed the crime etc. and so I read on. It’s also interesting to see a fairly realistic Private Investigator at work – well it seems realistic enough – in an old fashioned but not too old fashioned way. It’s not Agatha Christie, but it’s not a Crime Squad searching the internet, constantly in touch on mobile phones with loads of wire taps in place sort of book either. I also quite like the first person writing style. Obviously there’s no dramatic irony with this, the reader never gets to know things, other than what they deduce, before the protagonist. Weighs in at a little over 200 pages, but while enjoyable, if it were double the length it might get a little wearing at times. Show Less
LibraryThing member KnittyGritty
You will be hooked from the first few pages. Lots of twists & turns. Just when you think that you have it figured out, she takes the story in a different direction.
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Missing sister. Kinsey up to here usual tricks lying a bit, picking locks etc. She gets her comupence in the end though, having to fight a physcopath, good job she jogs every day. Not too many bodies in this one, but another enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member DreamingInFiction
The mystery in this one was GREAT! Totally took me by surprise....
BUT I still didn't like the comments that were made about the same subjects mentioned previously. It just seems so rude and I'm taking more and more offense to it which is why I gave it 3 instead of a 4 that it really deserves.
BUT I still didn't like the comments that were made about the same subjects mentioned previously. It just seems so rude and I'm taking more and more offense to it which is why I gave it 3 instead of a 4 that it really deserves.
LibraryThing member eenerd
Another good one by Grafton. Keeps you guessing until the end, and the characters are imaginative, crazy, and fun to follow. The ending is satisfying but realistic. I'm ready for C!
LibraryThing member riverwillow
Didn't enjoy this as much as the first book, it felt too generic and I realy didn't feel Kinsey developing as a character. But it passed the time.
LibraryThing member BookAngel_a
An absorbing mystery. Suspenseful. Kept my attention. Not my favorite mystery series. I prefer 'cozy' mysteries so it is a tiny bit gory for my taste, but still very interesting.
LibraryThing member cbandeli
I like detective novels and these are well written. I prefer the humor though of Evanovich as to the more serious tone of Grafton. I am just starting this series so I will have to see how far I continue into it.
LibraryThing member meyben
A missing person and an arson's fire are related.
LibraryThing member mochap
another enjoyable Kinsey Millhone mystery.
LibraryThing member bluestar50
I really liked this book it had me spooked at the end and I couldn't put it down.
LibraryThing member veranaz22
Characters were detailed nicely. Sometimes goes too much into detail with the settings/places. The storyline was a bit confusing at times, but still a good read and worth the time (even though this book is older than I am). 3 1/2 out of 5.
LibraryThing member kittysimmons
I'm not reading these in order and have already read almost all of them. Was pleasantly surprised at how good this one is. The plot was very clever and had me guessing and engaged all the way to the end. I enjoy all the descriptive details which fill this series.
LibraryThing member samantha.1020
In B is for Burglar, Kinsey Millhone is back and in search of a missing woman. At first the case seems to be a simple matter that can be solved within a couple of days, but as Kinsey begins to dig it becomes apparent that everything isn't what it seems. And the more that Kinsey searches for the
I am hooked on this series! Sue Grafton has created such a likeable, realistic female protagonist in Kinsey. She is an absolute delight to read about. What I really liked about this book is that Kinsey is still dealing with everything that happened in the previous book. I can't go into details without revealing spoilers but suffice it to say that it made the series that much better in my opinion. And it made Kinsey that much more awesome as a main character. The mystery in this book was page turning. I was constantly guessing and trying to figure out what had really happened to Elaine. And let me tell you that I didn't see the ending coming whatsoever. After finishing the book though, I realized that there were a few questions left open. I'm wondering if maybe the answers will be in the third book or if the author will just leave it the way it ended. I'm interested to see for myself and can't wait to snatch up the 3rd book!
All in all, this was a really great read and also really helped to cement my enjoyment of this series. I can't wait to see what kind of troubles Kinsey will get herself into next. Recommended to anyone who enjoys a good mystery series!
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missing Elaine, the more questions arise as everything begins to not add up. Can Kinsey figure out what has happened to Elaine before she finds herself in danger??I am hooked on this series! Sue Grafton has created such a likeable, realistic female protagonist in Kinsey. She is an absolute delight to read about. What I really liked about this book is that Kinsey is still dealing with everything that happened in the previous book. I can't go into details without revealing spoilers but suffice it to say that it made the series that much better in my opinion. And it made Kinsey that much more awesome as a main character. The mystery in this book was page turning. I was constantly guessing and trying to figure out what had really happened to Elaine. And let me tell you that I didn't see the ending coming whatsoever. After finishing the book though, I realized that there were a few questions left open. I'm wondering if maybe the answers will be in the third book or if the author will just leave it the way it ended. I'm interested to see for myself and can't wait to snatch up the 3rd book!
All in all, this was a really great read and also really helped to cement my enjoyment of this series. I can't wait to see what kind of troubles Kinsey will get herself into next. Recommended to anyone who enjoys a good mystery series!
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LibraryThing member HockeyGoddess
I read this book for several reasons: 1)I own all of this woman's works up through "T" and feel I must "get to it already." 2)It's for a challenge (three different challenges, actually!). 3)I'm on vacation and I'm frustrated by how few books I've finished and this one was a shortie.
While I am
While I am
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getting to like the character of Kinsey Millhone better in this second installment, I was pretty pissed by the way Ms. Grafton ended the thing. I had this one nailed from about 35 pages in and because of that I kind of lost interest for the last two-thirds of the book. It certainly was an easy read (probably could have done in half a day if I could have stayed focused on it) but not all that interesting. I'd like a little more meat to the story and a less obvious plot so I can get more into the story. I will probably keep reading the series, but don't foresee really recommending these books to anyone...and I certainly won't be buying any more of them...I can just get them from the library instead of spending good money on a so-so story. Show Less
LibraryThing member DarlenesBookNook
This is the second book in the Kinsey Millhone, aka Alphabet Mystery, series.
Kinsey Millhone, Private Investigator, is hired by a woman to find her sister, who appears to have gone missing, in order to settle a relative’s estate.
When I started this book, I forgot it was written back in 1985 when
Kinsey is a very likeable protagonist: she’s a bit of a loner, quirky, self-reliant, and tough.
Grafton’s books are a fast read for me, and I enjoy them.
I also like Mary Peiffer's narration of these books. She did the first one as well.
MY RATING: 3.5 stars!
Kinsey Millhone, Private Investigator, is hired by a woman to find her sister, who appears to have gone missing, in order to settle a relative’s estate.
When I started this book, I forgot it was written back in 1985 when
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parachute pants and Mohawks were in style and people didn’t email and use the internet or cell phones! How archaic to have to use the typewriter instead of the computer ;) I have forgotten how different everything was back then!Kinsey is a very likeable protagonist: she’s a bit of a loner, quirky, self-reliant, and tough.
Grafton’s books are a fast read for me, and I enjoy them.
I also like Mary Peiffer's narration of these books. She did the first one as well.
MY RATING: 3.5 stars!
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LibraryThing member simplywriting
Another great Kinsey Milhone adventure!
LibraryThing member Darrol
Marginally better than A.
LibraryThing member Carl_Alves
I've read another of Sue Grafton's novels, and just like the previous one, this did nothing for me. Between the plot, the characterization, the writing style, there's nothing about it that stands out as being anything above mediocre. In this novel, Kinsey goes looking for an eccentric wealthy
Carl Alves - author of Two For Eternity
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woman. This leads her to Florida and a woman posing as the missing woman. The red herrings were weak. The villain was not very believable and the story was a bit dull. This isn't worth the read.Carl Alves - author of Two For Eternity
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LibraryThing member TerriBooks
Kinsey is an interesting young woman...I enjoy her internal conversation and observations about her life. I also enjoyed the mystery, the "whodunit" was a surprise that I didn't really believe, but then again, these aren't very realistic stories are they? Enjoyable, easy to follow, relaxing... good
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casual reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member sumariotter
I've never read a Sue Grafton mystery because the titles are so silly. But, a friend recommended her so I thought I'd try one. It's a short, fun read. Not very complex in either story or characterization but it was written in the 80's. I'll try a few more...
LibraryThing member mawls
Took me awhile to read because I kept setting it down. A typical mystery story. Good to pass the time or to read in-between other, possibly better, books.
Subjects
Awards
Anthony Award (Nominee — Novel — 1986)
Shamus Award (Winner — 1986)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1985-05-15
ISBN
0553280341 / 9780553280340