"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... read full description
Any reader who needs a smart and sassy P.I. would do well to hire Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone. . . . H' is... read full description
reviews
Jan 27, 2008
Beverley
rated it: 
I've just discovered Sue Grafton. The protagonist, Kinsey Millhone, is the only convincing INTJ female I've ever found in literature, which, IMO, is quite an achievement.
Grafton's plots are usually interesting and have another element which is rare. The plots are from a woman's pov and show how just the fact of being a female detective inherently changes the flow of events in ways that a male author can't really understaqnd, and so can't generate in his own stories (e.g. Robert Parker' More...
Grafton's plots are usually interesting and have another element which is rare. The plots are from a woman's pov and show how just the fact of being a female detective inherently changes the flow of events in ways that a male author can't really understaqnd, and so can't generate in his own stories (e.g. Robert Parker' More...
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Nov 02, 2011
April the Cheshire Meow
rated it:
Raymond is a really great horrible criminal. So far in the series, he is the top evil person in Kinsey's world. Reading what will he do next is the best thing about H. The only quibble is I can't believe he's a heroin addict instead of speed or meth. Another way this one is unusual is Kinsey is undercover and forced into submission to others throughout most of the book; however, she manages to maintain her dignity and professionalism. Her character is more in focus in this one, and you lear
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Feb 03, 2012
Susan
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“H” takes up just five months after “G” ends, so it’s still 1983. As Kinsey investigates false insurance claims, she finds herself deep undercover in a Los Angeles barrio with no friends to turn to.
She’s still using a portable typewriter, but there are some references to office computers and car phones. Subplots include California Fidelity undergoing major upper-end personnel changes and Kinsey’s pal Vera preparing for a Halloween wedding.
Kinsey’s fleeting thoughts about Rob More...
She’s still using a portable typewriter, but there are some references to office computers and car phones. Subplots include California Fidelity undergoing major upper-end personnel changes and Kinsey’s pal Vera preparing for a Halloween wedding.
Kinsey’s fleeting thoughts about Rob More...
Jan 03, 2012
Angela
rated it:
My Review:
Kinsey Millhone is a wonderful character who you can’t help but identify with and love. She always seems to get into trouble of some kind, but at the same time finds a way out of it too. Kinsey is a Private Investigator for the company California Fidelity. She works there for office space basically. She gives them her PI skills to look into insurance claims and they give her an office to use for work she does for them and for her personal business she runs on the side. When a More...
Kinsey Millhone is a wonderful character who you can’t help but identify with and love. She always seems to get into trouble of some kind, but at the same time finds a way out of it too. Kinsey is a Private Investigator for the company California Fidelity. She works there for office space basically. She gives them her PI skills to look into insurance claims and they give her an office to use for work she does for them and for her personal business she runs on the side. When a More...
Jan 05, 2011
Angela
rated it:
H is for Homicide was a bit different than the beginning of the alphabet, and I liked it. As always, we join Kinsey on a journey. It begins with a murder in her office parking lot. A new insurance agent for California Fidelity has been killed. Nobody really knows why, but he has unresolved cases. Kinsey is asked to look into one of them, which lands her in a messy situation.
As she investigates the potential for insurance fraud, she befriends Bibianna, and ends up inside a large More...
As she investigates the potential for insurance fraud, she befriends Bibianna, and ends up inside a large More...
Jan 07, 2009
Mike
rated it: 
I tried Sue Grafton or the fist time and was pleasantly surprised. I will probably read more from this series. I liked the spunky character and mostly Grafton's visual and very detailed descriptions of everything the main character came into cotnact with. It reminds me of how I often perceive my environment once arriving at a new place or into someone's house. Gritty details, visual resolution, aromas, tones of voice, and hunches make up this quirky character's mystery solving adventures. I
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Dec 22, 2009
Joni
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I rate this a 6 out of 5! "In ""H,"" Kinsey goes undercover for the cops in an attempt to break up an automobile insurance fraud gang. 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 foible
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Jun 04, 2011
AnEyeSpy
rated it:
(one review for series) ***** for the first book because I like the series enough to last till about R, now want more to find new authors, and finish another year. The rest get 3-4* because I cannot remember my favorites. I like strong, brave females who make choices and deal with consequences successfully. I like mysteries. I like funny eccentric, her odd sandwich and cute old landlord choices. Southern California feels warm and dry on a long cold Canadian winter. She always seems to go alone i
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Apr 14, 2011
Shelbi
rated it:
I didn't find the plot of this book as intricate and mysterious as some of the other Kinsey books -- there wasn't a murder to solve, per se. This book was more of a character study and I actually liked that a lot. While Kinsey is undercover investigating insurance fraud, she gets up close and personal to those running the crime ring. She made her bad guy likeable at times -- erasing the black and white "evil vs. good" balance that sometimes crops up in books like this.
It was More...
It was More...
Mar 07, 2010
Patty
rated it:
These "alphabet novels" are nothing short of perfect mystery. Grafton's cleverly crafted characters will stay with you long after you are finished reading the books. Kinsey Milhone, her landord/best friend, Henry and all the others seem so much like real people it is hard to imagine a world without them. I was on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns, never forseeing what was coming next. I felt that each novel, as Grafton advanced through the alphabet, improved in ever
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Nov 30, 2011
Maureen
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I liked this book, but I think the plot had a huge fatal flaw- <spoiler> the way that Kinsey gets on "the inside" with the hispanic gang is just bogus. And the story never really addressed why, though they let her in on the action, they were basically kidnapping kinsey and not letting her make outside contact.</spoiler> It was just too contrived to be believable. Still, though, I gave it 3 stars because I like reading Kinsey's books and enjoy my time spent with her.
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May 27, 2011
Caroline
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 07, 2008
Jen
rated it:
I really do enjoy Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries. I've been picking them up as I can for free or cheap for years (I'm not willing to pay cover price for them), and as a consequence, I read them out of order. Now that I'm on BookMooch, there are tons of them there to mooch, so I've been getting one at a time in alpha order according to what I haven't read before. This one was a bit different than the many others I've read - PI Kinsey Millhone spends most of the novel undercover with a Latino
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Dec 21, 2011
Mary Ronan
rated it:
H is for Homicide finds Kinsey Millhone going undercover to find the murderer of her friend, Parnell Perkins, a new insurance investigator at the company she works with. She makes friends with the woman in one of his cases, Bibiana Diaz, and finds herself hanging out with a bunch of rough customers. They are running an insurance scam, intentionally creating auto accidents and inflating claims. A visit to jail and increasing friendship with Bibiana complicate the already complex case.
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Mar 25, 2011
Carol
rated it:
Have read the whole series up to now. My mother and I have read them together, and we both have enjoyed them very much. I really like Kinsey Millhone. I was quite a bit older when I got married for the first time, so I can appreciate her "singleness." I liked my "singleness" too. I realize that the character has been married a couple times, but she is good at picking up her pieces and moving on. I like the new characters she introduces, and I especially like Henry and R
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Jan 31, 2010
Jean
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I'm still enjoying these books. They are written quite well. Sue Grafton describes the action in such a way that you feel like you are right there. She gives just enough background description so that you can imagine where everyone is and what is happening. When the plot takes a turn and the action unfolds, I find my heart rate increases and I am right there in the middle of it. This story was another page turner as Kinsey went undercover to help expose an insurance fraud ring.
Apr 05, 2011
Shannon
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I couldn't wait for this book to end. Raymond is one of those characters that scares the heck out of you even from the written page. I was afraid something was going to happen to the dog even if it was a dangerous pit bull....made that way by its abuse.
This book was more about abuse than the mystery.
It made me sick to read it.
As with all of these books, I have to let go of my need for a clean resolution.
This book was more about abuse than the mystery.
It made me sick to read it.
As with all of these books, I have to let go of my need for a clean resolution.
Apr 25, 2009
Monica
rated it:
This is my favorite book in this series, the one that springs to mind when someone mentions Sue Grafton. It's well-written, with characters and scenery that really add depth to the plot. I just wish it had ended a little differently, though I'll admit that the ending makes sense. This is a book that has stuck with me for years like a beautiful yet hauntingly melancholy melody.
Jul 29, 2011
Catherine
rated it:
I started reading this series over 15 years ago and they have been competently written throughout and while there was a dip in quality around 'P' or so, it is back up to snuff. Kinsey has changed in some ways over time, as you would expect given her aging, but also remained true to her values. Not getting irritating either, which is a risk for this type of series.
Aug 17, 2011
Darcy
rated it:
This book had me shaking my head for so much of the time. Kinsey manages to get herself into some very interesting situations. Her pretending to be someone else and being stuck with a psychopath made for an interesting story. I also found the efficiency expert to be quite funny, especially when he tried to treat Kinsey like a normal employee, too bad it back fired on her.
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May 01, 2008
Beth
rated it:
Excellent as always. In this case Kinsey joins a bunch of insurance scammers --- real low-lifes who manufacture accidents and then make large claims for back injuries, whiplash, and other hard-to-identify ailments. The insurance is paid by the people who rear-end the car of the scammers (this scam needs two cars, one to pull in front of car A who has to then to jam on the brakes thus causing car B to run into car A. Car C (the one who pulls in front) then races off never to seen again. There
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Jun 13, 2010
Christina
rated it:
This was the first book that I read in Grafton's alphabet series. I purchased it in 1991 at an airport bookstore before I boarded a plane. Although Grafton's books all blend together for me, I know that I liked this one reasonably well because I have faithfully read every other book in the series since.
Mar 19, 2009
Patti
rated it:
I have enjoyed all the Sue Grafton books I've read in this series. (About a half dozen, I think). This one has lots of interesting detail in it about insurance fraud and it can be quite a page turner in spots. I like the Kinsey Millhone character although all her characters seem a little stilted. It is what it is -- entertainment.
Dec 08, 2011
Rachel
rated it: 
Kinsey Milhone is a fun and spunky PI heroine. The alphabet series is great because it takes place starting in 1982. PI work seems terribly rudimentary before cellphones, the internet and other modern technology. References to gabardine suits and Chardonnay are greatly appreciated.
Sep 29, 2010
Kendra
rated it:
This one was definitely different than the others I've read thus far. The typical story line is Kinsey is hired as a PI and then ends up solving the case at the end. This time she is placed undercover to help bring down a "mob" boss. Very action packed, I was dying to find out how it ended!
Jan 10, 2010
Peg
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I read a couple of the Sue Grafton "alphabet" mysteries some time ago. I picked this one out of a pile and enjoyed it. Since it was written in 1991 and the author has been writing since (I believe she is close to the end of the alphabet now), I guess I have some good reads ahead of me.
Sep 10, 2010
Deanna
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This book was slightly different from the others so far in the series. It mentions some characters from the previous books, but that is about all, except for Kinsey, naturally. I liked some of the imagery used in the scenes of the book. While it still annoys me that there are no computers or cell phones in the eighties/ early nineties and I really wish Kinsey would just grab her cell phone and call for help a lot of the time, I love the fact that this book brings back memories of the eighties
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Jun 20, 2010
Julie
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This book was definitely grittier, darker and more violent than the others in this series so far. If it had been the first I had read, I probably wouldn't read another. But I will try the next one knowing how much I have enjoyed all the others so far.
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Jul 01, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
This is kind of a go-to series for me. I've picked these up at used book stores over the years and I've had this one for a while, just hadn't gotten around to it. I think this might be the most suspenseful one of the series I've read yet! Really enjoyed it.
Apr 19, 2009
Michele
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This was the first Sue Grafton book I ever read. It was immediate love for me. There has never been another character like Kinsey Milhone. Kinsey is a true original. I highly recommend all books by Sue Grafton if you like a good mystery.
