What Keeps You Reading a Series?

[Nancy]

I think it must be difficult to write a series that keeps going and going--and to keep surpassing your achievements in the prior book. Of course, having a loyal following who embrace your work would help immensely. On the other hand, even a loyal reader can sometimes feel that the author was pushed too quickly toward a publishing date, was tired of the new book before beginning it, or couldn't come up with new ideas.

I've enjoyed reading Sue Grafton's mysteries over several decades, and Kinsey Millhone has grown on me--with her quirky ways. I don't know why, but she reminds me a little of Celeste, my best friend from the eighth grade . . . maybe that independent spirit and self contained way of moving through life, no matter what is happening. I also enjoy her comraderie with the elderly and attention to daily details! What made this book a little different from her prior ones in the series, however, is that part it isn't all told from Kinsey's viewpoint or as a narrative. Part of it is told from the viewpoint of a disturbed woman (I don't want to say too much here except that both she and her son are seriously strange!), and these slices of plot are shuffled with Kinsey's ongoing life.

I thought this was an interesting writing technique, and I appreciated Grafton's creativity and courage in trying it! What keeps you, as a reader, forging ahead with an author or series?--"Books and Everything Else" at http://nancybrashear.blogspot.com

[Robin]

Never heard about the disturbed woman reference before. Her latest books are kinds not the same as A is for Alibi, will she be coming out with the last few more to make up the alphabet series? I did not like S. The whole stealing of someone's identity weirds me out.

[Charise]

I am intrigued by strong, smart, and independent female heroines that have a sense of humor as well as some character flaws. As a science teacher, I am a science geek so series that include science are a especially interesting to me. My favorite series include Kinsey Millhone, Anna Pigeon, Em Hansen, and Temperance Brennan. I also appreciate the lack of head-over-heals-in-love romantic relationships. If I wanted this I would read romance novels.

I too, have not encountered the "strange woman and her son" reference.

[Nancy]

Yes, in this book there is a very disturbed (fake) nurse who is out to get her and steal her identity. It has a darker tone than most of her earlier books. I think it was a writing experiment!

[Nancy]

I like these types of smart female heroines, too (including some of TV's, like Temperance Brennan). Yes, in the T" book, the strange (really, diabolical) woman and her son feature quite a bit. Be prepared!

[Robin]

I think it was T that I found so disturbing, I had to stop reading that one. Even Undertow was kind of grisly as well.

[Charise]

Ahh, I guess I forgot that part. Darn - hate it when the memory goes!

[Robin]

LOL, there are so many different intrigues in each of Sue Grafton's books that I wonder what she will think up next. Was there a V,W, X Y, or Z done yet?

[Nancy]

Nancy wrote: "I think it must be difficult to write a series that keeps going and going--and to keep surpassing your achievements in the prior book. Of course, having a loyal following who embrace your work woul..."

Robin wrote: "LOL, there are so many different intrigues in each of Sue Grafton's books that I wonder what she will think up next. Was there a V,W, X Y, or Z done yet?"

From Nancy--Maybe "X" is for xylophone, where someone is murdered with music!

[Robin]

Funny, or someone gets x-rayed to death.

[Charise]

V is for Vengeancewill be available toward the end of November. I am looking forward to this and the new Temperance Brennen novel, Flash and Bonesdue out this August (I think).

[Robin]

I thought I heard about it. Is Temperance Brennen novels good in the same vein as KInsey Milhone, since I am sure this will be her last book in this series, unfortunately.

[Mr.B]

Charise wrote: "I am intrigued by strong, smart, and independent female heroines that have a sense of humor as well as some character flaws. As a science teacher, I am a science geek so series that include scienc..."

Grafton has been successful, in my opinion, because she has changed the writing style of each successive novel, and her main character Kinsey Millhone is seen more fully in each new book--romantic interests, family background, and financial challenges. The same could be said for Temperance Brennan. Additionally, for both characters, each novel highlights different forensic methods. Yes, Kinsey is a PI, and Temperance is a forensic anthropologist--their individual roles do not change (albeit Temperance is also a writer and a college professor). But they have to rely on different kinds of investigatory procedures and lore outside of their individual fields. I was pleasantly surprised when Temperance worked with a forensic linguist to glean clues from a ransom note in one of the novels.

So for these two series, the continuing stories don't become hack formulaic writing, and that makes the books enjoyable for me. I'm sure other writers have to do something similar to keep interest alive. James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux novels use many of the same variations. He's the only other writer whose serial works I read. Books he has written outside of the Robicheaux series haven't been as impressive to me.

[Nancy]

I've only seen the TV series starring Temperance Brennan. Do you know if these books were written before or after them? Are they good reading?--Nancy

Charise wrote: "V is for Vengeancewill be available toward the end of November. I am looking forward to this and the new Temperance Brennen novel, Flash and Bonesdue out this August ..."

[Mr.B]

The book series was started in 1997; the TV series in 2005. The character Temperance Brennan on TV is not based on the character from the novels, although they do share some background. The TV Tempe is based on the writer's life. Kathy Reichs is a practicing forensic anthropologist and college professor of anthropology. The novels are really fun, giving lots of insight into investigative science. If you enjoy CSI, you would enjoy the Reichs novels.

[Nancy]

Thanks, Mr.B. I do like CSI, and I didn't know this, and these books sound interesting! Maybe I'll try one out with the upcoming Border's bankruptsy sale!--Nancy ;)

Mr.B wrote: "The book series was started in 1997; the TV series in 2005. The character Temperance Brennan on TV is not based on the character from the novels, although they do share some background. The TV Temp..."

[Janet]

I have read all of her books to date and love the series. And although I read them in order they could also be read out of order without the reader feeling as thought they missed something. Im hoping when she is done with the series she will continue with double letters (AA, BB...etc) or at least with another like minded series (possibly numerical??).

[Janet]

Nancy wrote: "Thanks, Mr.B. I do like CSI, and I didn't know this, and these books sound interesting! Maybe I'll try one out with the upcoming Border's bankruptsy sale!--Nancy ;)

Mr.B wrote: "The book series ..."

You should definitely give this series a try, but I warn you, you will be hooked with book one, so wait to start until you have several of them at home. The early ones are smaller and a quick read, but you will not want to put the books down and will want to start the next one right away.

[Nancy]

Janet wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Thanks, Mr.B. I do like CSI, and I didn't know this, and these books sound interesting! Maybe I'll try one out with the upcoming Border's bankruptsy sale!--Nancy ;)

Mr.B wrote: "Th..."

I like it when a whole series is already written!

[Nancy]

Janet wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Thanks, Mr.B. I do like CSI, and I didn't know this, and these books sound interesting! Maybe I'll try one out with the upcoming Border's bankruptsy sale!--Nancy ;)

Mr.B wrote: "Th..."

I like it when a whole series is already written!

[Donna]

Nancy wrote: "I think it must be difficult to write a series that keeps going and going--and to keep surpassing your achievements in the prior book. Of course, having a loyal following who embrace your work woul..."

I like following the character as they acquire a history in a place. If the new stories add to the main character's and my knowledge, then I will read the next volume. For instance, in one of Grafton's novels we learn about gravel mining, in another, we learn about swimming pool maintenance, and in another we learn about digging up bodies. So, as long as I keep learning, I keep reading.

[Cateline]

I've read up to S is for Silence, actually gave up on it. I bought the following ones, but haven't read them yet. I enjoyed the series up till S, but couldn't finish that one. I'm hoping it is a case of having to go back in a different frame of mind. Someday. :)

[Janet]

I put them dow fr about ayear and then came back and rad up through T is for trespass. Itdoes hep to give yourself a break, oherwise you get burnt out on the charachte.

Cateline wrote: "I've read up to S is for Silence, actually gave up on it. I bought the following ones, but haven't read them yet. I enjoyed the series up till S, but couldn't finish that one. I'm ..."

[Cateline]

For me, Grafton seemed to lose focus in the writing of S is for Silence. Of course it could have been me, and I hope it was. I have so many series going though, and so much else on the pile that I haven't been particularly moved to go back.....yet.

For example, I'm only a third of the way into James Lee Burke's Robichaux series, and frankly, I'd work on that series first, he is truly a superior writer. A painterly writer in fact

[Luchionka]

For me,i believe that a series should contain such a focus on a suspenseful subject. I believe Grafton does such a thing, but sometimes the stories can get boaring, therefire creating it hard to finish reading a series, especially this long.

[Kathie]

I have to love the character....as I do Kinsey. I love her life, her friends and the way she she thinks. I never get bored...I think some of the later books are the best yet. Sue has learned a few tricks over the years...

[Lisa]

I love the character. The fact that her home life and that of the other characters plays such a large part in the books.
I also like the fact that they are set in the 80's where Kinsey is having to solve the crime using good old fashioned police methods. The technology is not what it is today.

[Suge]

Interesting characters will always keep me coming back. T is for Trespass is my favorite Kinsey Millhone story so far but I say that with each one I read.