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Kinsey Millhone #8
H is for Homicide
H IS FOR HUSTLER…
When PI Kinsey Millhone's good friend and colleague Parnell Perkins is found murdered in the parking lot behind California Fidelity Insurance, she can't believe he had any enemies. The only clue that raises a red flag for Kinsey is one of Parnell's files on a Bibianna Diaz, who appears to have made a lucrative career out of scamming insurance companies with phony claims.
H IS FOR HAZARDOUS…
Taking an alias, Kinsey goes undercover to befriend Bibianna, hoping she'll get close enough to catch the con artist at her own game. But Kinsey never dreams that hanging out with Bibianna will get them both thrown in jail. And when they're released, Bibianna's very jealous, very dangerous ex-fiancé Raymond Maldonado is waiting for them.
H IS FOR HOMICIDE
Kinsey soon discovers the short-tempered thug is the kingpin behind Bibianna's and countless other phony insurance claims. But was Raymond also responsible for Parnell's death? All Kinsey knows is that she'll have to think quick to nab one of the most treacherous criminals she's come face to face with―and keep herself alive…
When PI Kinsey Millhone's good friend and colleague Parnell Perkins is found murdered in the parking lot behind California Fidelity Insurance, she can't believe he had any enemies. The only clue that raises a red flag for Kinsey is one of Parnell's files on a Bibianna Diaz, who appears to have made a lucrative career out of scamming insurance companies with phony claims.
H IS FOR HAZARDOUS…
Taking an alias, Kinsey goes undercover to befriend Bibianna, hoping she'll get close enough to catch the con artist at her own game. But Kinsey never dreams that hanging out with Bibianna will get them both thrown in jail. And when they're released, Bibianna's very jealous, very dangerous ex-fiancé Raymond Maldonado is waiting for them.
H IS FOR HOMICIDE
Kinsey soon discovers the short-tempered thug is the kingpin behind Bibianna's and countless other phony insurance claims. But was Raymond also responsible for Parnell's death? All Kinsey knows is that she'll have to think quick to nab one of the most treacherous criminals she's come face to face with―and keep herself alive…
305 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 1991
About the author
Sue Grafton
214 books6,359 followersSue Grafton was a #1 New York Times bestselling author. She is best known for her “alphabet series” featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California. Prior to success with this series, she wrote screenplays for television movies. Her earlier novels include Keziah Dane (1967) and The Lolly-Madonna War (1969), both out of print. In the book Kinsey and Me she gave us stories that revealed Kinsey's origins and Sue's past.
Grafton never wanted her novels to be turned into movies or TV shows. According to her family she would never allow a ghost writer to write in her name. Because of these things, and out of respect for Sue’s wishes, the family announced the alphabet now ends at “Y”
Grafton was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, the Ross Macdonald Literary Award, three Shamus Awards, and many other honors and awards.
Grafton had three children from previous marriages and several grandchildren, including a granddaughter named Kinsey. She and her husband lived in Montecito, California, and Louisville, Kentucky.
Grafton never wanted her novels to be turned into movies or TV shows. According to her family she would never allow a ghost writer to write in her name. Because of these things, and out of respect for Sue’s wishes, the family announced the alphabet now ends at “Y”
Grafton was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, the Ross Macdonald Literary Award, three Shamus Awards, and many other honors and awards.
Grafton had three children from previous marriages and several grandchildren, including a granddaughter named Kinsey. She and her husband lived in Montecito, California, and Louisville, Kentucky.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,146 reviews
August 10, 2017
Book Review
4 of 5 stars to H is for Homicide, the 8th book in the "Kinsey Millhone" mystery series, written in 1991 by Sue Grafton. Grafton hits another home run in the series with this installment, focusing on the death of one of Kinsey's friends. It kicks off an investigation into insurance fraud claims, where Kinsey goes undercover to determine if a woman tricked Kinsey's friend Paul into the insurance game, ultimately leading to his own death. But Kinsey's in for a shock when she's arrested herself, unable to clear her name as part of the investigation because she's undercover. But this is when she realizes a crime kingpin is working with his girlfriend, and Kinsey doesn't know who to trust. This was a good edition in the series, as it pushed Kinsey out of her comfort zone, showed some emotions and helped us relate to her better. Her skills as a detective grew, especially because she had to lie about her real identify. And the mystery has lots of good twists and turns. Fans of the series will enjoy this one... so far, the series has stayed in good shape and holds up well.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
4 of 5 stars to H is for Homicide, the 8th book in the "Kinsey Millhone" mystery series, written in 1991 by Sue Grafton. Grafton hits another home run in the series with this installment, focusing on the death of one of Kinsey's friends. It kicks off an investigation into insurance fraud claims, where Kinsey goes undercover to determine if a woman tricked Kinsey's friend Paul into the insurance game, ultimately leading to his own death. But Kinsey's in for a shock when she's arrested herself, unable to clear her name as part of the investigation because she's undercover. But this is when she realizes a crime kingpin is working with his girlfriend, and Kinsey doesn't know who to trust. This was a good edition in the series, as it pushed Kinsey out of her comfort zone, showed some emotions and helped us relate to her better. Her skills as a detective grew, especially because she had to lie about her real identify. And the mystery has lots of good twists and turns. Fans of the series will enjoy this one... so far, the series has stayed in good shape and holds up well.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
May 18, 2018
For the first part of H is for Homicide I was applauding the author for changing her normal pattern. After all, eight books into the series a little change would be refreshing I thought.
By the middle of the book I was constantly checking that this was indeed Kinsey Millhone I was reading about and not Vic Warshawski. I often find similarities between these two characters but Kinsey is normally never as rash or as careless of her own safety. Going undercover without a wire or any other immediate support was just dumb even for a character in a book.
The biggest problem though was that she then stayed undercover and despite lots of violence and antisocial behaviour between various parties the story did not progress. I got bored although I perked up again at the end which was unbelievably sudden and totally surprising. Maybe that was the author's plan - to lull the reader into a sense of apathy and then stun them with an amazing twist in the very last paragraph.
I was suitably stunned and will look forward to the next book.
By the middle of the book I was constantly checking that this was indeed Kinsey Millhone I was reading about and not Vic Warshawski. I often find similarities between these two characters but Kinsey is normally never as rash or as careless of her own safety. Going undercover without a wire or any other immediate support was just dumb even for a character in a book.
The biggest problem though was that she then stayed undercover and despite lots of violence and antisocial behaviour between various parties the story did not progress. I got bored although I perked up again at the end which was unbelievably sudden and totally surprising. Maybe that was the author's plan - to lull the reader into a sense of apathy and then stun them with an amazing twist in the very last paragraph.
I was suitably stunned and will look forward to the next book.
June 15, 2024
If you’re looking for a fun and thrilling read, Kinsey’s latest part-time insurance investigation book is a must! This story is a great peek into Kinsey’s world as she juggles her job and her passion for solving mysteries. The plot is packed with suspense and keeps you hooked from start to finish.
One of the best parts? Kinsey’s secret yearning for Mr. Badass from the previous book.
One of the best parts? Kinsey’s secret yearning for Mr. Badass from the previous book.
March 20, 2019
A book about insurance fraud? Count me in! Please make sure to tell me all of the details and leave nothing out. Fascinating stuff, for sure!
Yes, here's the dirty little secret -insurance companies are out to make money. *gasp* They aren't on your side. *double gasp* The adjusters who get away with paying out the least amount in claim money get raises, promotions, and bonuses. *gasps so hard that I passed out for a minute*
Yeah, so the location of Kinsey's office space is inside an insurance company building. In return for rent, she does side-work for them by investigating possible fraud cases. The problem is, this branch has been way too loose with the checkbook so an "efficiency expert" is brought in to find out what the fuck is going on. How dare they pay claims on policies that people have been paying for? Also, this guy wonders why the hell they are giving Kinsey this sweet deal on office space. He calls her into his office to have one of those talks that male higher-ups have with underlings, especially the female kind. The conversation ends with the words every male douchebag on Earth feels they must say to every female underling in order to prove hispenis isn't tiny dominance:
"Perhaps we can meet some other time. When you're calmer."
To say that I was triggered is the equivalent of saying that Lorena Bobbitt was cranky with her husband (Google it, kids).
Yeah, you drive that spike through his dumbass head, girl! We are all on your side. We brought shovels and airtight alibis. Let's get drunk in celebration of one less douchebag in the world!
Anyway....because she is getting all involved with the insurance fraud stuff in this book, she ends up going undercover to try and catch a scammer. Insurance fraud scammer. It's riveting stuff. We get to learn all about auto insurance fraud tricks in great detail. Also, we get many other details that seem inconsequential, and they are. Oh, they so are! For instance, at one point, they are driving down a road and Kinsey lists out twenty-three businesses that they pass. Yep, that's 23. Or, XXIII for you Latin lovers. Did they stop at any of these places? No. Did these places have any significance to the story at all whatsoever? That's also a no.
It's always the oldies who insist on making things unnecessarily more complicated than they have to be.
Yet, strangely, I still enjoyed this book a little more than most of the others. Probably because the head insurance scam dude was absolutely crazy. He was the Hannibal Lecter of the insurance world. Or, maybe the lotion-in-the-basket guy. One of those two. Definitely a psycho.
Oh, the complexity of this plan. The diabolical workings of an evil genius!
Yes, here's the dirty little secret -insurance companies are out to make money. *gasp* They aren't on your side. *double gasp* The adjusters who get away with paying out the least amount in claim money get raises, promotions, and bonuses. *gasps so hard that I passed out for a minute*
Yeah, so the location of Kinsey's office space is inside an insurance company building. In return for rent, she does side-work for them by investigating possible fraud cases. The problem is, this branch has been way too loose with the checkbook so an "efficiency expert" is brought in to find out what the fuck is going on. How dare they pay claims on policies that people have been paying for? Also, this guy wonders why the hell they are giving Kinsey this sweet deal on office space. He calls her into his office to have one of those talks that male higher-ups have with underlings, especially the female kind. The conversation ends with the words every male douchebag on Earth feels they must say to every female underling in order to prove his
"Perhaps we can meet some other time. When you're calmer."
To say that I was triggered is the equivalent of saying that Lorena Bobbitt was cranky with her husband (Google it, kids).
Yeah, you drive that spike through his dumbass head, girl! We are all on your side. We brought shovels and airtight alibis. Let's get drunk in celebration of one less douchebag in the world!
Anyway....because she is getting all involved with the insurance fraud stuff in this book, she ends up going undercover to try and catch a scammer. Insurance fraud scammer. It's riveting stuff. We get to learn all about auto insurance fraud tricks in great detail. Also, we get many other details that seem inconsequential, and they are. Oh, they so are! For instance, at one point, they are driving down a road and Kinsey lists out twenty-three businesses that they pass. Yep, that's 23. Or, XXIII for you Latin lovers. Did they stop at any of these places? No. Did these places have any significance to the story at all whatsoever? That's also a no.
It's always the oldies who insist on making things unnecessarily more complicated than they have to be.
Yet, strangely, I still enjoyed this book a little more than most of the others. Probably because the head insurance scam dude was absolutely crazy. He was the Hannibal Lecter of the insurance world. Or, maybe the lotion-in-the-basket guy. One of those two. Definitely a psycho.
Oh, the complexity of this plan. The diabolical workings of an evil genius!
September 16, 2022
As part of my goals for this year, I am reading all of the Sue Grafton alphabet series novels. H is for Homicide is book #8 in the series. In my opinion, the best so far. Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone goes undercover after a friend is killed in what appears to be the result of an investigation of insurance scam. Kinsey befriends Bibianna Diaz, a professional con artist who has made herself a tidy career out of scamming insurance companies. As Kinsey gets friendly and close to Bibianna, she begins to like her. When they are arrested one night after going clubbing, Kinsey gets further embroiled when they are released the following morning and Bibianna’s very jealous ex-fiancé Raymond Maldonado is waiting for them. Bibianna calls him ex, but Raymond does not know that. Raymond appears to be the author of the insurance scams and has created a high-powered syndicate involving doctors, mechanics, and insurance investigators. As Kinsey gets closer to breaking the case, the more dangerous the case becomes. Loved this one.
March 20, 2018
This wonderful book by Sue Grafton is written when she was, in my opinion, at her best. Her books have evolved over time, but one of her most endearing qualities was to create her protagonist, Kinsey Millhone. Despite being a master of crime novels, Grafton is also extremely witty and her descriptions of Kinsey's merry band of neighbors is hilarious and entertaining. Grafton does well with setting and characters.
July 6, 2016
H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton is a 1991 Ballantine Books publication.
To me, this story was a little strange. I understood the insurance fraud storyline, and the scam was one used a lot in the 1980’s, so it’s believable, but the characters and the dialogue were odd, and Kinsey did not behave in the way she ordinarily does.
Not my favorite in this series. I hope the next book gets back on track.
2 stars
To me, this story was a little strange. I understood the insurance fraud storyline, and the scam was one used a lot in the 1980’s, so it’s believable, but the characters and the dialogue were odd, and Kinsey did not behave in the way she ordinarily does.
Not my favorite in this series. I hope the next book gets back on track.
2 stars
June 30, 2024
4 Stars. "Have you met Raymond Maldonado? Let me introduce you. But before we do, could you ask your lovely daughter to go to the shop over there and get us coffee and a table? Raymond won't be joining us." Sue Grafton has a way with some of her criminals of drawing them with a touch of sympathy and Maldonado's an example. We're in the last days of Kinsey Millhone's job at California Fidelity. She doesn't know it yet but the new senior exec in Santa Teresa, Gordon Titus, is about to fire her. First, she bumps into the murder scene of one of their black claims adjusters, Parnell Perkins. Her friend. She's then asked to take a look into one of his cases, that of Bibianna Diaz, which leads to Raymond who is the head of an automobile insurance-fraud ring. He thinks the ditzy Bibianna is his fiancé. He's young and handsome, but with the self-centredness and temper of an active volcano. His treatment of young women, and Kinsey falls into his orbit, is abominable. Unfortunately he suffers from Tourette's syndrome, involuntary facial tics, and Grafton delves into his difficult background. The book is worth four stars just for the last sentence. (May2022/Jun2024)
January 7, 2018
The Kinsey Millhone series has sadly come to an end at Y with the recent death of Sue Grafton. So much for my plans, and those of countless others, to read from A-Z.
H is as formulaic as those I’ve already read, ie significant event at the start followed by a long, slow build up of tension (cleverly achieved with detailed descriptions of unnecessary people or settings but which you think you have to read in case you miss an important detail) until we reach the final explosive chapters, usually featuring Kinsey's life at risk and a shoot out. As whodunnits, they’re not complicated but they are always exciting. This one centres around an auto insurance scam and shows how simple it is to commit fraud. It happens all the time which is why so many motorists now have dashcams.
The formula works for me when I want a quick, easy and entertaining read. It’s a shame about Z but I still have plenty more to read.
H is as formulaic as those I’ve already read, ie significant event at the start followed by a long, slow build up of tension (cleverly achieved with detailed descriptions of unnecessary people or settings but which you think you have to read in case you miss an important detail) until we reach the final explosive chapters, usually featuring Kinsey's life at risk and a shoot out. As whodunnits, they’re not complicated but they are always exciting. This one centres around an auto insurance scam and shows how simple it is to commit fraud. It happens all the time which is why so many motorists now have dashcams.
The formula works for me when I want a quick, easy and entertaining read. It’s a shame about Z but I still have plenty more to read.
April 13, 2018
So though I have been re-reading some of the books along with Moonlight Reader, I have not re-did my reviews, I just reblogged them and left it to that. This is my first review for a Kinsey Millhone ABC book since Sue Grafton passed away. I love this series and will be forever sad we will not get to see how she would have ended things with Kinsey in Z.
That said, "H is for Homicide" doesn't work that well. The first part with Kinsey investigating a possible insurance scam while running afoul of a corporate suit that is going to cause her working relationship with California Fidelity Insurance some angst. When Kinsey goes undercover that book fell apart for me. For a minute I thought I was reading a VI Warshawski book since that is the kind of mess that VI would get into.
Per usual we have Kinsey starting off the book giving us her vital statistics. She's wrapping up a case in San Diego and heads back to Santa Teresa. Going by her office that is housed in California Fidelity Insurance, she finds the police there working a homicide. She quickly realizes she knows the dead man who is her friend, Parnell Perkins. On top of the homicide, she starts to investigate a possible insurance scam that Parnell had passed onto another adjusted before he died. Kinsey quickly realizes that the woman, Bibianna Diaz, is possibly tied into Parnell's death and is close to someone that Kinsey used to know from her days back on the force. Kinsey goes undercover to see if she can catch the bad guys.
I have a hard time with so many aspects of this book. We have Kinsey talking about being close friends with Parnell though he was never mentioned in prior books (believe me I looked). She is all c'est la vie with her "I don't know what it is" relationship with Robert Dietz. Why she puts herself in danger with running around with Bibianna and the man who is the architect of the insurance scam baffled me. I know that we have Kinsey always talking about taking risks and she loves to lie, but this was a little out there.
I didn't like the character of Bibianna at all. She was definitely a user. But I also hated the man controlling her, Raymond. As Moonlight said in her review, I have a hard time thinking this man had the brains to put this whole together. He is obsessed with Bibianna and doesn't care that she doesn't want to be with him. There's a terrible scene where Raymond hurts someone close to Bibianna to force her to do what he wants and it's a mess.
The book ran a little cartoony for me. With Kinsey staying close to Bibianna she puts herself in harms way. I didn't really understand why she was doing it, the justifications made no sense. The flow was all over the place too. When Kinsey goes undercover I found myself rolling my eyes a lot of the time.
This was a buddy read with Moonlight Reader and you can take a look at her full review here, H is for Homicide.
Next up, I is for Innocent.
That said, "H is for Homicide" doesn't work that well. The first part with Kinsey investigating a possible insurance scam while running afoul of a corporate suit that is going to cause her working relationship with California Fidelity Insurance some angst. When Kinsey goes undercover that book fell apart for me. For a minute I thought I was reading a VI Warshawski book since that is the kind of mess that VI would get into.
Per usual we have Kinsey starting off the book giving us her vital statistics. She's wrapping up a case in San Diego and heads back to Santa Teresa. Going by her office that is housed in California Fidelity Insurance, she finds the police there working a homicide. She quickly realizes she knows the dead man who is her friend, Parnell Perkins. On top of the homicide, she starts to investigate a possible insurance scam that Parnell had passed onto another adjusted before he died. Kinsey quickly realizes that the woman, Bibianna Diaz, is possibly tied into Parnell's death and is close to someone that Kinsey used to know from her days back on the force. Kinsey goes undercover to see if she can catch the bad guys.
I have a hard time with so many aspects of this book. We have Kinsey talking about being close friends with Parnell though he was never mentioned in prior books (believe me I looked). She is all c'est la vie with her "I don't know what it is" relationship with Robert Dietz. Why she puts herself in danger with running around with Bibianna and the man who is the architect of the insurance scam baffled me. I know that we have Kinsey always talking about taking risks and she loves to lie, but this was a little out there.
I didn't like the character of Bibianna at all. She was definitely a user. But I also hated the man controlling her, Raymond. As Moonlight said in her review, I have a hard time thinking this man had the brains to put this whole together. He is obsessed with Bibianna and doesn't care that she doesn't want to be with him. There's a terrible scene where Raymond hurts someone close to Bibianna to force her to do what he wants and it's a mess.
The book ran a little cartoony for me. With Kinsey staying close to Bibianna she puts herself in harms way. I didn't really understand why she was doing it, the justifications made no sense. The flow was all over the place too. When Kinsey goes undercover I found myself rolling my eyes a lot of the time.
This was a buddy read with Moonlight Reader and you can take a look at her full review here, H is for Homicide.
Next up, I is for Innocent.
January 14, 2013
Normally, I really enjoy Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery books and finish them up rather quickly. This one felt like it dragged on forever. The form was different with this novel- and while I do appreciate the fact that Grafton thought to shake things up a bit, I was not happy with the direction she chose to take. I much rather would have read about Kinsey doing research, running and making sandwiches instead of being thrown undercover in an insurance fraud ring throughout 3/4 of the book. I don't like undercover stories. That being said, it would have been nice to have a little forewarning that a giant piece of the book was about it. The title itself is wrong for the material- it should have been Hit and Run, or Hustler, or some such thing. The titular homicide was mentioned in the first chapter, and really turned out to have nothing to do with the plot of the book. It wasn't even a red herring. It was mentioned once or twice and then never again. Hopefully Sue's next book will be better than this one- because if it's similar, I might just give up trying to get through this series.
March 28, 2024
Raymond, a character in the Kinsey Millhone series, 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 is for Homicide’, number 8 in the Millhone series by Sue Grafton. The only quibble is I can't believe he's a heroin addict, a depressive drug, rather than of speed or meth, the usual drugs for pumping up physical energy and mental derangements. Another way this story is unusual is that Kinsey is undercover and is forced into being submissive to others throughout most of the book. But she manages to maintain her dignity and professionalism. Her character is more in focus in this one, and you learn how wily and weirdly into violence and mayhem she is. She reacted to Raymond's wildness with distress, but often the kind of behaviors she herself indulges in makes you wonder if the only difference between her and the perps is that she loves law and order and the innocent, while the criminals do not. When it comes to saving people, she puts all of her fears aside and plunges in. Anything goes in the pursuit of justice. Not that I don't admire her a great deal or wish to born in my next life to be like her exactly. Just saying.
September 16, 2015
I borrowed this book from my local library. I found like the other ones so far in this series that it is full of action/adventure. It was like the others so far a book worth reading. A side note on this review that this book is my 500th book on my read list since I signed up for good reads site in January of 2012.
February 20, 2022
More like H is for How High Was Grafton When She Wrote This Book, amirite?
Uh. Yeah, let's see, how can I put this nicely. This was a little farfetched. And by a little, I mean a lot. On a farfetched scale of 1 to 10,
Insurance scams are not the sexiest thing in the world, but they are super common, especially ones related to fake car accidents. So the basic premise here was fine, and as far as I could tell, the specifics around how they ran the scams felt realistic enough. (Of course, my knowledge is mostly based on an old Law & Order episode, but then isn't the case for most of us and our legal opinions?) I also appreciated the sense of tension that builds up here, considering Kinsey could basically be fucking murdered at any second.
Which is part of the problem, because Kinsey willingly and almost permanently put herself in an incredibly dangerous situation where she could and should have, in the real world, been fucking murdered at any second.
I understand the need to go undercover in a case like this, but jeez lady, that doesn't have to mean shacking up with mentally unstable, violent sociopaths and committing felonies with them! Like, this is just car insurance fraud. Yes, it does also tie into a murder, but TBH I totally forgot that dude was dead until almost the end of the book when his name finally comes up again. Like, this isn't a drug cartel or child trafficking ring you're going after. She puts herself in a spot where by all rights she probably would've had her throat cut within the first 24 hours, and even when she has chances to escape, she doesn't. Hell, she sneaks out one night to snoop through the guy's files at the auto body shop, and then GOES BACK TO THE APARTMENT AND SNEAKS BACK IN LIKE WHAT THE HELL. Just say "fuck this", go to the cops, tell them whatever you were able to glean, and say "I'm going back to my own home now so I don't GET A DAMN KNIFE IN MY JUGULAR OR HAVE MY FACE CHEWED OFF BY AN ABUSED MUTT."
It just beggared belief that she got away with the ruse the whole time and that she never backed out of it. Kinsey does sometimes do foolhardy things, but she's not a total idiot, and there are numerous times in other books where she pulls back from something because she knows it's too risky. But not this time, she was like WOOHOO LET'S PUT MY DEATH WISH INTO ACTION! Also, as per usual, stuff wrapped up way too quickly at the end, more so in this one than in any other I think, and it was kind of jarring.
This just felt over the top and yet was also kind of boring and monotonous, with not much of a payoff at the end. Either Grafton was feeling in a rut and decided to go buck wild with the ridiculousness here, or she got hold of some either very good or very bad weed.
Uh. Yeah, let's see, how can I put this nicely. This was a little farfetched. And by a little, I mean a lot. On a farfetched scale of 1 to 10,
Insurance scams are not the sexiest thing in the world, but they are super common, especially ones related to fake car accidents. So the basic premise here was fine, and as far as I could tell, the specifics around how they ran the scams felt realistic enough. (Of course, my knowledge is mostly based on an old Law & Order episode, but then isn't the case for most of us and our legal opinions?) I also appreciated the sense of tension that builds up here, considering Kinsey could basically be fucking murdered at any second.
Which is part of the problem, because Kinsey willingly and almost permanently put herself in an incredibly dangerous situation where she could and should have, in the real world, been fucking murdered at any second.
I understand the need to go undercover in a case like this, but jeez lady, that doesn't have to mean shacking up with mentally unstable, violent sociopaths and committing felonies with them! Like, this is just car insurance fraud. Yes, it does also tie into a murder, but TBH I totally forgot that dude was dead until almost the end of the book when his name finally comes up again. Like, this isn't a drug cartel or child trafficking ring you're going after. She puts herself in a spot where by all rights she probably would've had her throat cut within the first 24 hours, and even when she has chances to escape, she doesn't. Hell, she sneaks out one night to snoop through the guy's files at the auto body shop, and then GOES BACK TO THE APARTMENT AND SNEAKS BACK IN LIKE WHAT THE HELL. Just say "fuck this", go to the cops, tell them whatever you were able to glean, and say "I'm going back to my own home now so I don't GET A DAMN KNIFE IN MY JUGULAR OR HAVE MY FACE CHEWED OFF BY AN ABUSED MUTT."
It just beggared belief that she got away with the ruse the whole time and that she never backed out of it. Kinsey does sometimes do foolhardy things, but she's not a total idiot, and there are numerous times in other books where she pulls back from something because she knows it's too risky. But not this time, she was like WOOHOO LET'S PUT MY DEATH WISH INTO ACTION! Also, as per usual, stuff wrapped up way too quickly at the end, more so in this one than in any other I think, and it was kind of jarring.
This just felt over the top and yet was also kind of boring and monotonous, with not much of a payoff at the end. Either Grafton was feeling in a rut and decided to go buck wild with the ridiculousness here, or she got hold of some either very good or very bad weed.
April 22, 2022
Longer review pending.
So far this is my least favorite (A was one of the weaker books but it was better than this). There were definite strong points, but this is the first time I thought that something was completely out of character for Kinsey. This time she goes undercover for real with a bunch of crooks (not just a cover story but fake name and everything) to investigate the death of a coworker from CFI. It felt strange because in general, even though Kinsey ends up in a fight at the end of EVERY book, she usually tries avoiding confrontations. She's almost entirely law abiding if you ignore breaking into a man's house in a later book and a few minor infractions here and there, but in this book she gets herself tossed in jail alongside her quarry. Seems like a lot of effort to go to even though she really liked the murder victim.
So far this is my least favorite (A was one of the weaker books but it was better than this). There were definite strong points, but this is the first time I thought that something was completely out of character for Kinsey. This time she goes undercover for real with a bunch of crooks (not just a cover story but fake name and everything) to investigate the death of a coworker from CFI. It felt strange because in general, even though Kinsey ends up in a fight at the end of EVERY book, she usually tries avoiding confrontations. She's almost entirely law abiding if you ignore breaking into a man's house in a later book and a few minor infractions here and there, but in this book she gets herself tossed in jail alongside her quarry. Seems like a lot of effort to go to even though she really liked the murder victim.
November 17, 2015
In lieu of the review I don't have time to write because the library police are breathing down my neck and I don't want to piss them off again, here is an anecdote related to the book.
Me: Oh, my God! I haven't heard that in years!
My 17-year-old son: What?
Me: Here. Tell me if you can figure out what this last word means from context. (clears throat) "Bibianna lent me some jeans, a T-shirt, and some tennies."
Son: Um, nope.
Me: I feel very old all of a sudden.
Read this series if you like mysteries that take you on a trip down Memory Lane, specifically in the neighborhood of The Eighties and Suburban Southern California.
Me: Oh, my God! I haven't heard that in years!
My 17-year-old son: What?
Me: Here. Tell me if you can figure out what this last word means from context. (clears throat) "Bibianna lent me some jeans, a T-shirt, and some tennies."
Son: Um, nope.
Me: I feel very old all of a sudden.
Read this series if you like mysteries that take you on a trip down Memory Lane, specifically in the neighborhood of The Eighties and Suburban Southern California.
January 27, 2008
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's 'Sunny Randall' series which suffer from the inability of Parker to convincingly 'become' the woman who is telling his stories).
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's 'Sunny Randall' series which suffer from the inability of Parker to convincingly 'become' the woman who is telling his stories).
January 22, 2019
I enjoyed this one. It was a different sort of a case with Kinsey trying to nail an insurance fraud ring. I did miss some of the regular characters (and Kinsey did too). As always excellent story telling.
July 13, 2016
Good read, memorable characters, interesting case of insurance fraud.
November 22, 2019
DNF. I think I got to page 75. Kinsey Millhone is trying to find out who offed one of her drinking buddies, and investigate some suspicious claims.
January 27, 2018
Kinsey Millhone is back, and still working insurance fraud cases. This case involves Kinsey going undercover and working with the police in Los Angeles to expose an insurance fraud ring.
The 8th book in the Kinsey Millhone series. While a murder does take place at the beginning of the book, the main story is about insurance fraud. I found it to be slower-paced than some of the other books in this series. So far, this was my least favorite Kinsey Millhone book.
I listened to an audio version of this book.
The 8th book in the Kinsey Millhone series. While a murder does take place at the beginning of the book, the main story is about insurance fraud. I found it to be slower-paced than some of the other books in this series. So far, this was my least favorite Kinsey Millhone book.
I listened to an audio version of this book.
April 3, 2020
That was amazing! The best of the series so far- I was gripped.
September 15, 2017
Over the last couple of months, Kinsey has become friends with Parnell, an investigator at California Fidelity. So, she is shocked when Parnell is shot in the parking lot. With no leads, the case begins to fade, and even Kinsey is given a new case to investigate Bibianna for potential insurance fraud. Her plan is to get close to Bibianna and confirm the fraud, but Bibianna has secrets that complicate Kinsey’s plans. What will happen next?
This book starts well with an interesting first half, but then the second half really bogs down. The climax is almost anti-climactic in fact, and a huge change to Kinsey’s life is dashed off in a sentence. Furthermore, insurance fraud is the focus more than the homicide, which is disappointing for the “H” entry in the series. It’s not a bad book, but it’s definitely the weakest in the series to date.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This book starts well with an interesting first half, but then the second half really bogs down. The climax is almost anti-climactic in fact, and a huge change to Kinsey’s life is dashed off in a sentence. Furthermore, insurance fraud is the focus more than the homicide, which is disappointing for the “H” entry in the series. It’s not a bad book, but it’s definitely the weakest in the series to date.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 27, 2019
I was going to stop reading the Kinsey Millhone books after reading the last one, which was very disappointing. The only thing stopping me was that I had already located and purchased a used copy of H is for Homicide (and I didn't have any other options near at hand when I finished my last read). I must say that this book was a significant improvement over that last one. Not really a detective story, this is very much a story of investigation (with a bit of Stockholm syndrome thrown in). Kinsey investigates some insurance fraud for California Fidelity, which has been a constant background thing in the series. This time she stumbles on a much bigger fraud ring and the police ask her to go undercover to help them since there is a leak to the fraudsters somewhere in the department. Because of a snafu, she ends up stuck in close quarters with the violent head of the gang and without contact to the outside.
I liked the fact that, although we know almost from the beginning who the crooks are, Kinsey methodically goes about gathering evidence to help convict them. Although there is a murder and a few attempted murders, this story really isn't about murder, which is also a nice change of pace. It seems that murder is the only thing that gets investigated on TV, movies and mystery novels. There are other crimes and they can be interesting.
I have some complaints about pacing and attention to detail that seem to keep happening in this series. At one point Kinsey and Bibianna are about to escape when they are stopped and a fight ensues. Kinsey has a gun in her purse and never uses it. Of course, through the whole encounter I'm saying "use your gun, use your gun, why isn't she using her gun?" Long after the confrontation Kinsey talks about the purse she dropped during the fight. When writing this kind of scenario it would be good the say, "When he came at her, I dropped the purse in order to..."
The ending was another slam-bang confrontation of the type that I have come to expect from people who used to write for television (or who hope for a sweet movie deal). I was surprised by the big reveal at the end, as I was sure Kinsey was about to get shot in the back by Raymond's lieutenant Luis. While Kinsey's firing was the kind of finish that makes you want to pick up the next book, I thought it rang false. The vice-president of CF was aware of her investigation, being informed of it by the police, and the results obviously saved the company tens of thousands of dollars (which Gordon Titus' penny-pinching would not come close to recovering). If anything, Maclin Voorhies should be firing Titus, since he obviously knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
I liked the fact that, although we know almost from the beginning who the crooks are, Kinsey methodically goes about gathering evidence to help convict them. Although there is a murder and a few attempted murders, this story really isn't about murder, which is also a nice change of pace. It seems that murder is the only thing that gets investigated on TV, movies and mystery novels. There are other crimes and they can be interesting.
I have some complaints about pacing and attention to detail that seem to keep happening in this series. At one point Kinsey and Bibianna are about to escape when they are stopped and a fight ensues. Kinsey has a gun in her purse and never uses it. Of course, through the whole encounter I'm saying "use your gun, use your gun, why isn't she using her gun?" Long after the confrontation Kinsey talks about the purse she dropped during the fight. When writing this kind of scenario it would be good the say, "When he came at her, I dropped the purse in order to..."
The ending was another slam-bang confrontation of the type that I have come to expect from people who used to write for television (or who hope for a sweet movie deal). I was surprised by the big reveal at the end, as I was sure Kinsey was about to get shot in the back by Raymond's lieutenant Luis. While Kinsey's firing was the kind of finish that makes you want to pick up the next book, I thought it rang false. The vice-president of CF was aware of her investigation, being informed of it by the police, and the results obviously saved the company tens of thousands of dollars (which Gordon Titus' penny-pinching would not come close to recovering). If anything, Maclin Voorhies should be firing Titus, since he obviously knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2016
This is the 14th Sue Grafton novel I've read, and by far, my least favorite. Kinsey works a fraud case for her office lease holder, California Fidelity, as part of her services-in-exchange-for-office-space arrangement. The company is currently managed by an efficiency expert who is downsizing her friends and quasi-coworkers. He tells her that he doesn't approve of her arrangement with the company and pressures Kinsey to get results on her case.
The Kinsey I knew from prior novels would have pushed back against this bully. Instead, she commits a felony assault against a police officer in order to get close to one of the suspects. This is very out of character for Kinsey. Lt. Dolan of her hometown police department, who in prior novels is portrayed more of an ally than an adversary, uses the assault to force her into a very dangerous undercover role. We later learn that putting her undercover was not only unnecessary, but significantly jeopardized the case they had been building.
Several of the devices the author uses to build tension, suspense, and thrills don't stand the light of day once the surprise ending is analyzed. I'm left to wonder if Grafton's macro editor was also a victim of downsizing for this volume of her Alphabet series.
The Kinsey I knew from prior novels would have pushed back against this bully. Instead, she commits a felony assault against a police officer in order to get close to one of the suspects. This is very out of character for Kinsey. Lt. Dolan of her hometown police department, who in prior novels is portrayed more of an ally than an adversary, uses the assault to force her into a very dangerous undercover role. We later learn that putting her undercover was not only unnecessary, but significantly jeopardized the case they had been building.
Several of the devices the author uses to build tension, suspense, and thrills don't stand the light of day once the surprise ending is analyzed. I'm left to wonder if Grafton's macro editor was also a victim of downsizing for this volume of her Alphabet series.
September 17, 2021
I really love the Kinsey Millhone story and a love Kinsey. This book is different to the past books but in a really good way.
We get to see Kinsey undercover in this instalment chasing a group of insurance fraudsters. The only thing that bothered me slightly with this book is that there were times that Kinsey was not the Kinsey I have come to know and love, that being said she was undercover so..... I am going to let it slide this time.
These books are fantastic so if you are looking for something to read this series and worth the time.
We get to see Kinsey undercover in this instalment chasing a group of insurance fraudsters. The only thing that bothered me slightly with this book is that there were times that Kinsey was not the Kinsey I have come to know and love, that being said she was undercover so..... I am going to let it slide this time.
These books are fantastic so if you are looking for something to read this series and worth the time.
April 6, 2020
Kinsey Millhone Mystery No. 8: One of Kinsey's friends is the victim of a homicide... Which results up forcing her to go undercover with a Latino gang!!! And just like that the series starts to improve! 6 out of 12.
January 10, 2018
This book started off slow the only downside is the action happens either in the middle or right at the end of the book.
July 2, 2014
3 Stars
The circumstances of Kinseys little adventure, seemed far-fetched for insurance fraud. I understood the danger of the criminal; but for her to be in that position would have been a flippin' "No Go" for me. Especially with the ending and who all was involved. It makes sense, but it didn't and it bothered me the whole time I read it. A bad guy is off the street, so its all good. Right?
Whatever. It was okay.
The circumstances of Kinseys little adventure, seemed far-fetched for insurance fraud. I understood the danger of the criminal; but for her to be in that position would have been a flippin' "No Go" for me. Especially with the ending and who all was involved. It makes sense, but it didn't and it bothered me the whole time I read it. A bad guy is off the street, so its all good. Right?
Whatever. It was okay.
October 30, 2019
Kinsey Millhone goes undercover to expose a scam. No one crosses Raymond Maldonado and lives. Can Kinsey break the case and stay alive?
This has been the best book of the series. There is tons of action with a plot that keeps interest high. Millhone is an interesting character. She's tough, but not too tough. She's resourceful and resilient.
I did give this a four-star because there were a few curse words and rated "R" scenes.
This has been the best book of the series. There is tons of action with a plot that keeps interest high. Millhone is an interesting character. She's tough, but not too tough. She's resourceful and resilient.
I did give this a four-star because there were a few curse words and rated "R" scenes.
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