M is for Malice by Sue Grafton
Paperback, 352 pages
1997, Fawcett
ISBN: 0449223604
Series: Book 13 of Kinsey Millhone Alphabet series
Synopsis
"M" is for money. Lots of it. "M" is for Malek Construction, the $40 million company that grew out of modest soil to become one of the big three in California and, uniquely, remains in family hands. Eighteen years ago, one of the sons of the family went missing. Now "M" is for Millhone, hired to trace that missing black sheep. Though Kinsey Millhone succeeds in her search, this prodigal son will find no welcome at his family's table. And, in the all-too-common outcome of familial hate "M" winds up standing for murder.
Review
M is for Malice is the best Kinsey Millhone novel yet. I found this book surprising good after the less than stellar L is for Lawless.
Kinsey is beginning to reluctantly open up emotionally with her cousin Tasha, ex-lover Dietz and especially with the victim (before he is murdered, of course.) I love seeing personal character growth in long running series and I'm glad that Kinsey is beginning to progress as a character.
M is for Malice has a great mystery with twists and red herrings galore. I suspected everyone, some more than others. Kinsey takes a much more active role investigating this case and the character seems to be headed back in the right direction.
M is for Malice is puzzling and surprisingly touching. Kinsey's tough exterior may be beginning to soften, which could be considered good or bad, but at least she's detecting again instead of just letting things happen as they may. This book has injected some much needed energy into the series.
Rating
Links
Sue Grafton's website
This series is on my TBR list. I have the first two books, just haven't started them yet.
ReplyDeleteI love a mystery with red herrings galore! :-) I'll keep this in mind.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this book will drive me crazy or if I'd love it. It was sent to me through some book club but I haven't started it yet. Guess it's time to give it a chance.
ReplyDeleteYour blog was honored @Silly Little Game Called Life :)
I finished U is for Undertow a few weeks ago. I also love listening to these mysteries as audio books. It's the same narrator for the entire series and she's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteKathy (from comments)I think I will start them on Audio books if they are good :) I have to really like the narrator to make it through an audiobook. Which mostly limits me to non-fiction but I think I will check out a sample of these :)
ReplyDeleteT--thanks for the review. I have always thought about picking these up as thrillers are my second favorite type of books :)