"I" is for Innocent: A Kinsey Millhone Novel (Kinsey Millhone, #9)

by Sue Grafton

I feel compelled to report that at the moment of death, my entire life did not pass before my eyes in a flash . . . What I experienced was a little voice piping up in an outraged tone: "Oh come on. You're not serious. This is really it?"

It was a Monday early in December when Kinsey Millhone first got involved in the Isabelle Barney murder case.

She was out of work. Attorney Lonnie Klingman's usual private investigator had just dropped dead of a heart attack. Kinsey was more than happy to oblige.

The trouble started on the very first day of the investigation. Either Kinsey's predecessor was incompetent - or someone had been getting away with murder. And next time it might turn out to be hers . . .

`Terrific build-up to a satisfyingly shocking climax. This edges Kinsey to the top of my personal American private-eye hit parade' The Times

`It's a joy to open I is for Innocent and know within a couple of pages that this is a book you're going to enjoy to the end' Sunday Telegraph

• ISBN10: 0805010858
• ISBN13: 9780805010855
• Publish Date: 15 May 1992
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Henry Holt & Company
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

I love Kinsey Millhone. But she's not everyone's cup of tea. I started reading the Alphabet series a few years ago - I think at the time it was up to O is for Outlaw. The idea of a mystery series each title beginning with a new letter amused me. I don't know why. I don't think it's particularly original. At least - I've seen a few others since. At the time though it was new to me and it just struck me as perfect. I flew through the series. Kinsey is riveting. She's brash and harsh and charming. She's fierce and flawed. She gets scared. She holds her own. She pushes herself to run often and tackles cases without judgement and with an open mind. Rosie and Henry are brilliant and I love the little family she builds around her.

But Kinsey Millhone isn't Jack Reacher - her speed is more Tracy Crosswhite. [b:My Sister's Grave|22341263|My Sister's Grave (Tracy Crosswhite, #1)|Robert Dugoni|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1405267054l/22341263._SY75_.jpg|41739579] Her cases aren't full of action and high speed chases - they're slowly nitpicking away until something clicks into place. She writes down all her thoughts and places her facts and ideas on 3x5 index cards - which she often shuffles and rearranges to help her solve her case. And I love it. Kinsey Millhone is great - but she's not for everyone.

For some reason I've seen reviewers compare this to Stephanie Plum - I don't know why - this is absolutely NOTHING like that. Stephanie Plum is a very different character and an extremely different type of book. That's more fluff. Kinsey Millhone is more procedural mysteries. And this series isn't current - it was first published in the 80's - there's not really technology. Messages were relayed by calling the landlines. Paper files were still the main form of storage. Not everyone will enjoy reading this. But if you like your mysteries to be more like procedurals with a determined and fierce character - Kinsey Millhone is for you.




I loved this. There were heaps of twists and turns and it was very satisfying when the jigsaw was complete. I did want to see Lonnie's (the lawyer who hired her) reaction to the disintegration of his case - he goes away for a weekend and she solves the case. I didn't guess the killer which was nice. Great mystery. I just love Kinsey. Total badass. The shootout at the end. Awesome. And I love her struggling with her good angel/bad devil - hmm should I break in? Well...I've been so lawful up until this tempting room with possibly evidence...



4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

[ibeforem]

Another winner from Ms. Grafton. I was afraid I would be bored with this series by now, but I’m still getting pulled into these. The past 2 have been excellent. I like a book that makes me make time to read it.