Finding wealthy Elaine Boldt seems like a quickie case to Kinsey Millhone. The flashy widow was last seen wearing a $12,000 lynx coat, leaving her condo in Santa Teresa for her condo in Boca Raton. But somewhere in between, she vanished. Kinsey's case goes from puzzling to sinister when a house is torched, an apartment is burgled of worthless papers, the lynx coat comes back without Elaine, and her bridge partner is found dead. Soon Kinsey's clues begin to form a capital M -- not for missing, but for murder: and plenty of it.
Winner of the 1985 Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award and the 1985 Anthony Award for Best Novel.
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"I'm not sure that I care much for Kinsey as a PI (she seems kind of average, which isn't how I imagine most mystery authors handle their sleuths), but it is such a fun experience to get to know her (and Grafton has moments of literary brilliance when giving voice to Kinsey's thoughts) that I can get past that. You know, my own judgmental ignorance as to how PIs are supposed to be written."
— Timothy (4 out of 5 stars)
“Exceptionally entertaining.”
— San Francisco Chronicle“A woman we feel we know, a tough cookie with a soft center, a gregarious loner.”
— Newsweek“The best detective fiction I have read in years.”
— New York Times Book Review" Very very average. perhaps slightly better than the A book. entirely readable. not particularly well done. I like her writing style, the plot though just goes all over the place. i feel like i need a chart of names at the beginning to help keep everyone straight in my mind ... then partway through the book i give up caring who's who, and i just read 'til it's over... "
— Shelley, 2/18/2014" I enjoy her books as a light read. Interesting. "
— Robin, 2/17/2014" another good who done it book "
— Tamara, 2/11/2014" Sorry did not like this book i read it through to see if it would get betterbut unfortunately not don't think i will be trying another by the author. Not enough bite in it for me with a title like it has it had no ump Sorry. "
— Kay, 2/9/2014" Another great in the alphabet murders. "
— Marty, 2/7/2014" A good read, action, suspense. Well done. "
— Glenda, 2/5/2014" Just as good as the first book. I liked the twist in this a little better than Alibi and it was nice to see Grafton continue the character relationships. I see I will end reading all of the books in this series. "
— Stephanie, 1/16/2014" Sue Grafton's Kinsey Malone series is an easy read. Although not action filled and a series that keeps you on the edge of the seat, it is still enjoyable and I like the Kinsey character. "
— Brenda, 1/16/2014" Another great Kinsey Milhone adventure! "
— Nicole, 1/12/2014" Enjoying Kinsey the character very much. Love her Prologues and Epilogues! "
— Magpie67, 1/4/2014" I love Kinsey! A great light suspense read. "
— Alcy_girl, 12/28/2013" I will definatetly read her other books. The clerk at the book store told me all of the murders are ways Sue Grafton wanted to murder her husband while they were going thru a divorce! "
— Jill, 12/18/2013" Most perfect mystery novel EVER. Ha ha. "
— Lauren, 12/15/2013" Kinsey just keeps getting better! It was a short book, but there were many times I lol due to Kinsey's asides. "
— Tara, 12/9/2013" Very well written and interested me more in this author "
— Cynde, 10/7/2013" I really like the main character and the twist in the book. "
— Schanel, 9/13/2013" great series. Fun and easy for when you can't handle deep. (-: "
— Karen, 9/2/2013" I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. I can't really be convinced to care about main character Kinsey yet, though. There was a seriously boring, dysfunctional romance-like subthread that I could have done without. "
— Kelly, 6/10/2013" This was such a classic "who dunnit" that you cannot like it. I did feel there was a discrepency towards the end, but it was still a good book. "
— Benchpress, 6/5/2013" Could not put this down - I get so into the character and her life. I like that she is independent yet has falws that she is willing to admit to. "
— Charise, 4/25/2013" Better than her first attempt. Definately will read more. I like Kinsey, who also seemed to grow a little herself. "
— Jeannie, 1/17/2013" I am having a hard time getting into her books. They are too slow for me. "
— Peggy, 10/16/2012" A little predictable, but an enjoyable mystery novel. The ending was telegraphed fairly early, but I can see why people enjoy these stories. "
— Benjamin, 6/25/2012" 5 stars despite including a cat said to be named after "charlie mingus, the jazz pianist." "
— Kit, 3/20/2012" Entertaining and a fun read. "
— Maggie, 1/19/2012" I loved this one so much because I figured out whodunnit almost right away. I kept reading and then, what about the dental records!?? It turns out, I was right, anyway. I'm not bragging, this never happens. I love Kinsey, I'm going to try to read this series in order. "
— Linzay, 11/30/2011" This was another good listen in this series. I like the narrator as well. It was a good plot and I really liked the characters. "
— Jannene, 6/5/2011" As poorly written as the first in the series, but with way too much foreshadowing. The "mystery" was obvious from the beginning of the book and I only finished it to see if I was wrong. I wasn't, and I don't believe I'll be reading any more of Sue Grafton's work. "
— Denise, 5/21/2011" Another jaunt. Light easy read. "
— Ardie, 5/7/2011" Masih sama seperti seri sblmnya, malah lebih tertebak lagi jln ceritanya. Kayaknya mau dibikin tradisi neegh, tiap akhir novel, si Kinsey masuk rs mulu. ^_^ "
— cindy, 5/4/2011" Another good one. Keeps m e reading!!!!! Hard to put down.... "
— Chris, 4/4/2011" Easy read - nice little twist at the end I didn't see coming. "
— Sara, 4/1/2011" The book was ok. A very fast read. The person who hired her and her husband might have made for an interesting side story, but they felt like nothing but a red herring. They were dropped in the middle of the story and then forgotten with the sole purpose seemingly to make them suspects. "
— Theresafic, 3/27/2011" Ok, but liked "A" better, lets see what the rest of the alphabet has to offer. "
— Thom, 3/27/2011" I liked this one in the series more than the first. It had some good thrills, filled with great characters and was a quick read I finished in one day, can't wait to read more in the series. "
— Marianne, 3/19/2011" Totally different than her first book but just as great. I figured out who was the killer but didn't realize who they actually were. Can't wait to start "C". "
— Alicia, 3/4/2011" A very compelling tale of missing persons, burglary, murder and investigation. Grafton's heroine is genuine, flawed, courageous, and relatable. This series is a must-read! "
— Emily, 2/24/2011" I think it's time to end this series for me "
— Anthony, 2/21/2011" Didn't quite figure this one out. "
— April, 2/10/2011" Much better than the first. I am going on the "C. "
— Ron, 2/9/2011Sue Grafton (1940–2017) was a New York Times bestselling author published in twenty-eight countries and twenty-six languages. She began her alphabet series in 1982, and they have become international bestsellers, with readership in the millions. Like Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald, she earned new respect for the mystery form. Readers appreciate her writing’s buoyant style, eye for detail, deft hand with character, acute social observances, and abundant storytelling prowess. She has been named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and was a recipient of the Ross Macdonald Literary Award.
Mary Peiffer is an audiobook narrator, most known for her narration of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mysteries.