Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 191-195 of 200
 The mistress of mystery beguiles us again December 9, 2007
Corinne H. Smith (Athol, MA USA)
23 out of 29 found this review helpful
What a treat for us to drop in again on Kinsey Millhone! But the life of the private investigator is not for the meek or the squeamish. Kinsey always finds herself in difficult situations (which is why we are lucky enough to only READ about her life and not LIVE it ourselves). Professionally, she's primarily dealing with the events of a car accident earlier in the year, hoping to prove that the elderly couple involved has not been entirely honest about the facts of the accident. At the same time, all is not well on Kinsey and Henry's block. Their elderly neighbor Gus has fallen and needs to have someone come in and take care of him. Enter Solana Rojas, a licensed practical nurse with plenty of geriatric experience. Or is she? As usual, several strands that Kinsey is following nearly blend together, and it's all we can do to hope that Right Will Prevail.
Every time I read a Sue Grafton novel, I'm conflicted. As the thickness of the right-hand side of the volume grows ever slimmer in my hand, I want to keep reading to see how everything turns out. At the same time, I DON'T want to finish because, well, then, my time with the book will be over. So after I pass the halfway mark, I find myself putting the book down, deliberately, to go attend to an errand or to a ridiculous household task. Then curiosity will lure me back, and I'll pick up the book for another section of pages, only to put it down again when the storyline hits another crucial moment. Not many writers can create that kind of tension.
I'm gratified twice with the text of "T," above and beyond its merit as another good mystery novel. First of all, Grafton has finally exposed Kinsey to the wonders of personal computers; and though our favorite Californian hasn't yet succumbed to the power of technology, she's at least aware of its possibilities and now has a connection for learning more. (Yes, it's 1988, but her work could still be streamlined if she or Henry bought a computer.) And secondly: Perhaps following these plots and learning about the kinds of predators exposed here will benefit the reading public. The situations portrayed in this book are far too real, and we all need to be more aware of the growing incidents of identity theft and of elder abuse. Kudos to Grafton for bringing them to our attention. And I congratulate Kinsey for taking a bite out of crime.
Excellent December 8, 2007
Harriet Klausner
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
In 1987 in Santa Teresa, California abrasive octogenarian Gus Vronsky suffers a shoulder separation from a fall that he cannot get up from. His next door neighbor private investigator Kinsey Millhone and her eighty-seven years old landlord Henry hear a wail. They investigate, find Gus debilitated, call 911 and care for him until his great-niece hires nursing home aide, Solana Rojas.
However, Millhone becomes concerned that the care-giver is mistreating her patient. She plans to intervene if she can find proof. Unbeknownst to Millhone (ironically the reader knows on page one) is that a diabolical thug has stolen the real Rojas' identity and knows who she must remain vigilant against with if she is to continue with her masquerade.
Although the ending violently rights things, this Millhone tale is T for terrific. The story line is action-packed as Millhone wants to do the right thing for her neighbor, but finds her interference not welcomed. The fake Rojas proves a clever adversary at they play a deadly game of chess in which Gus could prove the victim. Fans of the long running series will enjoy this entry as the normally confident heroine struggles with how much involvement is acceptable.
Harriet Klausner
Like wine, Kinsey gets better with age December 8, 2007
Quinsy (Kankakee,, IL USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is another excellent read in the Kinsey Millhone series from Sue Grafton. I was hooked from page one to the end. But now there is a little more "noir", the usual shot of Raymond Chandler but with a dollop of Steven King. The time frame is (as always) in the eighties but the themes of identity theft and elder abuse are right now. Could it be coincidence that "Fatal Attraction" and "Trespass" are both set in 1987? I think not.
Another Hit by Grafton! December 6, 2007
Stuck in Pittsburgh! (Ambridge, PA)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
Received book yesterday and am about half way through it already! Despite the fact the action takes places about 20 years ago, it is very timely for today!
T Is for Tremendously Told Tale December 5, 2007
Donald Mitchell (Boston)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Sue Grafton is always exploring new subjects and new ways of writing for her readers. T is for Trespass continues that worthy heritage for this terrific series.
If you haven't read any books in this series, I suggest you go back and read them in alphabetical order beginning with A is for Alibi. You have a major treat ahead of you. The series develops over a number of years, and many references are clearer throughout if you've read the earlier books.
The writing innovation here is to have two narrators, Kinsey Millhone, and Kinsey's nemesis, named Solana Rojas, whom fate brings together in Kinsey's neighborhood to create a taut suspense story. You will see the future conflict clearly coming, but won't know what to expect. Sue Grafton does a wonderful job of filling the story with lots of surprises to heighten the suspense. The struggle between the two women is intensified by Solana being portrayed from the beginning as being the psychological opposite of Kinsey. You'll enjoy a heightened sense of tension by knowing what the two determined women are thinking about and planning to do.
The new topic is how some people prey on others in particularly chilling ways by taking advantage of the presumption we hold that we are surrounded by trustworthy people. It's a cautionary tale that will leave you wanting to do more to check out those with whom you and your family come into contact. The book is so powerful in this dimension that at times you'll feel like you are reading a nonfiction book about a tragedy.
As the book opens, Solana is looking for opportunity and Kinsey is looking for some work. Solana has just left her last job and explains what her objectives are in Chapter One. Kinsey picks up in Chapter Two to describe how detecting hasn't been very good lately. To make up for that, Kinsey has been serving summonses. Kinsey hears a sound while she's on her way to work, and that sound leads both women onto a collision course.
In the book, Kinsey works on several assignments . . . looking for evidence to clear a defendant in a car accident, assisting a landlord to remove deadbeat tenants, and checking out references for a new employee. She also finds that being a caring neighbor can be time consuming.
Kinsey's personal life is at a low ebb. She's not seeing anyone. She's stopped exercising, and her landlord Henry is her main source of company although he's increasingly taken up by a new woman.
As I started the book, I didn't expect much. After all, seeing that two characters are going to come into contact in unpleasant ways usually makes for good writing but weak plots. Well, I was wrong. The plot is even stronger than the excellent writing.
In typical Sue Grafton fashion, she brings in touches of the moment, winter 1987, to give the story a strong sense of time. In this case, she employs the fascination with old muscle cars that had developed by then to give a sense of two points in time. I was most impressed by this choice of a story-telling device.
Her sense of place is equally strong. I grew up not far from where "Santa Teresa" is set. In reading this book, I was called back into dark misty nights in that area when threat seemed to lurk in every shadow.
The story is so successful that it reminded me of the Greek tragedies, dressed up on modern circumstances. It's a remarkable accomplishment.
Brava, Ms. Grafton!
|
