J Is for Judgment: A Kinsey Millhone Novel

This series of books is one of the most interesting I have come across. The main character and surrounding characters are very interesting.

Actually somebody has been killed by the end, and Brian may have been involved in a murder but the core plot is about embezzlement and a man who fakes his own death. This is one of the most psychological and philosophical ones in the series. The con man is trying to re-establish a relationship with his family and Kinsey Milhone's long-lost family is trying to re-establish a relationship with her. Henry's bother William is also trying something. The counterpoint and parallels are pointed out, and even to some extent I would have to say, the point is labored. As usual there are a multiplicity of other sub-plots. All of Grafton's penetrating humor and careful description of every sight and sound and smell and taste. Fans of the classic hardcore hardboiled classics, of Highsmith and of "Double Indemnity" might find it slow, and fans of Hannibal Lecter not bloody enough.

This was the first Sue Grafton novel I had read. I usually don't like those hard-edged characters (such as Sam Spade in the Maltese Falcon), but I couldn't help but love Kinsey Milhone. Her detecting skills, her mention of her previous marriages and ability to survive on her own, along with the inner struggle she has once she finds out she does have living relatives, made her more human to me. I enjoyed the fact that she went incognito to Mexico to look for Wendell Jaffe, and that she was able to get the members of the Jaffe family as well as other assorted neighbors and friends to trust her. It helped her solve the case, and helped me become a forever fan. I can't wait to read another one!

For the longest time, I refused to read these "alphabet" mysteries. I thought they would be sappy stories and you'd solve the mystery by page 4. Sorta like a Nancy Drew book. A couple weeks ago, I decided to buy the first book in the series and just see what everyone was talking about. Well, I just finished "J" and I have "K" waiting for me. Kinsey is my kind of girl - a wise cracking, independent, intelligent lady. Funny, too. And I still couldn't figure out who done it until I got towards the end of the book. Susan Grafton is a great mystery writer and I laugh out loud at a lot of the wise cracks.I don't know what I'll do when she gets to "Z"!!! Perhaps, she can start on the numbers...... Buy anyone of these books - you won't regret it!!