O Is for Outlaw (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries (Paperback))

A friend recommended Grafton's work to me, and said she liked this book in particular. I read it and enjoyed it. It's not my normal choice for leisure reading (I typically go for Stephen King, HP Lovecraft, JRR Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, and other fantastic/horror types), but felt this was a welcome change. Grafton has a nice wit in her writing; I often found myself chuckling after reading some passages. The only downfall I have to say is the "James Bond" style ending, where the bad guy tells all just before his end...

A "storage space scavenger" calls Kinsey Millhone saying that he has items that once belonged to her. A rented storage space has fallen into arrears, and he has bought the contents. The storage space had been rented by Mickey Magruder, Kinsey's first ex-husband. Kinsey buys a box of items that were originally hers. In it, she finds a letter addressed to her that reached Mickey after she had left. The letter is from a woman named Dixie Hightower, a barmaid. From it, Kinsey learns that Mickey had had an affair with Dixie, but that Mickey could not have caused the beating death of a man named Benny Quintero. Kinsey had left Mickey because she believed that he was guilty. Mickey had resigned from the Santa Teresa Police Department under the cloud of the Quintero scandal. He had not allowed Dixie to alibi him, for fear of hurting Kinsey. Kinsey searches for Mickey, to come to terms with him and with what she has learned. However, she learns that Mickey has recently been shot and is in a coma--and that the police suspect her as the shooter. Determined to seek justice for Mickey, and to clear her name, Kinsey investigates what really happened to her ex-husband. She follows a trail that leads to Dixie Hightower (who is now rich and snooty), to Louisville Kentucky, through old infidelities, and then reaches back to pretension and murderous rage during the Vietnam War. The plot is driven largely by the issues of romantic fidelity or the lack thereof, and by romantic jealousy. These are subjects on which the narrator and protagonist, Kinsey Millhone, has strong and conservative opinions. In my opinion, most of the writing is quite good: perceptive and sometimes amusing. There is keen observation of the southern California social scene, and of the effect of time on people and relationships. There is interesting commentary on quite a few subjects. On the other hand, there are patches of silly dialog--and a shrewd, remorseless killer who patiently explains his crimes to someone he intends to kill. The machinations of criminals hoping to dupe Kinsey into overlooking their crimes seem too clever by half. Some of Kinsey's adventures and methods of obtaining information are unconvincing. The novel's three central crimes are neither very interesting nor very believable. However, the good points of O is for Outlaw far outweigh the bad points--and in any case, the novel is fun because Kinsey Millhone is always fun.

I discovered Sue Grafton in 1995. I have read all of her books and recommend that readers do the same to see how Kinsey develops from A to O.I have written to her and am on her mailing list for personal appearances and advance notices of new books. Sue is a great example of how to treat her readers. She respects us!What I love about her books is that there are a few sentences to tell you about Kinsey in each book. Even though you may have missed the other books, it doesn't take you long to learn about her. I love the idea that she has one black dress, has a neat apartment, nice landlord, etc. Her awful junk food choices washed down by a glass of Chardonnay are wonderful! She's the perfect person with one dress and a VW.I hope that Sue does not bring her up to date with cell phones, etc too soon. I've learned some great investigative tips from her. It's amazing what people will tell you over the phone when you play dumb or are less than truthful. No real crime here. Just a fact-finding mission.O for Outlaw was a good read. I didn't pick up who was the bad guy until late in story. Great ending as always. The little bits of info she puts in lead to a surprise ending. You think, "How did I miss that clue?"How can one say seriously, I'm awaiting "P"? What will that stand for?

I, like many here have read every one of Sue's wonderful series. I've enjoyed every one...some more then others. Quite honestly, "O" held me in suspense from the start to the finish...with lots of left turns and plot twists to keep it fast paced and very exciting. Personally I could have used a little more background on Bel and Cordelia but that's a very minor point. I thoroughly enjoyed the illuminating glimpse into Kinsey's first marriage and the side trip to Louisville. As always Sue displays her extraordinary descriptive writing abilities to the hilt in all chapters and that, as much as any other reason is the main reason why I remain a loyal Grafton fan. In my opinion, "O" is a "must read".

Kinsey Millhone is a person I would like to know. She's quirky, intensely loyal and tenancious as a bulldog. Additionally, anyone who is brave enough to cut their hair with cuticle scissors is to be admired. I have every volume and I've enjoyed reading all of her adventures. I especially liked this book because we get a glimpse into Kinsey's past and begin to see why she acts/reacts to men and to tight situations the way she does. I read this book in two sittings and would recommend it to any other Grafton fans. To a new reader, however, I would recommend that the stories be read in order. Grafton builds something new into each one and, as they build, the reader begins to understand Kinsey and her slightly off-centered world.P.S. Ms. Grafton -- we need more of Henry....he's just too precious for words -- and because of his age, he might not be around/spry for the rest of the alphabet.