In private investigator Kinsey Milhone's 22nd outing, Sue Grafton brings back all the quirky, lovable characteristics of her protagonist while ramping up the intensity of Kinsey's experiences.
Few authors can open a novel with a gruesome murder and flawlessly transition to her heroine shopping for underwear without losing credibility, but that's precisely the way V Is for Vengeance opens. In Kinsey's world, though, even shopping for underwear can't be easy. She observes a woman shoplifting and notifies a store employee. When the shoplifter is arrested and then apparently commits suicide, Kinsey finds herself investigating the woman's death on behalf of her fiancé. As hidden details of the woman's life are uncovered, Kinsey comes face-to-face with her own mortality and discovers her work on this investigation may very well be a threat to her own life.
Grafton's Alphabet Series is the rare series that continues to show momentum after more than 20 books. V Is for Vengeance is entertaining, while still making your heart race with anticipation. Kinsey Milhone remains a unique protagonist in the PI genre, while Grafton continues to surround her with interesting supporting characters and antagonists. Fans won't be disappointed and newcomers can enjoy the story without any knowledge of the previous 21 books. V Is for Vengeance is another win for this doyenne of the PI novel. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts