Review: U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
by Jenners • 01/16/2010 • 3 Stars, Fiction, G Authors, Mystery/Thriller, U Titles • 13 Comments
A meme concept by That’s A Novel Idea
1 Book you read and/or reviewed: U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
2 Words that describe the book: Millhone mystery
3 Settings where it took place or characters you met:
- Setting: In and around Santa Teresa, California, 1988
- Kinsey Millhone—my favorite Quarter Pounder loving private eye is back (and the same as ever) in this 21st installment of Grafton’s alphabet series
- Michael Sutton—a troubled young man who seeks Kinsey’s help in finding out whether a memory of something he saw when he was 6 years old is a clue in an unsolved kidnapping case
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:
- I liked falling back into my easy relationship with Kinsey and all the familiar characters like Henry (largely absent from this book) and Rosie (still bossing people around and making food I would never want to eat).
- I liked how Grafton wrote from the point of view of several different characters who play a role in the mystery.
- I disliked that Grafton goes out of her way to prove why something couldn’t have possibly been true and then just discards it in the end. Or did I miss something???!?
- I disliked feeling ho hum about a series that I’ve read for such a long time. I used to rush out and buy the new books whenever they were released. I don’t feel that need anymore. (I got the book as a Christmas present, in case you were wondering.) Yet I find this series less repetitive and annoying than Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books. I’ll probably continue picking up the rest of the books as they are released, but the magic is kind of gone for me.
5 Stars or less for your rating?
I’m giving the book 3 stars. If you are a long-time Kinsey Millhone fan, it is nice to visit with her again. I’ve never thought the mysteries in the Kinsey Millhone books were all that compelling or gripping. Rather, the appeal of these books, for me, has always been Kinsey herself. If you like a down-to-earth private eye, Kinsey is your woman. She does everything the old-fashioned way—digging at stuff until she figures it out. Although there are some developments in Kinsey’s relationship with her estranged family in this book, it didn’t really do anything for me. Still, the series is a worthwhile one, and this book is a fine addition.
Why and Where I Got The Book
My Little One gave me this book for Christmas because Daddy knows I’ve always read these books. Sorry … no giveaway on this one. It is promised to relatives who also read the Millhone books.
To find out what other book bloggers are saying about this book or author, visit the Book Blogs Search Engine created by Fyrefly’s Book Blog.
And it seems that our Show Me 5 Saturday hostess is missing in action since November so I thought I’d include a Mr. Linky with my post in case you want to hook up your own contribution. (Kaye? Mary?) Hopefully, she’ll be back to blogging soon.
Did anyone else notice that you said the book was written by Kinsey herself?
That just tickled me for some reason!
I've read many of the series, but not all. The same with the Stephanie Plum books.
I seem to be searching for a new hardass female protagonist in a book? Know any?
I loved T for Trespass; I thought it dealt with an interesting topic. And Kinsey is one of my favorite detective…cutting her own hair with a nail scissors…gotta love her! I know I'll read U when I can get my hands on it from the library. I feel the same way about Stephanie Plum, and stopped reading that series around number 4.
I'm totally out of it, but I need to tell you that I love your new look (has it been up for weeks? )
I'll probably read this as I've read all the others keeping in mind I may be disappointed.
I did the ShowMe5 back in Nov but stopped when the host disappeared. Happy to begin again …….next week!
I have some sad news…I have never read a Sue Grafton book. And no, I am not from another planet! LOL
One if these days I'll have to read this series since I'm pretty sure I'd like it.
I've read all the way up to T and will probably finish the series. Maybe it has dragged on too long. Grafton has been writing these books for years. I thought T was one of the better ones as it dealt with theft Identity and was a good mystery. I wish you had enjoyed it more. Thanks for putting up the linky. I still haven't heard from Alipet if she has abandoned her blog or what is going on.
I'm adding a link to your post like before, anyway.
I bought this book since I've read every book in the series and love Kinsey. I hope I'm not too let down. I guess it's hard to write about the same character for so long.
I read a few of these but then stopped. The reviews seemed pretty good on this one overall, but I'm not sure if I can justify squeezing it in –not yet at least (maybe a beach read).
Great review – appreciate the honesty.
I totally agree with you and Sandy – you read Kinsey to reconnect with an old friend, rather than get knocked out of your socks by the mystery.
Ha ha, can't wait to see what she'll come up with for X. It will make all the alphabet challenge people happy, at any rate!
I liken these books to my old stretched out sweats that I wear around the house…comfortable, but not all that pretty. I've read them all up to U, and I enjoy them (some more than others). It's like meeting up with old friends. But like with any series, after awhile you want to see something new. I could name a half dozen other ones where I feel the same way. I will most likely read this one – maybe when it comes out in paperback.
That would be great if you would "host" until the original comes back. I don't think she's been around since I did my first Show Me 5 post. I don't have a SM5 this week but I will next week.
I haven't read any of this series but I've noticed reviews are a little tepid for this particular book. If I'd invested my time in the previous series titles, though, I'd still keep reading.
I have always seen these books in library but never read any. Do u think I should give them a try.
I have always seen mixed reviews on them..I read mysteries but are these worth a try for a new reader ?