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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
With any re-read, one worries how a book or series will hold up. So far, Grafton’s books are the best case scenario: they’re a thoroughly enjoyable reacquaintance with beloved characters, and seeing them through a lens of years, I’m noticing more about the character craft that went into them.
For instance, I had forgotten how much Kinsey’s traumatic childhood informs her life and her approach to her cases. She’s good at noticing people’s reactions, but when it comes to interpreting them, she can lag behind. I remember her finding some closure in the later books, but I’m looking forward to seeing how Grafton builds towards it.
For instance, I had forgotten how much Kinsey’s traumatic childhood informs her life and her approach to her cases. She’s good at noticing people’s reactions, but when it comes to interpreting them, she can lag behind. I remember her finding some closure in the later books, but I’m looking forward to seeing how Grafton builds towards it.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sue Grafton has done it again! Another great story in the "alpahabet mystery series " haha! PI Kinsey is letting you in just a little bit to her personal world. Bobby and Henry were by far my favorites! I even warmed up to Kitty by the end. Great book!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
I think I shelved the first two books in this series as mystery and thriller, but I wonder if that's really accurate. It isn't here... this is straight mystery, until about the last ten pages, when there's a violent encounter with the culprit. I don't know that that's enough to be classed as thriller... a lot of what Kinsey does in C is for Corpse could be done by Miss Marple, in that it's conversations and information gathering rather than anything that would risk breaking a hip, if that makes sense. An almost laid-back type of mystery, and I find that appealing. It gives more opportunity for character work, and as always I enjoy Grafton's supporting characters. Lila Sims, for example, is awful, but her nasty personality is neatly encompassed over not a great many pages, and Bobby's mother Glen is an interesting character in her own right. Also, I like that the general lack of action ties in well with Kinsey's character - she's been injured in the previous two books, and ongoing physiotherapy and a general dislike of pain means that she's not remotely into the idea of danger for danger's sake. There's a strong streak of sensible self-preservation in her that I find both sympathetic and extremely realistic.