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A review by topdragon
Kinsey and Me: Stories by Sue Grafton
3.0
Having read all the way through ”V” in the Kinsey Millhone alphabet series, I discovered that this collection of short stories existed and since all of the stories take place prior to “W” (and since I tend to be a completest) I decided to go ahead and read this volume as well.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part contains nine stories of Kinsey’s investigative adventures and I found them to be quite focused and pretty enjoyable reads. They aren’t as fun as the novels because there is nothing of the larger group of co-characters that make the novels so entertaining; nothing from octogenarian Henry, or Rosie or Kinsey’s estranged family. They are short straightforward whodunits almost in the style of a Hercule Poirot short story. None of them are necessary to read for the enjoyment of the larger series of novels, as they stand alone completely. They do vary in tone, however, from serious to near-whimsical crimes/criminals but I thought all of them were pretty fun reads.
Not so with the second half of the book. Here we find 11 “stories” from a character named Kit Blue who is reportedly a younger version of Sue Grafton herself. I use the term “stories” loosely because they are more like autobiographical observations on life with alcoholic parents and dealing with her mother’s death. There are no plots per se, more like essays on the over-arching darkness. Taken as a group, they do provide insights on Sue Grafton, as well as why the character of Kinsey Millhone is the way she is. And they are certainly well-written pieces. But enjoyable reading…not so much.
So I am granting four stars for part 1 and two stars for part 2 (being generous) rounding out to three stars for the book.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part contains nine stories of Kinsey’s investigative adventures and I found them to be quite focused and pretty enjoyable reads. They aren’t as fun as the novels because there is nothing of the larger group of co-characters that make the novels so entertaining; nothing from octogenarian Henry, or Rosie or Kinsey’s estranged family. They are short straightforward whodunits almost in the style of a Hercule Poirot short story. None of them are necessary to read for the enjoyment of the larger series of novels, as they stand alone completely. They do vary in tone, however, from serious to near-whimsical crimes/criminals but I thought all of them were pretty fun reads.
Not so with the second half of the book. Here we find 11 “stories” from a character named Kit Blue who is reportedly a younger version of Sue Grafton herself. I use the term “stories” loosely because they are more like autobiographical observations on life with alcoholic parents and dealing with her mother’s death. There are no plots per se, more like essays on the over-arching darkness. Taken as a group, they do provide insights on Sue Grafton, as well as why the character of Kinsey Millhone is the way she is. And they are certainly well-written pieces. But enjoyable reading…not so much.
So I am granting four stars for part 1 and two stars for part 2 (being generous) rounding out to three stars for the book.