Book Club

[Judaline]

I've been   reading some really bummer   books lately. Pulled 3 bookmarks. There's nothing out there that tempts me so (don't faint) I've decided to try Sue Grafton. No, I've never read one. What I want to know is, can I just choose one or do I have to start at the beginning?

[Oznell]

@Judaline ,  good!   Sure, you could just choose one at random, but ideally, I'd start at her first "A is for Alibi".

Grafton establishes her private eye, Kinsey Millhone, as a somewhat quirky Santa Barbara resident, former police woman, bit of a loner, blah blah.  Grafton's brilliance is in her dialog-- so realistic, pointed, often wry -- and in her plotting, character studies, and ability to establish atmosphere ... the whole shebang!   

Extremely talented writer.  Over the 20-odd books, ( all named for an alphabet letter) she sustained a very high level, with only a couple less than great.  But no terrible duds where you have to force yourself to finish!

Love her relationship with her smart and sturdy octogenarian landlord, Henry Pitts, who offers stability in her tumultuous life.

You'll like the wit in the books-- but she's never 'cutesy', which I hate in mystery writers.

Esp. recommend:

A is for Allibi

C is for Corpse

E is for Evidence

G is for Gumshoe

J is for Judgment

K is for Killer

N is for Noose

P is for Peril

X ( she didn't title it beyond X, ha.

Trivia:  Grafton adored Ross Macdonald, mystery writer extraordinaire, and I believe she set the novels in Santa Barbara partly as a tribute to him.

Her memoir of growing up with her alcoholic parents is so worth the read too.  Her father, C.W. Grafton, an attorney in Louisville, wrote a mystery or two himself.

Sue Grafton's fans were heart-broken that her illness didn't allow her to write the final novel, "Z",  but she left a remarkable body of work, nonetheless.

[Oznell]

@smoochy ,  "The Edge" was one of the few I did not really care for.  Haven't read "Calamity of Souls".  But they may have plots that appeal to you.

If you are brand new to him, I think I'd still recommend "Simply Lies". 

[Judaline]

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@Oznell wrote:

@Judaline ,  good!   Sure, you could just choose one at random, but ideally, I'd start at her first "A is for Alibi".

Grafton establishes her private eye, Kinsey Millhone, as a somewhat quirky Santa Barbara resident, former police woman, bit of a loner, blah blah.  Grafton's brilliance is in her dialog-- so realistic, pointed, often wry -- and in her plotting, character studies, and ability to establish atmosphere ... the whole shebang!   

Extremely talented writer.  Over the 20-odd books, ( all named for an alphabet letter) she sustained a very high level, with only a couple less than great.  But no terrible duds where you have to force yourself to finish!

Love her relationship with her smart and sturdy octogenarian landlord, Henry Pitts, who offers stability in her tumultuous life.

You'll like the wit in the books-- but she's never 'cutesy', which I hate in mystery writers.

Esp. recommend:

A is for Allibi

C is for Corpse

E is for Evidence

G is for Gumshoe

J is for Judgment

K is for Killer

N is for Noose

P is for Peril

X ( she didn't title it beyond X, ha.

Trivia:  Grafton adored Ross Macdonald, mystery writer extraordinaire, and I believe she set the novels in Santa Barbara partly as a tribute to him.

Her memoir of growing up with her alcoholic parents is so worth the read too.  Her father, C.W. Grafton, an attorney in Louisville, wrote a mystery or two himself.

Sue Grafton's fans were heart-broken that her illness didn't allow her to write the final novel, "Z",  but she left a remarkable body of work, nonetheless.

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@Oznell Thanks. I will start with A. Also, while I've got'cha, isn't there an author whose books all have a song title for their title? Like, I Only Have Eyes for You for instance? I would always laugh when I saw one and usually I'd start singing to the tune of the title. haha But for some reason I never took one home with me. Would like the author if anybody knows. Thnx

[tansy]

Bella Andre, @Judaline?

[Judaline]

@tansy  Nope. But I, by chance, found one of her books at the library.  It's Mary Higgins Clark! Are her books good? Thanks

[Tinkrbl44]

@Oznell 

I am now reading Simply Lies .... and am wondering how I could have missed this author ... what a story!