Book of the Week: Sue Grafton's "T is for Trespass"

Several years ago, I read the first couple books in Sue Grafton's "Alphabet" series. I thought they were okay, but I wasn't impressed enough to want to read through a series of (at the time) fourteen or so books. Now she's up to twenty and I'm wondering if I made a mistake. T is for Trespass was a wonderful surprise, a gripping, entertaining mystery when frankly I was expecting less. Kinsey Millhone is a compelling character in this story and the villain -- a healthcare worker who preys on the elderly -- is evil and creepy. I've read in at least one review that this is Grafton's best book. If that's the case, I doubt I'll go back and fill in the gap by reading the rest of the alphabet. But I'm looking forward to letter U.

Comments

I've read these books since the beginning, and have found them usually very good (the odd one is less so). They do not degenerate into mechanical formula as is the case with some series when the author breaks through into top-selling status. I'd say that they improved steadily for the first few. So despite the odd wobble I am looking forward to T. (It seems a long time since S!)

[Clea Simon]

I'd read them for a while and then given up, but you have said clearly what a few other reviewers have implied - so I think I'll give T a chance. Maybe she sat back, caught her breath, and came at this one with new energy. Thanks for the reco.