Readers of Sue Grafton’s fiction know she never writes the same book twice, and “I” Is For Innocent is no exception. Her most intricately plotted novel to date, it is layered in enough complexity to baffle even the cleverest among us.Lonnie Kingman is in a bind. He’s smack in the middle of assembling a civil suit, and the private investigator who was doing his pretrial legwork has just dropped … has just dropped dead of a heart attack. In a matter of weeks the court’s statute of limitations will put paid to his case. Five years ago David Barney walked when a jury acquitted him of the murder of his rich wife, Isabelle. Now Kingman, acting as attorney for the dead woman’s ex-husband and their child (and sure that the jury made a serious mistake), is trying to divest David Barney of the profits of that murder. But time is running out, and David Barney still swears he’s innocent.
Patterned along the lines of a legal case, “I” Is For Innocent is seamlessly divided into thirds: one-third of the novel is devoted to the prosecution, one-third to the defense, and a final third to cross-examination and rebuttal. The result is a trial novel without a trial and a crime novel that resists solution right to the end.
When Kinsey Millhone agrees to take over Morley Shine’s investigation, she thinks it is a simple matter of tying up the loose ends. Morley might have been careless about his health, but he was an old pro at the business. So it comes as a real shock when she finds his files in disarray, his key informant less than credible, and his witnesses denying ever having spoken with him. It comes as a bigger shock when she finds that every claim David Barney has made checks out. But if Barney didn’t murder his wife, who did? It would seem the list of candidates is a long one. In life, Isabelle Barney had stepped on a lot of toes.
In “I” Is For Innocent, Sue Grafton once again demonstrates her mastery of those telling details that reveal our most intimate and conflicted relationships. As Kinsey comments on the give-and-take by which we humans deal with each other, for better and sometimes for worse, the reader is struck yet again by how acute a social observer Ms. Grafton can be. Frequently funny and sometimes caustic, she is also surprisingly compassionate– understanding how little in life is purely black and white. Except for murder.
Somewhere out there, a killer waits to see just what Kinsey will find out. Somewhere out there, someone’s been getting away with murder, and this time it just might turn out to be Kinsey’s.
“I” Is For Innocent is Sue Grafton in peak form. Fast-paced. Funny. And very, very devious.
more
Five years ago, Isabelle Barney was murdered on the day after Christmas. While her estranged husband was acquitted of the crime, her ex-husband is now suing him in civil court in a wrongful death case. Kinsey has been hired to help the lawyer win the case, taking over from a PI who just died. His notes were a mess, so she is completely retracing his steps. But as she goes, she begins to wonder just who committed the murder. Is she helping the court case, or hurting it?
Kinsey is back in top form in this book. The plot twists all over the place before coming to a perfectly logical climax. Henry and Rosie are involved in a very fun sub-plot that provides some laughs. The suspects are strong, and we meet a couple of new supporting characters since Kinsey has had to move her office.
I have enjoyed all of the books in Sue Grafton’s alphabet series. May she rest in peace
Is David Barney innocent?
Six years ago a jury absolved him of the murder of his wife Isabelle, letting him saunter off into the sunset and avail himself of Isabelle’s millions.
But first husband, Kenneth Voight, convinced that Barney is responsible, has recently launched a civil suit.
The stakes are high, not only because of the moola, but because the statute of limitations runs out in a few weeks. Prosecuting attorney Lonnie Kingman finds himself wrong-footed by the sudden death of his PI, Morley Shine, who was amassing evidence against Barney.
Enter Kinsey Milhone, who believes that a little light dusting will get the case ready for Kingman, only to find that Shine’s files are in disarray or missing, and that Barney’s alibi checks out.
Part of the pleasure in reading one of Sue Grafton’s alphabet novels is in watching Kinsey’s clever mind tick along. Here she is, wading into a mess of a case, believing at first that Morley Shine was derelict in his duties. Only gradually does she realize he was getting too close to the truth.
If David Barney didn’t murder Isabelle, then who did? And did Morley Shine really drop dead of a heart attack?? Five stars.
I’ve read all of the Sue Grafton’s alphabet series (A -Y). They are entertaining, easy to read, and sometimes unpredictable.
The entire alphabet series from Sue Grafton is great. They have a believable central character that is not larger than life. They have real characters. I get immersed in them. Exactly the point.
Any Sue Grafton book is a good book!!
Kinsey’s is a great character
I have read all this series.
Another great book by the late Sue Grafton.
I live Sue Grafton books. I own quite a few of her alphabet books.
I have enjoyed everyone of “The Alphabet Mystery series”.
I’ve read all of Sue Grafton’s books. The first book of this series is “A is for Alibi”. You don’t have to read them in order, but once you’re hooked you’ll want to read them all!
There is nothing Sue Grafton ever wrote that wasn’t fun, witty, clever and fun to read. Great character, amazing author.
4 out of 5 stars to I is for Innocent, the 9th book in the “Kinsey Millhone” mystery series, written in 1992 by Sue Grafton. Innocent is a great example of why this is a good book series to read. Kinsey is funny but not silly. She is real, but flawed. The book is split into thirds, covering different angles of the case. Another example of Kinsey taking a case trying to determine what happened many years ago. But this time, she’s partnering with another detective, then taking it over. She’s got two husbands on different sides, fighting over the deceased’s inheritance. How will she get herself thru this one? With good detective skills, some charm and a little ingenuity. That’s what these books are all about. Part luck, part smarts, Kinsey always solves the case. Sometimes she gets hurt, but often she comes out on top with little damage.
Kasey Millhone is a great character in all the books.
Good book!
The Sue Grafton books are great for casual, light reading. The series goes from A – Y, and follows Detective Kinsey Milhone through her different cases. Always good for relaxing, quick reads.
This is perhaps my favorite Sue Grafton book. It’s a blend of a great puzzle, clearly-drawn and believable characters, and excellent writing. I will be so sorry when her Kinsey Milhone alphabet mysteries come to the end.
More Grafton!