“M” is for money. Lots of it. “M” is for Malek Construction, the $40 million company that grew out of modest soil to become one of the big three in California construction, one of the few still in family hands.“M” is for the Malek family: four sons now nearing middle age who stand to inherit a fortune–four men with very different outlooks, temperaments, and needs, linked only by blood and money. … and money. Eighteen years ago, one of them–angry, troubled, and in trouble–went missing.
“M” is for Millhone, hired to trace that missing black sheep brother.
“M” is for memories, none of them happy. The bitter memories of an embattled family. This prodigal son will find no welcome at his family’s table. “M” is for malice.
And in brutal consequence, “M” is for murder, the all-too-common outcome of familial hatreds.
“M” is for malice . . . and malice kills.
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PI Kinsey Millhone is reluctant to take a case from one of her recently discovered cousins, Tasha Howard, but the case is too intriguing to turn down. The head of Malek Construction has recently died, and the only will anyone can find divides his estate among his four sons. The problem is no one has heard from Guy, the black sheep of the family, since he was supposedly disinherited almost twenty years ago. Can Kinsey pick up a very cold trail and find him?
Those familiar with the series will know what to expect, plenty of family drama and a case that is much more complicated than it sounds. Yes, things slow down a bit in the middle, but I suspected what was coming next and I found that suspense more than enough to keep me reading. Kinsey is the star of this series, and her slow growth is enjoyable to watch. We do get a bit from other series regulars, but we spent the most time with the characters related to the mystery, and they are all strong. I was especially happy to note that a group of Christians Kinsey meets don’t turn out to all be hypocrites or extremists, which is what I expect almost every time I run across that in a mystery. Fans of Kinsey who haven’t read this book yet are in for a strong entry in the series.
Sue Grafton never fails
Sue Grafton is a master, practically created this genre.
I have enjoyed the Alphabet series in print and audio form! I am listening to the series again—comfort reads. Robert Dietz returns! Kinsey works a missing persons case in which a long lost brother is due to inherit a large sum of money. His father banished him when he was young and no one has heard from him since. In her search, Kinsey comes across Christians who help the downtrodden — how refreshing to see Christianity presented in a favorable light.
Each book opens to the same warm characters I have come to love, as much as the mysteries!
I listened to an audio version of this book. (less)
I have read all of Sue Grafton’s Alphabet novels and there isn’t one that I would give less than five stars. Sadly, Grafton’s alphabet ends with Y.
Well worth the read.
Loved all of her books.
Kinsey Milhone is such a wonderful character. In this era of tech it is nice to go back in time where everything was done without computers. Great plots. If you love female PI stories, Sue Grafton hit the mark. RIP Sue.
She Grafton is one of my favorite authors. I wish she was still with us. Kinsey is an interesting, likable though a little grouchy character. The regulars Henry, Rosie and the reoccurring love interest are also good characters. Her plots are fast paced and easy to read without being predictible.
I love all her books and her main characters.
I have read the entire Alphabet series from Sue Grafton. They are great.
Loved all of her books couldn’t wait for Z unfortunately she never finished it.
Sue Grafton is a great book to read again. A nice pleasure to re- read
Enjoyable read!
A really great series!
The entire series is good.
Finally! The last several books in this series left me feeling meh. The stories were only mildly compelling (not what I’m looking for in a whodunnit), the characters felt bland, and I was almost forcing myself to keep turning the pages, because I really didn’t care who or why. Not bad enough to consider stopping all together, but close. This one was such an improvement! I liked the characters, I liked the “stuff” going on in Kinsey’s personal life, and the plot kept me guessing. I never saw the ending coming. The only complaint I have is a couple of scenes in this book were given no resolution. They were similar in tone, and would have shared an answer, but the one alluded to seemed very out of character for the series. Either way, I’m actually hopeful that the series may be back on the upswing.
Love this series! Always entertaining!
4 out of 5 stars to M is for Malice, the 13th book in the “Kinsey Millhone” mystery series, written in 1996 by Sue Grafton. When I first picked up this book, as I was far behind in the series and not able to read them as they were published, I got very excited. My favorite type of books to read are about family dramas and whodunits. Well this book combined those two themes and sub-genres together when something was amiss with Malek Construction. Four (4) Malek brothers. And what are they up to. Who’s good? Who’s bad? Which one to trust? While it wasn’t quite what I was expecting, it was still a good cross-over type mystery. Millhone is great as usual. Robert Dietz is in this one… I enjoy the books when he shows up. Overall, this book has some good suspense and thrills, probably in the mid to high end of the whole series, and worth a read. I learned a bit about construction and business from this novel, though not a whole lot. I was just out of college and picking information up from the strangest places. Never thought Kinsey would be teaching it to me! LOL
All of Grafton’s books are superb. Main character is terrific…a strong, independent woman, with interesting relationships. Good, believable plots. Good writing. Hard to beat.
You can never go wrong with Sue Grafton and Kinsey Milhone! I’m just sad that the series has ended due to the death of Ms. Grafton. The alphabet will have to end with “Y”.