California private investigator Kinsey Millhone is hired to solve a decades-old cold case in this “undeniably entertaining” (Los Angeles Times) #1 New York Times bestseller from Sue Grafton.Cases don’t get much colder than that of Violet Sullivan, who disappeared from her rural California town in 1953, leaving behind an abusive husband and a seven-year-old named Daisy. But PI Kinsey Millhone has … Daisy. But PI Kinsey Millhone has promised the now adult Daisy she’ll try her best to locate Violet, dead or alive. All signs point to a runaway wife—the clothes that disappeared; the secret stash of money Violet bragged about; the brazen flirtations she indulged in with local men, including some married ones.
Kinsey tries to pick up a trail by speaking to those who remember Violet—and perhaps were more involved in her life than they let on. But the trail could lead her somewhere very dangerous. Because the case may have gone cold, but some people’s feelings about Violet Sullivan still run as hot as ever…
more
This is a review of all Sue Grafton’s books. I loved them. I am sorry not to know the final episode in Kinsey Milhone’s life. I have relished each ‘letter of the alphabet’ as it came out for the last thirty years. Such a treat. Reading these novels inspired me and guided me to write a series. As a reader and a writer, she has been an inspiration. If you haven’t read her, you have a big treat in store.
On July 4, 1953, Victoria Sullivan vanished without a trace and was never heard from again. Her abusive husband lived under the shadow of suspicion, and her then seven-year-old daughter, Daisy, has lived with the questions about what happened to her mother and why. And so, thirty-four years later, she hires PI Kinsey Millhone to try to finally solve this mystery. Kinsey is reluctant to take on the case. After all this time, what can she find? Yet, as she begins to poke around, she suspects that the people she is talking to know more than they’ve ever told the police or are telling her. Can she figure out what happened?
Cold cases can make excellent novels, and this is a perfect example. It is obvious early on that Kinsey is gaining new information, but how that is going to play out keeps us guessing until the end. I was certain I knew who it was, but I was wrong. Still, the ending did make sense to me. The characters are strong as always. Kinsey spends much of the book out of town, so we don’t see much of the regulars, which was disappointing, but a minor issue. While all the “modern” 1987 scenes are narrated from Kinsey’s first-person point of view, there are sections from other character’s point of view back in 1953. As good as some of those scenes are, sadly, there are some very graphic scenes in them. We could have easily done without them and it wouldn’t have impacted the story at all. I’m taking a star off for that. If you are a fan, be prepared to skim those scenes and you’ll still enjoy the book overall.
Another great book from Sue Grafton. The Kinsey Millhone series has been one of my favorites ever since I started reading mysteries lo these many years ago. I went off it for a while, but now I’m back on it and enjoying the heck out of these later installments.
It’s hard to put your finger exactly on why the series is so good. Grafton’s writing style tends to be straightforward, but with detailed place descriptions and scene settings. There’s a lot that doesn’t relate directly to the plot. Actually, I think I may have just put my finger on the essence of her skill. The creates an intense feeling of realism, one that relies on well-chosen details and the day-to-day minutiae of regular life. Kinsey seems like a real person, as do those around her, and she inhabits a vividly realized real world. The books don’t gallop along with the breathless pace that seems so popular these days, but that’s why they suck you in so inexorably: atmosphere is created, and gratification is delayed. I can still remember scenes from some of the earlier books which I read 20 or more years ago, and “S is for Silence” has that same quality. Always a pleasure to read the work of a master.
4 out of 5 stars to S is for Silence, the 19th book in the “Kinsey Millhone” mystery series, written in 2005 by Sue Grafton. This is a top-notch installment in the series, proving why Grafton is so good at inventing characters who stick with you and never get boring. Kinsey takes on another case that she believes will be simple, against her better judgment. She hates delving into crimes that are over 30 years old, but she needs the money. And as she slowly weeds her way thru the drama, she finds the victim was indeed murdered, and there are quite a number of suspects. The mystery is strong. The ability to research history and find people who may know something is great. Relying on the mind of someone who wasn’t very old at the time her mother disappeared makes this even harder, but also better. Grafton’s style often seems effortless. Not quite as funny as Evanovich, not quite as hardcore as Paretsky, not as simple as other cozy mysteries, this is a balance of all the series with popular female lead / detective types. I’m almost caught up on reviews and looking forward to picking up V is for Vengeance this summer.
Another masterpiece by the late, great Sue Grafton. Kinsey Milhone never disappoints in this twisty mystery.
love the main charactert…have never read a Sue Grafton/Kinsey Milhone book that I did not love and could not wait for the next one. I miss them terribly…….
Excellent Sue Grafton, with Kinsey Milhone at her finest. Compelling and heartbreaking.
Sue Grafton is simply THE BEST!!
First Sue Gafton novel I have read. Great story and characters. I look forward to reading more in this series
Have read all in this series. This is by far my favorite.
I’m a Sue Grafton fan, so I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read. I particularly appreciate the tight unity of her plots and, of course, her famous sleuth, as she uncovers and peels through the layers of information and intrigue. I’m so sad at Grafton’s passing and will miss her work. I will need to start rereading.
Kinsey again. Good, fun read.
A classic who-done-it that’s not easy to figure out ahead of the ending
Anything she wrote is excellent.
Sue Grafton is sorely missed by me! Love Kinsey Milhone in every book from A to the end!
Good all the way through. Kept me wondering.
I love all of her books!! I read them over and over!
I bought all her books, couldn’t wait for the next one to be released. Her passing was a great loss.
Too long and repetitive.
Everything she ever wrote was outstanding Kinsey is one of my favorite detectives