Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 4
First Line: Phillip Lanahan drove to Vegas in his 1985 Porsche 911 Carrerra Cabriolet, a snappy little red car his parents had given him two months before, when he graduated from Princeton.
Phillip is a typical young man who believes he's ten feet tall and bullet proof. He also thinks he's a first-rate gambler, even though he owes thousands to a loan shark. If you're under the impression that his story doesn't end well, I won't try to change your mind.
From Phillip's story, we move to Kinsey Millhone, who's just celebrated her thirty-eighth birthday by being on the receiving end of two black eyes and a busted nose. (Who says trying to collar a shoplifter is easy work?) But this particular shoplifter winds up jumping off a local bridge, and Kinsey's gut tells her there's a lot more to the shoplifter's story than overwhelming guilt at being caught.
The story moves on in alternating points of view as each of the main characters is introduced-- a man who, bereft at the loss of his fiancée, wants answers; a straying husband who plays by his own rules; a dirty cop who believes he'll never get caught; a wife whose life is about to implode; and seemingly at the very center of the web, a baleful gangster and a professional shoplifting ring.
Professional shoplifting rings don't cross the minds of most citizens, but they do exist, as anyone who's worked retail for any length of time can tell you. My personal favorite, although they weren't part of a ring, were the elderly couple who came into my store almost everyday. The wife was confined to a wheelchair, and her husband would push her throughout the store, stopping to chat and laugh with the clerks. Most of us were shocked when they were arrested and we learned that the wife was sitting on top of a big empty compartment that they were filling each and every time they came in the store. Once something like that happens, you begin looking at customers in a very different way!
Even if you don't have personal experience of shoplifters, this will be an interesting part of the plot as Kinsey investigates and uncovers more and more facts about it.
I also appreciated the alternating points of view in the book. There is a strong cast of characters in V is for Vengeance, and Grafton's letting them tell their own stories really lets readers get to know them and form their own opinions about each one. Don't set too much store on your impressions, though. Grafton throws in a few twists so you may not know the characters as well as you think.
A strong, well-paced plot and interesting characters made sure that I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I may have come late to Kinsey's party (having read only three of the books), but at least I've finally arrived!
Phillip is a typical young man who believes he's ten feet tall and bullet proof. He also thinks he's a first-rate gambler, even though he owes thousands to a loan shark. If you're under the impression that his story doesn't end well, I won't try to change your mind.
From Phillip's story, we move to Kinsey Millhone, who's just celebrated her thirty-eighth birthday by being on the receiving end of two black eyes and a busted nose. (Who says trying to collar a shoplifter is easy work?) But this particular shoplifter winds up jumping off a local bridge, and Kinsey's gut tells her there's a lot more to the shoplifter's story than overwhelming guilt at being caught.
The story moves on in alternating points of view as each of the main characters is introduced-- a man who, bereft at the loss of his fiancée, wants answers; a straying husband who plays by his own rules; a dirty cop who believes he'll never get caught; a wife whose life is about to implode; and seemingly at the very center of the web, a baleful gangster and a professional shoplifting ring.
Professional shoplifting rings don't cross the minds of most citizens, but they do exist, as anyone who's worked retail for any length of time can tell you. My personal favorite, although they weren't part of a ring, were the elderly couple who came into my store almost everyday. The wife was confined to a wheelchair, and her husband would push her throughout the store, stopping to chat and laugh with the clerks. Most of us were shocked when they were arrested and we learned that the wife was sitting on top of a big empty compartment that they were filling each and every time they came in the store. Once something like that happens, you begin looking at customers in a very different way!
Even if you don't have personal experience of shoplifters, this will be an interesting part of the plot as Kinsey investigates and uncovers more and more facts about it.
I also appreciated the alternating points of view in the book. There is a strong cast of characters in V is for Vengeance, and Grafton's letting them tell their own stories really lets readers get to know them and form their own opinions about each one. Don't set too much store on your impressions, though. Grafton throws in a few twists so you may not know the characters as well as you think.
A strong, well-paced plot and interesting characters made sure that I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I may have come late to Kinsey's party (having read only three of the books), but at least I've finally arrived!
Nancy B. (momof2furkids) reviewed V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 22) on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This one is more like the Kinsey mysteries I remember from earlier. The last ones have been rather dark, but this one was hard to put down and not nearly so dark. Very good read!
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone is shopping at the mall when she notices a couple of shoplifters. Security is called and one shoplifter, Audrey Vance, is apprehended in the parking lot. Her partner drives away. After a few days in jail, Audrey Vance is released on bail. The next day her body is found in the river. It looks like she jumped to her death. Police say she was a career criminal with several arrests. Audrey's fiancé refuses to believe that Audrey was a criminal. He asks Kinsey to investigate.
This is the 22nd book in the series. I thought this book was a huge improvement over the previous book in the series. I liked the mystery in this one. There were several twists and turns. Unlike the first books in the series which were told from Kinsey's point-of-view, this story also has the third person POVs of a handful of characters. This seemed to keep the story moving forward. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This is the 22nd book in the series. I thought this book was a huge improvement over the previous book in the series. I liked the mystery in this one. There were several twists and turns. Unlike the first books in the series which were told from Kinsey's point-of-view, this story also has the third person POVs of a handful of characters. This seemed to keep the story moving forward. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I'm a big fan of Sue Grafton. I have enjoyed all her books. I think she keeps getting better and her character is maturing, etc. Can't wait to read the next one!
Susan (imaginaryfriend) -
I found Grafton's style of writing more honed in this book than in previous ones. I think it's the best one to date. A little slow initially, but I immediately began to look for clues that would become important later on in the story and I wasn't disappointed as the storyline played out. There were a few Aha! moments. All-in-all a very good read. Once engrossed, I couldn't put it down. I had to see if what I'd figured out actually ended up happening.
#22 and by now I'm so familiar with Kinsey that the multiple lengthy other POV scenes were a nice break. Not that I don't like Kinsey as a character, but she's predictable. And while I like her, and I see what the author does, I spend a lot of time saying to myself "Kinsey, just let it go". I can imagine myself reporting a shoplifter to the store (these days they would just shrug, I think) but I can't imagine going farther than that. Helping out Pinky, the same thing, although she does love the underdog. More understandable is her determination to get to the bottom of the case once she's started, even if she's not getting paid. Anyway - interesting storyline, I did enjoy the other POVs. 3 more to go in the series.
Excellent from start to finish
Loretta F. (rettaliny) reviewed V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 22) on + 60 more book reviews
I am a big fan of this series but I gave "V" only 3 stars because the first 2 thirds of the book really dragged for me. I think the last third of the book had more character detail and dialogue between the characters and that is what made me finally stick to the story and I enjoyed the ending.
Love this whole series
Nancy B. (laurensnana) reviewed V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 22) on + 34 more book reviews
One of Grafton's best, though a little differently written than past books, a little more dramatic and serious, though with still a touch of the comic relief we're used to with Kinsey. Enjoyed it immensely.
good chararacters.. love this series.
Totally disappointing!!! I have read the whole series and this one just plain sucks!!!!! It took well over 100 pages just to know what the book was about. There was NO suspense what-so-ever,,,,,,,,,,,Horrible...horrible.....horrible
Kellie P. (irishlass) -
Not sure if I'm just tired of the same old formula or her writing is getting tired, but I didn't like this one at all. I was disappointed because I always look forward to when the next one is published, but i thought this was really boring. No suspense. Characters I could care less about. Hope the next one is better.
Terri G. (fastfingers) reviewed V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 22) on + 73 more book reviews
I have read all from this series. This was very well written and I loved it!!! The last couple were kinda dry and boring but she got it right with "V" is for Vengeance! Kinsey Milhone never disappoints!
Christina W. (cottre26) -
The only reason I finished this book is because I've enjoyed past Kinsey books, but I'm finding the longer the series goes on, the less I like them. I found this book slow and unexciting. I'll probably finish out the series because I've made it this far, but I won't be rushing to read them as soon as they're released any longer.
Charlean A. (Charlean) reviewed V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 22) on + 13 more book reviews
Another great book by Sue Grafton. I am sad to think she is almost done with the alphabet series.
As good as ever.
I enoy Sue Grafton's book but thought this one started out slow and picked up towards the end
Cheryl T. (cheryltav) reviewed V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 22) on + 51 more book reviews
So it had been awhile since I read Grafton and I was a couple of letters behind. I started with A back when A came out and stayed caught up for awhile, then kids, job etc... So now I am back and I must say the character has developed into something more interesting than I expected. I still wish time would pass to computers and cell phones. By far this is my favorite one to date. I especially like Lorenzo Dante and I hope he can can come back into a story line at some point. There was only one loose end related to Thelma, I won't give anything away. If you have never read Grafton before this would be a great place to start.
Chris L. (christygail) reviewed V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 22) on + 32 more book reviews
Enjoyed the book. Have already shipped it off to another member.
Absolutely loved this book. The way Sue Grafton can start out a story and then piece it all together to make perfect sense by the ending amazes me. This was one of her better alphabet series, I think, though I have enjoyed them all. I will be sad to see this series end...
Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series started out with the alphabet letter of "A" is for Alibi and has gone right on through; hence, "V" is for Vengeance. Kinsey Millhone is a 30-something female private investigator living in California, along the coast. After spending a couple of years as a cop, she's stuck with the PI and makes ends meet handling both the mundane divorce cases, as well as these high-crime investigations to what each book is based on. Kinsey lives in a converted/rebuilt garage studio apartment and is best-buds with Henry, her landlord, who is an 80-something retired baker. Henry's hypochondriac brother and wife, who has a penchant for cooking outlandish, unheard of Hungarian dishes at their local neighborhood dive bar, is a favorite hangout of Kinsey's. Throughout every book it's like a homecoming for the reader to go along with Kinsey every time she has dinner at the bar, or stops over to drink a glass of wine with Henry.
In this book, Kinsey decides to stop off at Nordstrom's to take advantage of a sale on underwear. After witnessing two women shoplift, she reports it to the saleswoman and the fun begins! Kinsey is roped further into the case when one of the shoplifters is found dead in an apparent suicide. The shoplifter's fiancé thinks it's murder, and, of course his precious Audrey couldn't be involved in shoplifting, let alone doing it more than once! He hires Kinsey to investigate. Twists and turns leads us to a big crime ring, a loan shark, a spoiled trophy wife, and more. A good surprise ending and I found I wanted to continue on reading more about Kinsey's life and cases...even after reading all of the previous 22 books! I think it's impressive an author can continue to keep the series fresh and the readers hooked after so many books...and it's all done without gore, fowl language, or prejudice in its many forms that authors throw in. A refreshing, light, yet thoroughly interesting and addictive series.
In this book, Kinsey decides to stop off at Nordstrom's to take advantage of a sale on underwear. After witnessing two women shoplift, she reports it to the saleswoman and the fun begins! Kinsey is roped further into the case when one of the shoplifters is found dead in an apparent suicide. The shoplifter's fiancé thinks it's murder, and, of course his precious Audrey couldn't be involved in shoplifting, let alone doing it more than once! He hires Kinsey to investigate. Twists and turns leads us to a big crime ring, a loan shark, a spoiled trophy wife, and more. A good surprise ending and I found I wanted to continue on reading more about Kinsey's life and cases...even after reading all of the previous 22 books! I think it's impressive an author can continue to keep the series fresh and the readers hooked after so many books...and it's all done without gore, fowl language, or prejudice in its many forms that authors throw in. A refreshing, light, yet thoroughly interesting and addictive series.
One of the better "alphabet" books in my humble opinion from Grafton. It was a very enjoyable read. Lots of really good characters and a great story line. Me engaged all the way through.
Another great Kinsey Millhone story. I hate that we're nearing the end of the alphabet.
Can't go wrong with Sue Grafton & Kinsey.
A spiderweb of dangerous relationships lies at the heart of V is for Vengeance, Sue Grafton's daring new Kinsey Millhone novel.
A woman with a murky past who kills herself-or was it murder? A spoiled kid awash in gambling debt who thinks he can beat the system. A lovely woman whose life is about to splinter into a thousand fragments. A professional shoplifting ring working for the Mob, racking up millions from stolen goods. A wandering husband, rich and ruthless. A dirty cop so entrenched on the force he is immune to exposure. A sinister gangster, conscienceless and brutal. A lonely widower mourning the death of his lover, desperate for answers, which may be worse than the pain of his loss. A private detective, Kinsey Millhone, whose thirty-eighth-birthday gift is a punch in the face that leaves her with two black eyes and a busted nose.
And an elegant and powerful businessman whose dealings are definitely outside the law: the magus at the center of the web.
A woman with a murky past who kills herself-or was it murder? A spoiled kid awash in gambling debt who thinks he can beat the system. A lovely woman whose life is about to splinter into a thousand fragments. A professional shoplifting ring working for the Mob, racking up millions from stolen goods. A wandering husband, rich and ruthless. A dirty cop so entrenched on the force he is immune to exposure. A sinister gangster, conscienceless and brutal. A lonely widower mourning the death of his lover, desperate for answers, which may be worse than the pain of his loss. A private detective, Kinsey Millhone, whose thirty-eighth-birthday gift is a punch in the face that leaves her with two black eyes and a busted nose.
And an elegant and powerful businessman whose dealings are definitely outside the law: the magus at the center of the web.
