Q is for Quarry

Title: Q is for Quarry

Author: Sue Grafton

Genre: Mystery, Murder. Crime

Series: Kinsey Milhone Series book 17 of 25

Publisher: Pan

Date Published:  2012

Book Length: 570

Format Paperback I purchased myself

Star Rating  4**** I liked it and recommend

About Book: Q is for Quarry is the seventeenth in the Kinsey Millhone mystery series by Sue Grafton and is based on a true crime. She was a 'Jane Doe', an unidentified white female whose decomposed body was discovered near a quarry off California's Highway 1. The case fell to the Santa Teresa County Sheriff's Department, but the detectives had little to go on, and after months of investigation, the murder remained unsolved. That was eighteen years ago. Now the two men who found the body, both nearing the end of long careers in law enforcement, want one last shot at the case . . . and they turn to Kinsey Millhone to help them find closure. But revisiting the past can be a dangerous business, and what begins with the pursuit of Jane Doe's real identity ends in a high-risk hunt for her killer. Based on an unsolved homicide that occurred in 1969, Q is for Quarry and Grafton's interest in the case have renewed police efforts. The body has been exhumed, and a facial reconstruction made that appears in the last pages of the novel. It is hoped that the photograph will trigger memories that may lead to a positive identification.

My Thoughts: Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton is a murder mystery thriller and the second book I’ve read in the Kinsey Millhone series. What’s great about these books is that they can be enjoyed as standalones, so you don’t feel lost if you haven’t been reading them in order (like me). That said, I do wonder if reading the series in order might give a bit more insight into Kinsey’s backstory. It didn’t take away from the main plot, though, so it wasn’t a big deal.

Sue Grafton’s writing is something special. I honestly think you could pick up one of her books, read a random page, and still know it’s hers. Her style is so smooth and almost melodic, with a rhythm that’s a pleasure to read. I’ve always thought her mysteries have a bit of an Agatha Christie vibe, too. The way the story unfolds—one clue at a time—keeps you hooked without feeling rushed.

In Q is for Quarry, the mystery builds slowly but surely, keeping me guessing all the way through. I enjoyed piecing together the clues alongside Kinsey, and while the pacing isn’t action-packed, it’s just right for the kind of thoughtful, detail-driven story Grafton excels at.

Overall, I’d give this one a solid four stars. It’s a well-crafted, engaging mystery with a strong sense of place and character. I might just have to go back and start the series from the beginning to get to know Kinsey even better—but for now, I’m happy dipping in and out of these books as the mood strikes. If you’re into clever mysteries with a classic feel, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.