X

Author: Sue Grafton

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: Alphabet series – Kinsey Millhone  book 24 of 25

Publisher: Pan

Date Published: 2016

Book Length: 512

Format: Paperback I purchased myself

Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend

About Book: In hindsight, I marvel at how clueless I was . . . What I ask myself even now is whether I should have picked up the truth any faster than I did, which is to say not fast enough . . .When a glamorous red head wishes to locate the son she put up for adoption thirty-two years ago, it seems like an easy two hundred bucks for private investigator Kinsey Millhone. But when a cop tells her she was paid with marked bills, and Kinsey's client is nowhere to be found, it becomes apparent this mystery woman has something to hide. Riled, Kinsey won't stop until she's found out who fooled her and why. Meanwhile, the widow of the recently murdered P. I. – and Kinsey's old friend – Pete Wolinsky, needs help with her IRS audit. This seemingly innocuous task takes a treacherous turn when Kinsey finds a coded list amongst her friend's files. It soon leads her to an unhinged man with a catalogue of ruined lives left in his wake. And despite the devastation, there isn't a single conviction to his name. It seems this sociopath knows exactly how to cause chaos without leaving a trace. As Kinsey delves deeper into the investigation she quickly becomes the next target of this tormentor. But can Kinsey prove her case against him before she becomes the next victim?

My Thoughts: X by Sue Grafton is a mystery thriller, and part of the alphabet series with PI Kinsey Millhone. Although, this is book 24 it was a book that can easily be read as a stand alone. The book is gritty right from the start and the way the prose is written made me want to read it at a fast pace. Grafton's writing style was different to what I have become used to, it felt fairly old school, imagine watching a movie with a narrator in the background. The descriptions were in minute detail enabling me to see everything clearly. On the downside there are some descriptions that seem to be filling up the pages. I didn’t need a step by step guide on how to make a cup of coffee.

But once the mystery got going it was a page turner and I really liked Kinsey Millhone’s character.

In conclusion a gritty mystery thriller, that has a different writing style but a page turner with great characters.