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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated X (Kinsey Millhone, #24) in Books
Apr 25, 2023
This X Marks an Enjoyable Story
This book has three stories intertwined to keep PI Kinsey Millhone busy. In the first, Kinsey and her landlord, Henry, get a new neighbor, who seems adept at manipulating Henry and, by extension, Kinsey. Meanwhile, Kinsey makes an interesting discovery while digging through the papers of a late PI for the man’s widow who is facing an IRS audit. Finally, Kinsey is asked to track down a recent parolee by the man’s birth mother.
I’m glad I didn’t read the official plot description before I read this book since it has major spoilers. Instead, I let these stories unfold and interweave as they would, and I got caught up in the book. I do think the stakes were a little low, but I still enjoyed spending time with Kinsey and the rest, including some appearances by recurring characters. One of the stories has a rushed ending, but the other two stories reach satisfactory conclusions for me. Yes, this could have been a little stronger, but I really enjoyed spending time with Kinsey in this book.
I’m glad I didn’t read the official plot description before I read this book since it has major spoilers. Instead, I let these stories unfold and interweave as they would, and I got caught up in the book. I do think the stakes were a little low, but I still enjoyed spending time with Kinsey and the rest, including some appearances by recurring characters. One of the stories has a rushed ending, but the other two stories reach satisfactory conclusions for me. Yes, this could have been a little stronger, but I really enjoyed spending time with Kinsey in this book.
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated X (Kinsey Millhone, #24) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
The plot of "X" opens up with the story of a woman attempting to steal a painting. Then Grafton switches to present day, catching us up with Kinsey. "X" details several threats - mainly Kinsey trying to track down a recently released felon for a client and Kinsey working with Pete Wolinksy's widow to assist her with finding some files related to an IRS investigation. There's also a subplot involving Henry and Kinsey's new neighbors.
I have to state up front that I love Grafton and I love Kinsey Millhone. I hope they never make this series into a film, because I have my own picture of Kinsey in my mind, and I don't want anyone to ruin it. I started reading this series in middle school (!) and look forward to each and every release. Alas, while I enjoyed "X," it seemed a bit lackluster compared to many of Millhone's previous Kinsey efforts.
If you've read any Grafton book (or truly any mystery), you can envision that Kinsey's disparate cases will somehow overlap at some point. Her cases are fairly interesting, though Kinsey hems and haws a bit about her past with Pete. The side plot with Kinsey and her new neighbors (while somewhat appalling) just drags on, which makes me sad, because it involves Henry, and I do enjoy Henry.
Overall, it's a quick read and also good to catch up with Kinsey. However, I found myself wishing we could progress a bit more with Kinsey's personal life (besides Henry). Though perhaps the book represents how stagnant Kinsey feels in life? Hard to tell. But I do hope the next book brings her a little more excitement and happiness in both work and her personal life.
I have to state up front that I love Grafton and I love Kinsey Millhone. I hope they never make this series into a film, because I have my own picture of Kinsey in my mind, and I don't want anyone to ruin it. I started reading this series in middle school (!) and look forward to each and every release. Alas, while I enjoyed "X," it seemed a bit lackluster compared to many of Millhone's previous Kinsey efforts.
If you've read any Grafton book (or truly any mystery), you can envision that Kinsey's disparate cases will somehow overlap at some point. Her cases are fairly interesting, though Kinsey hems and haws a bit about her past with Pete. The side plot with Kinsey and her new neighbors (while somewhat appalling) just drags on, which makes me sad, because it involves Henry, and I do enjoy Henry.
Overall, it's a quick read and also good to catch up with Kinsey. However, I found myself wishing we could progress a bit more with Kinsey's personal life (besides Henry). Though perhaps the book represents how stagnant Kinsey feels in life? Hard to tell. But I do hope the next book brings her a little more excitement and happiness in both work and her personal life.
