N Is for Noose: A Kinsey Millhone Novel

I bought this book for my grandmother as she is a big fan the series. She enjoyed the pacing of the book, characters, and thought it was a good continuation of the series. This was not the first time she read this book, but she said it has re-read value and was still enjoyable.

I have read many of the reviews of Sue Grafton's books that you people have put here. I know many of you share a hate-like relationship of her books, but whoever reviews Patricia Cornwell better bear in mind that in my opinion Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky beat her out any day. The main plot of "N" is For Noose centers in Nota Lake, Kinsey has been hired by Selma Newquist to find out how her husband Tom Newquist died. Sue Grafton always writes her novels with lots of description and I mean lots, hilarious dialogue, action, and smart-mouthed Kinsey Millhone who keeps getting better by the book, In Stephen King's On Writing he says that Grafton, although she writes real fast, seems to produce great books, He's right. Her best novel is probably O is for Outlaw, Her weakest would be L is for Lawless, since there wasn't a real mystery in this. If you are a fan of Grafton (Like I Am) I suggest you get this one, if you have read all of Grafton's books and need something to read that's like her style I recommend Sara Paretsky, Janet Evanovich and Marcia Muller. If you want Alternatives to other mystery writers, read Kathy Reichs, she's like Patricia Cornwell except much, much better. If you like British Mystery like P.D. James read Elizabeth George. As for N is for Noose it is excellent, exciting and fun. Grade: A-

Sue Grafton and Kinsey Millhone are both like the Energizer Bunny! They just keep on going! N is for Noose is another in a long line of suspenseful Kinsey mysteries. In this book, a detective dies and his widow hires Kinsey to find out what had been bothering him lately. Kinsey investigates and unearths a big mess, not to mention nearly losing her life!

I thought N was one of the best Sue Grafton books. It's nice that Kinsey got out of Santa Teresa for a while and into a truly quaint little town that, like any city, had its dark side. I thought the plot was great, the writing fast and snappy, and the ending good. For once I figured out who done it! Besides E and I this is my favorite. Avoid H though. That wasn't good at all...

I bought it Friday, and read it Sunday. As usual Sue Grafton keeps me turning the pages waiting to see what comes next. The plot was good, the characters interesting and the descriptions enjoyable. I read other customer comments, and I'd wondered why Kinsey hasn't come to the big screen. But I agree that so often movies ruin the characters. I know that while I enjoyed V I Warshawski on the big screen, she didn't fit my imagined character at all. If Kinsey ever makes it to film, I hope Ms. Grafton has total control so her vision can be portrayed.

Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone drives from her Southern California home to the Sierra Mountains where her client, Selma Newquist resides. Selma wants Kinsey to investigate the serious problem that had been bothering her now deceased spouse, Tom who has been investigating a recent rash of murders. Kinsey immediately runs up against the townsfolk reticence and their opinion that the widow Selma is just a troublemaker. They firmly believe that Kinsey should return to the coast and leave Tom rest in peace. Kinsey agrees with the locals until someone roughs her up in her hotel room, a way of delivering a distinct warning to the sleuth. The intrepid and obstinate Kinsey digs in her heels and soon concludes that Tom was looking into a murder case from several years ago that seems to be tied to the recent killings. However, Kinsey better be ultra careful because the killer wants to remain anonymous and has no problem eliminating the pushy outsider. Though "N" IS FOR NOOSE is not as taut a mystery as fans expect from Sue Grafton, the novel remains a humorous (especially self-deprecating) and witty novel. Kinsey is vintage Millhone and the quirky townsfolk propel the story line forward. Though the jumbled conclusion is a bit off kilter, readers who enjoy reading about female detectives will take great pleasure from this gratifying story. Harriet Klausner