U Is For Undertow

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

No one weaves a story like Sue Grafton and there are very few private eyes, like Kinsey Milhone.  There are very few authors that I have read consistently for over 20 years, but Sue Grafton has captured me from the early 90’s with A is for Alibi and although I have had gaps in my years of reading, I have finally made it to U is for Undertow and it kept me guessing until the end.

The story opens with Kinsey investigating a case of a missing child that occurred over 20 years ago.  In addition to reading Kinsey’s narrative, we are also transported to the mid 60’s to be introduced to what appears to be unrelated characters, but of course Ms. Grafton, expertly weaves the stories of their lives into a related story that has you guessing the relationships, the history, and the potential outcomes.   All classic elements of a great mystery.  Along the way, we continue to pick up bits and pieces of Kinsey’s family history, which is a mystery in itself. 

From the well defined descriptions of the people and places, you are transported to Santa Theresa, California in both the 1960’s and the 1980’s.  As I recently realized, it takes great expertise to write a novel set in the technology of the 1980’s, while living in the 21 century.   There are times, when as a reader, I even wonder to myself, “why didn’t she just call on her cell phone?” 

As the plot begins to reach a close, all the seemingly unrelated pieces fall into place with an element of suspense and of course an end to the investigation.   I will quickly starting reading “V is for Vengance” and will have to admit that when she finally roles out the “Z” novel, I imagine I will spend a few day s in mourning, as I think about the history of my life and the times I have read Sue Grafton novels.