From Diamond Dagger winner Sue Grafton -Kinsey Millhone's latest compelling case
U is for Undertow
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'Grafton is top notch, a worthy Diamond Dagger winner.'
--Peterborough Evening Telegraph
'Slickly handled narrative.'
--Leicester Mercury
`Any other author would have given up the alphabet series conceit by now, but I'm one of the many hard-core fans of Sue Grafton who's glad she's stuck with it - she's such a pleasure to read....It's a clever story, cunningly unravelled...' --Carla McKay, Daily Mail
--Peterborough Evening Telegraph
'Slickly handled narrative.'
--Leicester Mercury
`Any other author would have given up the alphabet series conceit by now, but I'm one of the many hard-core fans of Sue Grafton who's glad she's stuck with it - she's such a pleasure to read....It's a clever story, cunningly unravelled...' --Carla McKay, Daily Mail
Book Description
In 1960s Santa Teresa, California, a child is kidnapped and never returned . . . When the case is reopened after twenty years, a man - Michael Sutton - contacts private detective Kinsey Millhone for help. He claims to have recalled a strange and disturbing memory which just might provide the key to the mystery. He may have stumbled across the kidnappers burying Mary Claire Fitzhugh’s body . . . But Michael’s account is indistinct –he was only six years old at the time of the kidnapping; and even members of his family try to discredit his evidence. But Kinsey is certain there is something vital within Michael’s recollections. And even when what is eventually unearthed isn’t what anyone expected, she can’t quite let go of the case. As Kinsey gradually brings to light the stories of the protagonists involved in the tragedy, from Country Club parents to their free-living, hippy children, the truth finally begins to emerge. And while stepping back into the past, Kinsey discovers more about her own history too . . .
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly,
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall." -- Psalm 35:8
Masterful Sue Grafton deftly handles three timeframes in this story of love and betrayal. The "present" is 1988, the mystery's past is found in the 1963 through 1967 period. Her own family's history is revealed for the period of the mid to late 1950s. The artful Grafton moves smoothly from one time to another, much in the way that our attention can shift rapidly from observation to memory and back again. Rarely does she let the current day intrude into the earlier time periods with inadvertent missteps. It's impressive.
Were you ever fascinated by watching carefully lined-up dominoes be rapidly toppled, one after another, after the first one in the sequence is tipped over? If so, you'll love this story. The plot is built around that device. One action or event triggers another, and another, and so on until no more dominoes are standing. It's the most difficult kind of plot to develop in a credible way, and Ms. Grafton carries it off very well indeed.
As the book opens, the local police have sent Michael Sutton over with a story about having seen as a child two men burying a mysterious bundle about the time when a little girl had been kidnapped (who was never found, even though the ransom was paid). Sutton is convinced that the two events have something in common and is willing to pay for a day of Kinsey Millhone's time to check it out. A lot of what he wants Kinsey to do he could do himself, so he's holding something back. With her usual doggedness, Kinsey makes fast work of the case and helps Sutton locate the site of the burial. What will they find?... Read more ›
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall." -- Psalm 35:8
Masterful Sue Grafton deftly handles three timeframes in this story of love and betrayal. The "present" is 1988, the mystery's past is found in the 1963 through 1967 period. Her own family's history is revealed for the period of the mid to late 1950s. The artful Grafton moves smoothly from one time to another, much in the way that our attention can shift rapidly from observation to memory and back again. Rarely does she let the current day intrude into the earlier time periods with inadvertent missteps. It's impressive.
Were you ever fascinated by watching carefully lined-up dominoes be rapidly toppled, one after another, after the first one in the sequence is tipped over? If so, you'll love this story. The plot is built around that device. One action or event triggers another, and another, and so on until no more dominoes are standing. It's the most difficult kind of plot to develop in a credible way, and Ms. Grafton carries it off very well indeed.
As the book opens, the local police have sent Michael Sutton over with a story about having seen as a child two men burying a mysterious bundle about the time when a little girl had been kidnapped (who was never found, even though the ransom was paid). Sutton is convinced that the two events have something in common and is willing to pay for a day of Kinsey Millhone's time to check it out. A lot of what he wants Kinsey to do he could do himself, so he's holding something back. With her usual doggedness, Kinsey makes fast work of the case and helps Sutton locate the site of the burial. What will they find?... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is another great book in this series and well up to Sue Grafton's usual standard. As always, there are red herrings along the way, but the conclusion is completely satisfying. I like the way Kinsey is so tough on the outside but hidden depths are proving her to be softer on the inside than she would like to accept...
Buy it, read it, love it and let's hope Sue makes it to Z.
Buy it, read it, love it and let's hope Sue makes it to Z.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By L. Allott
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was pleased to reconnect with my friend Kinsey Milhone in 'U for Undertow'. Sue Grafton has created a community of people in these books that is totally believable and likeable. Each novel is as good as the last; the quality of the writing and plotting is top notch. I would recommend a newcomer to these books to do themselves a favour, buy the lot, and enjoy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Gwenllian
Format:Hardcover
I am half-way through the latest Sue Grafton (I own all the previous ones too) and am finding it hugely entertaining, as usual. It is amazing she should have reached "U", but still has a few left which I hope will be forthcoming. She seems to limit herself to one a year, which makes sense.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This was another great book in the Kinsey Milhone series. The idea of solving an old child murder,was interesting. Kinsey finds out more information about her family and this is linked with the case. No mention of her relationship with Cheyney although there is interaction with all the other characters, especially Henry and Rosie. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Zoe Challis
Format:Hardcover
I usually love Sue's books and while this one was ok. It was just OK. There is no real suspense or drama, no nail biting climax and no surprises here. There are too many co-incidences happening after the 21 years after the crime and I get fustrated by Sue's descriptions of everything, she never used to be like this.
Every single person has to have a full in depth back ground description has to be physically described, every room she enters has to be described down to the carpet pattern. She can't just pull into a car park, she has to indicate left, push the button and wait for a timed ticket etc etc it's a bit too much and I sometimes wish she would just get on with the story. I've read lots of books that don't need that kind of description everywhere.
The story was a little dull, not alot happens and I'm not that fussed about Kinsey's family drama's actually either so I was a little disappointed with this book but I've loved some of her earlier stuff so never mind. I hope the next one will be better.
Every single person has to have a full in depth back ground description has to be physically described, every room she enters has to be described down to the carpet pattern. She can't just pull into a car park, she has to indicate left, push the button and wait for a timed ticket etc etc it's a bit too much and I sometimes wish she would just get on with the story. I've read lots of books that don't need that kind of description everywhere.
The story was a little dull, not alot happens and I'm not that fussed about Kinsey's family drama's actually either so I was a little disappointed with this book but I've loved some of her earlier stuff so never mind. I hope the next one will be better.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was a book club book and considering it is something like 22 in the Kinsey series, comes with good pedigree. And in the main Sue Grafton delivers on our expectations. This is a very well written book, the characters are brilliantly defined and the perspective of first person interspersed with third person narrative worked very well.
The trouble was the story. There was very little of it. Grafton spent so much time giving the characters flesh and bones but did very little with them. Nothing shocking happens, major story points are clearly signalled, you feel intentionally, and there is very little in the way of violence. In fact, considering the nature of the story, it feels like she veers away from it deliberately.
Which built the impression as I worked through the pages that Grafton's target audience is some way older than her main character's 38 years.
The trouble was the story. There was very little of it. Grafton spent so much time giving the characters flesh and bones but did very little with them. Nothing shocking happens, major story points are clearly signalled, you feel intentionally, and there is very little in the way of violence. In fact, considering the nature of the story, it feels like she veers away from it deliberately.
Which built the impression as I worked through the pages that Grafton's target audience is some way older than her main character's 38 years.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By D. Barhan
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
very disappointed, i knew the outcome and who was responsible mid way through having read the book still have unanswered questions.
why was sutton accused of lying about when he saw these guys digging.... a lot of time was taken up proving him to be a liar and yet it seems that he did see it, so was it the date that was incorrect....
why was sutton accused of lying about when he saw these guys digging.... a lot of time was taken up proving him to be a liar and yet it seems that he did see it, so was it the date that was incorrect....
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 381 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
I am running out of things to say. I have enjoyed all of the books A to V. I am not particularly interested in descriptions of journeys, landscapes, houses etc. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Barbara Round
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another excellent Kinsey novel
It didn't take me too long to complete this novel as the story moved along quite nicely. Another excellent Kinsey Millhone novel.
Published 1 month ago by Tony
4.0 out of 5 stars
U is for Undertow
Great book, but i always enjoy Sue Grafton's books. Not as good as some of hers in this serious but I still enjoyed it/
Published 4 months ago by Ruby Jayne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review
See above -can't think why the above comments won't suffice. J Cronin. How can you possibly stipulate the amount of words required. Rubbish. J Cronin. BA (Hons)
Published 5 months ago by J. C. CRONIN
5.0 out of 5 stars
U is for Undertow
Well written book with good characters and alls sorts of twists to the plot which keeps you guessing to the end.
Published 6 months ago by TIMOTHY D CAIRNS
5.0 out of 5 stars
As a thriller its super
I enjoyed this book a lot. I have read a number of her books and have found them easy to read relaxing and exciting
I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys thrillers and... Read more
I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys thrillers and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Gillian O'Bryen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kinsey does it again
Have read from A-U downloading V for Vengeance as I write this Sue Grafted has molded and developed Kinsey in each book opening her up an revealing the layers underneath. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Diane Whinn
3.0 out of 5 stars
LURKING BELOW THE SURFACE
Reading U IS FOR UNDERTOW is akin to surfing in rough water. Your up riding the wave and all is going well when suddenly you wipe out, you find yourself in the water trying to stay... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Red Rock Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars
U is for Unputdownable!
I've been a huge fan of Sue Grafton books since A is for Alibi. I had "U" on my shelf for awhile and started reading while on an overnight business trip. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Loraine G. Rossati
4.0 out of 5 stars
End inevitable, but couldn't put it down!
Having read other books in this series, I was looking forward to reading this one. It does go backwards and forwards from one time-frame to another, but I didn't find it difficult... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Gill with a 'g'
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
