P Is for Peril (Hardcover)

As the 16th letter in the alphabet, P for Peril gives us the 16th Kinsey Millhone crime novel from Grafton, and maybe she's beginning to run out of ideas. Although there may be a masterplan I'm not aware of, or Grafton's ideas for her main character are at odds with my mental image of her, I can't help my disappointment.

First off, what's with this giving Dietz a back seat yet again? Yes, Kinsey has commitment problems, yes, her thing is solving mysteries not getting married, but her inability to have a fulfilling romantic relationship should not be mutually inexclusive with her work. Maybe her on-off-on-off lover was out of the picture in order to enable the shifty Tommy to attempt to win Kinsey's affections, part of a poor plot device, but it's getting wearing.

Oh, that brings me quickly onto the poor plot! It's the first time I've ever raced ahead of Kinsey - what is happening to her? Anyone could see (without wanting to give away the plot) a) what relationship was key in telling us how the Dr disappeared, and b) that you just don't put your trust in insurance investigators without investigating them thoroughly first. What is happening to the Millhone magic? Why has she suddenly gone dumb?

Also, it's beginning to irk that it's still 1983. Yes, Grafton may introduce sly details to remind us it's the proto-computer age, but it's boring that everything's so damn 80s without any other pop-culture references whatsoever. Even Kinsey's hair and dress never change - things are getting dull and in need of a shake-up. That's the problem with a long series I guess - if this was TV turnover the 'new series' would begin after so many episodes allowing the main character to undergo a subtle transformation at least. But not the alphabet thrillers. Before I opened this book I felt myself wishing that Kinsey at least was made to take care of a dog and bonded with it, thus propelling her on a trajectory enabling her to spend more of her space, time and heart with someone. But no - in the book, she defiantly riles against the very same idea. It's not that I want her to suddenly settle down and breed - the character has until now proved good at her job! - but it's simply that the situation is stultifying. All of Grafton's characters can so easily write themselves, yet their mannerisms and personalities are becoming old news - they need livening up. OK, being on the 19th of (presumably) 26 books might mean we'll see our heroine living happily ever after by Z, but I for one can't wait that long.

The plots are thin, the red herrings transparent, the clues writ large. I for one found P for Peril disappointing and shan't be putting in an advance purchase order for the next Grafton novel. (I'll wait till it comes out in paperback.)

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P Is for Peril opens with Ms. Kinsey Millhone at age 36 in 1986, having survived two unsuccessful marriages, her love life at a low ebb, and needing to find a new office to house her one-woman detective agency in Santa Teresa, California. Retired geriatric specialist and now nursing home administrator, Dr. Dowan (Dow) Purcell, aged 69, is missing. He left work one night, and hasn't been seen for nine weeks. The police have looked, but have no leads. Kinsey is hired by his first wife, Fiona, to find him. There are alimony checks to be kept coming at stake! While Fiona, the ex-wife, is hiring Kinsey, Kinsey gets a bad feeling that Fiona may not be the ideal client. Fiona is one of those people who could find fault with a saint. Kinsey tells Fiona, "I'll do what I can, but I make no promises." Suspicious, Kinsey asks about the bank balance on Fiona's account before depositing the retainer check. There's just enough to cover it. Whew!

The current wife, Crystal, is a much younger woman, a former stripper from Las Vegas, whose appeal to Dow was her willingness to perform kinky bedroom games. She is expensive to maintain, and seems to be causing Dow some concern. Why was she disappearing into another man's home every morning? On the other hand, her prenuptial agreement means she gets nothing if Dow divorces her.

At the nursing home, everyone loves Dow . . . except the former assistant administrator who disagreed with his firing of the bookkeeper. And soon there are rumors of investigations by the government for Medicare fraud. How does this connect to Dow?

At the same time, Kinsey figures out that she had better find a new office. Lonnie's firm is growing and won't have room for her. She meets two nice young men who offer her a nearby steal, and she takes it. Then the story gets interesting!

One of the best parts of the book is that the patented Grafton humor is very much in evidence. She gets help from a woman at the nursing home by bringing her junk food from McDonald's. In another key scene, Kinsey thinks she is about to be discovered as an intruder and instead is trapped under a desk by an illicit tryst. Several times, Kinsey makes major judgment errors and wishes she could kick herself. It's all good fun.

Most series that have run as long as this one has tend to wind down long before they end. This book clearly shows the benefit of lots of thinking, planning, and good writing. I just wish that Ms. Grafton had remembered that people to read about people they like. These characters do not even have charm to redeem their glaring faults.

After you read this story, think about the importance of developing and nurturing good character . . . in yourself, in your family, and in those you come into contact. How will you be remembered when you pass away? How would you like to be remembered? Consider Dow Purcell as a case example to stimulate your thinking.

Reputation is a precious asset -- protect it from peril!

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