Kinsey and Me

Stories

By: Sue Grafton

Narrated by: Judy Kaye

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1982, Sue Grafton introduced us to Kinsey Millhone. Thirty years later, Kinsey is an established international icon and Sue is a number-one best-selling author. To mark this anniversary year, Sue has given us stories that reveal Kinsey's origins and Sue's past.

Kinsey and Me has two parts: The nine Kinsey stories (1986-93), each a gem of detection, and the "And Me" stories, written in the decade after Grafton's mother died. Together, they show just how much of Kinsey is a distillation of her creator's past, even as they reveal a child who, free of parental interventions, read everything and roamed everywhere. But the dark side of such freedom was that very parental distance.

The same feisty voice and witty apercus readers fell in love with in A Is for Alibi permeate the Kinsey stories. Those in the "And Me" section trace a remarkable voyage, from anger to understanding, from pain to forgiveness. They take us into a troubled family, dysfunctional as most families are, each in their own way, but Grafton's telling is sensitive, delicate, and ultimately, loving. Enriching the way we see Kinsey and know Sue, these stories are deeply affecting.

©2013 Sue Grafton (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"I've come to believe that Grafton is not only the most talented woman writing crime fiction today but also that, regardless of gender, her Millhone books are among the five or six best series any American has ever written." (Patrick Anderson, The Washington Post)

Outstanding blend of memoir and fiction

If you could sum up Kinsey and Me in three words, what would they be?

Memoir cum fiction

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kinsey, of course. She is the alter ego of Sue Grafton. Kinsey exist during the part of the 1980's when I felt amazing and adventurous. I seem to meld into Kinsey for a variety of reasons.

What about Judy Kaye’s performance did you like?

Her voice is so dynamic

A wonderful biography of Sue Grafton & Kinsey too!

I read this book when it came out several years ago and enjoyed it very much. It was half biography and half short stories. When it was offered on Audible, I was ready to enjoy it a second time. The narrator Judy Kaye was great, and she really brought life to Sue's life and stories. Judy was the perfect voice of Kinsey.
I miss Sue Grafton and am, as are all of her fans, still grieving the loss of this wonderful author. I am also grieving the loss of her terrific characters, Kinsey Milhone, Henry and his family, and the various oddballs who came and went, as we will never know how life played out for them.
It was the final Kinsey mystery, not having a "Z". Sue Grafton...."Gone but not forgotten".

loved it

i like knowing the bio of the authur. Plus some more stories. i liked the abc murders. i read every one.

How did Grafton create Kinsey?

This book was advertised as a collection of short stories about Kinsey and a collection of stories and insights by Grafton. It fulfilled what it advertised. I enjoyed the Kinsey short stories, and she quickly solved each crime. I found it insightful regarding the section Grafton wrote about the mystery stories and what it means to her and the readers. I also enjoyed the section about her father and his lessons on writing. I did not care for the last part of the book when she discussed the alcoholism of her parents and the death of her mother. I am retired from the health profession and have seen just to much of that story over and over again to want to read about it. Overall this book did provide insight into Grafton and her creation of Kinsey. I am always interested in how a writer goes about their creation of a story. Overall I think most people will enjoy this book, but mentally you have to step back from the alphabet mystery series. Judy Kaye did a good job with the narration.

PAINFUL JOY

When I read of Grafton's passing on impulse I looked at everything she wrote. I was surprised, because I missed this one. I was focused on the alphabet I guess.

I feel sad for all who knew and loved her, and for those who felt like they knew and loved someone who really never existed. It is embarrassing and disconcerting to miss a fictional charter. But now they are both gone. Kinsey will continue as new people discover her stories. She existed to me in each and every book.

THEN I READ/LISTENED to this book. In my opinion the stories themselves are great. Clever,well written, fun characters, and what plot twists! I am thankful Sue Grafton did this.

The longer I listened, the more I put my IPOD down and waited a while, when they were finished there is no more Kinsey for me. I resisted listening and could not stop listening.

To Judy Kaye -- THANK YOU. You are Kinsey to me. You are among the very best in reading, picking up the tone, emotion, and flow of the story. I cannot claim to know what it means to have your Kinsey journey end. I hope to see your name again on more and more stories. Again, thank you.

Z IS FOR ZENITH. When it comes to a private eye and mystery.... That's what the Kinsey Millhone books are ... The Zenith.

Long Live Kinsey

Considering the main series will never have its proper conclusion, but taking in to account that Kinsey’s stories have always had a stand alone nature to them, this is a fun and worthwhile experience for all of the new (if short) cases she takes on in these stories. Sue has given us a gift in this character and I’ll always be grateful!

Kinsey Lover

interesting book. keeps your attention with the different short stories. The explanation of why and how the books came about was intriguing.

Wow, what a fabulous trip!

What did you love best about Kinsey and Me?

The honesty of the writing in part 2.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, each story was short and to the point, it was fun reading Sue's short stories, the woman can do it all. And the reading by Judy Kaye is, as always, flawless.

Have you listened to any of Judy Kaye’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Here Judy doesn't get to show off her voices as she does in Sue's unabridged books, but even so, she did a masterful job with some completely different material.

If you could take any character from Kinsey and Me out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Kit Blue, she's such a soldier, and, in her own way, a hero to me.

Any additional comments?

Funny, sad, beautiful, ugly; so Kinsey, so Sue. But ultimately, this book I found a jaw-droppingly profound piece of writing, up there with the greats. So brave, so unflinching, and such a gift to those of us who have grown to truly love Kinsey Millhone. Thank you, Sue G. for a masterful gift to your "hard-boiled" readers. Hate to say it but, the greatest crime you could commit is to stop your stories to us.

Enlightening!

This book gave me insight to Ms. Grafton. Also a peek behind the scenes with Kinsey. it was a fun read...errr... listen. Thanks so much.

Moving

I enjoyed the stories in the first part and found the description of the family relationships in the second part meaningful. I am glad this book was recorded.