• P is for Peril

  • A Kinsey Millhone Mystery
  • By: Sue Grafton
  • Narrated by: Judy Kaye
  • Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,146 ratings)

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P is for Peril  By  cover art

P is for Peril

By: Sue Grafton
Narrated by: Judy Kaye
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Publisher's summary

Dr. Dowan Purcell had been missing for nine weeks when Kinsey got a call asking her to take on the case. A specialist in geriatric medicine, Purcell was a prominent member of the Santa Theresa medical community, and the police had done a thorough job. Purcell had no known enemies and seemed content with his life. At the time of his disappearance, he was running a nursing care facility where both the staff and the patients loved him. He adored his second wife, Crystal, and doted on their two-year-old son.




It wasn't Crystal who called Kinsey. It was Purcell's ex-wife, Fiona. Everything about their meeting made Kinsey uneasy. Fiona's manner was high-handed and her expectations unrealistic. Kinsey's instincts told her to refuse the job, yet she ended up saying, "I'll do what I can, but I make no promises." It was a decision she'd live to regret.




Pursuing the mysterious disappearance of Purcell, Kinsey crashes into a wall of speculation. It seems everyone has a theory. The cops think he went on a bender and is too ashamed to come home. Fiona is sure he ran off to get away from Crystal, and Crystal is just as sure he's dead. The staff at the nursing home is convinced he's been kidnapped, and one of his daughters, having consulted a psychic, is certain that he's trapped in a dark place, though she doesn't know where. Kinsey is awash in explanations and sorely lacking in facts. Then pure chance leads her in another direction, and she soon finds herself in a dangerous shadow land, where duplicity and double-dealing are the reality and, with the truth glinting elusively out of reach, she must stake her life on a thin thread of intuition.


Don't miss the other titles in the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mystery Series.
©2001 by Sue Grafton (P)2001 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Unlike many detective series, Grafton's seems only to get better each time out." (Entertainment Weekly)

Featured Article: Best Mystery Series—Listens That'll Take You Right to the Crime Scene


While a standalone mystery is great when you're in the mood for a one-and-done, sometimes you want to feed your craving with an entire mystery series—knowing there's a world and characters you can keep coming back to for the satisfaction of solving crimes. With audiobooks, you get the added bonus of sinking deeper into the setting, clues, and suspects as the story is performed for you, so you'll feel like you're alongside detectives, ready to bust a case.

What listeners say about P is for Peril

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Joel

There is too much irrelevant dialogue that does not have any implication to the plot. It is well read by Judy Kaye.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Quarter Pounders with cheese in the 80’s

There is a definite 80’s tinge to this one and not in a good way.

But the biggest problem is the lack of conflict between characters except for the brothers. Kinsey just kind of lives her fairly idyllic life with her good friends who always back her up and nurture her. They often supply her with her favorite white bread-meat- mayonnaise sandwiches. What stands out to me most is her vivid descriptions of eating these sandwiches which are always delicious. They are for me a big gross out. But back in the 80’s food was usually considered either tasty or good for you with no other thoughts about it.

The plot moves along but nothing very memorable occurs. I kept losing track of what was going on because it didn’t hold my attention. Kinseys elderly friend takes action on her behalf while she sits idle. When she’s captured by bad guys they fight while she watches. In other words, she’s passive.

What recognize the zeitgeist of the 80’s in her treatment of troubled teens and gay people

I found her descriptions of “bad” teenagers troubling— she has zero empathy for them. They’re just kids and no one really cares about them but Kinsey isn’t able to have any compassion. They’re just bad kids who need punishment.

She weaves a pretty credible plot to explain the murder as being part of a financial scheme but then at the last minute it there is a discovery that in fact someone close to the victim did it. I won’t say who it is but back in the eighties gay people and sex workers were often considered sub human and this book follows that pattern.

With this narrator Kinsey seemed to have aged 30 years. She changes the voices of the characters but in a very stereotypical way. Kinsey is supposedly in love with an 80 year old man but that’s hard to fathom when his voice sounds so aged and broken down—a little old man voice.

She’s written many other better books

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I love this book series

I love the new narration by Judy Kaye and this series has me hooked, it’s so good!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not her best book

This one seems out of sorts for Sue Grafton. It just seemed to rattle on and on. I did not particularly care for this book. I enjoyed all the previous books. Let’s see how the next book goes.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Kinsey is my alter ego

I remember reading this one and missing so much of the subtle dry humor (and sometimes laugh out loud) parts of this book. Not to be missed on this narrated version. By far one of my favorites.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a very good book

I love Sue grafton's stories and I sure do like the one who reads it. she is so good in changing voices and making you feel like you are right there with her.

a very good book

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Very Narrated Audiobook And A Very Good Detective Story

This is a well narrated audiobook. Judy Kaye is very professional. The story itself is an interesting detective mystery. I have been reading Sue Grafton, Kinsey Milllhone stories in order. This particular story is above average. If you have read and enjoy other Sue Grafton, Kinsey Millhone novels, you may find this story very enjoyable. Thank You…

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great book

I am really enjoying the Sue Grafton books this the alphabet series is fantastic and really enjoying the books

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Makes My Commute Fun

I've read the books and enjoy listening to them being read to me. I did not like the ending of this book back then or now. Why the departure from the mini synopsis from Kinsey? Overall 4 stars.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love the Sue Grafton Alphabet series!

I love this series and Judy K keeps the story rolling along. I think Sue Grafton's daughter is doing the last few books in the series because her mother has passed now.

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