U Is for Undertow

A Kinsey Millhone Novel

By: Sue Grafton

Narrated by: Judy Kaye

Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Calling T is for Trespass "taut, terrifying, transfixing and terrific", USA Today went on to ask, "What does it take to write 20 novels about the same character and manage to create a fresh, genre-bending novel every time?"

It's a question worth pondering. Through 20 excursions into the dark side of the human soul, Sue Grafton has never written the same book twice. And so it is with this, her 21st. Once again, she breaks genre formulas, giving us a twisting, complex, surprise-filled, and totally satisfying thriller.

It's April 1988, a month before Kinsey Millhone's 38th birthday, and she's alone in her office doing paperwork when a young man arrives unannounced. He has a preppy air about him and looks as if he'd be carded if he tried to buy booze, but Michael Sutton is 27, an unemployed college dropout. Twenty-one years earlier, a four-year-old girl disappeared. A recent reference to her kidnapping has triggered a flood of memories. Sutton now believes he stumbled on her lonely burial when he was six years old. He wants Kinsey's help in locating the child's remains and finding the men who killed her. It's a long shot, but he's willing to pay cash up front, and Kinsey agrees to give him one day.

As her investigation unfolds, she discovers Michael Sutton has an uneasy relationship with the truth. In essence, he's the boy who cried wolf. Is his current story true, or simply one more in a long line of fabrications?

Grafton moves the narrative between the 80s and the 60s, changing points of view, building multiple subplots, and creating memorable characters. Gradually, we see how they all connect. But at the beating center of the novel is Kinsey Millhone, sharp-tongued, observant, a loner - "a heroine", said The New York Times Book Review, "with foibles you can laugh at and faults you can forgive."

Don't miss the other titles in the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mystery Series.

©2009 Sue Grafton (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"As this master of suspense continues to demonstrate in superb mystery after mystery, there are more ugly twists in the human heart than there are letters in the alphabet." ( Entertainment Weekly)
"It's as if Grafton purposely begins with a standard situation-and then gleefully sets about breaking every cardinal rule of the mystery novel." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Can't listen to this reader

I enjoy sue Grafton's books. But, try as I might, I cannot listen to Judy Kaye reading them. Mary Pfeiffer seems to read with the author -- enjoys the spirit of these books while Judy Kaye does not. Disappointing.

And disappointing, also, that Audible does not have more of this series available (in unabridged form).

The performance was great. The story was good.

The performance was great. The reader pulled out many different voices and was great at her job. The story was pretty good. The story did keep my attention but it did not surprise me at all. I think that is the way it was supposed to go but the story line did not keep me tuning in.

One of her better ones

Glad to see some moral evolution in her characters. Clever unfolding of plot from multiple perspectives.

Too long awaiting another winner

This is another wonderfully written story narrated by the superb Judy Kaye.

I can only wish that Sue Grafton would release more sooner, but perhaps that would only deminish her absolutely spectacular story telling.

There are many surprises here in store for the listener (reader). Thank you Sue for another jewel.

Great stories finishing in one grand novel

Really enjoyed this masterwork from Sue Grafton.. The author know how to keep the listener in the edge. Recommend it!

Another good alphabet mystery

I was cautious about buying this audible book because I was disappointed with a few of the last Millhone mysteries. This is a great addition, however, and one not to be missed. It gives me hope for the rest of the series.

A Really Good Narration of A Pretty Good Mystery

As a product this is a quality audiobook. I read and listened. The narration was professional and accurate. The story seems to develop slowly. For Me Sue Grafton is as much about style and back story as the mystery itself. In that context the work is very satisfactory. As far as a straight mystery it is good, not great. Thank You…

Secrets will get you everytime!

This one is a stand out. With many personal things going on in the background, mysteries to be solved, lives changing over personal choices, lies, murder, love . . . it's a definite must read!

Good Leisure Listen

Enjoyed this book in the series. One of her best. Voice actor is great as usual.

One of the best ever

Fantastic, densely woven story expertly read. As a long time Grafton reader who took a break for a while, it was deeply gratifying to come back to a story as good as this.