V Is for Vengeance

A Kinsey Millhone Mystery

By: Sue Grafton

Narrated by: Judy Kaye

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

A woman with a murky past who kills herself - or was it murder? A spoiled kid awash in gambling debt who thinks he can beat the system. A lovely woman whose life is about to splinter into a thousand fragments. A professional shoplifting ring working for the Mob, racking up millions from stolen goods. A wandering husband, rich and ruthless. A dirty cop so entrenched on the force he is immune to exposure. A sinister gangster, conscienceless and brutal. A lonely widower mourning the death of his lover, desperate for answers, which may be worse than the pain of his loss. A private detective, Kinsey Millhone, whose 38th-birthday gift is a punch in the face that leaves her with two black eyes and a busted nose. And an elegant and powerful businessman whose dealings are definitely outside the law: The magus at the center of the web. V: Victim. Violence. Vengeance.

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

©2011 Sue Grafton (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Sure to satisfy." (USA Today)

“The author has hit a high mark with her latest offering, a complex tale of love, betrayal, ambition, and, of course, murder…The only bad thing: There are just four letters left in the alphabet.” (The Associated Press)

“One of Kinsey Millhone’s best outings...must reading for Grafton fans.” (The Globe and Mail (Canada))

Enjoyed

We haven't listened to a Sue Grafton book in a long time so we've been catching up. This one was interesting with the way she used the characters to tell what seemed like a separate story. Have the next one in my queue for our next automobile trip

Average

What made the experience of listening to V Is for Vengeance the most enjoyable?

The best thing about Judy Grafton's audiobooks is the reader. She can say just about anything and it's funny. I really enjoy the way she tells the story. I've listened to most of them.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was ok.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Kinsey was posing as a public employee in a uniform on the street while doing surveillance.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were a a lot of funny lines.

Any additional comments?

The story was ok. What makes it fun is the Kinsey character and the reader.

Love her writing

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the various stories intertwining into one. The ending of a book is what makes it, for me and the conclusion was good.

The narrator sounded ready for a rocking chair

I have always pictured Kinsey as a spirited and lively person, not as a slow moving old lady. I think the story was pretty good, but the narrator almost made me turn it off. She even pronounced some words in an old-fashioned way. I believe the Kinsey character to be stubborn and somewhat difficult to get along with, but not drab and lifeless, rather the opposite.

Best Kinsey book yet!

I have read (or listened to) every Kinsey book. They are all great but this one was my favorite! Great writing; intriguing story; and colorful characters - love!

A Top 10 Grafton

Truly disappointed to finish this book. Sue Grafton was on her game with one. Great ride!

V is for Very Good

They just keep getting better. I especially liked the finish. On to W is for Wasted.

Worth The Wait!

I believe Sue Grafton just gets better with time. Kinsey Millhone is an interesting character that never fails to hold my attention. A well conceived protagonist can feel like a long time friend and that's what Kinsey is to me. Judy Kaye also does a great job presenting the story. A very enjoyable and interest-holding read!

Totally amazing...

Every other major novelist with a single protagonist seems to sort of peter out after 10 or 12 books, apparently losing their edge, running out of plot lines, or having said everything they had to say. But not Sue Grafton. Every book is great -- some I like a little bit better than others, for personal reasons, but every book is compelling and hard to put down. I'm crushed to recall there are only four to go -- but the good news is, I've aged even if Kinsey hasn't. I've already reread several of them, and they're just like new. (Pretty soon I'll need only one book.)

One thing about this particular tale made me giggle: Friends in the Santa Barbara/Montecito area note that Sue Grafton herself is quite a fixture in local high society. Very active and well respected. So as she was describing some of the wealthy female denizens of the "Santa Theresa" xray women, the ladies-who-lunch bunch, she was most probably describing a good many of the women in her own social circle. Made me laugh, wondering if they'd recognize themselves....

Whatever. It's a great book, wonderful fun and now probably a long wait until "W" appears.

Best Kinsey Milhone Yet!

Normally it I very rarely rate a five star but for this book I had to because it is the best Milhone mystery to date. I have enjoyed them all but this one has so many tangents and they all intermingle. It's cleaver and keeps you wondering what the other set of characters are up to while you are hearing about the current set of characters and Judy Kaye has the perfect Kinsey voice. The narration was fantastic. I was sad when it ended. Sue Grafton is running out letters in the Alphabet what will she do next? Good Job Grafton keep them coming.