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))

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.

G is for Good

This is the first book of her series that I read, and like her style and story so much I've read to more of her books. Not disappointed! They are comically told stories spun around a mystery, so you get both. I will read more of her writings as I enjoyed this one so much.

Grafton & Kaye have Kinsey Millhone back to form!

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

I have listened to most of the Kinsey Millhone series in the audible form. Judy Kaye remains the definitive choice for the main character, as she gets the sardonic character of Millhone and delivers it with wry style. Even better here, though, Grafton and Kaye are back up to form after a couple less stellar efforts, and have even brought something new.

I've enjoyed much in the series, but a few more recent entries seemed to miss the mark in full balance in the delivery, cutting the story short too quickly after a larger build up or not working to a satisfying balance. Here, the introduction of a changing point of view with a couple other main characters was nicely woven in with Kinsey's main narrative. All of them nicely maneuvered to a nicely blended end, and Kinsey's story, and the wrap up and epilogue, which have seemed rushed chopped in other recent efforts, here played out very nicely.

I listened to the 15 hours of the book over a week of traveling back and forth, and many of the segments were interesting on their own, while whetting our appetite for the ongoing story. The enjoyment of the story wasn't fully in the concluding moments, but was interesting listening throughout each of the individual episodes leading up to the climax.

Very deftly written and delivered.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Millhone character remains the reason to read the series, but the Nora and Dante characters were interesting fresh perspectives that added a new seasoning to the story's delivery. Grafton has tried the multiple perspective a few times recently, but these two new extensions used for this story were both very compelling reads of their own. Using the point of view of two other characters offered up three richly detailed stories in one.

What about Judy Kaye’s performance did you like?

Judy Kaye remains the consummate Kinsey Millhone. I even "hear" her voice when I actually read the printed books. Her nuances for the main character are dead on. Her extent for the other characters is then an added bonus. She just as deftly delivers something unique for the other two characters whose story is told here in first person point-of-view. In mixed dialogue scenes she usually does nicely between characters, but with full chapters here, it allows us to hear it to greater extent. Nice little touches distinguish each of the characters, while her delivery is consistent and vibrant throughout.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

In the unabridged form to which I listened the book goes on for 15-plus hours. It worked very nicely as an accompaniment to an hour-long commute and a couple other trips over about a weeks time. The story line covers about that same amount of time, and several of the chapters offer little mini-stories self-contained in their own chapters while added bits and pieces to the flow of the overall plot line. As such, it worked really well in segments, though I admit I may have then lingered a bit more in the final setting as it became apparent it was wrapping up its story threads.

Any additional comments?

I think all is said above. This is instantly a solid recommendation as one of the best of late in this enjoyable series.

I Wish I Could Listen to This on My Kindle & MP3 !

Any additional comments?

I Wish I Could Listen to This on both My Kindle Touch & My Philips Go Gear Vibe MP3 !

excellent PI series

Audio book downloaded from audible.com. Narrated by Judy Kay. This is a series that never seems to lose its edge. Can't wait for the next one.

Grafton has done it again.

Sue Grafton never fails to catch my attention and my ear in this wonderful and consistent series. The reader is right on tone,

You Only Live Once

Where does V Is for Vengeance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Typical of Sue Grafton just a fun listen.

If you’ve listened to books by Sue Grafton before, how does this one compare?

One of Sue Grafton's best

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

She's awesome. I like having the same narrator for each book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Loved the end was even a bit romantic.

Any additional comments?

Fun book to listen to, entertaining.

Grafton Strikes Again

Would you listen to V Is for Vengeance again? Why?

Yes, indeed. Kinsey is a favorite; excellent story and characters... always want a Quarter Pounder when I finish a Grafton book.

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

Plot was excellent with excitement, surprises, suspense, and one brave, daring and funny heroine. My kind of book.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of them.. Grafton is a steady writer, sustaining the story and listener's interest. And the miles just fly by on those long road trips.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Grafton doesn't 'move' me; she delights me!

Any additional comments?

I hate for Grafton to be so close to the end of the alphabet. Numbers next?

Excellent as always…

Excellent as always, this one in particular had great character development and we've several storylines together that made the book extremely exciting.

Great characters

when you end up liking both the bad characters and the good characters, you know it is a great book. Judy Kaye is amazing - as always.