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.; Random House AudioBooks, a Division of Random House, Inc.
"Unlike many detective series, Grafton's seems only to get better each time out." (Entertainment Weekly)
"Unabridged all the way!"
In a Sue Grafton, nothing is irrelevant! I love what Judy Kaye does with the character's voice and tone. This was a great read.
"Have to love unabridged"
Personally, I much prefer unabridged audio versions. While the previous reviewer felt there was 'too much dialogue', in my opinion, the dialogue or commentary is what provides a feel of or connection with Ms. Milhone. If you're just wanting an overview of the alphabet series, there are a number of abridged versions that might be better suited for you. But once you really get involved with the series, you're going to want the unabridged.
The Path Between the Seas to The Great Bridge ~ Kagan's Peloponnesian War to Gaddis' Cold One ~ Mornings on Horseback to a River of Doubt ~ Tom to Huck ~ Lennie to Charley ~ Cadfael to Cross ~ Rhyme to Reacher ~ Blomkvist and Salander to Wallander and Wallander ~ Moving Cheese or Eating Frogs ~ On the Road and Into Thin Air ~ The End of History to A Short History of Everything to ... well ... everything else.
"Grafton Continues to Shine ~ A Creditworthy Peril"
The second half of the alphabet seems to be Sue Grafton's friend. The series faithful have watched her skills and her characters develop and Peril continues this creditworthy trend.
Gone is the formulaic "Respectfully Submitted By" conclusion. Gone are many of the unnecessarily snarky Kinsey-isms. And gone are the predictable plots and stagnant characters. The faithful endured all that in the early books. Now is the pay off.
Kinsey is MUCH more rounded. Her emotions and actions more understandable. Her skepticism and irony much more realistic and appropriate, no longer overdone or superfluous. And even her more off-putting revelations (did we really need to know her panties were warm and damp at one point) are believably Kinsey-ish.
Secondary characters are better drawn, more fully developed, less predictable and much more realistic. They "could" be real people ~ they have character flaws and idiosyncrasies and often behave just a little unexpectedly. Once revealed, their motives make more sense and are not simple devices to get us to the end of the story, as has sometimes been the case in this series.
This is an easy, diverting listen, well narrated. We aren't talking Dickens or Twain here, but you don't expect that from Sue and Kinsey. You expect an interesting escape and with Peril, you have a fine one.
"Good Read"
I liked the storyliness and Kinsey's sense of humor. My only complaint would be that it ended abruptly. Not sure if it was the way it downloaded or the actual story. Usually her novels have an epilogue which finishes things up.
perth to broome ..long distance roadtrain driver
"p is for peril"
I really enjoyed sue's book ..she has a sense of humor, and her characters are so real. Hope audible get more of her books. made the driving time go quick. Waiting for more of sue grafton .
"Good listening"
I listen to books while traveling and this one made the miles fly by. Waiting patiently for "R" to come up as have already heard "Q". I get them as soon as Audible has them....
"Love Love LOVE everything Sue Grafton."
Kinsey is such and endearing character...she simply can't do wrong! Throughout the series, she's become a part of you as a reader and you'd follow her anywhere.
Edge of my seat? Maybe sometimes but while I was never scared out of my wits I was always entertained!
Kinsey strikes again.
I'd like to add that Judy Kaye is HANDS DOWN the best representative of the character and personality of Kinsey Millhone. If there was EVER a living breathing Kinsey, Judy channels her perfectly!
"One of Sue Grafton's better stories"
I'm a big fan of Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries -- especially the later ones narrated by Judy Kaye. Sometimes they're just fun to listen to even if the story doesn't hang together in a credible way. This one works on all levels: a good suspenseful story, a nice assortment of red herrings, and a conclusion that makes the whole thing worth listening to.
"P is for Peril"
The story is interesting, I didn't solve it immediately.
Too much description. Felt like it was written to make it easy to cast for a movie. Character description is great, but the weather report, hair style and color, clothes, room descriptions etc. were a bit over done.
Raspy,
As above, a movie or TV show seem to be the author's aim.
No real memorable moments. Classic Sue Grafton.