U is for Undertow and Upson

I am posting this for Crime Fiction Alphabet U

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton is the first book I read this year. It is the 21st book in the Alphabet series featuring Kinsey Millhone, twice-divorced, 37 year old, childless female Private Investigator based in Santa Teresa living in 1980s published in 2009.

Michael Sutton believes, twenty one years ago as a six year old, he saw two people burying a bundle. He believes the bundle is four year old Marie Clarie who was kidnapped around that time. He is not clear about the whereabouts. He is not very helpful. Michael Sutton is the case of the boy who cried wolf, he had lied too often. Is he telling the truth now? Will Millhone discover what happened to Marie Claire after two decades?

U is for Nicola Upson

I read An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson earlier this year. How would you like to see your favourite mystery writer in a book solving murders? An Expert in Murder features Josephine Tey, author of several mysteries including The Daughter of Time and a successful play Richard of Bordeaux. Josephine on her way to London, abroad a train gets acquainted with Elspeth Simmons, a young girl who loves all things theatre and particularly loves Josephine's play. At London's King Cross they part ways and Elspeth is brutally murdered in the empty train. Who murdered Elspeth and why? Was Tey the intended victim? And why would someone kill someone in a public place like a train? No, Tey does not investigate, it is Archie Penrose, who is supposed to be the model for Alan Grant who investigates.

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

I had been dying to read this book ever since I knew it was published. Just got hold of it end of December 2011 and it is my first read for 2012.

Kinsey Millhone, twice-divorced 37 year old, childless Private Investigator is one of my favourite detectives, next only to Poirot and Marple. Michael Sutton approaches Kinsey on advice of police. He thinks twenty one years ago as a six year old he saw two people burying a bundle. He believes the bundle is four year old Marie Clarie who was kidnapped around that time. He is not clear about the whereabouts. He is not very helpful. He wants Kinsey to do all the work but he is willing to pay Kinsey's charges for a day. Will Kinsey find out the truth about Marie Claire? Is Sutton reliable? What will Kinsey unearth in her investigation? Oh yes! The investigation takes place in 1988, so Kinsey had no access to cell phones, computers, Internet and had to run to library for any information.

There are two narratives in the book. One the usual first person Kinsey Millhone narrative and other the third person narrative giving background into the crime, that moves to and fro between 60's and 80's. There is less humour in this Kinsey Millhone story than usual. It reminded me of Ruth Rendell's style especially one of her books. This book is not a whodunit but a whydunit. Grafton once again delivers. Now I am dying to read V is for Vengeance.

For the Merely Mystery Reading Challenge I would categorise this book as Inverted Detective Story. It can also belong to other categories.

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should be Reading.

What are you currently reading?

I am reading U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton. I have read all her books in the Alphabet series till T is for Tresspass but not in order. I love Kinsey Millhone, 37 year old, twice divorced, Private Investigator from the fictional city of Santa Teresa. Michael Sutton as a six year old saw two people burying a bundle. Now 21 years later he feels that the bundle is probably a girl kidnapped in the area. He approaches Kinsey to find out the truth. What will she uncover?

I am also reading The Sorcereress of Strand by L T Meade and Robert Esutace.

What did you recently finish reading?

Last year I finished The Rose Rent by Ellis Peters.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Vault by Ruth Rendell
The Retribution by Val McDermid
Amendment of life by Catherine Aird