"F is for Fugitive" took longer for me to finish reading than any of Sue Grafton's books so far. Was it because its a bad story? A boring mystery? Maybe not. In this installment of the alphabet murders series of books, Kinsey Milhone is outside of her small town investigating a murder of a young girl that happened over ten years before. A father who is seriously ill hires Kinsey to clear his son who was accused and jailed for her murder. As Kinsey investigates she uncovers more going on in town than just the concerns of the residents over who killed the young girl. I found this book less interesting than any of the other Kinsey Milhone mysteries yet. Simply put I just didn't like any character who was introduced in the story. All of them seemed boring and a bit more than irritating to be around. Toward the end of the book, even Kinsey thinks so. As the final tense moments of the mystery unfold the final solutions to the puzzle did not increase my enjoyment of the story. I felt more thankful that finally the book was coming to the end. I am not sure if I am getting tired of this series quite yet or if I need to give Kinsey and the rest of the series a bit of a break. I still really enjoy Kinsey's sense of humor and keen wry observations that pepper these stories. I still find Ms. Grafton's descriptions of the places and people very well done. These books of Sue Grafton's featuring Kinsey Milhone are an important milestone in the mystery noir genre. While Kinsey and I may have to take a break from each other, I will continue following her cases.....at least as long as the alphabet hold out.
This is good representative of the stories Grafton has done. Jean Timberlake, who was illegitimate and considered "easy" in high school, was murdered when she was a senior in high school. Bailey Fowler, her boyfriend at that time, admitted guilt. He escaped jail sixteen years ago, adopted the name Peter Lambert, got a job with a clothing company, Needham, worked there twelve years. Alas, there is a warrant out for Peter Lambert so Fowler is caught and is recanting his guilt. His father, Royce Fowler, is extremely ill with pancreatic cancer and wants to see his son's name cleared so he hires our heroine, Kinsey Millhone.Other characters:Bailey's mother, Ori(belle), a brittle diabetic, and enjoyer of poor health; Bailey's sister, Ann, who has long been a guidance counselor at the high school but has had to take a leave to care for her difficult parents; Tap Granger, Bailey's high school friend. They were doing drugs and needing money so they started holding up gas stations. When Kinsey chats with Tap he reveals there was $42,606 from burglary jobs left with Jean to hold until they get out of prison.There are, of course, many problems and red herrings, but, no surprise here...Kinsey nabs the perpetrator in the end. The writing moves the plot along, two characters are killed off. In the old people remember things, Kinsey goes to Tap's gas station there is a "kid taking care of the windshield." Young readers won't know there used to be primarily a boy who checked the oil and other fluids, washed the windshield while the gas tank was filling.
What do You think about F Is For Fugitive (2005)?
I'm rereading this entire series again, and I stand by my claim that Grafton's first novels are sooooooo much better than her later ones. This is one of the best so far. What I like about Grafton's writing is her character development. The descriptions and dialogue of each person is vivid enough to "see" them in my mind. The plot snowballs, and finally (after many complications) Kinsey always finds herself at the climax of the drama. She can weave a mystery and solve it in fewer than 200 pages. And what's not to like about Kinsey's biting sarcasm?I'll have to see if I can tell at which letter the series starts to decline. On to G is for Gumshoe!
—Lois
SUMMARY: When Kinsey Millhone first arrives in Floral Beach, California, it’s hard for her to picture the idyllic coastal town as the setting of a brutal murder. Seventeen years ago, the body of Jean Timberlake—a troubled teen who had a reputation with the boys—was found on the beach. Her boyfriend Bailey Fowler was convicted of her murder and imprisoned, but he escaped. After all this time, Bailey’s finally been captured. Believing in his son’s innocence, Bailey’s father wants Kinsey to find Jean’s real killer. But most of the residents in this tight-knit community are convinced Bailey strangled Jean. So why are they so reluctant to answer Kinsey’s questions? If there’s one thing Kinsey’s got plenty of it’s persistence. And that’s exactly what it’s going to take to crack the lid on this case.As Kinsey gets closer to solving Jean’s murder, the more dirty little secrets she uncovers in a town where everyone has something to hide—and a killer will kill again to keep the past buried...
—Duncan Mandel
i had an actual copy of this book, it was great when i read it since it's like i was Kinsey who investigated the death of Jean Timberlake's body. The end surely twisted and i was relieved that that was the ending. Although my head spun because of the descriptions that are either deep or just out of my own thesaurus. Anyway, it was great, i love investigative stories especially the J.D.Robbs books by Nora Roberts herself.. read it? i suggest you read it.. and i also suggest you read this one. it's great, no joke from miss smartybookyhead :)
—Angelica Marcelino
