U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

 This was an intriguing one. Kinsey again solves an old case - twenty plus years- and the flashbacks to the sixties as told by the other characters is a fun look at the stereotypical hippie and commune culture. In the modern part of the story (late 80s), Kinsey puts together cryptic clues from fascinating characters to eventually solve the crime.

She has little help from her old flame Cheney Phillips in the police department, but at least he makes an appearance or two, and seems to be moving on after being dumped!

My favorite part of this story was watching Kinsey finally learn some of the other side of her estranged family's story. And there's a sweet moment when she finally thaws out to the point of meeting her autocratic and well-known grandmother. I also loved it when she grilled the detective who had investigated her Aunt Gin. We finally get a closer look at this character who has figured strongly in every episode but only from a very narrow point of view.

I also loved how we got to see Walker, an alcoholic criminal, start on the road to sobriety and better thinking. Grafton's gift of illuminating characters' thinking is one of her best. I learn a lot from thinking about the criminal, the timid, the confident, and other types of personalities that she so thoroughly describes as they move the plot forward. Of course I enjoyed a brief look in on Stacey Oliphant and Con Dolan, the retired law enforcement buddies she has worked with before. 

I'm feeling glad to be near the end of this marathon, to move on to other things, but also a little sad because I enjoy these stories and characters so much. Sometimes, though, I'd rather read than engage with the real world, and that isn't always healthy for me, especially when there's Relief Society work that would bring more good into the world. Still, I love my time with my nose in a good book! If only thses weren't so addictive!

King and Maxwell by David Baldacci

So...the recent David Baldacci book I read was disappointing, with shallow characters. But this one is part of a supposedly popular series about a male/female private investigator team called King and Maxwell and so I thought I should give this author another try.

Disappointing. Like the other one I read, it had an exciting, complex plot of military and political shenanigans, and like the other one, the characters were shallow and flat. Even the supposed chemistry between King and Maxwell wasn't there. The kidnapping of an Army Special Forces man's son and the revenge of a demented military contractor were the major plot happenings, and they were interesting. I liked all the internet spying and satellite tricks, etc., but many of the coincidences as the case unfolded were not believable. Neither were the skills of Edgar, the guy who could hack into any system and learn whatever King and Maxwell needed.

However, it was a light, fun read on warm summer nights and afternoons when I needed a book to put me to sleep. But I'm done with this author. I don't think Mother liked him either, now that I think about it. I think I may have confused him with Richard Russo. He's one I KNOW she enjoyed. I may try him again in the future.