Staff Book and Media Recommendations

Jean Longo is a Research & Learning Librarian at the University of Central Oklahoma.

W is for Wasted

Sue Grafton

This is the twenty third book in the Kinsey Millhone Mystery Series. Having read the previous twenty two books in the series I was not disappointed. The sleuth, Kinsey Millhone lives a frugal existence in a garage apartment next door to her 88 year old landlord. What I have enjoyed about this character is that she is uncomplicated and unconcerned about the finer things in life. She has managed to change automobiles throughout the series but she continues to hold on to her single black dress that she pulls out for formal occasions or funerals.

In this story she is introduced to two dead men. One she knew and the other a stranger. The acquaintance is a fellow detective with unsavory techniques for extracting money from his clients or other individuals that he finds some dirt. The stranger, a homeless man found on the beach, has her name in his pocket. Joining a few of his homeless friends she begins her journey to find out why he her name in his pocket and finally why he left her with over $500,000 in his will.

Reviewed May 2014