"P" Is for Peril

Private investigator Kinsey Millhone takes on the case of Dr. Dowan Purcell, a nursing home administrator who vanished without explanation nine weeks prior. The missing doctor's first wife Fiona hires Kinsey to investigate, believing her ex-husband orchestrated his own disappearance, while his current wife Crystal insists he must be dead. The investigation leads Kinsey through a complex web of Medicare fraud allegations at Pacific Meadows Nursing Home, where Dr. Purcell served as medical director. She must navigate between competing narratives about Purcell's character and competence while following a trail that has grown cold. The novel explores themes of identity, deception, and the multiple versions of truth that emerge when a person suddenly vanishes from their life. Set in 1986 California, it continues Grafton's examination of how seemingly ordinary lives can harbor extraordinary secrets.

Readers found this 16th Kinsey Millhone mystery less engaging than previous entries in the series. Many noted it lacks the usual wit and momentum of Grafton's earlier books. Readers appreciated: - The complex real estate fraud subplot - Limited personal drama involving Kinsey's family/relationships - The continuing development of familiar secondary characters Common criticisms: - Abrupt, unresolved ending that left many plot threads dangling - Too much time spent on mundane details and descriptions - Slower pacing compared to other books in the series - The main mystery feels less compelling Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (900+ reviews) Multiple readers specifically mentioned feeling "cheated" by the ending. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: "After investing time in these characters and plot lines, we deserve closure." Several noted this was their least favorite book in the series, though most indicated they would continue reading future installments.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn A wife's sudden disappearance forces investigators to untangle contradictory narratives about her marriage and identity.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens A realtor's return after a kidnapping reveals buried secrets and deceptions that challenge the truth about her past.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley An eleven-year-old chemist turns detective to solve a mysterious death at her family estate in 1950s England.

Missing Justice by Alafair Burke A prosecutor investigates the disappearance of a judge whose private life conceals medicare fraud and corruption.

Trust No One by Paul Cleave A crime novelist with dementia must determine if his written confessions to murder stem from fiction or reality.

🔍 The book marks the 16th entry in Sue Grafton's popular "Alphabet Series," published in 2001, and continues her tradition of not using modern technology like cell phones or the internet in her stories. 💉 Medicare fraud, a central theme in the book, costs American taxpayers approximately $60 billion annually in real life. 📍 Santa Teresa, the setting for the book, is based on Santa Barbara, California, where Sue Grafton lived for many years. 👩‍🦰 The protagonist Kinsey Millhone drives a VW Bug, lives in a converted garage apartment, and keeps her possessions minimal enough to fit in a single cardboard box - traits maintained throughout the series. 📚 Like all books in the series, this novel is set in the 1980s, specifically 1986, allowing Grafton to focus on traditional detective work without modern technological interference.