"V" Is for Vengeance

Private investigator Kinsey Millhone becomes entangled in a complex case after witnessing a shoplifting incident at Nordstrom's department store in Santa Teresa, California. Set in 1988, this 22nd installment in Sue Grafton's Alphabet series follows Millhone as she investigates an apparent suicide that may be connected to organized crime. The narrative shifts between multiple viewpoints, including those of Millhone, wealthy socialite Nora Vogelsang, and Lorenzo Dante, a figure tied to local criminal enterprises. The investigation leads Millhone through various layers of Santa Teresa society, from high-end retail stores to underground gambling operations. The book explores themes of justice, revenge, and moral compromise while examining how past relationships and long-held grudges can influence present-day actions. These elements combine to create a story that questions the true nature of vengeance and its consequences.

Readers found this entry maintains the Kinsey Millhone series' quality, with multiple interconnected plotlines that come together at the end. Many appreciated the deep dive into organized crime and the mob's California operations. Readers liked: - Complex character development, especially of the antagonists - Multiple perspectives beyond just Kinsey's narration - Strong emotional core around grief and relationships - Clear resolution of all plot threads Readers disliked: - Slower pace compared to earlier books - Less focus on Kinsey's detective work - Too many perspective shifts - Some found the mob storyline less engaging Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (3,800+ ratings) "The multiple viewpoints added depth but took away from Kinsey's trademark first-person narrative," noted one Amazon reviewer. Several Goodreads reviews mentioned the book feels more like a crime novel than a traditional mystery, with one stating "It's a departure from the usual formula, but that's not necessarily bad."

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith A private investigator unravels the death of a supermodel in London through methodical detective work and interviews with complex characters from different social classes.

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly An LAPD detective investigates a murder connected to a bank heist while navigating police department politics and confronting his past as a tunnel rat in Vietnam.

Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell A medical examiner uses forensic evidence to track a serial killer targeting women in Richmond, Virginia, while facing institutional resistance and professional sabotage.

The Face of Death by Cody McFadyen An FBI investigator hunts a murderer who forces victims to choose which family member dies, creating a case that mirrors the detective's own tragic past.

Still Life by Louise Penny A Chief Inspector in a Quebec village pieces together the murder of a beloved community member through careful observation of art, relationships, and small-town dynamics.

🔍 The book is part of the "Alphabet Series" which spans A through Y - Grafton intentionally never wrote "Z" before her death in 2017, and her family honored her wish for the series to end at Y. 📚 Sue Grafton based her fictional town of Santa Teresa on Santa Barbara, California, where she lived for many years, modeling it after detective writer Ross Macdonald's Californian settings. 💄 The 1988 setting captures a significant period in retail history when organized retail crime began emerging as a major concern for department stores across America. 🏆 "V Is for Vengeance" debuted at #4 on The New York Times Best Seller list and marked the 22nd installment in Grafton's series featuring Kinsey Millhone. 👗 The novel's exploration of retail theft rings reflects a real-world problem that costs retailers billions annually - in the 1980s when the book is set, estimated losses were around $16 billion yearly.