U Is for Undertow

A Kinsey Millhone Novel

By: Sue Grafton

Narrated by: Judy Kaye

Calling T is for Trespass "taut, terrifying, transfixing and terrific", USA Today went on to ask, "What does it take to write 20 novels about the same character and manage to create a fresh, genre-bending novel every time?"

It's a question worth pondering. Through 20 excursions into the dark side of the human soul, Sue Grafton has never written the same book twice. And so it is with this, her 21st. Once again, she breaks genre formulas, giving us a twisting, complex, surprise-filled, and totally satisfying thriller.

It's April 1988, a month before Kinsey Millhone's 38th birthday, and she's alone in her office doing paperwork when a young man arrives unannounced. He has a preppy air about him and looks as if he'd be carded if he tried to buy booze, but Michael Sutton is 27, an unemployed college dropout. Twenty-one years earlier, a four-year-old girl disappeared. A recent reference to her kidnapping has triggered a flood of memories. Sutton now believes he stumbled on her lonely burial when he was six years old. He wants Kinsey's help in locating the child's remains and finding the men who killed her. It's a long shot, but he's willing to pay cash up front, and Kinsey agrees to give him one day.

As her investigation unfolds, she discovers Michael Sutton has an uneasy relationship with the truth. In essence, he's the boy who cried wolf. Is his current story true, or simply one more in a long line of fabrications?

Grafton moves the narrative between the 80s and the 60s, changing points of view, building multiple subplots, and creating memorable characters. Gradually, we see how they all connect. But at the beating center of the novel is Kinsey Millhone, sharp-tongued, observant, a loner - "a heroine", said The New York Times Book Review, "with foibles you can laugh at and faults you can forgive."

Don't miss the other titles in the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mystery Series.©2009 Sue Grafton (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"As this master of suspense continues to demonstrate in superb mystery after mystery, there are more ugly twists in the human heart than there are letters in the alphabet." ( Entertainment Weekly)
"It's as if Grafton purposely begins with a standard situation-and then gleefully sets about breaking every cardinal rule of the mystery novel." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Judy Kaye is Great

I've been a Grafton fan for years and was reticent to get the latest installment in audio version. Since much of Grafton's books are written in Kinsey's first person, I wasn't sure I would be happy with anyone portraying her. Judy Kaye has just enough gravel in her voice to sound exactly like I imagined Kinsey to sound! She also does a great job with portraying the other characters. If you are a Kinsey Milhone fan, do not hesitate to get this audio book!

One of the better ones

The plots have gotten more complex - I really enjoyed this book.

Sue Grafton write another great book

I loved it. She gave away the whole plot and I still loved it. I could not turn off my iPod. I think Ms. Grafton can still spin a tale - unlike others (Patricia Cornwell for one) who seem to run out of steam - and starts writing garbage.
I found the book to be entertaining, intriguing and believable. Thanks again. I look forward to whatever is coming in your "V" book.

One of Sue's best books.

Loved it! enjoyed the narration.
Good mystery. Intriguing plot that keeps you eager to hear more.

another great in the series

I like the way the story is set in the 80s. Brought back memories then juxtaposition with the sixties. such fabulous details in the narrative. I can't wait for the next one.

"U" IS FOR UNDERTOW

What can I say? Kinsey, YOU ROCK!!!!

Great as Usual

Once again I was truly entertained with a Sue Grafton novel, I look forward to the next installment.

Good but not Great

I became a kind of a fan of Sue Grafton. I liked it altouhg is is not the book of the year.

LOVED IT!

I agree with another reviewer that stated this was the best in this series. Thoroughly enjoyed it and was disappointed when it was over. Highly recommend to all.

They just keep getting better!

Would you consider the audio edition of U Is for Undertow to be better than the print version?

I have listened to the entire series, so I now enjoy hearing the narrator in this series.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

In the first few books of the series I wasn't as impressed, but the plots have become more complex as the series has progressed. I couldn't figure out where the side stories were headed in the beginning, but they are masterfully tied together at the conclusion.

Which character – as performed by Judy Kaye – was your favorite?

Kinsey and Henry continue to be my favorite characters in the series.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The tangled web we weave.....