無実のI (1992 original; edició 1996)

One of the things for a successful mystery series is to have a likeable sleuth and Kinsey Milhone is likeable. She is fun to be alongside as pursues truth among these ne'er do wells and shady characters. ( )

Kinsey Milhone hired to defend killer in wrongful death suit

Still really enjoying this series. I love the characters especially the range of awful people, and really decent folk. I’m hoping for more of Rosie and William in the next instalment, especially as it makes Henry squirm. Some of the characters resurface in following instalments so I’m also wondering if some of the newer characters we’ve now been introduced to will have further roles. ( )

***This is a project of e-reading Grafton's series -- I started reading these back in the 1980s and would read each release as they came out over the years. To prevent spoilers, I will not attempt to summarize in detail. ***

Oddly, the only thing that came back to me during this re-read is when Henry‘s brother William meets Rosie (Kinsey fans will know these characters). So the ending was a surprise; this was a quick read so I could find out “whodunnit”. I think this one was when Grafton really began to make her mysteries more intricate and developed. ( )

I really love my Kinsey Milhone mystery novels. A really good thing is that Sue Grafton has evolved the series and I know that there is a split between fans on the way that the series has gone but I really do love re-reading the older novels. It's like being wrapped up in a warm hug.

I is for Innocent follows the events of H is for Homicide, with Kinsey finding herself fired from her previous job working with an isurance company. Struggling to make ends meet, Kinsey takes a case from her attorney and friend looking into the murder of Isabelle Barney that happened six years previously. The previous private investigator on the case is one that trained Kinsey for her to obtain her license decades earlier. The investigator having died, leaves Kinsey starting at square one with the case.

The writing is very good and we have some oldies but goodies (Kinsey talking about her favorite sandwich and fast food) as well as Kinsey just doing straigh investigative work looking to find out who killed Isabelle Barney. One reason why I like the Kinsey Milhone mystery series is that since these novels take place in the 1980s we have Kinsey doing a lot of leg work and having to use her brain on what steps to take next. There are no fancy devices, no social media, and Kinsey doesn't fit the role of a femme fatale role.

After this comes J is for Judgment which opens up more backstory into Kinsey's family past which I really enjoyed. I definitely recommend! ( )