R is for Ricochet

Sue Grafton

Kinsey Milhone is a private investigator in Santa Teresa, California. Normally she handles employee background checks, locates missing persons, and the occasional insurance claim. Nord Lafferty hires Kinsey to stay with his daughter for a few days. Reba Lafferty is being released from prison. Her father knows he has spoiled her, but still wants her to stay out of trouble once she has been released. She had embezzled from her employer and admitted the crime. The judge had given her a four year sentence, but she is released early for good behavior.

Lafferty offers a good wage so Kinsey accepts the babysitting job of an over 30 woman. Reba admits she is a compulsive gambler. She promises her parole officer she will not drink or gamble during her parole period. Kinsey takes her to Rosie's for dinner that evening. While they are at the table, an attractive man walks in. It is Beck, Reba's ex-employer. Kinsey quickly realizes the meeting was arranged.

She talks with Reba the next day. Beck is married, but told Reba he is leaving her as soon as he finishes getting his finances hidden from his wife. Kinsey is skeptical, but Reba is adament. Kinsey's second day with Reba is also her last..or not.

The chronicles that Kinsey writes for us are rarely straight forward. She chooses her unusual cases for her narratives. She tells us a straight forward story with the occasional personal comment. Reba's story and affect on Kinsey's life is not straight forward, either.

R is for Ricochet is an intriguing, amusing detective tale. Grafton has Kinsey Milhoan in 1987, the next time period for the novels. It has a twisiting plot that keeps the reader following with interest. I could guess parts, but Grafton pulls out the unexpected to keep the reader guessing. You don't need to read the others in this series to appreciate this novel - and you will appreciate it.

A is for Alibi
B is for Burglar
C is for Corpse
D is for Deadbeat
E is for Evidence
F is for Fugitive
G is for Gumshoe
H is for Homicide
I is for Innocent
J is for Judgement
K is for Killer
L is for Lawless
M is for Malice
N is for Noose
O is for Outlaw
P is for Peril
Q is for Quarry
R is for Ricochet
S is for Silence
T is for Trespass
U is for Undertow
V is for Vengeance