[.ca] I is for Innocent (ISBN 0805010858)

Really not much here.:
Sue Grafton has written many good books but this one is weak, weak, weak. Try 'A is for Alibi' or 'J is for Judgement'. They show off Grafton's writing talents much better.

Kinsey Always Finds the Right Answers!:
In this Kinsey Millhone mystery, Kinsey solves yet another puzzle. This time she has to tie up the loose ends of a murder investigation. Is David Barney REALLY guilty? Or did someone else really kill Isabella? Kinsey takes every shred of evidence that there possibly is to solve this strange puzzle. David seems innocent enough, and there seems to be other suspects involved. But as Grafton ties up the story, the answer will surprise you! A great book, and one of Grafton's very best!

Best of Show!:
There are no bad books in Sue Grafton's alphabet series, only varying degrees of good. That said, the series, to date, reached its peak somewhere around "F" or "G" and held its top form at least through "L." This one is my pick for best of the lot-which is saying a good deal. The book features a temporarily subdued Kinsey (still smarting under a career setback encountered in a prior book), the usual cast of rich snobs, an unusually intriguing puzzle whose vital clues I spotted but nevertheless failed to piece together, some unusually likeable supporting characters, and a lot of Santa Barbara (oops Theresa) atmosphere. Next time I point friends at the series, this is where I'll tell them to start. Highly recommended.

Amanita phalloides:
Milhone has left California Fidelity. Lonnie Kingman gives her a much-needed job investigating a six year old murder. The probable killer was acquitted and the victim's family want to bring a civil action against him. Henry's older brother William has arrived and is invloved with Rosie This is one of Grafton's more classical mysteries. There's an ingenious collection of suspects.If you read chspter 11 very carefully and look at the times of the events on the night of the murder you might be able to figure out whodunnit. She gives us lore about mushroom poisoning (but Amanita phalloides is found in upland coniferous woods - not the kind of coastal California garden she describes). One of the funniest passages is her paraphrase of a modern version of the 23rd psalm read at a liberal non-denominational funeral. Grafton is sometimes accused of being anti-Christian, but only someone with a profound respect for the King James Bible could have come up with this hilarious parody of a travesty. The trademark final Kinsey Milhone in peril scene is one of her most convincing (assuming Santa Theresa police are slow about responding to gunfire) and suspenseful.

A rather good find.:
This novel may prove to be one of the better enteries in Garfton's series. It is well worth the time it takes to read.