O is for Outlaw [Leather Bound]

Product Details

• Leather Bound
• Publisher: Doubleday (1954)
• ASIN: B000M64QBG
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)

More About the Author

New York Times-bestselling author Sue Grafton is published in twenty-eight countries and twenty-six languages--including Estonian, Bulgarian, and Indonesian. Books in her alphabet series, begun in 1982, are international bestsellers with readership in the millions. And like Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald, Grafton has earned new respect for the mystery form. Readers appreciate her buoyant style, her eye for detail, her deft hand with character, her acute social observances, and her abundant storytelling prowess. She has been named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America (2009) and is a recipient of the Ross Macdonald Literary Award (2004).

Sue Grafton has been married to Steve Humphrey for more than thirty years, and they divide their time between Montecito, California, and Louisville, Kentucky, where she was born and raised. Grafton, who has three children and four grandchildren, loves cats, gardens, and good cuisine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Consistent Grafton, February 7, 2000

By 

Old Fisherman "Jim" (Orange, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "O" Is for Outlaw (Hardcover)

Like many of the people here I've also read this whole series. I think Kinsey Millhone is my favorite among all of the female PI's that abound today and I find that Ms. Grafton is consistent in her portrayal from book to book. "O" is no exception to that.

There were many things I liked about this book. The way it begins with Kinsey breaking into someone's house because she won't pay $10 for information is funny. Kinsey's outlook is just a little off-center and I find that amusing. So, I liked the book. However, after saying all of that I was disappointed in the ending. I hate it when the protagonist does something dumb just to advance the plot. I don't want to ruin the ending for anyone who hasn't read it yet, however, if you're being pursued by someone who has a gun and you're pretty sure this person means to harm you would you drive right past not one, but TWO Santa Teresa deputy cars and the LAPD detectives who are backing you up? I don't think so. This was clearly designed to end the book in a certain way at a certain place but it was done in an unbelievable way. With all of Ms. Grafton's expertise this surprised me. Good book anyway. Kinsey Millhone is head and shoulders above her other sisters in crime.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding...one of her best, December 9, 1999

By 

M. Kawamura (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: "O" Is for Outlaw (Hardcover)

I, like many here have read every one of Sue's wonderful series. I've enjoyed every one...some more then others. Quite honestly, "O" held me in suspense from the start to the finish...with lots of left turns and plot twists to keep it fast paced and very exciting. Personally I could have used a little more background on Bel and Cordelia but that's a very minor point. I thoroughly enjoyed the illuminating glimpse into Kinsey's first marriage and the side trip to Louisville. As always Sue displays her extraordinary descriptive writing abilities to the hilt in all chapters and that, as much as any other reason is the main reason why I remain a loyal Grafton fan. In my opinion, "O" is a "must read".

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner in the alphabet of crime, May 5, 2000

By 

A reader (Litchfield Co., CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "O" Is for Outlaw (Hardcover)

I discovered Sue Grafton in 1995. I have read all of her books and recommend that readers do the same to see how Kinsey develops from A to O.

I have written to her and am on her mailing list for personal appearances and advance notices of new books. Sue is a great example of how to treat her readers. She respects us!

What I love about her books is that there are a few sentences to tell you about Kinsey in each book. Even though you may have missed the other books, it doesn't take you long to learn about her. I love the idea that she has one black dress, has a neat apartment, nice landlord, etc.

Her awful junk food choices washed down by a glass of Chardonnay are wonderful! She's the perfect person with one dress and a VW.

I hope that Sue does not bring her up to date with cell phones, etc too soon. I've learned some great investigative tips from her. It's amazing what people will tell you over the phone when you play dumb or are less than truthful. No real crime here. Just a fact-finding mission.

O for Outlaw was a good read. I didn't pick up who was the bad guy until late in story. Great ending as always. The little bits of info she puts in lead to a surprise ending. You think, "How did I miss that clue?"

How can one say seriously, I'm awaiting "P"? What will that stand for?