Customer Reviews

O is for Outlaw

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(53)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

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.

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".

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?

but I love Kinsey so much and have waited so long for this book ! I don't mind that she is in a time warp in the 80's, this is a good thing, she is forced to get out there and track down clues, break into those homes, etc. and we get to watch over her shoulder. What, you want to watch her staring into a computer screen throughout the whole book? I did find that the story did drag a little with all those visits to the bar; I felt her second husband was a much more interesting character than this cop she married when very young, why was she carrying a torch for him when we never heard about him before? Not that I'm a huge fan of Henry and Rosie, but they were certainly given short shrift. This book did have a sort of perfunctory feel to it, not one of the best. however, as a lifelong fan, I welcomed it and certainly look forward to the books to follow! Thank you, Sue Grafton! Don't bring Kinsey into the 90's too soon, her work on foot is so much more interesting than if she had just pounded a few buttons on a keyboard!

Kinsey Millhone is a person I would like to know. She's quirky, intensely loyal and tenancious as a bulldog. Additionally, anyone who is brave enough to cut their hair with cuticle scissors is to be admired. I have every volume and I've enjoyed reading all of her adventures.

I especially liked this book because we get a glimpse into Kinsey's past and begin to see why she acts/reacts to men and to tight situations the way she does.

I read this book in two sittings and would recommend it to any other Grafton fans.

To a new reader, however, I would recommend that the stories be read in order. Grafton builds something new into each one and, as they build, the reader begins to understand Kinsey and her slightly off-centered world.

P.S. Ms. Grafton -- we need more of Henry....he's just too precious for words -- and because of his age, he might not be around/spry for the rest of the alphabet.

I think this book maybe have the wrong title. Instead of O is for Outlaw it might be best titled O is for Obligation. It Kinsey's obligation to her former husband that drives the plot of this book. Mickey Magruder was a cop who was a bit of a lone wolf. He is the outlaw in the title. Now he is in trouble and Kinsey is driven to help him. It seems she may have left him for all the wrong reasons. His problems lead Kinsey to solve an old murder for which Mickey was the prime suspect.

This is one of Sue Grafton's best. It fills in the gaps in Kinsey's early professional life. It provides insight into her character. I found I understood Kinsey better after reading this book.

I love the series but even if I had never read A-P I would have enjoyed this detective novel.

I have read all the Kinsey Milhone mysteries and I found this book most entertaining. Gaining more personal insights to a character I have followed for so long was very interesting to me. This book had a long list of characters but each attributed to the plot and kept the reader guessing how they all relate. The events flowed in a timely manner and the ending tied up all loose strings. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The latest Kinsey Milhone volume gives us a LOT more history and interesting insights into a character not as familiar as we had thought. As she is informed of a dramatic incident involving her first husband, Kinsey jumps back into her past and learns much about her old relationships and her former cohorts. As usual, she finds out who did what to whom by the end of the volume, although she keeps us guessing--and as usual, at least most of the bad guys end up dead and some of the characters look better than expected. An excellent read, and leaves us wanting to see what will happen with P.

One of Grafton's better Kinsey books (which is saying a lot, because none of them are dogs). Because the victim here is Kinsey's first husband, there's a fairly seamless mix of the mystery du jour and Kinsey backstory in this novel. The ystery itself unfolds nicely and with a minimum of sheer luck. The incidental characters are a nice mix, and Grafton manages the now rather hefty task of touching base with most all of the characters and elements that have been part of the series. And as always, Kinsey learns, suffers, grows, and comes face to face with more hard truths about herself.

After so many entries in the series, there is still more to know and love about this character, and the formula remains familiar but fresh. This is still one of the sharpest, snappiest gumshoes in the business. If you have enjoyed other novels in the series at all, this one will not disappoint.

I had given up at G for Gumshoe as the plots started evaporating & coy Kinsey self-descriptions proliferated. I decided to give O for Outlaw a try & enjoyed most of it very much. Grafton is a good writer - I could see her writing a big 19th century novel in the style of Thackeray or Trollope, but that's part of the problem. The cultural asides & philosophical insights begin to run on for so long that you lose track of the plot, & the plot isn't bad once it picks up. Another jarring note (& this has been addressed in a previous review) is that while Kinsey & her colleagues & friends are supposed to be in their 30s, their observations & insights (mostly about marriage & relationships) are those of people well into their 50s. Plus who cares when these pontifications have no bearing on the plot. Some of the characterizations are priceless, though, especially the landlady sisters & their cat. In the final analysis, it is a worthwhile read, entertaining & enjoyable in spite of the fact that Kinsey is less likable than ever, more smug & coy & nasty-mided than anyone I'd want to spend more than 90 seconds with in person.