"O" Is for Outlaw (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The Latin term pro bono, as most attorneys will attest, roughly translated means for boneheads and applies to work done without charge..." (more)
Key Phrases: phony documents, doggie door, key picks, Santa Teresa, Duncan Oaks, Detective Aldo (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Wise-cracking, staunchly independent, and chronically curious, Grafton's gritty gumshoe Kinsey Millhone is back. This time, the alphabet series star will take on the toughest case to date: her past. What begins as a random phone call from a "storage space scavenger" (someone who buys the contents of defaulted storage units) leads Kinsey to a box of old papers and personal effects that her ex-husband, Mickey Magruder, left behind. Inside, she finds a 15-year-old unsent letter from a bartender that, among other things, reveals her former hubby was having an affair. The letter also contains details about the murder of a transient--a crime for which Mickey was blamed. Although never convicted, Mickey was ruined--losing his job, wife, and friends. But 15 years later, Kinsey realizes that foul play may have been involved in the murder, a deadly temptation for her.

Die-hard fans will especially enjoy Kinsey's self-disclosure--something she's infamous for not doing--about her childhood, the fate of her parents, and the randy details of her first marriage. A very vulnerable and interesting side to Kinsey's character is also revealed when her obsessive-compulsive fact-finding bent is mixed up with matters of the heart.

A fast, fun read, O Is for Outlaw is packed with Grafton's clear, colorful imagery and signature metaphors: "Our recollection of the past is not simply distorted by our faulty perception of events remembered, but skewed by those forgotten. The memory is like orbiting twin stars, one visible, one dark, the trajectory of what's evident forever affected by the gravity of what's concealed." --Rebekah Warren

From Publishers Weekly

Grafton's fans will be thrilled with this knockout 15th Kinsey Millhone mystery, which deals with Kinsey's first marriage. In a complex story that zigzags between past and present, the California PI gets involved again with her first ex-husband, former cop Michael "Mickey" Magruder, who initially reappears in her life by chance when she comes across memorabilia he kept after their separation 14 years earlier. The mementos include an undelivered letter addressed to Kinsey, providing Mickey with an alibi for the beating death of Vietnam vet Benny Quintero, the unproven charge against Mickey that prompted Kinsey to leave him. Conscience-stricken, Kinsey looks up acquaintances from her early marriage, questioning her judgment and values at the time. Then two Los Angeles police detectives inform her that Mickey has been shot and is in a coma, and Kinsey decides to investigate. As usual in Grafton's novels, the PI encounters a string of offbeat characters who lead or mislead her in a gyre of confusion; here, many of them had motive and opportunity to shoot Mickey. In time, Kinsey stumbles on a clueAat first bewilderingAthat leads back to the Vietnam War and, eventually, points the way to Benny's killer and Mickey's assailant. In addition to her distinctive humor, sharp sense of place and crisp dialogue defining character, Grafton adds depth to this outing through unexpected details of Kinsey's past. Meanwhile, Kinsey's examination of her youthful self-righteousness and na?vet? initiates a provocative contemplation of guilt, morals and loyalty that graces one of the very best entries in a long-lived and much-loved series. Agent, Molly Friedrich at Aaron Priest. $500,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club main selection; author tour. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.; 1st edition (October 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333741455
• ISBN-13: 978-0805059557
• ASIN: 0805059555
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (162 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #560,478 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 15 in The Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mystery Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 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)

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".

17 of 19 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

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?

10 of 10 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

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.