I wanted post this just because it should be noted and show appreciation.
No I don't just watch movies. I love a good book.
During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season sometimes some news gets lost.
I wanted to make sure this did not get lost.
My favorite writer is Sue Grafton.
My favorite character in books is Kinsey Millhone.
The death of Grafton is just sad (as all deaths are).
For her family.
To her millions of readers, and to me.
The alphabet books to some may seem light weight...but look again.
All the books take place in the 70's/80's.
Grafton gave us..Kinsey who was an independent smart woman.
She lived in a small house. Took care of her elderly landlord as he took care of her.
Kept a gun in her glove compartment and a black dress. Gun for sticky situations (and often funny hold your breath situations); and a black dress because you never know if you may need to go to a wedding or funeral. She did her detective work without a computer for it was the 70's/80's. She just worked hard. Grafton felt it was more interesting to keep her in the 70's/80's. It forced Kinsey to do footwork, to drive around in her VW Bug. To meet interesting people. Grafton said that she constantly got letters from people who named their girls Kinsey...in hope their daughters will be strong; independent; funny and smart like Kinsey Millhone.
Yes some books were not as good as others, but no matter what you love to follow Grafton's Kinsey.
Grafton turned down a lot of money to turn Kinsey Millhone into a TV show or movie character.
She wanted everyone of her readers to have their own vision of Kinsey and not let the screen mess with their vision. She also said that when she passed there would be no ghost writers. So the series stops at Y. Heartrendingly sad. Not only for the death of Grafton, but also the end of a great literary character in Kinsey Millhone. There will be no Z for Zero.
More time? Read this wonderful article by Maureen Corrigan for NPR
https://www.npr.org/2018/01/02/575068781/a-is-for-appreciation-how-sue-grafton-helped-transform-the-mystery-genre
She calls A is for Alibi a classic and is perfection. She also notes...not every case can be closed...because they stay with you. Also it was not a macho book...unlike other PI books...when Kinsey had to shoot and kill someone it stayed with her...through out many books. Kinsey and Grafton were different.
Lisa Scottoline said she forged a path for female mystery writers. There would be no Scottoline she said without Grafton.
If you have not read the Alphabet books...start with A is for Alibi.
Grafton and Kinsey will be missed.
From the shadows with a book in my hand thanks for your time.
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