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Kinsey Millhone #6
F is for Fugitive
Floral Beach wasn't much of a town: six streets long and three deep, its only notable feature being a strip of sand fronting the Pacific. It was on that sandy beach seventeen years ago that the strangled body of Jean Timberlake was found.
The people of the town don't pay a whole lot of mind to past history, especially when Bailey Fowler, the self-confessed killer, had been convicted. They weren't even unduly concerned when, a year after the murder, Fowler walked away from the men's prison at San Luis Obispo, never to be seen again. After all, everyone knew Jean was a wild kid. "Like mother, like daughter," some said--though never within hearing of Shana Timberlake who, whatever her faults, still mourned her murdered child.
And then, by sheer fluke, the cops stumbled on Bailey Fowler. And a case seventeen years dead came murderously to life again. For Royce Fowler, old and sick with not much time left, his son's reappearance was the chance to heal an old wound. For Kinsey Millhone, the case was a long shot, but she agreed to take it on. She couldn't know then that it would lead her to probe passions buried just below the surface of family relations. That's where old wounds fester and the most cherished emotions become warped until they fuse into deadly, soul-destroying time bombs.
The people of the town don't pay a whole lot of mind to past history, especially when Bailey Fowler, the self-confessed killer, had been convicted. They weren't even unduly concerned when, a year after the murder, Fowler walked away from the men's prison at San Luis Obispo, never to be seen again. After all, everyone knew Jean was a wild kid. "Like mother, like daughter," some said--though never within hearing of Shana Timberlake who, whatever her faults, still mourned her murdered child.
And then, by sheer fluke, the cops stumbled on Bailey Fowler. And a case seventeen years dead came murderously to life again. For Royce Fowler, old and sick with not much time left, his son's reappearance was the chance to heal an old wound. For Kinsey Millhone, the case was a long shot, but she agreed to take it on. She couldn't know then that it would lead her to probe passions buried just below the surface of family relations. That's where old wounds fester and the most cherished emotions become warped until they fuse into deadly, soul-destroying time bombs.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 15, 1989
933 people are currently reading
5,974 people want to read
About the author
Sue Grafton
255Ìýbooks6,433ÌýfollowersSue Grafton was a #1 New York Times bestselling author. She is best known for her “alphabet seriesâ€� featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California. Prior to success with this series, she wrote screenplays for television movies. Her earlier novels include Keziah Dane (1967) and The Lolly-Madonna War (1969), both out of print. In the book Kinsey and Me she gave us stories that revealed Kinsey's origins and Sue's past.
Grafton never wanted her novels to be turned into movies or TV shows. According to her family she would never allow a ghost writer to write in her name. Because of these things, and out of respect for Sue’s wishes, the family announced the alphabet now ends at �Y�
Grafton was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, the Ross Macdonald Literary Award, three Shamus Awards, and many other honors and awards.
Grafton had three children from previous marriages and several grandchildren, including a granddaughter named Kinsey. She and her husband lived in Montecito, California, and Louisville, Kentucky.
Grafton never wanted her novels to be turned into movies or TV shows. According to her family she would never allow a ghost writer to write in her name. Because of these things, and out of respect for Sue’s wishes, the family announced the alphabet now ends at �Y�
Grafton was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, the Ross Macdonald Literary Award, three Shamus Awards, and many other honors and awards.
Grafton had three children from previous marriages and several grandchildren, including a granddaughter named Kinsey. She and her husband lived in Montecito, California, and Louisville, Kentucky.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,160 reviews
November 8, 2017
Book Review
3 of 5 stars to , the 6th book in the "Kinsey Millhone" mystery series written in 1988 by . In between a cozy mystery and a traditional mystery, this series toes the line with its strong and serious private investigator, Kinsey, based in California during the 1980s. In this one, she takes on a case close to 20 years old, trying to collect as many details as she can from the family who has hired her. But they won't tell her everything... and it's about their son who murdered his girlfriend, but really says "I didn't do it." Of course he didn't, and that's why Kinsey agreed to search for the truth. But when she falls prey to some lies, she has to decide how much money is worth her own frustration. A good book in the series, not one of the best ones, but certainly not one of the less fun ones. Has some shock factor. Takes Kinsey out of her normal Santa Teresa homestead. The family she deal with are a bunch of loons, which of course makes for a few very funny pages.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at , where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
3 of 5 stars to , the 6th book in the "Kinsey Millhone" mystery series written in 1988 by . In between a cozy mystery and a traditional mystery, this series toes the line with its strong and serious private investigator, Kinsey, based in California during the 1980s. In this one, she takes on a case close to 20 years old, trying to collect as many details as she can from the family who has hired her. But they won't tell her everything... and it's about their son who murdered his girlfriend, but really says "I didn't do it." Of course he didn't, and that's why Kinsey agreed to search for the truth. But when she falls prey to some lies, she has to decide how much money is worth her own frustration. A good book in the series, not one of the best ones, but certainly not one of the less fun ones. Has some shock factor. Takes Kinsey out of her normal Santa Teresa homestead. The family she deal with are a bunch of loons, which of course makes for a few very funny pages.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at , where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
April 14, 2018
Sue Grafton played up to her strengths, which is the descriptive. No one, nobody is better than she was at showing us these bits and pieces of metal, cloth, and concrete in which she hatched her characters.
Kinsey Millhone. In each book, this character felt different. Here she is plagued by a cold case. Thankfully Sue Grafton was a dab at creating small amounts of tension. This was believable enough.
Unfortunately for us readers who have grown up with Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, M.C. Beaton, and Ellery Queen, we must admit that the author here is weak at plotting. The murderer's identity was so simply concocted that it beggared belief. Still, the book is in my mind. Loved reading it.
Kinsey Millhone. In each book, this character felt different. Here she is plagued by a cold case. Thankfully Sue Grafton was a dab at creating small amounts of tension. This was believable enough.
Unfortunately for us readers who have grown up with Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, M.C. Beaton, and Ellery Queen, we must admit that the author here is weak at plotting. The murderer's identity was so simply concocted that it beggared belief. Still, the book is in my mind. Loved reading it.
June 2, 2024
The Kinsey Millhone series never fails to entertain with its fast-paced plots and unique characters. These books are like snacks you can't put down—they’re quick, fun, and always leave you wanting more. This installment is no exception. Although it starts off a bit slow, it soon picks up speed, delivering the suspense and excitement fans love.
Kinsey Millhone herself is a standout character—picture a no-nonsense, badass private investigator with a touch of Mad Max flair. In this book, though, I’m sticking with a three-star rating. The writing, plot, and character development haven’t really evolved much since the first book, which keeps it from being a four or five-star read.
The story is set in Floral Beach, a tiny town that's barely on the map—six streets long, three streets deep, with its only claim to fame being a strip of sand by the Pacific Ocean. Seventeen years ago, that beach was the site of a grim discovery: the strangled body of Jean Timberlake.
The townspeople don't dwell much on the past, especially since Bailey Fowler, who confessed to the murder, was convicted. They weren't too concerned even when Fowler escaped from prison a year later and vanished. After all, Jean was known to be a wild child. “Like mother, like daughter,� they said, though never within earshot of Shana Timberlake, Jean’s grieving mother.
Then, purely by chance, the police find Bailey Fowler, and suddenly a cold case is back in the spotlight. For Royce Fowler, Bailey’s father who is old and ailing, this is a last chance to mend old wounds. For Kinsey Millhone, it’s a long shot worth taking. Little does she know, digging into this case will uncover deeply buried family secrets, where festering wounds and twisted emotions turn deadly. This is where the story really grips you, showing how unresolved pasts can explode in dangerous and soul-destroying ways.
Kinsey Millhone herself is a standout character—picture a no-nonsense, badass private investigator with a touch of Mad Max flair. In this book, though, I’m sticking with a three-star rating. The writing, plot, and character development haven’t really evolved much since the first book, which keeps it from being a four or five-star read.
The story is set in Floral Beach, a tiny town that's barely on the map—six streets long, three streets deep, with its only claim to fame being a strip of sand by the Pacific Ocean. Seventeen years ago, that beach was the site of a grim discovery: the strangled body of Jean Timberlake.
The townspeople don't dwell much on the past, especially since Bailey Fowler, who confessed to the murder, was convicted. They weren't too concerned even when Fowler escaped from prison a year later and vanished. After all, Jean was known to be a wild child. “Like mother, like daughter,� they said, though never within earshot of Shana Timberlake, Jean’s grieving mother.
Then, purely by chance, the police find Bailey Fowler, and suddenly a cold case is back in the spotlight. For Royce Fowler, Bailey’s father who is old and ailing, this is a last chance to mend old wounds. For Kinsey Millhone, it’s a long shot worth taking. Little does she know, digging into this case will uncover deeply buried family secrets, where festering wounds and twisted emotions turn deadly. This is where the story really grips you, showing how unresolved pasts can explode in dangerous and soul-destroying ways.
March 15, 2019
F is for why the fuck do I keep reading this series? Oh yeah, got them all on my Kindle from the library. So, F is for Free reading. Answered my own question.
Sometimes you feel the age of this series, not by the normal things like technology missing and terrible fashion choices... I mean, Kinsey speaks of wearing a denim vest -A. Denim. Vest. , but you feel the oldness from some of the strange ways of speaking or acting that we wouldn't do today. For instance:
"She has the reputation as the town roundheel..."
What's a roundheel?
Is that a ye old saying from the '80's? Or, is it something that Kinsey says that is even more out-dated, like from medieval times or something like one of those weirdos who insists on using antiquated words even when they aren't dressed up at the Renaissance Festival which they go to every day when it comes to town each year....
Our species was doomed anyway...
I mean, Kinsey is kind of a geek. This chick goes jogging in every book wearing cut-offs and turtlenecks. Probably that denim vest sometimes too...
The other thing is some of the things she does. You'll see..
In this one, Kinsey is hired by an old guy to help prove his son innocent on a murder charge. The murder was 17 years prior, and the dude had been out-running the police all this time. Now that he's caught, daddy wants to bail him out of trouble. To do this, Kinsey travels to the town where this happened and stays in the crappy motel that the client owns.
The client lives in the motel with his bed-ridden sickly wife, and grown daughter who is the wife's care-taker. It's about as creepy as it sounds.
Kinsey is supposed to be staying there while she investigates the murder, but this family is like sucking her in with weirdness. The grown daughter has Kinsey babysitting the sickly mother, and helping her take the mother to the bathroom and weird shit like that. She also gets angry with Kinsey if she doesn't sit down with them for family dinners, while they all snipe at each other and get bitchy. It's like purposely joining someone else's dysfunctional family holiday.
All I kept wondering was why Kinsey did any of this shit. I mean, taking ma to the toilet is definitely NOT in the job description. Was it an old-fashioned attitude? Like a woman's feeling of obligation to servitude? Because I don't feel like anyone would do this in today-world. Not my circus, not my monkeys. You clean up their shit.
The good news is that the mystery was interesting and I even changed my opinion a couple of times on who might have dunnit. Also, there were a couple of times when Kinsey made me chuckle:
Her on the family dinner situation:
"My orphanhood was becoming more appealing by the minute."
Her talking to the killer:
"If I may say so, you're as crazy as a bug. No offense, but you are looney-tunes, completely cuckoo-nuts."
(I really enjoyed the "no offense" part. lol!)
That kind of sarcasm made me like her just a smidge more. It wasn't enough to make up for the jogging, denim-vest wearing, sleeping with a married man thing, but it helped.
Sometimes you feel the age of this series, not by the normal things like technology missing and terrible fashion choices... I mean, Kinsey speaks of wearing a denim vest -A. Denim. Vest. , but you feel the oldness from some of the strange ways of speaking or acting that we wouldn't do today. For instance:
"She has the reputation as the town roundheel..."
What's a roundheel?
Is that a ye old saying from the '80's? Or, is it something that Kinsey says that is even more out-dated, like from medieval times or something like one of those weirdos who insists on using antiquated words even when they aren't dressed up at the Renaissance Festival which they go to every day when it comes to town each year....
Our species was doomed anyway...
I mean, Kinsey is kind of a geek. This chick goes jogging in every book wearing cut-offs and turtlenecks. Probably that denim vest sometimes too...
The other thing is some of the things she does. You'll see..
In this one, Kinsey is hired by an old guy to help prove his son innocent on a murder charge. The murder was 17 years prior, and the dude had been out-running the police all this time. Now that he's caught, daddy wants to bail him out of trouble. To do this, Kinsey travels to the town where this happened and stays in the crappy motel that the client owns.
The client lives in the motel with his bed-ridden sickly wife, and grown daughter who is the wife's care-taker. It's about as creepy as it sounds.
Kinsey is supposed to be staying there while she investigates the murder, but this family is like sucking her in with weirdness. The grown daughter has Kinsey babysitting the sickly mother, and helping her take the mother to the bathroom and weird shit like that. She also gets angry with Kinsey if she doesn't sit down with them for family dinners, while they all snipe at each other and get bitchy. It's like purposely joining someone else's dysfunctional family holiday.
All I kept wondering was why Kinsey did any of this shit. I mean, taking ma to the toilet is definitely NOT in the job description. Was it an old-fashioned attitude? Like a woman's feeling of obligation to servitude? Because I don't feel like anyone would do this in today-world. Not my circus, not my monkeys. You clean up their shit.
The good news is that the mystery was interesting and I even changed my opinion a couple of times on who might have dunnit. Also, there were a couple of times when Kinsey made me chuckle:
Her on the family dinner situation:
"My orphanhood was becoming more appealing by the minute."
Her talking to the killer:
"If I may say so, you're as crazy as a bug. No offense, but you are looney-tunes, completely cuckoo-nuts."
(I really enjoyed the "no offense" part. lol!)
That kind of sarcasm made me like her just a smidge more. It wasn't enough to make up for the jogging, denim-vest wearing, sleeping with a married man thing, but it helped.
February 3, 2018
I still say that Kinsey Millhone is V.I. Warshawski's long lost sister. When I am reading this series I sometimes think I am actually in a book! Which is not a bad thing! One day I will do the research and find out which of them started writing their character first.
Anyway is very good. Kinsey goes away from home for this one so there was a change of scenery and a raft of new characters, which was refreshing. The author managed to keep this reader at least in the dark as to the real murderer. There were red herrings galore and I was totally fooled. I like that in a mystery:)
It is very sad that the author has recently died, but she has left a solid body of work behind her and I intend to read all of it!
Anyway is very good. Kinsey goes away from home for this one so there was a change of scenery and a raft of new characters, which was refreshing. The author managed to keep this reader at least in the dark as to the real murderer. There were red herrings galore and I was totally fooled. I like that in a mystery:)
It is very sad that the author has recently died, but she has left a solid body of work behind her and I intend to read all of it!
March 19, 2023
I had decided that over the course of 2021, I would read the entire Kinsey Millhone alphabet series by Sue Grafton. F is for Fugitive is the latest novel in that objective. In this book, Kinsey has been hired to investigate a 17-year-old murder case that involves a felon, Bailey Fowler, convicted of the crime, who a year after being convicted walked out of the prison, was a fugitive for over a decade, and has been caught once again. Bailey’s father is convinced his son did not commit the crime. (No $#!+.) He hires Kinsey to investigate the 17-year-old case in the hopes that she can exonerate Bailey, but Bailey continues to behave like a guilty suspect and Bailey’s parents are both deathly ill, like on their collective deathbeds deathly ill. This novel is one of the more intimate ones as Kinsey leaves her usual stomping grounds of Santa Teresa for Floral Beach to stay in a hotel with a family that is so dysfunctional that she longs for a return to orphan-hood. I really enjoyed this one, although I think you can figure out the killer pretty damn easy in this one.
May 9, 2020
This is book 6 of the Kinsey Millhone series. I also have reviews of several of the other books in this series. The main person we follow in this book is Kinsey who is a PI. This is my favorite of the Kinsey series so far. Someone hirer Kinsey to prove his son did not kill the person he as been arrested from their death. I cannot say much more then that without giving away to much. I do think if you do not care about following much is happening to Kinsey you can read these books out of order.
September 15, 2018
Yet another rough ride for Kinsey. I love the way Kinsey manages to pick, pick, pick away uncovering those dirty little secrets in this small town story. Sex, jealousy, scapegoating, insanity, murder- you know- the usual!
April 8, 2025
Royce Fowler, of Floral Beach, approached PI Kinsey Millhone to prove his son, Bailey, wasn't guilty of the death of a young woman some seventeen years prior. Royce was dying and he knew his son was innocent; wanted the proof before he died. Kinsey arrived in Floral Beach, to stay in Royce's motel for the duration, and began her investigation. What immediately came to light was that half the town, if not more, had secrets from back then. Would Kinsey be able to break through the reticence of the townsfolk to find the truth?
is the 6th in the Kinsey Millhone series by and once again, I enjoyed it. Kinsey is a determined character, and often does some silly things which put her in danger - but she always gets results! Looking forward to my next in the series. Recommended.
is the 6th in the Kinsey Millhone series by and once again, I enjoyed it. Kinsey is a determined character, and often does some silly things which put her in danger - but she always gets results! Looking forward to my next in the series. Recommended.
March 9, 2023
3 Stars. Good but not as exciting as a few of the previous ones. I love the character of Kinsey Millhone and author Sue Grafton's descriptions of the 1980s; that's why I'm following them to the end of the line. We open "F" with our loner-of-a-sleuth in the town of Floral Beach, 90 minutes up the California coast from Santa Teresa. She's been hired by Royce Fowler, the father of Bailey Fowler who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter almost 2 decades ago. Royce even provides her free accommodation at his Ocean Street Motel in Floral Beach while she investigates! You've surely visited it's duplicate somewhere - with out-of-date furniture and an unforgettable mustiness. His son Bailey, who escaped from custody years ago, has just been re-captured. Royce is very ill and hopes to clear his son's name despite that guilty plea so long ago. Most of the locals who remember those times are sure the law got it right and don't want to reopen the can of worms. Does the key rest with victim Jean Timberlake, only 17 when she died, her friends, her family, and her numerous male acquaintances? It's a challenge. Kinsey's good for it. (November 2021)
March 18, 2018
Mayday, Mayday, Kinsey Millhone is in mortal peril.
Again.
This was not my favorite installment in the series, although I still found it enjoyable. Kinsey spends most of this book away from home, where her apartment has been destroyed by a bomb in the E is for Evidence.
At the beginning of F is for Fugitive, Bailey Fowler has been captured after decades on the lam. He escaped shortly after pleading guilty to a lesser form of murder in the death of his friend, Jean Timberlake, who was also reviled as the town floozy at the ripe young age of 17. Kinsey is hired by Bailey's father to clear Bailey's name after all this time.
Sue Grafton appears to have rather bleak outlook on humanity. Most of the characters in this book are a mess, and the entire Fowler family is flat out batshit crazy. We have Ann, the long-suffering daughter, who has been caring for her fucked up parents since Bailey disappeared. We have Royce, the patriarch, who is dying, but who is also just sort of a shitty person. We have the mother, Oribelle Fowler, who is a narcissistic hypochondriac. I might have killed her myself, given half a chance.
In addition, every adult male in the town seems to have been sexually abusing Jean Timberlake before her death, and no one really seems interested in actually solving the case. Probably because they are afraid that, when the truth comes out, their dark secret will be exposed. All in all, they're a bunch of fucking assholes who belong in jail.
This book has, in that sense, not aged well. It was published in 1983, and is a microcosm of 1980's rape culture and attitudes towards adult men who had sex with teenaged girls.
Which was:
Gather round, kittens, and let me tell you a tale of 1984, the year of my high school graduation. In that time, grown men who had sex with teenaged girls called them "affairs" and figured that it was fine, since the girl was prolly a slut anyway.
In fact, I had a 40-something social studies teacher who divorced his appropriately aged wife so that he could marry the 18 year old student that he had unquestionably been sexually abusing before she turned 18. This was an epic scandal, as one might have expected, and there was much drama that resulted. Everyone in school new that they'd been knocking it out since she was a junior, but the administration decided to buy the convenient fiction that they fell in love after she graduated.
Mmmmm.hmmmm.
Not only did he not lose his job, he and his "new wife," a graduate of the class of 1982, "chaperoned" my senior trip to Europe. As one might have expected, he was so involved in having bangin' early-twenties sex with the hot new wife, that they barely left the hotel room. The rest of us happily ran wild throughout various European cities. I'm horrified looking back on it - but at the time, I thought he was the "cool teacher," b/c he could really relate to us teenagers.
Jesus Fucking H. Christ on a Popsicle Stick, it still makes me sick.
Anyway, back to the book. The identity of the killer is...not very convincing. And Kinsey almost dies. Again.
Again.
This was not my favorite installment in the series, although I still found it enjoyable. Kinsey spends most of this book away from home, where her apartment has been destroyed by a bomb in the E is for Evidence.
At the beginning of F is for Fugitive, Bailey Fowler has been captured after decades on the lam. He escaped shortly after pleading guilty to a lesser form of murder in the death of his friend, Jean Timberlake, who was also reviled as the town floozy at the ripe young age of 17. Kinsey is hired by Bailey's father to clear Bailey's name after all this time.
Sue Grafton appears to have rather bleak outlook on humanity. Most of the characters in this book are a mess, and the entire Fowler family is flat out batshit crazy. We have Ann, the long-suffering daughter, who has been caring for her fucked up parents since Bailey disappeared. We have Royce, the patriarch, who is dying, but who is also just sort of a shitty person. We have the mother, Oribelle Fowler, who is a narcissistic hypochondriac. I might have killed her myself, given half a chance.
In addition, every adult male in the town seems to have been sexually abusing Jean Timberlake before her death, and no one really seems interested in actually solving the case. Probably because they are afraid that, when the truth comes out, their dark secret will be exposed. All in all, they're a bunch of fucking assholes who belong in jail.
This book has, in that sense, not aged well. It was published in 1983, and is a microcosm of 1980's rape culture and attitudes towards adult men who had sex with teenaged girls.
Which was:
Gather round, kittens, and let me tell you a tale of 1984, the year of my high school graduation. In that time, grown men who had sex with teenaged girls called them "affairs" and figured that it was fine, since the girl was prolly a slut anyway.
In fact, I had a 40-something social studies teacher who divorced his appropriately aged wife so that he could marry the 18 year old student that he had unquestionably been sexually abusing before she turned 18. This was an epic scandal, as one might have expected, and there was much drama that resulted. Everyone in school new that they'd been knocking it out since she was a junior, but the administration decided to buy the convenient fiction that they fell in love after she graduated.
Mmmmm.hmmmm.
Not only did he not lose his job, he and his "new wife," a graduate of the class of 1982, "chaperoned" my senior trip to Europe. As one might have expected, he was so involved in having bangin' early-twenties sex with the hot new wife, that they barely left the hotel room. The rest of us happily ran wild throughout various European cities. I'm horrified looking back on it - but at the time, I thought he was the "cool teacher," b/c he could really relate to us teenagers.
Jesus Fucking H. Christ on a Popsicle Stick, it still makes me sick.
Anyway, back to the book. The identity of the killer is...not very convincing. And Kinsey almost dies. Again.
July 3, 2017
I loved this story and it is probably because I have a soft spot for cold case mysteries. The other reason this is a great story is because Kinsey is complete left to her resources. Her support system is non-existent because her client isn’t in good health to help her and Grafton takes the story out of Santa Theresa.
The reader gets a really good feel for just how observant Kinsey is of the people around her. Grafton brings this out as Kinsey is describing the people, the family dynamics and the community culture. With no one to really talk to the only hint as to how Kinsey’s mind is working is through these observations and it emphasizes just why Kinsey makes a good detective.
The case is engaging and the supporting characters make great suspects as Kinsey works through the process of trying to find out who killed Jean Timberlake and hopefully free Bailey Fowler. Reading the story also helps bring into reality that fact Kinsey didn’t really have a true family growing up as she interacts with the Fowler family.
As usual Judy Kaye continues to excel as the voice of Kinsey Millhone.
The reader gets a really good feel for just how observant Kinsey is of the people around her. Grafton brings this out as Kinsey is describing the people, the family dynamics and the community culture. With no one to really talk to the only hint as to how Kinsey’s mind is working is through these observations and it emphasizes just why Kinsey makes a good detective.
The case is engaging and the supporting characters make great suspects as Kinsey works through the process of trying to find out who killed Jean Timberlake and hopefully free Bailey Fowler. Reading the story also helps bring into reality that fact Kinsey didn’t really have a true family growing up as she interacts with the Fowler family.
As usual Judy Kaye continues to excel as the voice of Kinsey Millhone.
January 3, 2024
Kinsey Millhone has taken her hunt for the killer of Jean Timberlake to Floral Beach CA. The fugitive is Bailey Fowler who escaped from prison for the killing that happened over a decade ago.
There are many bodies that end up dead along the way, the question is if Bailey is responsible for them or somebody else.
As usual, the best part of this Audiobook was the humor that Kinsey brings to it.
Quick read and easy to follow.
There are many bodies that end up dead along the way, the question is if Bailey is responsible for them or somebody else.
As usual, the best part of this Audiobook was the humor that Kinsey brings to it.
Quick read and easy to follow.
June 13, 2014
Great story for Kinsey. Didn't include the regular locale or any of the regular characters other than Kinsey.
Mostly, I was weirded out that for the first time in the series Sue Grafton didn't mention bougainvillea. Strange!!!
Mostly, I was weirded out that for the first time in the series Sue Grafton didn't mention bougainvillea. Strange!!!
October 15, 2022
F is for Fugitive (Kinsey Millhone, #6) by Sue Grafton. CD
My advice to you is don't let this book pass you by. The best yet in this series. I could not stop listening to it.
A murdered young woman is found on Floral Beach. That wild child Jean Timberlake, but what was behind that wildness? Bailey Fowler had confessed to Jean's murder and served his time. Then he was gone from Floral Beach.
Just as suddenly as he had disappeared Bailey Fowler is nabbed by the cops. His Father, Royce Fowler, calls on Kinsey to investigate in an effort to mend old wounds between himself and his son. Royce is a dying man and there isn't much time for this long buried murder to be solved. Solved? Everyone in Floral Beach thought it was solved. That's when another murder is discovered.
I love the way S.G. blends humor in Kinsey's detecting. Then there's the fights Kinsey finds herself involved in! Brawls is more like it. This book was the best of the best. File it under my favorites.
My advice to you is don't let this book pass you by. The best yet in this series. I could not stop listening to it.
A murdered young woman is found on Floral Beach. That wild child Jean Timberlake, but what was behind that wildness? Bailey Fowler had confessed to Jean's murder and served his time. Then he was gone from Floral Beach.
Just as suddenly as he had disappeared Bailey Fowler is nabbed by the cops. His Father, Royce Fowler, calls on Kinsey to investigate in an effort to mend old wounds between himself and his son. Royce is a dying man and there isn't much time for this long buried murder to be solved. Solved? Everyone in Floral Beach thought it was solved. That's when another murder is discovered.
I love the way S.G. blends humor in Kinsey's detecting. Then there's the fights Kinsey finds herself involved in! Brawls is more like it. This book was the best of the best. File it under my favorites.
December 2, 2024
4.25 stars
November 25, 2017
F is for Fugitive has Kinsey living with Henry after a bomb blew her home up and left his main house slightly damaged. Kinsey is feeling hemmed in and takes a case that has her living with a family that hires her in Floral Beach. Kinsey is hired by the Fowler family to clear the son (Bailey) since his father doesn't believe Bailey killed his young girlfriend 17 years ago.
Having Kinsey in a new location could have been interesting, but I felt claustrophobic while reading this. The Fowler family was a mess. Time and time again I wondered how Kinsey didn't lose her mind. She barely has any contact with any of her friends from Santa Teresa so Kinsey is forced to make friends at Floral Beach. I was pretty annoyed that Grafton doesn't really let us get a good sense of Bailey. We have her interacting a lot with the other Fowler's though. And the dead girl (Jean Timberlake) I felt sorry for when you find out her history and how she was used by older men.
The town was really small too so Kinsey doesn't have that many suspects to choose from. Even when I read this years ago I guessed the killer just because it was the only person that made sense. I realize now that the culprit's motive is similar to the culprit in Q is for Quarry.
The writing was okay, but the ending was a let down. It just didn't make a lot of sense and the motive was lame as anything I thought. The flow was up and down due to some more deaths and an unexpected jail escape.
The ending has Kinsey glad to get out of Floral Beach and return to Henry.
Having Kinsey in a new location could have been interesting, but I felt claustrophobic while reading this. The Fowler family was a mess. Time and time again I wondered how Kinsey didn't lose her mind. She barely has any contact with any of her friends from Santa Teresa so Kinsey is forced to make friends at Floral Beach. I was pretty annoyed that Grafton doesn't really let us get a good sense of Bailey. We have her interacting a lot with the other Fowler's though. And the dead girl (Jean Timberlake) I felt sorry for when you find out her history and how she was used by older men.
The town was really small too so Kinsey doesn't have that many suspects to choose from. Even when I read this years ago I guessed the killer just because it was the only person that made sense. I realize now that the culprit's motive is similar to the culprit in Q is for Quarry.
The writing was okay, but the ending was a let down. It just didn't make a lot of sense and the motive was lame as anything I thought. The flow was up and down due to some more deaths and an unexpected jail escape.
The ending has Kinsey glad to get out of Floral Beach and return to Henry.
January 25, 2018
Kinsey Millhone takes the case of helping an old man clear his son's name. The son was convicted of murder seventeen years prior, but escaped shortly after going to prison. He has been in hiding, but when he is found, the old case if brought back to light. He says he didn't do it, and it's Kinsey's job to find who did.
The 6th Kinsey Millhone book in Grafton's alphabet series. This Kinsey book was a little different because it wasn't based in Santa Teresa. I liked that this one took Kinsey away from her home, and introduced her to a small town atmosphere. The small town made her case more challenging, since everyone knew everyone else, and nobody wanted to be telling secrets to an outsider. I also liked the cold-case aspect of this story. Kinsey had to rely on what others told her, and since not everyone was truthful, it made her rely on her instincts.
I listened to an audio version of this book.
The 6th Kinsey Millhone book in Grafton's alphabet series. This Kinsey book was a little different because it wasn't based in Santa Teresa. I liked that this one took Kinsey away from her home, and introduced her to a small town atmosphere. The small town made her case more challenging, since everyone knew everyone else, and nobody wanted to be telling secrets to an outsider. I also liked the cold-case aspect of this story. Kinsey had to rely on what others told her, and since not everyone was truthful, it made her rely on her instincts.
I listened to an audio version of this book.
August 4, 2019
This is classic Kinsey Milhone. Well done!
June 17, 2023
3.5 stars. I’m enjoying rereading this series, which Sue Grafton started writing in the 80s. I love the characters and the humor throughout. The early books are narrated by Mary Pfeiffer, who has the perfect voice for Kinsey, the PI. This isn’t my favorite of the series, but I enjoyed it.
March 2, 2020
One of the best so far.
February 6, 2017
Seventeen years ago, the murder of a teen shocked the small community of Floral Beach. The young man who confessed to the crime broke out of prison a year later, but he’s been recaptured and Kinsey has been hired to prove his innocence. With the trails cold, she has her work cut out for her, and it seems everyone in town is hiding a secret. Can she learn the truth of what happened all those years ago?
One again, we are off on a wild ride that only gets wilder as we go along. Since we spend almost the entire book outside of Kinsey’s normal stomping grounds, the cast of characters are all new, and they are fantastic. Everything comes together for a great and logical ending, and I’m curious to see how the growth Kinsey experienced here will translate in the next in the series.
Read my full review at .
One again, we are off on a wild ride that only gets wilder as we go along. Since we spend almost the entire book outside of Kinsey’s normal stomping grounds, the cast of characters are all new, and they are fantastic. Everything comes together for a great and logical ending, and I’m curious to see how the growth Kinsey experienced here will translate in the next in the series.
Read my full review at .
February 5, 2023
Definitely one of the better mysteries of the series thus far. The story itself was entertaining if thoroughly unoriginal. I have to say that Kinsey is a pretty incompetent PI and really does nothing in the story except witness the mysteries solve themselves around her. Also, the self-righteous condemning of Fathers at the end of the book was unnecessary and annoying.
3.5/5
3.5/5
October 30, 2021
Definitely a good mystery when you guess the whodunnit but you're not mad about it.
Probably around the midway point, there was a scene where I stopped reading and sat up with a look on my face probably something like 🤔 and I was like…I bet they did it! Then I got even more eager to keep reading to see if I was right, and when it turned out I was, it made me think I should change careers and become a PI.
Except LOL not really because 1) I have a job, not a career, and 2) LOLOLOLOLOLOL
I really liked the pacing of this one, and even though I did figure it out, there were a few good red herrings thrown in that could've totally ended up being right. Kinsey comes across some…colorful characters, and I liked seeing how she tried to slot them into her mental map of the crimes. I also loved that it took us out of Santa Teresa and up to the San Luis Obispo area, where I used to spend a lot of time and definitely have some nostalgia for (though not for the person who drew me there, ahem). I'm pretty sure Floral Beach is fictional, but it easily could be a shrunken-down stand-in for Grover Beach. Grafton is as usual terrific with setting the scene, and nailed the "slightly odd small town" vibes.
There were a few genuine laugh lines, although, as usual, we also get a number of rude descriptions of people's looks and weight from Kinsey. I really wish I could go back to time and have a body positivity chitchat with the author. There's a scene where Kinsey is getting the crap beat out of her by someone wielding a tennis racket and I was like…I'm not 1000% upset by this.
One of my faves of the series so far, though!
Probably around the midway point, there was a scene where I stopped reading and sat up with a look on my face probably something like 🤔 and I was like…I bet they did it! Then I got even more eager to keep reading to see if I was right, and when it turned out I was, it made me think I should change careers and become a PI.
Except LOL not really because 1) I have a job, not a career, and 2) LOLOLOLOLOLOL
I really liked the pacing of this one, and even though I did figure it out, there were a few good red herrings thrown in that could've totally ended up being right. Kinsey comes across some…colorful characters, and I liked seeing how she tried to slot them into her mental map of the crimes. I also loved that it took us out of Santa Teresa and up to the San Luis Obispo area, where I used to spend a lot of time and definitely have some nostalgia for (though not for the person who drew me there, ahem). I'm pretty sure Floral Beach is fictional, but it easily could be a shrunken-down stand-in for Grover Beach. Grafton is as usual terrific with setting the scene, and nailed the "slightly odd small town" vibes.
There were a few genuine laugh lines, although, as usual, we also get a number of rude descriptions of people's looks and weight from Kinsey. I really wish I could go back to time and have a body positivity chitchat with the author. There's a scene where Kinsey is getting the crap beat out of her by someone wielding a tennis racket and I was like…I'm not 1000% upset by this.
One of my faves of the series so far, though!
June 12, 2016
For book that's just over 250 pages it seems to have taken me quite a long time to read it. Because I ground to a halt for a while. Distracted by other things and in the midst of a reading slump. But I powered through today and pretty much read half of it.
Kinsey is employed by the father of a man who was arrested for killing his high school girlfriend (who was pregnant) 17 years earlier, but he went on the run. Now Bailey Fowler has been caught and his father Royce wants to prove he didn't do it.
Of course he didn't - otherwise what would be the point of the book?
The book helps you see just how messed up some families can be - as well as some small towns. Bailey doesn't really feature much at all. It's mainly a case of Kinsey trying to find out who Jean's (the victims) father was and also who the father of Jean's baby was. There's a subplot about the money that Bailey and his best friend got from a couple of armed robberies and had given to Jean to hold (which of course went missing when Jean was killed).
I'm warming to Kinsey - the actual killer played some mind games with her, she was also running on virtually no sleep - but she got there in the end.
Good story.
Kinsey is employed by the father of a man who was arrested for killing his high school girlfriend (who was pregnant) 17 years earlier, but he went on the run. Now Bailey Fowler has been caught and his father Royce wants to prove he didn't do it.
Of course he didn't - otherwise what would be the point of the book?
The book helps you see just how messed up some families can be - as well as some small towns. Bailey doesn't really feature much at all. It's mainly a case of Kinsey trying to find out who Jean's (the victims) father was and also who the father of Jean's baby was. There's a subplot about the money that Bailey and his best friend got from a couple of armed robberies and had given to Jean to hold (which of course went missing when Jean was killed).
I'm warming to Kinsey - the actual killer played some mind games with her, she was also running on virtually no sleep - but she got there in the end.
Good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2021
3.5 Stars
I've read a few books from the series and liked them enough. It took a few pages to get back on track, but soon I was reading and skimming through with practiced ease (the author spends way too much time on things that sometimes don't matter).
The plot is pretty much in her style, and it was a decent read that kept me engaged most of the time. The mystery is neither too complex nor straightforward. Thankfully, it doesn't have that 'twist' at the end.
Going back to familiar authors does give the breather one needs.
I've read a few books from the series and liked them enough. It took a few pages to get back on track, but soon I was reading and skimming through with practiced ease (the author spends way too much time on things that sometimes don't matter).
The plot is pretty much in her style, and it was a decent read that kept me engaged most of the time. The mystery is neither too complex nor straightforward. Thankfully, it doesn't have that 'twist' at the end.
Going back to familiar authors does give the breather one needs.
April 6, 2020
In an insular small town, Kinsey is employed by a dying old man to prove the innocence of his son for a murder in the past. More Kinsey averageness, I'm afraid. 4 out of 12.
June 21, 2009
One of my favorite Grafton books...
August 28, 2023
Restaurants used to have smoking and non-smoking sections. It's all coming back to me now, how it was.
Bonus points for this installation of the series taking place in a town my where my in-laws used to live, which I recognized from the distinctive hotel described in the book, at which I have actually stayed. Ha!
This was delightful, and claustrophobic, graphic and unexpected, and I really dug it.
Kinsey's a spectacular wild hedgehog of a human being, but what really blew me away was that usually when an author makes a home for their series in one particular town, and really goes in on that town, any book they write in a different place is somehow seriously less than. This is not the case here. Grafton was as at home in Floral Beach as she was in Santa Barbesa.
Delicious, with that weird gummy taste you get in your mouth after you drink a Fruit Punch-flavored Capri Sun.
Bonus points for this installation of the series taking place in a town my where my in-laws used to live, which I recognized from the distinctive hotel described in the book, at which I have actually stayed. Ha!
This was delightful, and claustrophobic, graphic and unexpected, and I really dug it.
Kinsey's a spectacular wild hedgehog of a human being, but what really blew me away was that usually when an author makes a home for their series in one particular town, and really goes in on that town, any book they write in a different place is somehow seriously less than. This is not the case here. Grafton was as at home in Floral Beach as she was in Santa Barbesa.
Delicious, with that weird gummy taste you get in your mouth after you drink a Fruit Punch-flavored Capri Sun.
July 31, 2024
The ending got me as usual, with a delightful twist that was perfectly executed. But the rest of this particular mystery seemed sloppy, with a massive cast of characters that were all important but who I could never keep straight, which made it hard to follow the investigation. Kinsey was also particularly mean in her inner commentary in this book. Normally I like her judgmental comments as she evaluates people, but in this book she was especially cruel, mostly towards fat people. Lots and lots of intense scorn about people being fat. I also though the portrayal of her PTSD was inconsistent and strange.
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