Rating: 
Summary: THIS JUST IN: KINSEY MILLHONE LOSES HER VOICE!
Review: I just read L through P in one week. L through O were well told, light, funny, witty and worth the dollars I paid for each of them at the used book store. But P is for Peril marks the first book by Grafton at her new publisher. Grafton evidently forgot to cart along her former editor, who was largely responsible for Kinsey's quirky voice and character. In P is for Peril, Kinsey has lost her voice completely. Grafton has drafted someone new to fill the vast void the last editor filled so well. The voice is now serious, stilted and silly at best. The old Milhone is sorely missed, having died in O. O is for Oh, my, goodness, please bring back Kinsey! P is for Presposterous! Sue evidently has followed the old Lawrence Sanders suit (he had some flunky named Vincent write drivel in Sanders' name) and left the writing to some underling whose voice in no way mirrors Grafton's witty, light and clever one. Goodbye, Sue. You lost a once-dedicated fan....
Rating: 
Summary: Danger lurking ???
Review: I have loved reading Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell. In Point of origin (Cornwell) she started to deviate from her normal m.o. Since then, it has been downhill with each novel. While I liked this novel, it also lacked in some common areas. Kinsey really didn't give a flip about her case. She didn't end with her usual report (but Fiona didn't really require one). So maybe we'll be okay. Pace is slow at times, some interesting things happen outside of her case. Overall, just a good book hoping the next one is better!
Rating: 
Summary: A far cry from her usual level of entertainment...
Review: If this is what Otto Penzsler feels is "non-stop action," I'm going to have to pay less attention to his reviews. I agree with Amazon's review, which refers to the "plodding pace." I could barely finish this book, and wouldn't have if it weren't Sue Grafton. The plot was so thin I figured it out immediately, and it was so easy to see through Mariah that I couldn't believe Grafton had the nerve to make it so obvious. I have greatly enjoyed all the books in the series up until now, but in my opinion, this is by far the worst. Very difficult to care about any of the colorless characters, and I found it hard to like even Kinsey in this book. If this were Grafton's first novel in the series it would go nowhere. Sorry, Sue!
Rating:
Summary: ending? what ending?
Review: Until i read the reviews on amazon.com, i thought i had purchased a defective book, i even went as far as returning to the book store that i purchased it from to look through all the other "P" is for Perils to see if pages were missing!!!!! i am a huge sue grafton and kinsey milhone fan, but i was major dissapointed in this book. i brought this book on vacation with me because i wanted a "light" and enjoyable read, and i got it until the ending. Sue, you have let me down (too bad you can't refund me my money!!!).
Rating: 
Summary: Tedious Details Almost Killed This Story
Review: Perhaps Grafton is trying to make Kinsey Millhone seem more human by sharing the endless little details of her life with the reader. It isn't working for me. Do we really need to know Kinsey stops in the ladies room before keeping an appointment with an acquaintance of the missing man? Or the minute details of her exercise routine? There was, what seemed to be, a jarring inconsistency early on when Kinsey visits the home of Joel Glazer. "Shafts of sunlight formed geometric patterns on the smooth tile floor". The day had been described as dark and rainy before and after the visit. I realize the sun sometimes breaks through on a cloudy day, but that was not the impression that was given. Despite the tedious details and inconsistencies, I wanted to learn what had happened to Dr. Purcell and that kept me turning the pages. I was rewarded with more action and fewer details in the second half of the book. Unlike a few other reviewers here, I thought the ending was neat, tidy and satisfying. This wasn't one of Grafton's best efforts, but it was not her worst either.
Rating: 
Summary: P is for Phenomenal
Review: Alright, I've seen commentaires posted on the Sue Grafton website, here on Amazon, and in other reviews about the ending, and I have to say that's it is quite interesting to see the reaction. I guess society has been dumbed down by having every single little detail tied up and explained with all but diagrams and pictures. The ending is not hard to figure out. And if you can't find the motive for the killer, well, that's maybe because you're overlooking the obvious one, and that no one really knows another's motives. That's what makes a mystery a mystery. I don't mean to sound obnoxious, and I'll try not to sound like an overbearing jerk with this review. But honestly, people, it's an ending that you have to infer for yourself. If you know that upfront, then you won't be surprised by the ending. This is one of the best books in the series, because it established mood perfectly, character development wonderfully, and balances an array of subplots to go with it. Only an experienced writer can do that. And for regulars of the series: this book is VERY DIFFERENT FROM PAST BOOKS! In fact, since "N is for Noose," which also got undeserved criticism, Sue Grafton has turned out three books that are different, fantastic, and intriguing, showing signs that her series is just hitting its stridge, despite popular belief. Kinsey Millhone is the best written mystery protagonist of the late twentieth century (moving into the twenty-first) for the reason that with each book she grows and matures. Long-time fans refer to her as a real person. That takes talent. Kinsey is just as funny, insightful, and self-deprecating as usual in this book. I don't know why reviewers have missed the dry wit starting from page one. I won't give any plot pretexts away except to say that towards the end, there are (count 'em) four conclusions. That's right: four different plots and subplots conclude and end by the book's last page. There's a lot going on in this novel and it's easy to miss the high points and the clues. It's not a hard read compared to, oh let's say, "Morality Play." But it's not Janet Evanovich or Robert B. Parker. These fine authors write mystery lite and are pretty good at it, although in recent books, they are recycling plot lines and twists with new book covers. But Sue Grafton has promised never to repeat a storyline and she hasn't. Kudos for her, because frankly, I won't pick up another Steven Wommack or Lawrence Block, because I know exactly what I'm going to get. With Grafton, I never know. This book is not for everyone. If you want a lazy summer read with no demands for thought, then don't read this book. If you want a spelled out conclusion right down to the very last word, then don't read this book. But if you want a mystery that's different, exciting, and utterly complicated, then "P" is just the story you're looking for. I am eagerly awaiting for "Q" and can't wait to see what Sue will surprise me with next.
Rating:
Summary: Minding My P's -- Waiting for my Qs
Review: As number 234 of 2,873 people on the waiting list for this book at my local library I was excited when I got the call it had come in and laughed when I was told I only had two weeks to read it -- I knew a Grafton mystery was a "can't put down" book and as usual I had it read in two days -- sneaking in a little work here and there. Although I thought the secondary plot was more interestingthan the primary plot I found the ending to be WONDERFU L and surprising. You really had to think about it and it left you with a feeling of mystery and, of course, peril. Some how I know there will be more to this story in the next book. It is a fast and fun read and if nothing else it has one of the funniest "sex" scenes I've read in a book.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down.
Review: I am surprised by some of the less than positive reviews of "P is for Peril". I was thrilled to get back in touch with Kinsey and couldn't put the book down. Two mysteries going on at once - one interesting and one making me a nervous break for Kinsey's safety. A surprise your "stomach drops" ending. Another winner in my book.
Rating:
Summary: P is for Pass
Review: This book was very disappointing. If you are considering purchasing it I would reccommend that you "Pass" on this one. Though I like Kinsey, this story feels old and tired. Not strong in the mystery department, and no interestering characters.
Rating:
Summary: P is not perfect
Review: Having read all the other letters in this series, I was eager to get my hands on this one. But I was terribly disappointed. The plot was less than creative. The amount of material provided on the medical profession slowed it to a snail's pace. The sub plot, which dealt with two handsome brothers was far more interesting but under developed. Perhaps because "O is for Outlaw" was such an excellent novel that this suffers in comparison. I recommend allowing the 'P' to remain silent and wait for 'R'
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