In S, Grafton does what she's never done in earlier installments, she presents the story from multiple points of view. Kinsey has been hired by Daisy Sullivan into the disappearance of her mother, Violet - missing since 1953. The chapters vary between Kinsey's point of view, and flashback stories told by the involved people.
Did Violet disappear or did she die? Was she killed? And why? The mystery unfolds slowly and Grafton does a good job of keeping several people in the mix of possible whodunits. There is her husband, Foley, known for physically abusing Violet for years. Chet Cramer, a wealthy upstart owner of the local Chevy dealership who is in a loveless marriage. Tom Padgett, married to an older woman for her money, which she is not sharing with him. And Jake Tanner, who's wife died of cancer in 1953 when Violet disappeared.
All of these actors have their own motivations. There is someone to dislike with relish, the nosy, self important Kathy Kramer. And there are people to root for as well. The book takes a step back from Kinsey's personal life and her relationship with Cheney Phillips as much of the action happens out of Santa Theresa where Kinsey lives. This is a bit disappointing as I'm always looking for Kinsey to grow a bit as a person.
It also is a little discongruent because in R, Kinsey was a bit afraid of her surroundings and events, however in this book, she's back to form. S is more in line with how I've come to expect Kinsey to act in certain situations.
3/5 Stars.
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