S is for Silence...

[fajrdrako]

I read the latest Kinsey Millhone mystery by Sue Grafton, S is for Silence.

Now, one of the things I have always loved about the Kinsey Millhone mysteries was their use of tight first person narrative. As with Philip Marlowe, Spenser, Falco, and Carlotta Carlyle. And just as Linda Barnes did in the latest Carlotta Carlyle novel, Grafton chose this novel to get out of the strict use of the first person narrative, and intersperse the protagonist's story with chapters in the third person. Now, with Heart of the World, she has chapters in the viewpoint of Carlotta's 'little sister' Paolina. Grafton goes a step further and gives us chapters in the point of view of each of the people in Serena Station in 1953, at the time of the crime that Kinsey is investigation.

Or is it a crime? Daisy Sullivan comes to Carlotta to get her to investigate the disappearance of her mother thirty-four years earlier. Most of the town thinks she was murdered by her husband, Daisy's father, a hard-drinking wife-beater, but no one can prove it. So Kinsey comes to look into the case.

I enjoyed seeing the investigation of an incident so long ago. I didn't so much enjoy the scenes set in 1953 - instead of giving more immediacy about the case or illuminating the vivacious woman who was the focus of the story, it made things more confusing, gave us too many characters (past and present) and too many motives. I enjoyed it as I enjoyed all the Grafton novels, but I'd have been happier if we'd only had Kinsey's point of view.

Comments

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

Did you read that in a day too? You put me to shame! I was so proud to have read Glass Castle in FOUR days @ 200+ pages, lol.

PS, those Grafton books go quickly at the library. I'm not really into mysteries so I've never bothered with them. Plus I'm generally suspicious of books that patrons like. It just couldn't actually be good, then, if old ladies are all over it, lolol.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Hey, I resemble that remark!

I started the Sue Grafton novel on Tuesday or so, but didn't have much time to read it during the week, so I read most of it on Saturday.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

heh.

I know I constantly bombard you with my illness remarks, but I swear to god, I've been just dandy and then this morning I felt so sick to my stomach I wretched in the bathroom, felt great the rest of the day (good enough to exercise) and then a few hours ago I felt sick again, and now I've spent the evening in the bathroom!

It's driving me CRAZY! How are these random digestive issues happening to me?! I mentioned them to my doctor and she didn't seem too concerned. Errrgh!!! *is confused*

I say this as a person who rarely throws up or gets sick to my stomach, so usually when it happened it meant something serious coming on, but of late it's been totally random and then I'll be fine. I'm so confused. And now I'm going back to the bathroom LOL.

/ spamming your journal with grossness

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I thought that icon said 'the lord,' and I was all marveling with trepidation.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Weird thing to happen. Let's hope it just goes away and never comes back! As long as you're fine between times.... But it does sound strange. Are you unusually stressed?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well hey, it's what happens when a hero has godlike powers...!

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure. I spent all night (literally) in the bathroom, vomiting (amongst other things) and still feel nauseous. I called in sick and will see the doctor in a few hours.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

"All night in the bathroom" is not good. That doesn't sound like stress, that sounds to me like a virus. Yuck! I hope the doctor can fix it. Feel better soon.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm thinking virus, especially because I'm still feeling nauseous the next day. It's rare if I throw up and still feel nauseous... usually that means something else is going on.

I hope they can fix it too! At least give me some anti-nauesea medicine so that I don't feel on the verge of constantly dry heaving. ;(

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Gravol will probably work. I can't - or at least shouldn't - take that stuff, except in tiny and minute doses. It makes me high, instantly. (On the other hand, hey, it's cheap and legal...)

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I'm all for being high right now...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's a lot more fun than throwing up!

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

Yes! Yes, I bet it is!

She said I had a virus, that it was gastro-something, but I already seemed on the mend, that I felt hungry was a good sign (she told me to eat crackers, and drink gatorade, and water of course). That I was no longer vomiting (particuarly the water) was a good sign as well.

She said I didn't look dehydrated, which was also good and meant I had kept drinking despite being ill. She told me to call her if it keeps up or resurfaces in a week.

So no medicine, but I have crackers. :p I don't feel as nauseous now, so I guess it's good. I'm just going to lie around today (no work, no school) and hopefully I will be better for tomorrow.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Crackers are not bad, as medicines go. They don't taste foul. And if you're hungry, you're probably on the mend.

Lying around sounds really good, especially once the vomiting part is over and you can enjoy books, music and DVDs.