F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton

7^th April 2023.

In the sixth novel of the series, Kinsey’s hired to find out who killed Jean Timberlake seventeen years ago in Floral Beach. Bailey Fowler, her boyfriend at the time, was convicted of her murder, but escaped gaol soon after. Now he’s been caught and Bailey’s father wants Kinsey to find the real killer.

In a small, tight knit community, convinced of Bailey’s guilt, it’s not going to be easy for Kinsey. From almost the moment she arrives at the Fowler’s hotel, she’s subjected to intimidating phone calls. Naturally, the residents are reluctant to help, more so when Bailey’s friend springs him from the courtroom, getting shot in the process.

On the run once more, Bailey fears for his life and refuses to hand himself in, leaving Kinsey to piece together what happened on the beach all those year ago.

It’s another gritty, well-paced outing for the private investigator that never stops digging. Though on unfamiliar territory, her trademark humour, acerbic observations and gutsy investigation soon unveils some of the secrets residents want to hide. As the suspects increase in number, the pace quickens for a thrilling climax where Kinsey’s life is once more on the line.

This novel shows why Kinsey Millhone was so popular on its release in the 1980s and remains so today. Without the internet, mobile phones and social media, this is straightforward, honest sleuthing with attitude. Wonderful!

Description

When Kinsey Millhone first arrives in Floral Beach, California, it’s hard for her to picture the idyllic coastal town as the setting of a brutal murder. Seventeen years ago, the body of Jean Timberlake–a troubled teen who had a reputation with the boys–was found on the beach. Her boyfriend Bailey Fowler was convicted of her murder and imprisoned, but he escaped.

After all this time, Bailey’s finally been captured. Believing in his son’s innocence, Bailey’s father wants Kinsey to find Jean’s real killer. But most of the residents in this tight-knit community are convinced Bailey strangled Jean. So why are they so reluctant to answer Kinsey’s questions? If there’s one thing Kinsey’s got plenty of it’s persistence. And that’s exactly what it’s going to take to crack the lid on this case.

As Kinsey gets closer to solving Jean’s murder, the more dirty little secrets she uncovers in a town where everyone has something to hide–and a killer will kill again to keep the past buried…