Book ~ "F is for Fugitive" (1989) Sue Grafton

From Goodreads ~ 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.

Kinsey Millhone is a private detective in Santa Teresa, CA, and is in her thirties.  She has been hired by Royce Fowler, whose son, Bailey, was arrested 17 years ago for murdering his teenage girlfriend, Jean.  Bailey had escaped from prison shortly thereafter and had been recently found.  Royce, who is dying of cancer, wants Kinsey to find out who the real killer is so Bailey can be released.

As Kinsey begins to investigate, she discovers that Jean had been promiscuous so there are many who could have killed her.  Everyone in the town, though, has no doubt that Bailey killed her except his family.

I thought this book was okay.  I liked the writing style.  It is written in first person perspective in Kinsey's voice.  I didn't find many of the characters likable and since she was out of town for this book, I missed Henry and Rosie.  I was okay with the "whodunnit".  As a head's up, there is swearing.

This is the sixth in the "alphabet series" featuring Kinsey Millhone.  I discovered this series in the mid-1990s and have read them all.  Since the series will soon come to an end (I finished the latest, Y is for Yesterday, a couple weeks ago), I am starting at the beginning and rereading them.  They are all set in the 1980s before everyone had a computer, cell phone, people still smoke in public places, etc.

Book ~ "Playmates" (1989) Robert B. Parker

From Goodreads ~ Spenser smells corruption in a college town. Taft University's hottest basketball star is shaving points for quick cash. All manner of sleaze - from corrupt academics to hoods with graduate degrees - have their fingers in the pot. 

Spenser's search takes him from lecture halls to blue collar bars and finally into a bloody confrontation with almost certain death. But Spenser saves an arrogant young athlete - even though it nearly kills him to do it.

Spenser is a private detective in Boston. When the Taft University school newspaper reports a rumour there is point-shaving going on in the basketball team, Spenser is hired to find out if it's true.  He determines that the star player, Dwayne, is doing just that.

When Spenser confronts Dwayne about it, he discovers that Dwayne is illiterate but has a caring girlfriend.  Rather than turn Dwayne in and ruin his (and the girlfriend's) future, Spenser instead decides to stop the people who are profiting from Dwayne's actions.

This is the sixteenth in the Spenser series (there are currently 46, with the last six written by Ace Atkins after Parker's death in 2010).  I've read many over the years (and have liked the series) and have started reading them from the beginning of the series.  Though it is part of a series, it works as a stand alone.

I thought the story was interesting with Spenser trying to protect a kid who didn't want to be protected, especially after Spenser kept stressing that Dwayne is an adult.  I would have been inclined to let Dwayne take care of himself and accept the consequences of his actions, especially since Dwayne was involved in Spenser almost being killed.  He wasn't grateful for anything Spenser did.

I liked the writing style ... I found it humorous at times.  Spenser is a tough guy with a wisecracking sense of humour.  It's written in first person perspective in Spenser's voice.  As a head's up, there is swearing.

I'm not a fan of Susan, Spenser's love interest ... she has become picky and princessy.  Though Spenser and Susan have been together for about 15 years, they talk like teenagers about their relationship, which I don't find realistic given their age and how long they've been together ... "I love you."  "I love you."  "I love you more."  "No, I love you more."  "I can't imagine my life without you."  "I can't imagine MY life without YOU."