U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

A chilling and deeply human mystery where buried memories resurface — and the past refuses to stay forgotten.
 
In April 1988, a young man named Michael Sutton walks into private investigator Kinsey Millhone’s office with a disturbing story. As a child, he believes he witnessed a kidnapping — but he can’t remember where, when, or who was involved. With few clues and decades gone by, Kinsey takes the case, unraveling a web of lies that stretches back to the 1960s. Each new lead brings her closer to a truth that someone will do anything to keep buried.
 
U Is for Undertow is one of Sue Grafton’s most layered and emotionally resonant novels, blending a cold-case investigation with a powerful exploration of memory, family, and identity. Switching between Kinsey’s investigation and flashbacks to the 1960s, Grafton creates a slow-burning suspense that examines how perception and trauma can distort truth.
 
As Kinsey pieces together a mystery rooted in long-forgotten secrets, she also confronts the limits of her own empathy and endurance. With sharp insight and deep compassion, Grafton transforms a simple case into a meditation on guilt, innocence, and the shadows of the past.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A brilliant blend of cold-case mystery and psychological suspense.
One of Grafton’s most emotionally complex Kinsey Millhone novels.
Intertwines multiple timelines and perspectives seamlessly.
Thoughtful exploration of memory, truth, and redemption.
A must-read for fans of intelligent, character-driven mysteries.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Tana French, Louise Penny, and Laura Lippman.
Readers who enjoy investigative fiction with emotional depth.
Book clubs discussing how memory and time shape truth.
Collectors completing the Alphabet Mystery Series.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed U Is for Undertow, you might also like:
T Is for Trespass by Sue Grafton — everyday evil and identity theft.
V Is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton — greed, betrayal, and justice collide.
In the Woods by Tana French — a haunting exploration of memory and crime.