A brilliant, slow-burning Kinsey Millhone mystery where deception hides in plain sight — and justice demands a closer look.
 
Private investigator Kinsey Millhone is juggling multiple cases: tracking down a missing husband, uncovering a scam artist’s deception, and investigating a series of burglaries that don’t quite add up. But when a clue in an unrelated case leads to the home of a murdered man, Kinsey finds herself pulled into something far darker — a web of greed, vengeance, and manipulation that tests her instincts like never before.
 
In X, Sue Grafton proves once again why her Alphabet Series remains the gold standard of modern detective fiction. Eschewing gimmicks and shocks, Grafton builds tension through detail, character, and quiet dread. Kinsey’s investigation reveals the shadowy side of human nature — from petty cons to sociopathic predators — all set against the vivid backdrop of 1980s California.
 
The novel also gives readers an intimate portrait of Kinsey herself: self-reliant, principled, and increasingly aware of her place in a world that’s changing around her. With razor-sharp prose, moral insight, and understated suspense, X stands among Grafton’s most mature and reflective works — a fitting continuation of her lifelong project to illuminate the gray spaces of justice.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A tightly plotted mystery with multiple intersecting storylines.
Showcases Kinsey’s wit, empathy, and investigative brilliance.
Rich in moral nuance and psychological realism.
Classic Sue Grafton: subtle, suspenseful, and smart.
A must-have for collectors and long-time fans.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Readers who love character-driven detective fiction.
Fans of Louise Penny, Tana French, and Sara Paretsky.
Book clubs exploring ethics, justice, and human behavior.
Collectors completing the Alphabet Mystery Series.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed X, you might also like:
W Is for Wasted by Sue Grafton — compassion meets corruption.
Y Is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton — the powerful final installment.
The Searcher by Tana French — quiet suspense and complex morality.