Y is for Yesterday

Is the title of the latest and final book in the “Alphabet” series of crime novels. Alphabet because the titles are in alphabetical order of format A is for Alibi, B is for burglar ……etc. Sue Grafton is the author of the series.. I have enjoyed these books almost from the start. The books are standalone novels which feature Kinsey Millhone, a female private detective. The books are set in 70’s and 80’s California and are set in chronological time but at about a quarter of the rate of real time. This means all of the books lie within that timespan.

The books are set in fictional Santa Teresa but this is based very much on Santa Barbara. The analogy is so close that even the street where Kinsey lives can be identified. The series has a devoted following and a book was written “G is for Grafton” part way through which identifies much about the locations and other details.

While the plots are quite good and have become more convoluted as the series has progressed for me the interest is enhanced by the background characters who have also evolved. While this isn’t quite a story arc ie. an overarching plot covering many books, the detailed characterisation gives the reader the sensation of following Kinsey’s life from the inside.

Kinsey isn’t a typical hardbitten private investigator in the Chandler/Marlowe sense. In fact her life is rather mundane as she does her laundry, picks books to read,  makes her own meals and searches for parking spots. The meals are often a multi component sandwich  featuring peanut butter and a pickle. For hot food she favours local restaurant  run by Rosie. The food tends to be Hungarian as Rosie is Hungarian herself.

Kinsey’s relationship with Rosie grows organically from her close relationship with landlord , Henry. In an early novel Kinsey is burned out of her original converted garage next to Henry’s house.. Henry who is a spritely 70 plus years is half in love with Kinsey and she with him but the age gap makes a typical relationship impossible. Instead they settle for a close friendship. She is a constant visitor not least to sample the results of Henry’s baking  He is a retired professional baker and he retains his enthusiasm  for baking.  Although she has relationships with men of her own age ( late 20’s early 30’s ) these are the only part of her life not described in detail. Ultimately all become more distant  but she remains constant with Henry. To replace the burnt out  conversion Henry builds a bijou home on the site of the burned out garage: on two levels but extremely compact it is designed to appeal to Kinsey. Clearly its design and construction was an act of love with which Kinsey is delighted.

Henry has two elder brothers, one of whom marries Rosie so the restaurant is a natural for hot meals for Kinsey where Rosie bullies her about her diet. A lot of quiet amusement has been found over the series about Rosie and Henry’s brothers Rosie has no dress sense and tends to the flamboyant. Although all the brothers are hale and hearty, brother William is a hypochondriac often worrying about some imaginary health problem. He also enjoys attending funerals of folks with whom he no connection in life.

Set in effect in Santa Barbara, Sue Grafton makes use of all the real surroundings. After reading the books I feel I know that part of Southern California. The architecture, plants and vista’s are described in detail. Kinsey’s back story emerges over the course of the series. Brought up by an aunt after her parents are killed in an accident she has a self sufficient outlook. Thinking herself without relatives she discovers some, not entirely happily, during the series.

Sadly Sue Grafton died recently. There will never be a Z is .. and Y is for Yesterday ends the series. In Kinsey, although a fictional character, I feel I’ve lost a friend.