D is For Deadbeat. Finished 9-10-16, rating 4.5/5, mystery, 307 pages, pub. 1987

Book 4 of the Kinsey Millhone series (1-A is for Alibi, 2-B is for Burglar, 3- C is for Corpse)

When Alvin Limardo walks into P.I. Kinsey Millhone’s office, she smells bad news. He wants Kinsey to deliver $25,000. The recipient: A fifteen-year-old boy. It’s a simple matter. So simple that Kinsey wonders why he doesn’t deliver the money himself. She’s almost certain something is off. But with rent due, Kinsey accepts Limardo’s retainer against her better judgment…

When Limardo’s check bounces, Kinsey discovers she’s been had big time. Alvin Limardo is really John Daggett—an ex-con with a drinking problem, two wives to boot, and a slew of people who would like to see him dead. Now Kinsey is out four hundred dollars and in hot pursuit of Daggett.

When Daggett’s corpse shows up floating in the Santa Teresa surf, the cops rule the death an accident. Kinsey thinks it’s murder. But seeking justice for a man who everyone seemed to despise is going to be a lot tougher than she bargained for—and what awaits her at the end of the road is much more disturbing than she could’ve ever imagined…

from Goodreads

This fourth of the series was longer than the others and therefore able to provide more plot and suspects, two things I enjoyed.  I love Kinsey.   She’s independent, tough and flawed (I might even call her a nasty woman).  The only thing about reading this beloved series from the beginning is that they can sometimes feel a little dated. This was published in 1987 so no cell phones, Google or 24 hour news.

I really like this series and while I missed a few of the usual folks I did like the extra-large edition.