S and T

S is for Silence, T is for Trespass - novels by Sue Grafton about her private investigator protagonist, Kinsey Millhone, began with A is for Alibi. The two newest entries in the series are fair and good, respectively.

S is for Silence involves Kinsey's investigation of a disappearance that happened back in 1953. She is hired by the woman's daughter, who has suffered for years because she was a young child when her mother "abandoned" her. Now Daisy wants closure - if her mom left voluntarily, or if she didn't. Since mom was a bit of a tramp, some people are sure she ran off with a man - even though no men in the small town vanished when she did. Others think she is dead - and she certainly had plenty of people who had a motive. As a mystery, this book is pretty straightforward and is resolved with a conclusion that is basically satisfying but doesn't "wow".

T is for Trespass is better, only because Kinsey's opponent is so deft, sneaky, and remorseless. When Kinsey's grumpy neighbor Gus has a fall, and his only living relative is on the other coast, arrangements are made for Gus to have in-home care. His nurse/companion, however, is in the business of working for elderly people without a support system only to bleed them financially and then kill them off once she has collected what she can. Kinsey is put in danger, and goes through a couple of grotesque experiences before the woman and her hulking son end up getting what they so richly deserve. (Note - if you are bug-phobic, don't read the last chapter right before bed.)