Jump to content

"D" Is for Deadbeat: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Adding local short description: "Novel by Sue Grafton", overriding Wikidata description "novel"
 
(30 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Novel by Sue Grafton}}
{{italic title}}{{Infobox book
{{Infobox book
| name = "D" Is for Deadbeat
| name = "D" Is for Deadbeat
| image = [[File:DIsForDeadbeat.jpg|200px]]
| image = DIsForDeadbeat.jpg
| caption = First edition cover
| image_caption = Cover of the book "D" Is for Deadbeat by [[Sue Grafton]].
| author = [[Sue Grafton]]
| author = [[Sue Grafton]]
| cover_artist =
| cover_artist =
| country = [[United States]]
| country = United States
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = English
| series = Alphabet Mysteries
| series = Alphabet Mysteries
| genre = [[Mystery fiction|Mystery]]
| genre = [[Mystery fiction]]
| publisher = [[Henry Holt and Company]]
| published = 1987 ([[Henry Holt and Company]])
| pub_date = 1987
| media_type =
| media_type = Print ([[Hardcover]])
| pages = 229 first edition
| pages = 229 pp ''(first edition)''
| isbn = 978-0-8050-0248-5
| isbn = 9780805002485
| dewey = 813/.54 19
⚫
| congress = PS3557.R13 D2 1987
| dewey= 813/.54 19
⚫
| congress= PS3557.R13 D2 1987
| oclc = 14413876
| oclc = 14413876
| preceded_by = [["C" Is for Corpse]]
| preceded_by = [["C" Is for Corpse]]
Line 21: Line 21:
}}
}}


'''''"D" Is for Deadbeat''''' is the fourth novel in [[Sue Grafton]]'s "Alphabet" series of mystery novels<ref name="aas1">{{Cite news|work=The Austin American-Statesman |title=Mystery author working her way through the alphabet |date=1994-05-13 |first=Anne |last=Morris |page=D1}}</ref> and features [[Kinsey Millhone]], a private eye based in [[Santa Teresa (fictional city)|Santa Teresa, California]].<ref>{{Cite news|work=Los Angeles Times |title=Southern California's Intrepid Alphabet Sleuth; Sue Grafton's bestselling mysteries--each titled with a different letter--feature her smart-alecky but down-to-earth alter ego, Kinsey Millhone |date=2000-04-03 |first=Stephanie |last=Stassel |page=E1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|work=U of L Magazine |title=Women of Mystery; How two U of L alumnae became top 'whodunits' |url=http://louisville.edu/ur/ucomm/mags/spring2002/mystery.html |date=Spring 2002}}</ref> The novel features the development of Kinsey's relationship with Jonah Robb, the police officer she met in ''B is for Burglar''.
'''''"D" Is for Deadbeat''''' is the fourth novel in [[Sue Grafton]]'s [[Alphabet mysteries|"Alphabet" series]] of mystery novels<ref name="aas1">{{Cite news|work=The Austin American-Statesman |title=Mystery author working her way through the alphabet |date=1994-05-13 |first=Anne |last=Morris |page=D1}}</ref> and features [[Kinsey Millhone]], a private eye based in Santa Teresa, California.<ref>{{Cite news|work=Los Angeles Times |title=Southern California's Intrepid Alphabet Sleuth; Sue Grafton's bestselling mysteries--each titled with a different letter--feature her smart-alecky but down-to-earth alter ego, Kinsey Millhone |date=2000-04-03 |first=Stephanie |last=Stassel |page=E1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|work=U of L Magazine |title=Women of Mystery; How two U of L alumnae became top 'whodunits' |url=http://louisville.edu/ur/ucomm/mags/spring2002/mystery.html |date=Spring 2002}}</ref> The novel follows the development of Kinsey's relationship with Jonah Robb, the police officer she met in ''B is for Burglar''.


==Plot summary==
==Plot summary==
In "D is for Deadbeat," Kinsey is asked by ex-con Alvin Limardo to deliver a check for twenty-five thousand dollars to a fifteen-year-old boy named Tony Gahan. According to Limardo, Tony helped him through a tough time in his life, leaving Limardo indebted. However, when the retainer check Limardo made out to Kinsey for four hundred dollars bounces, she learns that Alvin Limardo is actually John Daggett, a man known by all and liked by few, recently released from a local prison. He was also a bigamist: his first wife Essie's fanatical religious views have kept her married to Daggett, while Daggett, in disregard of his marital status, underwent a second marriage to Lovella on his release from prison, but has subjected her to repeated violence.
Kinsey Millhone receives a contract from ex-con Alvin Limardo to deliver a cashier's check for $25,000 to a 15-year-old boy named Tony Gahan. According to Limardo, Tony helped him through a difficult time in his life, leaving Limardo indebted. When Limardo's [[Retainer agreement|retainer check]] [[Bounced check|bounces]], Kinsey attempts to track him down and get her money back. She learns that Alvin Limardo's real name is John Daggett, and that he is a [[bigamist]]. His first wife, Essie, refused to divorce him due to her fanatical religious views, but Daggett still remarried on his release from prison.


In her search to find Daggett and get her money back, she discovers that he was found dead on the beach only a few days after hiring her. Through Daggett's daughter Barbara, Kinsey learns that Tony Gahan was the sole survivor of a family killed in a car accident caused by Daggett, for which he received a conviction on charges of vehicular manslaughter. Tony's been a wreck since the death of his family, rarely sleeping and doing poorly in school. He now lives with his uncle and aunt, Ramona and Ferrin Westfall. Also killed in the accident was a friend of Tony's young sister, and a boy called Doug Polokowski, who had hitched a ride in the car. Kinsey tracks down an ex-con friend of Daggett's, Billy Polo, now living in a trailer park with his sister, Coral. Billy is the one who introduced Lovella to Daggett. Kinsey finds out that Doug Polokowski was Billy and Coral's brother. There's no shortage of people with a motive for Daggett's death, but the police are classifying it as an accident.
Kinsey discovers that Daggett was found dead on the beach only a few days after hiring her. Through Daggett's daughter Barbara, Kinsey learns that Tony Gahan was the sole survivor of a car accident caused by Daggett, for which he was convicted of [[Vehicular homicide|vehicular manslaughter]]. Also killed in the accident was a friend of Tony's younger sister and a boy called Doug Polokowski. Gahan now lives with his aunt and uncle, Ramona and Ferrin Westfall. Kinsey interviews Gahan and discovers him to be a troubled teenager with a hidden sensitive side.


Kinsey tracks down an ex-con friend of Daggett's, Billy Polo, who is revealed as Doug Polokowski's brother. Billy, who lives in a [[trailer park]] with his sister Coral, introduced Daggett to Daggett's second wife, Lovella. Kinsey suspects that Billy Polo is not giving her the full truth about his involvement with Daggett.
Kinsey discovers that shortly before his death Daggett was staggering about drunk at the marina in the company of a blonde woman in a green outfit. She sets out to discover which of the numerous blonde women in the case might be the killer. She also suspects that Billy Polo is not giving her the full truth about his involvement with Daggett, a suspicion confirmed when Polo is also murdered at the beach, shot with Kinsey's own gun, stolen from her car a few days earlier. Coral finally levels with Kinsey: she, Billy, and Lovella were plotting together to rob Daggett of money he had come by illicitly in prison, not knowing that Daggett had given the money to Kinsey to pass on to Tony.


Kinsey discovers that shortly before his death, Daggett was staggering about drunk at the [[marina]] in the company of a blonde woman in a green outfit. Kinsey sets out to discover which of the numerous blonde women in the case might be the killer. While visiting the marina, Kinsey's gun is stolen from her car.
⚫
The police investigating Billy's murder discover a home-made silencer used in the killing. Kinsey immediately recognises the towelling used as padding as coming from the Westfall household, and Ramona jumps to the top of her suspect list. This means confronting Tony, who has given Ramona an alibi for the time of Daggett's death. In pursuing Tony, Kinsey realises Tony himself, dressed as a woman in his aunt's wig, was actually the killer. He was also the one who stole her gun, and killed Billy Polo, who had recognised Tony at Daggett's funeral. Killing the man who killed his family has done nothing to ease Tony's torment, however, and he commits suicide by throwing himself off a building in front of Kinsey, who has been unable to talk him down.

Coral confesses to Kinsey that her brother Billy is blackmailing someone whom he suspects of Daggett's killing. Coral also admits to scheming with Billy and Lovella to rob Daggett of money he had come by illicitly in prison. Kinsey realizes this is the money Daggett had given her to pass on to Tony.

⚫
Billy Polo is murdered at the beach, shot with Kinsey's gun. The police investigating Billy's murder discover that the gun was wrapped in a towel to silence the shot. Kinsey immediately recognizes the towel as coming from the Westfall household, and begins to suspect Ramona. This means confronting Tony, who has given Ramona an alibi. In pursuing Tony, Kinsey realizes Tony himself, dressed as a woman in his aunt's wig, was actually the killer. He also stole her gun and killed Billy Polo, who had recognized Tony at Daggett's funeral. Killing the man who killed his family has done nothing to ease Tony's torment and he commits suicide by throwing himself off a building in front of Kinsey, despite her best effort to talk him down.

==Reviews==
The novel received a positive review from [[Kirkus Reviews]], which praised its plot, pace, poignancy, and realism.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sue-grafton/d-is-for-deadbeat/|title='D' IS FOR DEADBEAT by Sue Grafton {{!}} Kirkus Reviews|language=en}}</ref>

[[Publishers Weekly]] gave a more mixed review, saying that it was an enjoyable read but finding flaws in its plot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8050-0248-5|title=D Is for Deadbeat|date=May 12, 1987|website=Publishers Weekly}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
⚫
{{-}}
*[http://www.suegrafton.com/bookshelf.php Sue Grafton] Alphabet Series official site

⚫
{{Clear}}
{{Sue Grafton}}
{{Sue Grafton}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:D Is For Deadbeat}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:D Is For Deadbeat}}
[[Category:Articles with quotation marks in the title]]
[[Category:Novels by Sue Grafton]]
[[Category:Novels by Sue Grafton]]
[[Category:1987 novels]]
[[Category:Kinsey Millhone novels]]
[[Category:1987 American novels]]
[[Category:Novels set in California]]
[[Category:Novels set in California]]
[[Category:Henry Holt and Company books]]

Latest revision as of 10:03, 25 January 2024

"D" Is for Deadbeat
First edition cover
AuthorSue Grafton
SpracheEnglisch
SeriesAlphabet Mysteries
GenreMystery fiction
Published1987 (Henry Holt and Company)
Publication placeVereinigte Staaten
Pages229 first edition
ISBN978-0-8050-0248-5
OCLC14413876
813/.54 19
LC ClassPS3557.R13 D2 1987
Preceded by"C" Is for Corpse 
Followed by"E" Is for Evidence 

"D" Is for Deadbeat is the fourth novel in Sue Grafton's "Alphabet" series of mystery novels[1] and features Kinsey Millhone, a private eye based in Santa Teresa, California.[2][3] The novel follows the development of Kinsey's relationship with Jonah Robb, the police officer she met in B is for Burglar.

Plot summary

[edit]

Kinsey Millhone receives a contract from ex-con Alvin Limardo to deliver a cashier's check for $25,000 to a 15-year-old boy named Tony Gahan. According to Limardo, Tony helped him through a difficult time in his life, leaving Limardo indebted. When Limardo's retainer check bounces, Kinsey attempts to track him down and get her money back. She learns that Alvin Limardo's real name is John Daggett, and that he is a bigamist. His first wife, Essie, refused to divorce him due to her fanatical religious views, but Daggett still remarried on his release from prison.

Kinsey discovers that Daggett was found dead on the beach only a few days after hiring her. Through Daggett's daughter Barbara, Kinsey learns that Tony Gahan was the sole survivor of a car accident caused by Daggett, for which he was convicted of vehicular manslaughter. Also killed in the accident was a friend of Tony's younger sister and a boy called Doug Polokowski. Gahan now lives with his aunt and uncle, Ramona and Ferrin Westfall. Kinsey interviews Gahan and discovers him to be a troubled teenager with a hidden sensitive side.

Kinsey tracks down an ex-con friend of Daggett's, Billy Polo, who is revealed as Doug Polokowski's brother. Billy, who lives in a trailer park with his sister Coral, introduced Daggett to Daggett's second wife, Lovella. Kinsey suspects that Billy Polo is not giving her the full truth about his involvement with Daggett.

Kinsey discovers that shortly before his death, Daggett was staggering about drunk at the marina in the company of a blonde woman in a green outfit. Kinsey sets out to discover which of the numerous blonde women in the case might be the killer. While visiting the marina, Kinsey's gun is stolen from her car.

Coral confesses to Kinsey that her brother Billy is blackmailing someone whom he suspects of Daggett's killing. Coral also admits to scheming with Billy and Lovella to rob Daggett of money he had come by illicitly in prison. Kinsey realizes this is the money Daggett had given her to pass on to Tony.

Billy Polo is murdered at the beach, shot with Kinsey's gun. The police investigating Billy's murder discover that the gun was wrapped in a towel to silence the shot. Kinsey immediately recognizes the towel as coming from the Westfall household, and begins to suspect Ramona. This means confronting Tony, who has given Ramona an alibi. In pursuing Tony, Kinsey realizes Tony himself, dressed as a woman in his aunt's wig, was actually the killer. He also stole her gun and killed Billy Polo, who had recognized Tony at Daggett's funeral. Killing the man who killed his family has done nothing to ease Tony's torment and he commits suicide by throwing himself off a building in front of Kinsey, despite her best effort to talk him down.

Bewertungen

[edit]

The novel received a positive review from Kirkus Reviews, which praised its plot, pace, poignancy, and realism.[4]

Publishers Weekly gave a more mixed review, saying that it was an enjoyable read but finding flaws in its plot.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Morris, Anne (1994-05-13). "Mystery author working her way through the alphabet". The Austin American-Statesman. p. D1.
  2. ^ Stassel, Stephanie (2000-04-03). "Southern California's Intrepid Alphabet Sleuth; Sue Grafton's bestselling mysteries--each titled with a different letter--feature her smart-alecky but down-to-earth alter ego, Kinsey Millhone". Los Angeles Times. p. E1.
  3. ^ "Women of Mystery; How two U of L alumnae became top 'whodunits'". U of L Magazine. Spring 2002.
  4. ^ 'D' IS FOR DEADBEAT by Sue Grafton | Kirkus Reviews.
  5. ^ "D Is for Deadbeat". Publishers Weekly. May 12, 1987.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%22D%22_Is_for_Deadbeat&oldid=1198903366"