"G is for Gumshoe" by Sue Grafton Quiz

Answer: it's Cinco de Mayo and Kinsey's birthday

In the first few paragraphs of this book, Kinsey gives us lots of fun information; she's on a "hit-list", she has been hired for a new case, and (happy birthday to her) she just turned 33.

Answer: the Slabs

Irene Gersh is a pitiful little woman who hates her place in life. She has limited contact with her mother, who is a true "rustic living" woman. Old Mama lived in a small camping trailer, which was permenantly pitched on the Slabs, an old military base.

Answer: Agnes was naked, jumping on her bed, beating on a bedpan

As Kinsey enters the Home, she realizes that it is an old elementary school and she is brought back in time to her horrifying schoolyard memories. When she approaches the staff about Agnes, they are relived to find out that she has family. Kinsey says, "I heard Agnes Grey before I ever laid eyes on her ... she was stark naked, dancing a dirty boogie on the bed while she accompanied herself by banging on a bedpan with a spoon."

Answer: a convicted felon

Tyrone Patty was convicted of felony robbery; Kinsey had been essential in locating him and having him extradited. Because of this, she found herself on his hitlist - obviously he didn't appreciate the work she did for the Carson City DA. As shocked as Kinsey was about the contract on her life, she kept her humor, "I suppose I should have been flattered I was in the deal. A public defender, a DA, and a judge? Distinguised company for a small-town private-eye like me."

Answer: they were cut short when someone tried to kill her in an automobile crash

Kinsey knew that she was on Tyrone's hitlist and it did make her nervous - especially when her tire was shot out. But, that was not the reason her stay was prolonged. Someone ran her off the road, slamming her VW several times before it landed in a runoff ditch. Right before the initial impact, Kinsey saw the assailant coming fast upon her: "The front grill of the pickup appeared in my rear window, completely filling the glass.

It was clear the guy meant to crawl right up my tailpipe, crushing me in the process." Kinsey was hammered a total of three times before the battered VW landed in the ditch; thanks to a passerby named Carl LaRue, she was taken to safety.

Answer: 702

I will admit it - I am in LOVE with Robert Dietz - and I am SO jealous of Kinsey for getting to do the wild thing with him! He is one of the reasons I love this time in Kinsey's life! While in the hospital Kinsey gives into the fact that her life is truly in serious danger and so she calls him - she had dealt with him before on another case, so this is not their first encounter.

She phones him: "I looked up the area code for Carson City, Nevada (702 all locations, in case you really wanted to know), dialed information, and got the listing for Decker/Dietz investigations, which I dialed in turn."

Answer: an antique tea set

Kinsey discovers the box which contained the tea set while trying to secure the trailer for its current inhabitants. It was the only thing they hadn't yet scavanged. Later, when Kinsey brings it to Irene's house, assuming she'd like it as a rememberance, Irene takes one look at it and goes berserk because of the spiders.

Answer: Aphids

There is a lot of dialogue between Kinsey and Dietz that really sets their tone with one another. In this scene, Dietz is checking out the location of Kinsey's apartment when she ventures outside behind him. As they squat down near the flower bed, he says, "Aphids, he should buy some ladybugs." And, it was as simple as that!

Answer: Jewel

The Edgewater Hotel had a private dining room, and that was where the event was held. Kinsey got ready for the party with Vera, and both ladies were escorted to the party by Dietz - one lady on each arm! Unfortunately, during Mac's speech, Kinsey catches a glimpse of Messinger's child, and realizes that they are there, at the hotel, and their night out is ruined.

They make a hasty getaway.

Answer: UPS man

As Kinsey and Irene are walking up the sidewalk to a bungalow-style home, Kinsey makes note of a UPS truck that had been idling at the curb. The delivery man slowly makes his way toward her; she finally realizes that this is the man who was hired to kill her. Before she knows it, the killer has shot off 5 bullets and amazingly enough misser her, Irene, AND the homeowner! Dietz gave chase, but unfortunately, Messinger got away - again.

Answer: 2 weeks

Dietz doesn't like the little Davis, even though she just got it. He wants her to get a H&K: "... it looks good in the glove compartment of a BMW, but it's still right for you." Until the gun arrives, Kinsey has to be proficient in using her Davis, so they practice at the shooting range, which is one of Kinsey's favorite pastimes.

Answer: heart attack

Dr. Stackhouse informs the family that Agnes died from cardiac arrest and they were unable to revive her. She was a corroner's case and Dr. Palchak did the autopsy. It was discovered through her research that Agnes actually died of a heart attack, caused by being "scared to death" literally. Dr. Palchak tells Kinsey all this, in the hopes she can discover where Agnes was in the hours before her death.

Answer: most of the family had been murdered, with the exception of Irene

Finally, Kinsey can put to rest this case - Pat Bronfen is a twisted, evil man, who killed his family, except Irene. Irene was able to escape, with the help of Agnes. When Agnes was brought back to Santa Teresa, she knew exactly where she was and had returned to the Bronfen house. Pat, who is later killed by Messinger, held Agnes "hostage", which is what ultimately caused her death.

Answer: Rochelle

Dietz and Rochelle devise a plan to get the boy back to his mother, in turn getting Messinger. They set out to do this, but unfortunately Messinger beats them to the punch; after they kidnap Eric, Messinger finds Kinsey and kidnaps her. At a very climactic encounter, all 5 of them meet up on a airport landing strip - and Rochelle shoots and kills Messinger.

Answer: Germany for a new job

Dietz had been waiting for this new job to materialize in Germany; as he puts it, "... antiterrorist training exercises for military bases overseas ... all of the hype and none of the jeopardy." Dietz is an action-adventure kind of guy, just one of the attributes that Kinsey is going to miss. "He swears he's coming back. I'd like to believe him, but I'm not sure I dare."