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"Y" is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton is the 25th novel in the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mysteries series. The story is set in 1989 in the fictional town of Santa Teresa, California, and revolves around a high school scandal that has haunted the lives of those involved for almost a decade.The novel opens with Kinsey Millhone, a private investigator, being approached by a young man named Ned Lowe, who is seeking her help in resolving a blackmail issue. It quickly becomes clear that the case is related to a scandal that happened in a local high school almost ten years ago, where a group of popular students filmed themselves sexually assaulting a young girl at a party. The tape was later stolen and has been used to blackmail the students involved ever since.Kinsey starts investigating the case, but soon realizes that the situation is more complicated than she originally thought. The school's dean, a former friend of Kinsey's, is murdered, and the prime suspect is one of the former students involved in the scandal. Kinsey is convinced that the murder and the blackmail case are related and starts to unravel the mystery.The characters in the novel are well-developed and complex, particularly the former high school students who were involved in the scandal. Grafton explores their lives, both past and present, and the impact that the incident has had on their relationships and careers. The characters are flawed and often make poor decisions, but they are also relatable and sympathetic.Grafton's writing style is straightforward and easy to read, which makes the book an enjoyable page-turner. She also does an excellent job of setting the scene, describing Santa Teresa and its inhabitants in vivid detail. The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns, with enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the end.One of the strengths of the novel is the way it tackles issues such as sexual assault and the lasting impact it can have on victims and their communities. Grafton does not shy away from portraying the trauma that the young girl in the tape has experienced and the way it has affected her life. She also examines the guilt and shame that the students involved in the scandal feel, even years later, and the way it has impacted their relationships with each other.Overall, "Y" is for Yesterday is an excellent addition to the Kinsey Millhone series and a compelling mystery novel in its own right. The characters are well-drawn, the plot is engaging, and the themes are thought-provoking. Sue Grafton's legacy lives on through her masterful storytelling, and her contribution to the mystery genre is undeniable.