Oh man. It's always so silly when people get up in arms about others criticizing things they like (or, for that matter, liking what they dislike).

I like what I like, you like what you like, diversity makes the world go 'round, etc.

That said, defending LKH's writing quality, at this point, is just as silly. It's okay if you like it--god knows I enjoy a lot of bad writers! But you've gotta admit that the craft of her writing has nosedived as time has passed.