"A" is for Alibi: A Kinsey Millhone Mystery

Sue Grafton

Apr 2010 · Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mysteries Book 1 · Sold by Holt Paperbacks

About this ebook

READ THE SENSATIONAL BLOCKBUSTER THAT STARTED IT ALL!

Take it from the top in #1 New York Times bestselling author Sue Grafton's knockout thriller that introduced detective Kinsey Millhone—and a hot new attitude—to crime fiction...

A IS FOR AVENGER
A tough-talking former cop, private investigator Kinsey Millhone has set up a modest detective agency in a quiet corner of Santa Teresa, California. A twice-divorced loner with few personal possessions and fewer personal attachments, she's got a soft spot for underdogs and lost causes.

A IS FOR ACCUSED
That's why she draws desperate clients like Nikki Fife. Eight years ago, she was convicted of killing her philandering husband. Now she's out on parole and needs Kinsey's help to find the real killer. But after all this time, clearing Nikki's bad name won't be easy.

A IS FOR ALIBI
If there's one thing that makes Kinsey Millhone feel alive, it's playing on the edge. When her investigation turns up a second corpse, more suspects, and a new reason to kill, Kinsey discovers that the edge is closer—and sharper—than she imagined.

"A" Is for Alibi
"B" Is for Burglar
"C" Is for Corpse
"D" Is for Deadbeat
"E" Is for Evidence
"F" Is for Fugitive
"G" Is for Gumshoe
"H" Is for Homicide
"I" Is for Innocent
"J" Is for Judgment
"K" Is for Killer
"L" is for Lawless
"M" Is for Malice
"N" Is for Noose
"O" Is for Outlaw
"P" Is for Peril
"Q" Is for Quarry
"R" Is for Ricochet
"S" Is for Silence
"T" Is for Trespass
"U" Is for Undertow
"V" Is for Vengeance
"W" Is for Wasted
"X"

Ratings and reviews

(No Spoilers) 'A' is for Alibi was originally written in 1982 by Sue Grafton as the first book in her Alphabet Mysteries series. After seeing the 'U' book smash bestseller lists in 2009, I decided I needed to read these. And, being that I'm neurotic about such things, I had to start at the beginning. I love a good detective story. Grafton's main character is Kinsey Millhone, a tough chick P.I. operating along the west coast. The book is well-written with quirky characters, interesting locales, and a structured murder mystery plotline. There's nothing spectacular about the novel, it didn't rock my literary world, but it was a fun read from cover to cover. It was never slow or boring, and it kept me hooked all the way through. A quick read, entirely fun, and recommended at 4 Stars, and I will continue with this series.

Short book; quick read. The format is a little terse, often goes into great detail on the smallest things, a few too many characters in such a short span, and a little slow for 4/5 the book; but otherwise OK. Considering there are quite a few books in this series I was expecting more. Still, though, will give this series another book or two before bailing.

BOTTOM-LINE: Like meeting an old friend . PLOT OR PREMISE: Nikki Fife served 8 years for a murder she claims she didn't commit. Now she wants Kinsey to clear her name. . WHAT I LIKED: The character of Kinsey Millhone, and her introduction on page 1 ("My name is Kinsey Millhone") is the same general format that appears in all the books. Just the facts. But she talks about having killed someone and that it weighs on her mind. Cue the flashback. And the book has all the classic elements that show up in almost all the books...her apartment near Henry, Rosie's, multiple cases at once, index cards to keep track of details, Deitz, Dolan, etc. This is a classic whodunnit with lots of twists and turns and misinformation from suspects, sometimes intentional, sometimes not. . WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: There is a bit too much relationship-angst in this outing, albeit briefly. . DISCLOSURE: I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow her on social media.

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sue Grafton (1940-2017) entered the mystery field in 1982 with the publication of 'A' Is for Alibi, which introduced female hard-boiled private investigator, Kinsey Millhone, operating out of the fictional town of Santa Teresa, (aka Santa Barbara) California, and launched the bestselling Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mysteries. In addition to her books, she’d published several Kinsey Millhone short stories, and with her husband, Steven Humphrey, wrote numerous movies for television, including “A Killer in the Family” (starring Robert Mitchum), “Love on the Run” (starring Alec Baldwin and Stephanie Zimbalist) and two Agatha Christie adaptations, “Sparkling Cyanide” and “Caribbean Mystery,” which starred Helen Hayes. Grafton is published in 28 countries and in 26 languages.