Customer Reviews

"A" is for Alibi: A Kinsey Millhone Mystery

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I love all these recent reviews calling "A" trite and typical--Grafton wrote this in 1982, and if it seems trite now it's because Grafton revolutionized the genre, and everyone has been copying her plots and style ever since!

Kinsey Millhone is a hard-boiled, gun-toting, loner--a private investigator who keeps to herself and does whatever it takes to solve her case. I first read this book as a teenager, and Kinsey's toughness and un-sentimentality turned me off (young romantic that I was). Coming back to this series as an adult has given me an appreciation for the character and the genre that I lacked before. What you see is what you get with Kinsey Millhone, and that simplicity is her strength.

This book is not only truly groundbreaking, it is also a plain ol' great mystery. Grafton keeps Kinsey busy interviewing suspects, following leads, and stirring up trouble. Kinsey's work is pretty much her life, and except for the occasional evening with a handsome stranger, you can expect her to stay focused on the case.

Unless you prefer your mysteries soft and cozy, you'll enjoy Kinsey Millhone and her straight-forward approach to crime. Best of all, if you enjoy this one, there are 14 more (so far) to keep you busy.

"A is for Alibi" is the first book in Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery series centering on Kinsey Millhone a 32 year old Private Investigator living in California. I have just started this series but I really enjoyed this book. The mystery keeps pages turning as it intriguing, suspenseful and a real fast read. The character Kinsey is very independent, you feel as you now know her and she is portrayed as somebody you do know.

Nikki Fife has just been released from prison after doing 8 years for the murdering her husband, Laurence. Nikki wants Kinsey to find the person who really killed Laurence. Kinsey begins to investigate and finds out about another murder committed only days after Laurence's that is extremely similar. The victim was the accountant for Laurence's law firm, Libby Glass, and she was killed using an identical method of poisoning. This trail is 8-years-old and Kinsey knows it won't be easy to find the truth.

Kinsey begins to put together a picture of the people involved and the circumstances that lead up to Laurence's murder. But somebody is not too pleased with Kinsey investigating and unveiling facts that could lead to the true murderer. Kinsey gets herself into danger, and as she struggles to put the pieces together, someone is trying to stop her.

Grafton does a great job with the suspense and "who done it " in this book. Makes you ready for more of Kinsey Millhone. The book was a fun, simple read that I managed in an evening. You don't want to miss this one and I have a feeling they will get addictive.

Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series of Alphabet mysteries has been a huge seller since its inception in 1982. I've wanted to read the books for years but didn't for one reason or another. I finally sat down with the first entry, "A is for Alibi," and plunged into it. Nikki Fife is a young widow who was recently released from prison; she served eight years for killing her husband. She insists that she's innocent and hires Kinsey to clear her name.

Kinsey's first case is interesting and filled with a number of suspects. It's a solid mystery book. Kinsey is a likeable protagonist, who has just enough shades of gray and quirks. She's the kind of lead who doesn't distract too much from the mystery at hand, but she's interesting enough to carry the book. Grafton's writing is good - straight-forward but filled with nice details. At times, she spends perhaps a bit too much time describing Nikki and the murder suspects. However, that's a minor quibble. I wasn't blown away by "A is for Alibi," but it was good enough that I've already ordered the next entry, "B is for Burglar."

If you've read enough private investigator novels you know that this isn't the best one... She doesn't fool around with the genre like most good authors do and she relies on formula in her first novel... I knew the killer the moment she met... her/him... You should too... Decent Style but Robert Parker and Dennis Lehane are better modern day PI novelists

How can you not love a PI who cuts her own hair, jogs for miles and then pigs out on fatty food at McDonalds, and knows how to speak her mind? Ms. Grafton has given us readers a special gift in the form of Kinsey. Sure, A is for Alibi, is slow to start, and not much plot, but most first books are the same. Keep reading the series, you'll list Grafton as a top mystery writer by the time you finish C is for Corpse.

Kinsey Millhone is a 32-year-old private investigator residing in Santa Teresa, California. Her main assignment in 'A' is for Alibi is to discover who killed Laurence Fife, an influential divorce lawyer with firsthand experience in wrecking marriages. His last wife, Nikki Fife, was found guilty eight years ago of slipping oleander in his antihistamine pills. Now free, Nikki contacts Kinsey and asks her to find the real killer.

The suspects range from Laurence's close friend and associate (and Kinsey's new lover), Charlie Scorsoni, to his "bitter" first wife Gwen. But whoever the killer is, Laurence wasn't the last victim. Four days after he died, a young accountant (Libby Glass) was found dead in her bathroom, apparently drugged with the same poison. Yet Libby's death was never connected to Laurence's, although it was rumored they were intimately involved.

Another woman is later killed during Kinsey's investigation, leading Kinsey to conclude she might be next. How close can Kinsey get to uncovering the truth without risking her own life?

'A' is for Alibi is the first book I've read so far by Sue Grafton, and it certainly won't be my last. Kinsey is definitely a likable character--rough and smart--, and the plot is entertaining enough for any mystery buff. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries solved by female private detectives. If you do, don't miss any of the other books in this alphabet mystery series: '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, and 'P' is for Peril.

The book began as a realistic murder investigation as told in the first person by the no-nononsense PI heroine. It followed the beloved format of murder-mysteries of the past 100 years or so of having the investigator spend the entire book interviewing one suspect/witness after another. This was well done. The author has a sharp eye for character and setting detail and it an easy and light read. However, somewhere about 3/4 of the way into the book, the PI starts to spin one murder theory scenerio after another, none of which rang true. As this happens her actions become totally unrealistic as she chooses not to let the police know what is going on even as it becomes clear that her silence is costing lives. There is never any reason given for this other then she must be too big of a hotshot to get help. She even tampers with a murder scene for no particuliar reason other then to keep clues to herself. By the end of the story the theories are coming faster and faster and finely it ends so abruptly that I kept thinking I was missing pages. The actions of the murderer are so far out by the end, that this book heads straight of into fantasy land. There were many little loose ends that are never explained and I felt cheated. It was exciting while I was reading it, but I recieved no satifaction at the end. I doubt I will ever pick up another of her books. I am at a total loss as to why she is so highly praised. By the way some will be offended at the authors mean spirited fat jokes aimed at the manager of the hotel she seems to visit often.

I was really surprised to read all the bad reviews for this book. This was my first of Sue Grafton's books and I enjoyed it very much. After reading all of Patricia Cornwell's novels, I was afraid that I won't find another author whom I will like that much. Now I can't wait to keep buying and reading her other novels. I admit, her style is a bit slow, but give here a chance, "A" was her first book! I think the character Kinsey is hilarious and smart and of course, I love the fact that she's a woman!

"A is for Alibi" is the first book in Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery series centring around Kinsey Millhone, and I really enjoyed it. Though it's a very quick read I found this book to be fun, intriguing, and suspenseful. The mystery kept me turning pages, and Kinsey is a wonderful creation, portrayed in a realistic and interesting manner.

Kinsey Millhone is a 32-year-old Private Investigator living in Santa Teresa, California. She's a solitary and independent woman, and a fascinating character. One day, Nikki Fife, who has just been released from prison after doing 8 years for the murder of her cheating husband, Laurence Fife, approaches Kinsey and requests her help in finding the person who really killed Laurence and let her take the fall. After careful consideration Kinsey decides to take the case, and so she begins to investigate.

Almost immediately, Kinsey finds out about another murder committed only days after Laurence's that is strikingly similar. The victim was the accountant for Laurence's law firm, a woman by the name of Libby Glass, and she was killed using an identical method, oleander poisoning. Determined to discover the connection between the two murders, and find out who committed them, Kinsey gets to work, but the trail is 8-years-old and she knows it won't be easy to find the truth.

Never one to be discouraged, Kinsey gets to know the key players. There's Charlie Scorsoni, Laurence's law partner at the time of his death, a magnetically attractive older man who Kinsey finds irresistible and who soon becomes her lover. There's also Gwen, Laurence's rather bitter first wife who was tossed aside when Nikki came along and was financially ruined in the divorce. Kinsey is also intent on tracking down Sharon Napier, Laurence's inept secretary, and the only person who Laurence ever tolerated attitude from.

So Kinsey begins to build a picture of the people involved and the circumstances that lead up to Laurence's murder. But whoever has been sitting pretty for 8 years while Nikki paid for the murder is not too pleased with Kinsey poking around and uncovering facts that could lead her to the truth. Indeed, Kinsey is in serious danger, and as she struggles to put the puzzle together, someone is working very hard at making sure she doesn't. Grafton builds the suspense effectively, and the lead up to the climax of the story had me tearing through the pages, dying to find out how it would all be resolved.

"A is for Alibi" is, quite simply, a great mystery, though I would have liked it to be a little longer. With great characters and a tight plot full of twists and turns this book left me satisfied and looking forward to my next visit with Kinsey. "A is for Alibi" is well worth reading, so pick it up today and get ready for a fabulous mix of murder, betrayal, passion, and suspense!

A is for Alibi is the first book in the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet mystery series. Kinsey is a 32 rear-old PI, twice divorced with no kids. She lives in a garage/apartment and drives an old battered VW beetle.

At the beginning of the book, Kinsey is hired by Nikkie Fife, who had spent 8 years in prison for murdering her husband and is now out on Parole. Nikkie wants to know who really did it. In the course of her investigation, Kinsey uncovers more murders, and seems to be always just one step behind the true killer.

I like Sue Grafton's style of writing. Throughout the majority of the book, both the reader and Kinsey are pretty much in the dark about the true identity of the killer. Along with our protagonist we race down every little chamber of our minds trying to determine the course of events and 'Who did it'. It is only until the very end until Grafton sheds light on this for us. And what an ending it is! If you like mysteries, pick this one up. You won't regret it.