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, … 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”
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4 stars to A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton, the first book in the Kinsey Millhone private investigator cozy mystery series. It’s the book that started it all for me…
The opening lines of the book grab you when the narrator tells you that she killed a man. You want to know more about this situation. Then you get to know a little bit about Kinsey. Twice-divorced. 32. New to PI work. You already start to root for her as much as you ask questions about her former life.
In this one, it’s all about divorce and a cheating ex-husband. Nikki, not very likable, is released from prison and goes straight to Kinsey for help. She served time for killing her husband, but she claims she didn’t do it. Years later, she wants answers so she can move on with her life. And she gets them. Kinsey finds a second body and actually has to protect herself. Right out of the gate, you know this series won’t be a traditional cozy. But at the same time, it’s a very formulaic story. And that’s OK… I like those, too.
Kinsey is mostly a good character. Her attitude is sometimes a little annoying. She is still learning her job to some degree… not quite as good as VI Warshawski, but not as silly as Stephanie Plum. Lots to like about her too… except no real family to speak of. She eventually has Henry, but not enough for me.
The setting is Santa Teresa, California… a beautiful place among the vineyards and not too far from the ocean. Makes a good backdrop and some pretty scenes.
For an intro book, it’s strong. It was started back in the 1980s… so if you’re looking for something more current, this series isn’t for you.
Great series, ive read them all
This is the first in a long line of the PI Kinsey Millhone novels. A woman who was falsely accused of killing her husband asks for help finding the real killer. The book is full of great characters from her 80 year old landlord to the couple who run the bar where she often goes for dinner.
Sue Grafton is one of my favorite authors. Always get her books on tape for road trips.
Love her books
Love the entire series and am now reading them a second time. They’re like a grown up Nancy Drew.
Whole series is wonderful – recommend them all!
Have read all of her books sorry she is gone now.
I have read all of the alphabet books by Sue Grafton and they are all top notch reads. Recommend all of them but am sad that she has passed away and there won’t be any more.
Read every one of them. Waiting for Z is for until I found out the author had passed away so Y is the last book.
I like her writing, even if she gets a little sidetracked by boring domestic stuff sometimes
Good beginning to a great series.
I loved this book. What a great way to start a series
This is the first in Sue Grafton’s epic series, and it’s an all-around winner! Kinsey is amazing, but believable, relatable, someone you’d like to have as a friend. Highly recommend.
Love Sue Grafton!
A beginning of a series to introduce the characters and hold back to whom did it? Did you think it was someone else and then change and change again to find you were right with the first choice
It has been so long since I read this book, I can’t remember much about it except that I liked it.
I got hooked on the alphabet series by Sue Grafton ages ago when someone left O is for Outlaw on my seat when I boarded a flight. I was hooked and had to start at the beginning. And I did. The characters are fantastic, especially Kinsey’s landlord. Just love him!
Love all the Alphabet series.
First of Sue Grafton’s “alphabet” novels. I own several of her later books, and it was nice to read the one that started it all.