A is for Alibi

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Summary: A suspenseful murder mystery
Review: "'A' is for Alibi," by Sue Grafton, is narrated in the first-person by California private investigator Kinsey Millhone--a twice-divorced, childless 32-year old woman who lives in a one-room "bachelorette" apartment. Kinsey is hired by Nikki Fife, a woman who had been sent to prison after being convicted of murdering her husband. Nikki maintains her innocence and wants Kinsey to find the real killer--eight years after the murder. This assignment leads to deceit and danger for the sleuth.

This is a suspenseful, intriguing murder mystery. Grafton has an eye for detail and a gift for creating characters. Kinsey is an especially memorable detective. She's tough and no-nonsense, but still has her vulnerable points. She's smart, but not a superwoman; rather, a believable, down-to-earth heroine.

The matter-of-fact narration is very effective. We get insights into Kinsey's detection technique along the way. This is a story of murder, sex, greed, and deception, well told by Grafton.

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Summary: Everything a good mystery should be, and more.
Review: "A is for Alibi" is the first in the series of Kinsey Millhone mysteries, which currently consists of just under 20 books published over the course of the last 20 years. They are genre fiction at its finest: suspenseful and interesting mysteries that never fail to entertain or try to enlighten, featuring a private eye narrator whose witty, rough-edged character gives the high drama a practical backbone.

I was raised on these books, picking them up off my father's armchair or bedside table and digesting them in a sitting, but I've only read about half of them, and I don't know which half, so I'm beginning a comprehensive rereading.

It is a testament to Sue Grafton's writing that realizing I'd already read this book - and that I remembered at least part of the ending - did not diminish its interest. There were still things I didn't remember but could guess at, and things I could neither remember nor guess.

Best of all, there was a lot of good in the book I didn't notice during my previous reading (which may have been two - or twelve - years ago). Grafton has a flair for language that is unusual in genre fiction, and the structured plotline is a lesson to any aspiring playwright. The only disappointment is Kinsey herself, who has an unusually soft side in this first book. Kinsey fans should read it to see the character's roots, and then we should thank Grafton for toughening her up.

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Summary: A Fun Read!!
Review: "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.

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Summary: A is for Alibi
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. It is an easy and entertaining read. Kinsey is fun to get to know. I didn't know who did it until the end!! I was surprised. I totally recommend reading these books.

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Summary: Can Kinsey Millhone Find the True Killer?
Review: This is my first experience with Sue Grafton's writing, and I really enjoyed this book a lot!

Nikki knew that she didn't kill her husband, Laurence Fife. Yet the jury believed otherwise and convicted her to eight years in prison. She got out on parole after that and hires Kinsey Malone to find out who really did kill Laurence. Laurence Fife was a slick divorce lawyer and a womanizer. There could have been anyone involved in the picture there that wanted him dead at the time.

Kinsey has to re-open a case that is now eight years cold, and at the end is a chilling twist even Kinsey doesn't suspect-a second eight year old murder, and another corspe that has been found.

Kinsey is working hard to put the puzzle together but not without some dangers along her way.

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Summary: A is for Alibi
Review: Very good book. I enjoy Sue Grafton's mysteries and I am working my way through the alphabet

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Summary: Refreshing Mystery
Review: I enjoyed this murder mystery. I found it intriguing and enjoyed the various twists and turns that the story took. Felt that the details about the sexual encounters were a little too much but all in all I would recommend this book. I found Kinsey a refreshing character and I look forward to following the series.

Rating:
Summary: "A" Gets an A-
Review: Ah, a new female private eye series for me to explore. I liked it. The main character, Kinsey Millhone, is sharp, sexy and quite human. Well written, with a good cast of supporting characters, the book is perfect for weekend cuddling. There were too many female suspects in the story, though, which sometimes led to confusion. as to who was who. I look forward to reading "B is for Burglar" soon.

Rating:
Summary: An OK Start
Review: Grafton was recommended to me by someone whose taste I trust. He said to make sure I started with "A" which I have now done. The book is okay - just okay.

The plot was good. Written in the classic private eye mystery manner, the plot twists and turns as one would like.

However, while I was reading it and enjoying it to some extent - but not a great extent - I was trying to figure out why I like Block's, Crais' and Coben's books better. I realized it was because I did not particularly like Kinsey Milhone. She does not have a sense of humor and seems negative about a lot of things in life - having children, dogs, etc. She was not a character I had any particular desire to get to know nor with whom I had any great desire to spend time.

Since this series is so popular, I can only imagine that Ms Grafton fleshes her out better in up-coming books. This book was good enough that I plan to read some more of the series. It was not good enough, however, that I will rush to make her "B" book the next book on my reading list.

Rating:
Summary: First book in a long-running series
Review: Sue Grafton introduces Kinsey Milhone in this book. She is a hard-boiled private investigator in the mold of Marsha Muller's Sharon McCone. In this debut novel she is approached by Nikki Fife who has just been released from 8 years in prison for the murder of her womanizing, ex-husband Laurance. Plenty of people had a motive for murdering him and Nikki plans to find out who the true perpetrator was. Kinsey works her way through a series of Laurence's business associates, past lovers, and their husbands as she seeks the murderer. Two new murders occur and the plot thickens as Kinsey investigates while wondering if she is next on the hit list. Kinsey is a no-nonsense, independent woman who is wary of emotional entanglements, yet somehow vulnerable through it all. This whole series is recommended for mystery fans.