A Is for Alibi (Crime File S.) (Kinsey Millhone, #1)

by Sue Grafton

The wife of a hated divorce lawyer becomes the main suspect in his murder and hires private detective Kinsey Millhone to find the real killer.

• ISBN10: 0553279912
• ISBN13: 9780553279917
• Publish Date: 31 July 1991 (first published 1 January 1982)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
• Imprint: Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group)
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 214
• Language: English

Reviews

I love Kinsey Millhone. But she's not everyone's cup of tea. I started reading the Alphabet series a few years ago - I think at the time it was up to O is for Outlaw. The idea of a mystery series each title beginning with a new letter amused me. I don't know why. I don't think it's particularly original. At least - I've seen a few others since. At the time though it was new to me and it just struck me as perfect. I flew through the series. Kinsey is riveting. She's brash and harsh and charming. She's fierce and flawed. She gets scared. She holds her own. She pushes herself to run often and tackles cases without judgement and with an open mind. Rosie and Henry are brilliant and I love the little family she builds around her.

But Kinsey Millhone isn't Jack Reacher - her speed is more Tracy Crosswhite. [b:My Sister's Grave|22341263|My Sister's Grave (Tracy Crosswhite, #1)|Robert Dugoni|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1405267054l/22341263._SY75_.jpg|41739579] Her cases aren't full of action and high speed chases - they're slowly nitpicking away until something clicks into place. She writes down all her thoughts and places her facts and ideas on 3x5 index cards - which she often shuffles and rearranges to help her solve her case. And I love it. Kinsey Millhone is great - but she's not for everyone. But if you like your mysteries to be more like procedurals with a determined and fierce character - Kinsey Millhone is for you.



This is a typical murder mystery. A is for Alibi doesn't tread new ground. Well it may have when it was first written - but I've read a million and one books like this. But it was good. The murder mystery was interesting and I enjoyed following Kinsey as she gathered clues and evidence and found the truth. The murderer was somewhat predictable but I don't mind that.

For some reason I've seen reviewers compare this to Stephanie Plum - I don't know why - this is absolutely NOTHING like that. Stephanie Plum is a very different character and an extremely different type of book. That's more fluff. Kinsey Millhone is more procedural mysteries. And this series isn't current - it was first published in the 80's - there's not really technology. Messages were relayed by calling the landlines. Paper files were still the main form of storage. Not everyone will enjoy reading this. But if you like procedurals - this is a great start to a series.



3.8 stars, rounded up to four.

[lisacee]

I really enjoyed this book. The pacing was a little odd, but Kinsey is an awesome character. I don't often read mysteries or best sellers, but I can see why this one is so beloved.