A is for Alibi

📘 About This Book

Grafton masterfully tells the story of Kinsey Millhone in A is for Alibi, the beginning of a must-read mystery series. The Alphabet series continues with another gripping investigation in B is for Burglar. My name is Kinsey Millhone. I’m a private investigator, licensed by the state of California. I’m thirty-two years old, twice divorced, no kids. The day before yesterday I killed someone and the fact weighs heavily on my mind . . . When Laurence Fife was murdered, few cared. A slick divorce attorney with a reputation for ruthlessness, Fife was also rumoured to be a slippery ladies’ man. Plenty of people in the picturesque Southern California town of Santa Teresa had reason to want him dead. Including, thought the cops, his young and beautiful wife, Nikki. With motive, access and opportunity, Nikki was their number one suspect. The Jury thought so too. Eight years later and out on parole, Nikki Fife hires PI Kinsey Millhone to find out who really killed her husband. But the trail has gone cold and there is a chilling twist even Kinsey didn’t expect . . .

📖 Summary

A is for Alibi introduces readers to the iconic private investigator Kinsey Millhone, kicking off a renowned and beloved mystery series set in the picturesque Southern California town of Santa Teresa. At thirty-two years old, twice divorced, and completely independent, Kinsey operates as a licensed state investigator navigating the complexities of human nature, crime, and justice. The narrative opens with a striking admission that immediately draws the audience into the psychological weight of her profession: the day before yesterday, Kinsey killed someone, and that fateful event weighs heavily on her mind as she recounts the case that brought her to this juncture. The central mystery revolves around the murder of Laurence Fife, a slick divorce attorney known for his ruthlessness in the courtroom and his reputation as a slippery ladies man. Fife was not a man who inspired widespread affection, and when he was murdered, very few people genuinely cared. In fact, plenty of individuals in Santa Teresa possessed a clear reason to want him dead. Among the prime suspects in the eyes of the local police department is Nikki Fife, Laurence's young and beautiful wife. With apparent motive, access, and opportunity lining up against her, Nikki hires Kinsey to dig beneath the surface of the official police investigation and uncover the truth of what really happened to her husband. As Kinsey delves deeper into Laurence Fife's past, she uncovers a labyrinth of professional corruption, marital betrayal, and dark secrets that the charming attorney managed to keep hidden during his lifetime. Sue Grafton masterfully constructs a tightly paced plot that blends classic hardboiled detective tropes with a fresh, contemporary female perspective. Kinsey Millhone stands out as a pragmatic, resilient, and deeply human protagonist who relies on her wits, stamina, and sharp intuition rather than brute force. Throughout the 253 pages of this 2011 edition, the atmosphere of Southern California comes alive, serving as a vibrant backdrop for a story where almost everyone has a secret and almost no one is entirely innocent. As the investigation twists and turns, Kinsey must piece together a complex puzzle of alibis, motives, and hidden relationships to find the real killer before danger catches up to her. This gripping tale not only establishes the foundation for one of crime fiction's most enduring series, which continues with B is for Burglar, but it also redefines the private eye genre by anchoring the mystery in the realistic, day-to-day grit of a modern working investigator. Readers are treated to an engaging puzzle that challenges assumptions and showcases the birth of a literary legend.

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Sue GraftonView all books →

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