Review: A is for Alibi

A is for Alibi Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Sue Grafton
Class/Genre: Mystery Private Investigator Woman Main Character
Series: Kinsey Milhone # 1
1986, 253 pages (Pan Paperback Edition)

A is for Alibi is Sue Graftons first book in the famed Kinsey Millhone Alphabet series. Kinsey introduces herself as a thirty- two year old twice divorced private detective with no kids. In this first book, Kinseys client is Nikki Fife. Nikki is on parole after eight years in jail for killing her husband Lawrence. She states her innocence to Kinsey and hires her to find the real killer. The case is pretty cold after eight years but Kinsey manages to talk the Police into letting her look at the files so she knows who was involved back then. Kinseys first surprise occurs when the files show another victim was killed in the same manner as Lawrence Fife was, a short time after him. Libby Glass worked for an accounting firm that handled Fifes books and the rumour was that they were having an affair. The Police believed at the time that Nikki killed them both but had no evidence on Glasss murder. Kinsey finds herself with two murders to solve.

The suspects mount up and so does the suspense. Kinsey shows a lack of judgement when she get personally involved with Lawrences former business partner, Charlie Scorsoni, before she can rule him out as a suspect. There is no shortage of suspects in Fifes murder; he was a real ladies man and played around on whoever he was with. This behaviour alienated his first wife Gwen, annoyed his two older children, and caused bad blood with former lover Charlotte Mercer. Kinsey also wondered if he had had an affair with his secretary, Sharon Napier. As Kinsey tries to narrow down her list of suspects, another couple of bodies are added to the count and she finds her own life in danger.

The first book in this wonderful series is filled with twists and intrigue. Grafton keeps you guessing right to the end and just when you think everything is solved, another twist surprises yet again. Kinsey is a wonderful character who is easy to relate to, and interesting to follow. Her detective skills put her up there with the best in the genre. Graftons writing style makes the book very easy to read, and her description puts the reader right in the story along side Kinsey. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the wonderful Alphabet series.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jaynie - Australia

Book Review: A is for Alibi