Status
Checked out
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Crimeline (1987), 224 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. HTML:Now Available on CD! 3 CDs/ 3 hours Read by Judy Kaye Plenty of people in the picturesque town of Santa Teresa, California, wanted Laurence Fife, a ruthless divorce attorney, dead. Including, thought the cops, his young and beautiful wife, who was convicted of the crime. Now, eight years later and out on parole, Nikki Fife hires Kinsey Millhone to find out who really killer her husband. Kinsey must pursue a trail that's eight years old: one that leads from a young boy, born deaf, whose memory cannot be trusted; to a lawyer defensively loyal to his dead partner - and disarmingly attractive to Millhone; to a not-so-young secretary with too high a salary for far too few skills. This train will twist to include them all, with Kinsey following every turn until it finally twists back on itself and she fins herself face-to-face with a killer cunning enough to get away with murder.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member mmignano11
Being slightly obsessive-compulsive, I required myself to begin at the beginning. I'm sure that Sue Grafton goes on to be more accurate and readable based on the popularity of her alphabet series. "A is for Alibi" is a good beach read, or perhaps for a rainy day,despite some inaccuracies that could
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have been avoided by more thorough proof-reading. Ms Grafton attempted to give her characters depth but even Kinsey Milhone proved unbelievable for me, with her lack of conviction, while being presented as a person of deliberate, calculated motivations and morals. I will continue to seek out the next in the series,"B is for Burglar," because they are quick reads, and I would like to see if the work that Ms. Grafton puts into her murder mysteries reaps the rewards of tighter, more convincing characterization. Show Less
LibraryThing member BeckyJG
Kinsey Millhone is in many ways a typical P.I. Tough, strong, laconic. Falls seldom, but usually for the wrong person. A former cop, she lives in a tiny apartment with few possessions and quirky neighbors. Aside from the fact of her gender, not a whole lot to set her apart from the genre standard.
It starts with a new case. Nikki Fife, a beautiful dame, just released from serving eight years for killing her husband, wants Kinsey to prove her innocence. She takes the job. She investigates. People get killed along the way. First one, then another, then another, seems to be the true killer. She solves the case.
It's not until that last third or so that the reader begins to see an inkling of what has brought readers clamoring to book stores for each successive installment of this series for the last twenty-eight years. It's as if, all at once, inspiration hits Sue Grafton. Her character becomes more interesting and more singular, the plot takes some juicy turns and there it is.
Definitely worth a read, especially as the first in one of the most beloved mystery series around. One wonders, though, why Grafton's editor didn't ask her to go back and try to inject some of the spark she found at the end of her book into the beginning.
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And, for the first half or two-thirds of "A" is for Alibi, there's not a whole lot to set this story apart from the genre standard. It starts with a new case. Nikki Fife, a beautiful dame, just released from serving eight years for killing her husband, wants Kinsey to prove her innocence. She takes the job. She investigates. People get killed along the way. First one, then another, then another, seems to be the true killer. She solves the case.
It's not until that last third or so that the reader begins to see an inkling of what has brought readers clamoring to book stores for each successive installment of this series for the last twenty-eight years. It's as if, all at once, inspiration hits Sue Grafton. Her character becomes more interesting and more singular, the plot takes some juicy turns and there it is.
Definitely worth a read, especially as the first in one of the most beloved mystery series around. One wonders, though, why Grafton's editor didn't ask her to go back and try to inject some of the spark she found at the end of her book into the beginning.
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LibraryThing member WittyreaderLI
I've had a hankering for some mystery, so I decided to try Sue Grafton. I've never read her before. And sadly, I doubt I'll read her again. This book was part of an omnibus of Sue Grafton books, A, B and C. And sadly, I need to get rid of this before I read B or C. There were too many characters,
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with confusing names, and the mystery itself really didn't draw me in. Maybe I wasn't giving this series enough of a chance, but when I got to page 200 and only had a bit more to go, I sprinted to find out who the killer was. NOT a good sign. Show Less
LibraryThing member redbike
Well written, I loved the characters. Kinsey Millhone is a fun detective to hang out with for a couple hours, recommended.
LibraryThing member branful
it's a refreshing read to me, after so many stories featuring homicide investigator having marriage trouble, or investigator turned a serial killer.
LibraryThing member CommonReeda
Kinsey is the sort of heroine you can identify with, trying to get her own life in order, convincing domestic detail etc. Down to earth on the bus read. Ive enjoyed the earliest ones in the series the most, I think.
LibraryThing member golfjr
The introduction of Kinsey Milhone, a generally likeable, slightly neurotic, female detective. Her relationship with her landlord the ancient baker is interesting. Her thought processes are interesting as she solves the crime. I genuinely enjoyed the book
LibraryThing member smik
I chose to read this book for the Crime Fiction of the Year Challenge over at Past Offences, thinking it had first been published in 1987. I now know that it was published in the USA in 1982.
It is a significant book because it was the first in Sue Grafton's "Alphabet Series", with Kinsey Millhone
Kinsey was born in 1950, but she really hasn't aged like the rest of us (I think she has reached a point where she doesn't age any more) . And around her Sue Grafton has built a "family" of characters, adding human elements to crime fiction scenarios that often reflect events in American society or politics.
It is also an important book because it set the benchmark for a number of series by other authors that featured female PIs.
Interestingly it is the first in the series that I appear to have read since beginning this blog. I appear to have 4 to catch up on: U, V, W, and X.
I did write about A IS FOR ALIBI as a "forgotten book" nearly 6 years ago. My post is here.
Sue Grafton has now written 24 in the series with X to be published later this year.
It is a significant book because it was the first in Sue Grafton's "Alphabet Series", with Kinsey Millhone
Show More
as the central figure, and it sets the stage for Kinsey's sleuthing career.Kinsey was born in 1950, but she really hasn't aged like the rest of us (I think she has reached a point where she doesn't age any more) . And around her Sue Grafton has built a "family" of characters, adding human elements to crime fiction scenarios that often reflect events in American society or politics.
It is also an important book because it set the benchmark for a number of series by other authors that featured female PIs.
Interestingly it is the first in the series that I appear to have read since beginning this blog. I appear to have 4 to catch up on: U, V, W, and X.
I did write about A IS FOR ALIBI as a "forgotten book" nearly 6 years ago. My post is here.
Sue Grafton has now written 24 in the series with X to be published later this year.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
I started this story in the early nineties and lost track about the letter Q because i moved and the library near my home have not yet got any more and I lost track with 3 kids under 3 to keep me busy- in fact I still thought Q was the last - now I know its not I will ask them to chase up the rest
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so far :) I might even reread from the beginning.I like the female PI genre in general and I like Kinseys character - a tough, independent woman who is nevertheless flawed and likeable. They are easy reads - good plots but not brain teasers, enjoyably formulaic yet each book is different enough to be interesting. Since I read each as it came out I had a year or so of headspace so that I didnt feel I was reading the same thing over again. Definately worth reading - even if only just for the fact that Sue Grafton was developed a story so far over nearly 20 years (A-U) Show Less
LibraryThing member Sarah_Buckley
I probably would have actually given this book a 2 1/2 stars if it was possible, but I can't. While I enjoyed it overall, I felt like there was something missing.
I picked up these books because around 5 friends have been pushing hard for me to read this series. I thought the mystery was a good
I found Kinsey really lacking as a protagonist. She was really unlikeable to me, but I can't really place why. Her internal monologs can get really annoying, and I was super disappointed in some of her choices in the novel. I felt that she should have known better about some of the things she did, and should have definitely seen the end coming. Sorry to be vague but I don't want to spoil it for anyone else.
Although I liked the book, it felt really flat while reading it. Nothing really got me excited or pulled me into the book. I would still recommend the book to people who like mysteries, and I hope that this was a case of it being the first book. Hopefully they start to get more interesting!
I picked up these books because around 5 friends have been pushing hard for me to read this series. I thought the mystery was a good
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one. I was interested all the way until the end. I was slightly disappointed that I figured out whodunit pretty early on. That is part of why i wanted to give it 2 1/2 stars, I never felt the sort of suspense I'm used to when reading mysteries. I found Kinsey really lacking as a protagonist. She was really unlikeable to me, but I can't really place why. Her internal monologs can get really annoying, and I was super disappointed in some of her choices in the novel. I felt that she should have known better about some of the things she did, and should have definitely seen the end coming. Sorry to be vague but I don't want to spoil it for anyone else.
Although I liked the book, it felt really flat while reading it. Nothing really got me excited or pulled me into the book. I would still recommend the book to people who like mysteries, and I hope that this was a case of it being the first book. Hopefully they start to get more interesting!
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LibraryThing member lamour
Nikki Fife has spent 8 years in prison for the murder of her husband, divorce lawyer and ladies man Lawrence. She approaches Kinsey and asks her to find out who did kill her husband because it was not her. The trail is 8 years old and as days go by Kinsey does not seem to be getting close to the
When she seems to be getting no where, a woman she had tracked down to question is suddenly murdered, there are now three corpses so she knows she is making someone nervous.
As other reviews have pointed out, Kinsey's having a relationship with one of the suspects in the case makes her judgement questionable.
Kinsey introduces herself in this the first in the series of novels about her cases. She says she is "a private investigator, licensed in California, thirty-two yeas old, twice divorced, no kids, no pets, no plants."
I found the story moved along swiftly even as she drove around California and Nevada tracking down suspects.
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answer. She dose learn that another woman was killed days after Lawrence's murder using the same method, poison in antihistamine tablets.When she seems to be getting no where, a woman she had tracked down to question is suddenly murdered, there are now three corpses so she knows she is making someone nervous.
As other reviews have pointed out, Kinsey's having a relationship with one of the suspects in the case makes her judgement questionable.
Kinsey introduces herself in this the first in the series of novels about her cases. She says she is "a private investigator, licensed in California, thirty-two yeas old, twice divorced, no kids, no pets, no plants."
I found the story moved along swiftly even as she drove around California and Nevada tracking down suspects.
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LibraryThing member lynlee59
I really enjoyed the style of this book and have now gone on and read all her other alphabet books
LibraryThing member mochap
I read A after starting with U--not the best choice, but still great fun. It's interesting having a taste of Kinsey's character arc, before even knowing anything about her.
Nice to have a fun series that you can count on!
Nice to have a fun series that you can count on!
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Having heard people talk about the series I decided to start at book one. An interesting mystery all about a murder being investigated again when the person convicted of the offence gets out of jail. I would be curious about the rest of the series but wouldn't be running to try to find them. You do
Kinsey is an interesting character and I'm sure if I had met her when this series was in it's infancy, in the late 80s, I would probably have been very impressed with this matter of fact female dectective who doesn't take any prisoners. However at this stage I'm used to that kind of female decective.
The binding on this edition is quite poor.
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find out at the beginning of the book that she's killed someone but you don't find out who until nearly the end of the book. Which does keep you guessing. Not all the evildoers get the conventional end, which is as it should be, however none of the ends are unbelievable.Kinsey is an interesting character and I'm sure if I had met her when this series was in it's infancy, in the late 80s, I would probably have been very impressed with this matter of fact female dectective who doesn't take any prisoners. However at this stage I'm used to that kind of female decective.
The binding on this edition is quite poor.
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
Murdered husband, which Grafton wanted to do IRL but couldn't, so this novel and the rest of the series is the result. The usual tangled plot around a playboy husband and his women set in California. Kinsey is sassy and indepandant fairly well written, including the usual human flaws. Not the
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heaviest story going but an enjoyable read. Show Less
LibraryThing member CrystaB
This is the first book of this series I have read. I figured out the killer halfway through. Still will try the letter B and give it a chance!
LibraryThing member DreamingInFiction
I gave this book a 3 rating for a couple of reasons:
I guessed "who dunnit" pretty much from the get go.. (this wouldn't have bother me as much if not for the other reasons below)
Her dislike for animals (dogs in particular)
Her comments on overweight people. (yes, I am overweight.. as is more than
These things just seemed extremely rude to me, or maybe I'm being overly sensitive.
However, I did really enjoy the mystery and style of writing besides those points.. I haven't abandoned the series totally.. I know a lot of people have gave it good reviews :)
I guessed "who dunnit" pretty much from the get go.. (this wouldn't have bother me as much if not for the other reasons below)
Her dislike for animals (dogs in particular)
Her comments on overweight people. (yes, I am overweight.. as is more than
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half America!)These things just seemed extremely rude to me, or maybe I'm being overly sensitive.
However, I did really enjoy the mystery and style of writing besides those points.. I haven't abandoned the series totally.. I know a lot of people have gave it good reviews :)
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LibraryThing member MerryMary
I wanted to see where this whole series began. I really enjoyed this one - hated to see who the bad guy was, though!
LibraryThing member eenerd
Fun, quick read. Kinsey is a great character and Grafton a great writer. Looking forward to working my way down the alphabet!
LibraryThing member benfulton
It must be a popular series considering how long it's gone on, and I definitely found this first book compelling enough to read the next one, just as soon as I run across it in a garage sale or used book store. Kinsey is a pretty tough broad, especially for 1982, and there are hints of a pretty
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interestingly complex character underneath, perhaps more reason to continue the series. The pace is a bit jerky, especially near the end which is very abrupt. But that's a stylistic thing, and it doesn't make the book any less interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jim53
Picked this up looking for a light read and found exactly that. Pretty uncomplicated characters, moderately interesting plot. I had picked out the primary "bad guy" a third of the way into the book, but there were a couple of interesting twists and lessons about making assumptions. No outstanding
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characteristics but an enjoyable light read. Show Less
LibraryThing member EmScape
Although I had guessed who the killer was at barely the beginning of the third chapter, I had been wrong about my guess of motive. The ending surprised me and was not as wrapped up as I would like from a mystery. It was a quick read, though, and worth the time.
Also, I really like the Kinsey
Also, I really like the Kinsey
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Millhone character. She is very straightforward and blunt. I like that the author is willing to let her make mistakes (big ones). Show Less
LibraryThing member mahallett
i listened to this and there were way too many female characters, always referred to by their first name, so i don't know who did it. it was a good story.
LibraryThing member riverwillow
I've read this book before, as part of a Bookcrossing ring and enjoyed it - which is why I bought this and other books in the series. There is an enormous twist in this story and Kinsey is an interesting character.
LibraryThing member rbtwinky
Being my first mystery novel since probably Nancy Drew, I found this book a nice change of pace. Beyond that, I don’t think it had too much value. The plot was pretty predictable: PI falls in love with the killer. The heroine, Kinsey Milhone, also didn’t do much for me. She was strong and
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feisty, which are normally big winners for me, but she just seemed too tough. She didn’t have any vulnerabilities or feminine qualities to speak of. The ending of the book was also very unsettling for me. The suspense and the abrupt ending just left me feeling sick. The only thing redeeming about this book was the romance she had with the killer, and of course that didn’t last too long. I don’t think I’ll be picking up too many more mystery books anytime soon. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1982-04-15
Physical description
224 p.; 4 inches
ISBN
0553279912 / 9780553279917