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mcintoshheidi's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
A great palate cleanser and not at all what I'd expected.
I don't know why I assumed that Grafton's books were cozy mysteries--or corny mysteries--but this one certainly is not.
It's an '80's noir starring the very likeable Kinsey Millhone. Grafton writes her heroine in the style of a hard-boiled private eye, but she doesn't try too hard and the result is a character who is recognizable though specific, and unexpectedly believable though rooted deeply in the decades of detective fiction that precede her.
It's really fun.
I don't know why I assumed that Grafton's books were cozy mysteries--or corny mysteries--but this one certainly is not.
It's an '80's noir starring the very likeable Kinsey Millhone. Grafton writes her heroine in the style of a hard-boiled private eye, but she doesn't try too hard and the result is a character who is recognizable though specific, and unexpectedly believable though rooted deeply in the decades of detective fiction that precede her.
It's really fun.
beckeal's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been reading this series as released most of my life. I binged the first bunch as a teenager/young adult, and have kept it up. Hadn’t read “A is for...” in, well, probably decades, but it was a pleasure to do so again.
It’s funny now, reading casual 80s cultural and societal references (that would’ve been progressively feminist at the time) through the eyes of a 21st century gal, but in a way, it’s all the better for it’s authentic place in time.
They’re simple-to-read who-dunnits with straight-forward characters and very little polish, but again, that’s what makes me love them so. Or maybe it’s that they’ve come all this way with me, but either way ... Fan for life.
It’s funny now, reading casual 80s cultural and societal references (that would’ve been progressively feminist at the time) through the eyes of a 21st century gal, but in a way, it’s all the better for it’s authentic place in time.
They’re simple-to-read who-dunnits with straight-forward characters and very little polish, but again, that’s what makes me love them so. Or maybe it’s that they’ve come all this way with me, but either way ... Fan for life.
irinna's review
5.0
"A" is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
"A" is for Alibi" is the first book in Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery series, featuring Kinsey Millhone, a 32-year-old Private Investigator residing in California. I've just begun this series and found this book quite enjoyable. The mystery is compelling, suspenseful, and makes for a quick read. Kinsey's character is fiercely independent, and she's portrayed in a way that makes you feel intimately acquainted with her. Nikki Fife, recently released from prison after serving eight years for the murder of her husband Laurence, enlists Kinsey to uncover the real culprit. As Kinsey delves into the investigation, she discovers a similarly executed murder that occurred days after Laurence's—the victim being Libby Glass, the accountant for Laurence's law firm, poisoned in the same manner. With the trail cold for eight years, Kinsey is aware that uncovering the truth will be challenging. She starts piecing together the profiles of those involved and the events leading to Laurence's death. However, her probing does not sit well with someone who is intent on keeping the truth buried. As Kinsey edges closer to the truth, she finds herself in peril, with a determined adversary attempting to thwart her efforts.
"A" is for Alibi" is the first book in Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery series, featuring Kinsey Millhone, a 32-year-old Private Investigator residing in California. I've just begun this series and found this book quite enjoyable. The mystery is compelling, suspenseful, and makes for a quick read. Kinsey's character is fiercely independent, and she's portrayed in a way that makes you feel intimately acquainted with her. Nikki Fife, recently released from prison after serving eight years for the murder of her husband Laurence, enlists Kinsey to uncover the real culprit. As Kinsey delves into the investigation, she discovers a similarly executed murder that occurred days after Laurence's—the victim being Libby Glass, the accountant for Laurence's law firm, poisoned in the same manner. With the trail cold for eight years, Kinsey is aware that uncovering the truth will be challenging. She starts piecing together the profiles of those involved and the events leading to Laurence's death. However, her probing does not sit well with someone who is intent on keeping the truth buried. As Kinsey edges closer to the truth, she finds herself in peril, with a determined adversary attempting to thwart her efforts.
soph_or_sofa's review
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eliza_janiel's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
motherbird76's review against another edition
mysterious
3.75
Nice little mystery. Read for May mini challenge. A=alpha. I probably won’t make efforts to read the other 24 books but if one fits a prompt I’d be fine with more Kinsey Millhone.
jillybeans's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
4.75
ingo_lembcke's review
3.0
Was mentioned somewhere on Goodreads and sounded interesting and was very cheap (unlike the others in the series), like a promo or maybe as it is the first book in the series.
The heroine is great, being single and stubborn.
Little romance, even less sex (and the sex scenes only hinted at, not very interesting), so that was ok.
The case meanders through the story-line and the book was very dated, with no cell-phones and computers only used by accountants for book-keeping and finance, and a side story based on the switch, putting data from paper into computers.
A few twists with a nice showdown, but no real hard to guess whodunit.
Still, a solid and well deserved 3stars and a recommendation for a female P.I. .
As there are a lot of books in the Alphabet-Series, I will probably skip the next 10 and look into those which are newer and may feature more up-to-date technology, but will also check reviews first before buying.
The heroine is great, being single and stubborn.
Little romance, even less sex (and the sex scenes only hinted at, not very interesting), so that was ok.
The case meanders through the story-line and the book was very dated, with no cell-phones and computers only used by accountants for book-keeping and finance, and a side story based on the switch, putting data from paper into computers.
A few twists with a nice showdown, but no real hard to guess whodunit.
Still, a solid and well deserved 3stars and a recommendation for a female P.I. .
As there are a lot of books in the Alphabet-Series, I will probably skip the next 10 and look into those which are newer and may feature more up-to-date technology, but will also check reviews first before buying.
courtneygerdes10's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0