48 pages • 1 hour read
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308
Novel • Fiction
Santa Teresa, California • 1980s
1982
Adult
18+ years
820L
In A Is For Alibi by Sue Grafton, private investigator Kinsey Millhone is hired by Nikki Fife, a woman recently paroled after being wrongfully convicted of her husband's murder eight years prior, to clear her name and find the real killer, leading Millhone through a complex investigation involving themes of marriage dynamics, societal expectations, justice, deception, and wrongful imprisonment.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Gritty
200,588 ratings
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Sue Grafton's A Is for Alibi introduces private investigator Kinsey Millhone, captivating readers with its strong narrative and well-developed protagonist. The mystery is engaging, though some critics find the plot predictable. While Grafton's writing style is praised for its clarity and pacing, others note occasional character clichés. Overall, a solid start to a promising series.
Fans of hard-boiled detective fiction will relish A Is For Alibi by Sue Grafton. Readers who enjoy Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep or Sara Paretsky's Indemnity Only will appreciate Kinsey Millhone's sharp wit, gripping investigations, and the intricate plots set in the California landscape. Perfect for those intrigued by complex, strong female protagonists.
200,588 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Nikki Fife
A key figure whose quest to clear her name after serving time for her husband's murder drives the novel's primary plot, determined to prove her innocence and regain custody of her son.
Laurence Fife
The murder victim whose life and complex relationships underpin the narrative, influencing the story even after his death through the mystery surrounding him.
Charlie Scorsoni
An attorney and close associate of Laurence, whose dual role as a potential ally and suspect contributes to the suspense, complicated by his romantic involvement with Kinsey.
308
Novel • Fiction
Santa Teresa, California • 1980s
1982
Adult
18+ years
820L
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