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poirot0606's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
nm_young's review against another edition
3.0
⭐⭐⭐
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn’t quite live up to. It’s a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn’t quite live up to. It’s a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook performed by Mary Peiffer
Book #1 in the Kinsey Millhone series. Kinsey is a private investigator who is asked to look into an old murder case – by the woman convicted of poisoning her unfaithful husband. Nikki Fife has served her time but she swears she was innocent and wants to know who DID kill her husband. As Kinsey begins looking into the old case she discovers that a young accountant who did the law firm’s books also died shortly after Nikki’s husband – and of the same poison. The more details she uncovers, the less they seem to fit together, and possible witnesses begin to die.
This is a fast-paced mystery thriller with plenty of twists and turns and multiple suspects to keep the reader busy. Kinsey is a wonderful lead character – something of a loner, twice divorced no kids, no pets, working hard and working smart. She’s resourceful, tenacious, and intelligent and can take care of herself. I like that the book is set in an era before wide-spread use of computers, and without cell phones. This requires Kinsey to investigate the old-fashioned way (does anyone else remember using a reverse directory?).
The book is very atmospheric. Grafton describes the Southern California landscape clearly and succinctly, giving the reader a good sense of the terrain. I also like the way she describes the various characters; I got a very clear picture of each of them.
Mary Peiffer performs the audiobook at a good pace. She does not use many different voices for the various characters, but that wasn’t too problematic. Grafton’s dialogue makes it clear who is speaking and I was never confused.
I’ve read this book before – decades ago. I didn’t remember anything about it other than that I liked the central character. I think I’ll have to continue reading the series again.
Book #1 in the Kinsey Millhone series. Kinsey is a private investigator who is asked to look into an old murder case – by the woman convicted of poisoning her unfaithful husband. Nikki Fife has served her time but she swears she was innocent and wants to know who DID kill her husband. As Kinsey begins looking into the old case she discovers that a young accountant who did the law firm’s books also died shortly after Nikki’s husband – and of the same poison. The more details she uncovers, the less they seem to fit together, and possible witnesses begin to die.
This is a fast-paced mystery thriller with plenty of twists and turns and multiple suspects to keep the reader busy. Kinsey is a wonderful lead character – something of a loner, twice divorced no kids, no pets, working hard and working smart. She’s resourceful, tenacious, and intelligent and can take care of herself. I like that the book is set in an era before wide-spread use of computers, and without cell phones. This requires Kinsey to investigate the old-fashioned way (does anyone else remember using a reverse directory?).
The book is very atmospheric. Grafton describes the Southern California landscape clearly and succinctly, giving the reader a good sense of the terrain. I also like the way she describes the various characters; I got a very clear picture of each of them.
Mary Peiffer performs the audiobook at a good pace. She does not use many different voices for the various characters, but that wasn’t too problematic. Grafton’s dialogue makes it clear who is speaking and I was never confused.
I’ve read this book before – decades ago. I didn’t remember anything about it other than that I liked the central character. I think I’ll have to continue reading the series again.
rmesquirrel's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-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
2.75
This author certainly liked to describe the physical characteristics of the characters. REALLY used unkind words to describe people who were overweight. Plus, there was no need (in my opinion) to spend 5 pages making internal monologue fat "joke" comment/descriptions about a minor character. Furthermore, the plot took too long to get to the point. Was hoping I found a new series to jump into but, I do not foresee me reading anymore of the alphabet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
blondierocket's review against another edition
3.0
My first Sue Grafton novel. I was excited to get started on this series, as I am with most. I’m 20 books behind.
Kinsey is a private investigator, hired by a woman who was just released from prison after being convicted of killing her husband. She denies that she was guilty and hires Kinsey to find out who the real killer is.
For me, it took awhile to get into the story. It wasn’t about until I was halfway through that I started enjoying reading it more and then in the last 30-40 pages when I just didn’t want to put it down.
I could almost feel that this was Grafton’s first book as character development seemed slower and even at the end I wasn’t fully sure of all of Kinsey’s personality. I’m sure it develops over time, but as a first book in the series I almost would have expected there to be more to her character.
I did enjoy the book very much and will continue on with the series and I’m sure I will grow to like the character more. This is almost the exact same feeling I had when reading One for the Money and A Drink Before the War. Writers get better with practice and I don’t doubt that Grafton does.
Kinsey is a private investigator, hired by a woman who was just released from prison after being convicted of killing her husband. She denies that she was guilty and hires Kinsey to find out who the real killer is.
For me, it took awhile to get into the story. It wasn’t about until I was halfway through that I started enjoying reading it more and then in the last 30-40 pages when I just didn’t want to put it down.
I could almost feel that this was Grafton’s first book as character development seemed slower and even at the end I wasn’t fully sure of all of Kinsey’s personality. I’m sure it develops over time, but as a first book in the series I almost would have expected there to be more to her character.
I did enjoy the book very much and will continue on with the series and I’m sure I will grow to like the character more. This is almost the exact same feeling I had when reading One for the Money and A Drink Before the War. Writers get better with practice and I don’t doubt that Grafton does.
brendamay421's review against another edition
1.0
I honestly had to put this one down. I could not force myself to read past the 100th page. The main character was too drab, nothing to her at all. No emotion, no background, no character development. Just that she was an private investigator. A tool in which to tell a predictable who-done-it. (My suspicion was confirmed by spoilers i read after giving this book a good try.) Way too much menial detail I felt was more just to fill pages than was necessary. I mean, I really didn't see how describing her COMPLETE running paths,EVERY time she went for a run, were at all helpful to the story. At 100 pages in you still haven't learned anything of significance to really keep you reading. I dreaded picking it up so I had to put it down. Very disappointed because I was looking forward to a new series.
christene_littlelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
A is for Alibi is a mystery novel following the story of Kinsey Millhone, a detective who is new to the job and stated that she killed a man at the beginning of the book. Nikki, Kinsey client was under parole of murdering her husband but she then asked Kinsey to investigate as to who is the real culprit. The situation is a bit messy as it involves cheating and lies. I was impressed by how Kinsey portray a detective with attitude and how she come up to her deductions. It doesn't looks like that she is new to the field.
Loved the audio it is really good and handy. I liked the mc and how they let her personal life looks mysterious. They haven't give all information about her but just enough glimpse as to who she is. I'd loved to know her more. Starting to like this series. 4/5
Loved the audio it is really good and handy. I liked the mc and how they let her personal life looks mysterious. They haven't give all information about her but just enough glimpse as to who she is. I'd loved to know her more. Starting to like this series. 4/5
baldo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75