The Kinsey Millhone Mysteries: A is for Alibi / B is for Burglar / C is for Corpse / D is for Deadbeat

Kinsey Millhone #1-4

by Sue Grafton

Kinsey Millhone is a private detective created by Sue Grafton for her "alphabet mysteries" series of novels. Grafton's mystery novels featuring Millhone are set in 1980s Santa Teresa, a fictionalized town based on Santa Barbara, California. This set includes: "A" Is for Alibi (1982), "B" Is for Burglar (1985), "C" Is for Corpse (1986), "D" Is for Deadbeat (1987) and "E" Is for Evidence (1988).

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

Sue Grafton was a #1 New York Times bestselling author. She is best known for her “alphabet series” featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California. Prior to success with this series, she wrote screenplays for television movies. Her earlier novels include Keziah Dane (1967) and The Lolly-Madonna War (1969), both out of print. In the book Kinsey and Me she gave us stories that revealed Kinsey's origins and Sue's past.

Grafton never wanted her novels to be turned into movies or TV shows. According to her family she would never allow a ghost writer to write in her name. Because of these things, and out of respect for Sue’s wishes, the family announced the alphabet now ends at “Y”

Grafton was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, the Ross Macdonald Literary Award, three Shamus Awards, and many other honors and awards.

Grafton had three children from previous marriages and several grandchildren, including a granddaughter named Kinsey. She and her husband lived in Montecito, California, and Louisville, Kentucky.

Reviews

[Ingrid White · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who loves strong female characters, and good crime dramas, I cannot recommend more highly the Kinsey Millhone 'alphabet' series by Sue Grafton. Sue unfortunately passed away before getting to Z and I understand has forbidden anyone to complete it, or to make it into a TV series or movie. So the books are all you'll get. And they are all you'll need. It's a great set.

Can I give it six stars?

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue Grafton depicts a PI as a normal gal, cuts her hair with cuticle scissors and is so darn average that she is adorable as she solves crimes and tries to sort out her life.

[Octavia Cade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read and reviewed these separately over the last several years, so this is just for my own records, really. All four books got three stars from me. I like them, which is why I keep reading them, but I don't like them so much that I'm in a hurry to read more, if that makes sense. Months can pass between volumes as far as I'm concerned. That's not necessarily a bad thing - sometimes I just don't want to keep endless plot details straight over multiple books, so series like this, where the books are essentially standalone, are honestly quite relaxing.

Even though I rated them the same, I like them more as they go along. Not enough to jump a star, but as Kinsey's fleshed out I appreciate her more. I like her sense of pragmatism, and I like the shift from mystery/thriller (as the first two books were) to straight mystery... Kinsey doesn't seem to get any enjoyment whatsoever from endangering herself, and that is frankly relatable.

[Nancy Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to these with my Mom. She loves this series. I find them entertaining but predicable.

[Stef · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was very disappointed with these books, was bored from the first book will not read anymore of them.

[Jenny Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

this series is one of the best I've ever read

[Helen McKinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved listening to every book! Each book was fun and exciting. As I walk and listened to them I am sure my neighbors thought I was a bit loony as I would often laugh out loud. Loved this series.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my old faithful series that I have read since freshman year of high school. Since I'm now 30, Kinsey feels like a old friend. I've read "A" through "S" and have since stopped with the series despite the newer ones continuing to get released. I'm not sure why, since I think Grafton has become a master of the mystery genre and her writing continues to get better and better. I'm sure I'll visit Kinsey again when the time is right.

What ultimately makes this series so readable is the protagonist's narration.
Kinsey Millhone, a female private investigator, never bored me. Some mysteries in the series are better than others, but I really kept coming back for Kinsey.

I remember "A is for Alibi" being the most predictable, but I'll cut Ms. Grafton a break since it was the first in the series.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I re-read all the Kinseys in November while doing the bulk of the Rome planning--they were just what I needed to distract me.

I really do think that this series has had ebbs and flows of goodness, and T-U represent another upswing (I am also very fond of "Q", though not quite so crazy about "R" or "P"). That makes me excited for "V", whenever we get it.

Anyway, add to this the other 17 released books, yeah?

[Angeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, really good! Kinsey Milhone is a great character and a fun read.

[Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her writing and character development

[Rachelle Demegillo]

...it can make your heart beats faster..

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of these are awesome!

[NaDyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I've read the whole series. I'm up to U.

[Melnee Benfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her stuff.